Utsaha in the Better half
Not to be left behind, the mataji's spearheaded by MadhuPriya Mataji were some of the most active book-distributors during the last marathon. On many occasions, scenting an opportunity, they grabbed the initiative from their better halves and not surprisingly have awe-inspiring stories to narrate.
Madhu Priya Mataji had a simple and effective formula. She would always carry Bhagavad-Gita with her each time she stepped out of her house. Coming down and going up the elevator to her 10th floor residence, she never lost a chance to preach and show books to whoever was in the lift. The unsuspecting residents of the building, cornered in this cubbyhole of a lift, were simply wonderstruck at the simple but terse message that she persuasively conveyed in just a few seconds. Her cogent pleas compelled them to take a book. In this brief half a minute sojourn in the lift, she would unfailingly distribute 2 – 3 Bhagavad-Gita's each time she went out, thereby transmitting Srila Prabhupad's mercy in a unique way.
On another occasion, she and another devotee friend went to the nearby Mahalaxmi Temple. Standing at the entrance on a torrid noon, their attempts to distribute books went unnoticed. As hours passed, the apathy of the huge crowd and also the sultry weather sunk their morale. Desperately, she said aloud, to no one in particular-"No one seems to be understanding the value of these books. Life is passing away. There's not much time to loose. These books alone can bring respite to the suffering souls." A handicapped beggar, who had been quietly observing the duo till now, became more interested. As the Mataji's seemed all set to take the now surging crowd to task, this beggar seemed convinced of their message. Collecting all the loose change he had accumulated throughout the day, he just had enough money for the book. Without a slight hesitation, he paid up and took a copy. As he left, he also cheerfully promised to study the Bhagavad-Gita. Reminiscing these ecstatic experiences, She attributes perseverance and sincere prayers to Guru as the key to successful book-distribution. As she confesses, in all humility-"If a simple housewife having no qualities, like myself, can become an active book-distributor, then anyone and everyone can take part in this transcendental sankirtan."
