The joy of Book Distribution
Laxmi Narayana Prabhu, the head of ISKCON Pune's traveling sankirtana bus party shared this story. He recalls:
I once went to a village and parking our bus in a square made an anouncement about the books. Many people came and were taking books. An elderly lady came up to me and asked for a Srimad Bhagwatam set in Marathi. I told her that only the first four volumes of the set were available and that set would cost her Rs. 880/- She asked the price of the first canto.
"Rs. 150/- "I said."
She opened her cloth bag and began taking out ten rupees notes. "I save ten rupees everyday," she disclosed as she took one ragged soiled crumbled note after another and began piling them up on the table. Finally her bag was empty. "Here take it," she gave me her savings.
I counted and shook my head, 'Mother, it is ten rupees short. Please do you have ten more."
"That is all I have." She said. "Can't you give me the book for this much?"
"I am sorry," I replied. "I have to submit all accounts in the temple and we do not keep any money for us. Please arrange ten rupees more."
"I have none."
"Why don't you ask someone to lend you ten rupees?" I advised her.
She turned to the customer beside her. "Can you please lend me ten rupees? I have to buy Srimad Bhagwatam."
Without a second thought the man took out ten rupees from his pocket and gave it to her.
When the first canto reached her, an indescribable joy lit on her face. She smiled so radiantly that her face is even now etched vividly in my heart. Then some doubt raised its head inside me, "Mother, do you know how to read?"
"No, I do not. But this is a gift for my grandchild. He will read it to me." she smiled and went her way.
The joy of giving this best gift to her grandchild in exchange of all her savings had brought a special satisfaction to her heart.
