Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 03:15
In Sydney, I mainly do book distribution on the street. We are also very
fortunate to have a strong team of six Devamrita Swamis bramacaris opening the
storehouse of love of God on the streets of hundreds of suburbs in Sydney.
Since I took to the Grhasta asram, I have found another avenue for book
distribution - inside our house. We set up a shop in the foyer with mainly
books but other paraphenalia also. So we do home programs and some people buy
books during the programs. But some of the most enlivening experiences are when
people come to do some work for us or people knock on our door to sell us
things. We had a plumber come to do some work. He ended up sitting down for a
full meal of prasadam and bought a Gita and cookbook for $50. He also told us
about these South American guys who install Pink Bat installation in the roof
to give extra cooling in summer and heating in winter. He said they do it for
free as the government offers this benefit to people so they use less air
conditioning etc. So I called them up. They came around a few days later and
installed the insulation. I cooked a simple lunch of Upma, tomato
chutney, strawberry lassi, halava and custard. We all sat on the back lawn
and took lunch prasadam. They all loved the prasadam and one man in particular
was asking a lot of questions about our philosophy. He out of the four men
asked for seconds and thirds of prasadam! They went back to work and when
finishing, this one man asked if he could stay and ask some questions. We sat
down in the shop and he asked very intelligent questions for 1 or 2 hours. He
ended up buying a variety of books and gave $60.
Sometime later we were preparing for the birth of a child. We planned to do a
home birth so we got in touch with a professional midwife who has been doing
homebirths for 20 years. On the day she came with her assistant. The birth went
well and we were chanting Hare Krsna along with Prabhpada on a CD. We also fed
the midwifes prasadam on the day. After the birth the midwife came for a visit
and she took a keen interest in the books. She was eagerly looking over them in
the shop and ended up getting $100 worth of books! The other midwife did not
get any books then, but I met her on the street in her home town some weeks
later and she purchased a Bhagavad Gita.
Also we have had a number of people knocking on our door to sell us something.
Most of them walk away with a book and some of them are happy to sit down and
take prasadam with us. So I encourage all Grhastas to keep a good stock of
books in your house because you don't know who will knock on your
door and you can have them walk away with the supreme benefit; Krsna
conciousness, through Srila Prabhupada's books.
Your servant, Rupa Raghunatha das
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 07:15
Bhakta Rahul, a dentist, who is member of the Brahamchari Trainee group of
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty recalls this interesting experience
from last year's Marathon:
I was distributing books in the local trains when these two men starting
making fun of me. When I was announcing they were mimicking me. I ignored
them and tried to focus on the announcements. When after the announcements,
no one took the books and there was still time for the next station, I
decided to tackle these fellows.
I went to them and held the books for them. They giggled, and one said to the
other, "You see," The other said,"No, no. You see." They were making fun and
asking each other to see the books first. It went on for some time. I said,
"Don't worry, I will show both of you the books."
I opened the page straight to the painting where hellish punishments were
shown. How a meat eater is boiled in water, how illicit sex leads to
embracing a fiery body, and how intoxications and gambling lead to similar
horrifying 'rewards.' I spoke all this in a simple straightforward manner.
But, the result was devastating. Their smile evaporated. They stared with
unblinking eyes. Something was serious. I don't now what was happening to
them. They took the Bhagavad-gita in their hands, turned a few pages and
then one of them paid the money.
Now it was my turn to smile.
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 23:15
Dear Devotees
We went north of Sydney to Woy Woy and Gosford to tolerate the fresh air
while we distributed some mercy without discrimination.
Madhavendra Puri and I, the two reformed gurukulies, were dropped in Woy
Woy. Like a pair of Special OPT Forces, S.A.S., we parachuted in to the
fairly deserted town and positioned our transcendental trap, ready to free
all those who entered from the grips of Maya. Hriman Krsna and Stambha Bhava
prabhus continued on to Gosford.
It was so quiet in Woy Woy we didn't think we could do many books.
Eagerly we just tried anyway and we pounced on every person that set foot
on the street.
To our surprise actually, many books went out that day. Both Madhavendra
Puri and I finished every book we had including cookbooks. Together we sold
around $800 worth of books.
So I realised that all you need is a trickle of people and Krsna willing,
the day can be fruitful, for His pleasure off course. Sydney is always
overflowing with monkey face sense enjoyers but some times it's good to get
out of the city and be merciful to the small town folk. Actually a lot of
devotees have come from the smaller towns.
Now it gets interesting.
That same day one young man, Cam is his name, pulled up in his car after
driving past us.
He came running back to us and with great excitement he said,
"Hey guys. My friend told me that some of you were in Gosford handing out
spiritual books. I had no time to go into Gosford but you are here also. What
you're doing is great!"
As he took the hard cover Gita he told me how he lives on an Island here and
keeps to himself. He likes meditation and spiritual music.
So I invited him to our 'Soul Talk' at Govindas and took his email.
Now maybe a month or to later I was distributing in Gosford this time and
sure enough I stopped a young guy. It was Cam again. He hadn't been able to
make it down to Sydney yet but he asked for another BG because he accidently
left his in the glove box of the car he sold. He told me how he wants to
travel the world as a busker (musician). I again invited him to come visit
us and experience some transcendental sound vibrations.
Then he engaged himself in some ajnata sukriti. He told me I should go show
Prabhupada's books to the people in the New Age shop up the road.
Doubtfully I made my way up the road trying to find this shop. Just when I
thought, "This is hopeless, I'm wasting too much time here, I've never had
any luck in the shops any way." Then I saw the hippie flags out the front of
the shop. It was hidden up a side street. So I thought, "well I'm here now,
no more excuses, I should just try."
Weak as I am at presenting SP's books I just prayed to my spiritual master.
Being out of my comfort zone I was forced to be humble and that was my mood
in the presentation. I didn't try to be all confidant and showman-like. I
just fully depended on Guru and Krsna. I presented the books sincerely and
honestly and to the best of my ability. While showing each book to the three
staff present I gave a short description. I mainly focused on the books
authenticity and how these books will give the peace the world is looking
for.
I felt so much ecstasy relying on Krsna, especially when they
expressed their interest and offered to pay a good price for a full set of
books. One of the ladies wanted a copy of 'Searching for Vedic India' for
herself but I only brought what I could carry so I met her later to give her
a copy also.
Just go out and try to please Guru and Krsna will help us.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Jai Sri Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayate.
Aspiring to be a good book distributer,
Dhruvananda Dasa
(Formerly Uddhava Dasa gurukulie)
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 02:15
Auckland, New Zealand
I met 44 year old Hemi, a warm and friendly maori (native) gentleman who is
working distributing advertising leaflets to the public. He immediately
recognised Srila Prabhupada's books. He already has the Gita and others but
has not yet read them. He gave a donation and took 2 small books. He is
working the same side of the street as me; he's been doing so from 9 until
4:30 every day for over two weeks to promote the School Uniform Shop he is
working for.
A while later I meet him again. "What is a monk?" he inquires. I said, "We
discuss scripture, do service, study and celibacy." Hemi used to attend the
Mormon Church and told me of his being put on probation for not sticking to the
"rules" eventually leading to him being asked not to come back. We talked
about dealing with sin. I referenced some verses on lust from Bhagavad-Gita
focusing on 2.59, and explain the practicality of Bhakti yoga.
Later he beckons me over; he's been meditating on what we discussed
earlier. He had attended many churches throughout the years and was
unimpressed by the knowledge they had to offer. He was spiritually
tired but is now eager to read his copy of the Gita.
We again went on sankirtan. During one exchange I see Hemi waiting across from
me. I chastise him jokingly for being in "my" zone and ask if he'd like to
do my job. He takes it seriously and agrees. We get a mixture of books
from my box and I inform him of the 'printing' price. Then I tell him to
chant this certain mantra in between meeting people and he repeats the holy
name line by line.
For half an hour he tries giving passersby the books instead of the
advertising material. I watch his exchanges; he looks funny in his uniform
(which advertises a shop that sells uniforms) but he is confident.
After 30 minutes I approach him. He chants Hare Krishna with a smile on his
face. He remembers the whole mantra after having heard it only once. It
was difficult for him and no books went out, but he was ecstatic
nonetheless. Because of his lack of knowledge of what the books were about,
he wasn't sure how to present them. He vowed to read his Gita before coming
to Krishnafest at The Loft (our urban yoga lounge) this Sunday. I got his
number and later sent him a text message, thanking him for his help. I also
wrote: "I hope u gt som nice realisation from the books." He replied,
"I feel like a new lease of life has presented itself to me, a direction of
certainty and opportunity, keep in touch."
Srila Prabhupada, his books, and his book distribution Ki! Jai!
Your servant,
Jayadeva Kavi dasa
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 08:15
Last Friday we were out doing harinam sankirtan it was a beautiful sunny day
here in Wellington New Zealand. We were about 20 devotees. Gaura Raya prabhu
was leading this powerful harinam. There was a rugby tournament in town
1000,s of drunk kids making fun of us and dancing etc..
I was in the back of the harinam passing out invites to our sunday festival.
All of a sudden by Krishna's causeless mercy this one young girl maybe 17 or
18 yrs old approched with tears in her eyes. She said. "Can I give you a
donation," and gave a $20? She said, "You guys bring such an amazing energy
into the town I cant even describe it."
I asked her (her name was Mitchelle), "Have you seen us before? Do you know
anything about us?" She said, "No first time I am seeing you guys and first
time I am hearing this Hare Krishna." She said she actually comes from Napier
(small city in the north island in New Zealand 3 hrs from Wellington) and she
was just passing through Wellington.
I was so happy to see her enthusiasm so I asked her to come later that night
for some meditation and some dinner at our out reach center (Gaura Yoga).
She said, "Actually I have only 5 mins my mum and brother are waiting for me
in the car we are leaving Wellington in 5 mins."
I really wanted to give her some Prabhupads books and some prasadam so I
requested her please come with me to our meditation center which is only few
mins walk I would like to give you some of our books. She obviously didn't
realize the importance of reading our books but I was praying like anything
to Krishna. "Please Krishna allow her to come and get some of Prabhupada's
books.
So inspired by Krishna she finally agreed to come but she said, "I have only 2
minutes." So we ran to our center and she was so impressed by our out reach
center the vibration and the devotees etc. So I gave her a slice of cake
prasadam and 2 books (Science of self realization and a Gita).
She gratefully left with the books and prasadam and promised me that she will
visit us in the near future after reading our books. We also exchanged
emails. It was amazing to see this lost soul get so much mercy in the 5 mins
that she was in town.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and my eternal spiritual master H.H
Devamrita maharaj for inspiring us.
YHS
Shastra-krit das
"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"
(Text D:2263345) -------------------------------------------
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Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 03:15
Jadu Thakur Prabhu a devotee in the Brahamchari Trainee group of Sri Sri
Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty recalls this interesting experience from
last year's Marathon:
I was distributing books in the train with Pitambar Prabhu, when I saw this
man reading a book. He was so absorbed in reading that he just looked up for
a split second to see what Pitambar Prabhu was announcing and immediately
went back to his book. I edged closer and saw that it was the bestseller,
Secrets. I had read an article in BTG about this book. It is about desiring
something so badly that eventually the cosmos arranges it for us. Although
very simplistic in approach, the book is widely popular.
I went to the man and said, "Excuse me sir, may I have a moment, please?"
He looked up.
"I see that you are very interested in this book. It is nice to see someone
so spiritual."
He smiled.
"But," I continued, "There is a fundamental flaw in this book."
"What is it?" he asked.
"It ignores a very basic law of this cosmos-the law of karma. You see, so
many people in this world want things, some of them really do so
desperately-they may even pray for them-yet they do not get them. Do you
know similar people from your life?"
He pondered for a moment, and then nodded in affirmation.
"Why don't they get the things that they so badly desire for?" Everyone wants
happiness and no one wants distress. Yet we don't get
happiness all the time and we keep on getting distress. Who decides this
allocation of joy and sorrow? Is our quota of pain and pleasure destined by
some higher authority, or is it under our control?"
He was listening intently.
"Here is a book," I handed him 'Laws of Nature,' that explains karma in a
lucid and simple way. It teaches you the laws that bind us and what
is the process that will free us. Give it a try. It will teach you the real
secret of success, and even give you a mantra for achieving it."
He took the book gave a donation and asked for my phone number.
(Text D:2263015) -------------------------------------------
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Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 00:15
I took blessings from Caru Candra Prabhu, North American sankirtana record
holder, and launched into my best, most enthused, book distribution session
that I can remember. For 30 minutes down in the home-base of the
Broadway-Lafayette subway station in New York City, I was in flow. It was
unmistakable. And then.... Krsna just pulled the plug.
Why, I could not understand. I did not see myself as particularly prideful
or independent-minded. I was grateful and happy to serve Srila Prabhupada in
a manner that is, frankly, so much nicer than I am accustomed. And I slowly
began to suffer more and more through the pain of rejection and my previous
successes. Was there such a thing as suffering without meaning in Krsna
Consciousness? I thought that was the difference between material and
spiritual suffering. But alas, I could not understand why Krsna was treating
me in this haphazard way. Krsnaaa! How can I approach people and be normal
when I can predict exactly what each one is going to say before he even
speaks a word? This is surely an unreasonable task.
After some time of trying to keep my mind together, my friend, Doyal
Gauranga Prabhu spontaneously showed up on the scene. When he asked me how I
was doing, I told him the truth, but somehow my tone had subtly shifted.
Bewilderment and frustration had turned to acceptance and realization. It
then occurred to me that for the last 45 minutes or so, I'd not really
minded the suffering. I'd somehow struck a pinch of liberation without my
even noticing! Delighted and enlivened, our conversation revealed to me how
Krsna was working on me, sculpting me determinedly, without even my
slightest awareness.
My results remained meager as before, but my consciousness cleaned up. This
was special mercy that I could not afford to take for granted in my present
state. Then suddenly, *again*, Krsna pulled the plug! Dissatisfaction began
to subtly seep through the cracks of my consciousness. And as it reached a
second-wind of crescendo, I called out with fervor, "Krsnaaa! No one wants
Your books out here! No one! What am I supposed to do? You can compel people
better than I. But You're not doing anything. Krsnaaa! Is this really what
You want?"
At that very moment, I approached a young bearded man with an air of
hipness. "Hey, I'm from Long Island, where are you from?"
"Alabama"
"We're just showing these books to nice folks. Check it out. It's a classic
of Eastern wisdom. You've heard of karma, right? What goes around comes
around. These ideas originate in this book. Thoreau and Emerson said this
book changed their lives, Gandhi said it gave him inspiration in his darkest
hour. I'm a monk, my name's Ari, what's yours?"
We spoke for but a moment before he exclaimed, "You know, I've been
looking for this."
He took a Gita and gave me a generous donation. As he walked into the train
that arrived on the platform, he turned to me slightly and said, "What
you're doing. it's not easy." He paused a moment. "Keep doing it."
And the train swept him away.
My jaw dropped, but there was no surprise in me. It's said in
sankirtana circles that if you perform the service for long enough,
you meet Krsna out there. It's unavoidable.
Your servant,
Bhakta Ari
(Text D:2261618) -------------------------------------------
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Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/27/2010 - 08:15
Dear Devotees,
Parramatta, Sydney Australia, during an all-auspicious Srila Prabhupada
marathon, was the location for a very significant milestone in one fortunate
jiva's life.
Not only was it very hot weather but also it was extra passionate because,
apparently, soon it was Jesus Christs birthday, and strangely, although a
lot of things were being purchased, it didn't seem as though any of the
gifts were for him. But fortunately Prabhupada's books were being profusely
distributed to reconnect this occasion to God.
Intelligently following in the footsteps of one of my senior god brothers, I
spent a lot of time excavating in the air-conditioned "Mall Mines" (shopping
centres) trying to save any gold-hearted souls from Maya's dungeon.
It was much too busy to be noticed on the cameras by the sleeping
surveillance team so I could let my shika hang out.
Due to my lack of purity not every attempt was successfully but one simply
sweet exchange still stands out in my memory even though it was the
marathon 2008.
I stopped one average everyday Australian looking couple pushing a stroller
(baby carriage) and handed them the SB 1.1.
I can't remember exactly what I was saying as it was some time ago but they
seemed to think it was pretty spiritual because they became exited and
stopped me.
"Hold on." They said as they eagerly opened the veil of their child's
stroller while turning it to face me.
At this point I was a little perplexed. Was there some kind of deprogramming
device in there?
"Let him here all this." Said the mother.
She wanted her child to hear what I was saying.
I was bewildered by the simplicity of this couple but I continued my
presentation now including the new infant observer.
Recognising some of the pictures, they said that there child's babysitter was
an Indian lady.
The mother said "Oh! Oh! Our child hasn't been baptised yet. Can you do
something for him?"
Now my head was really spinning. I had no yajna pit handy, nor the golden
paraphernalia and the qualified Brahmans to chant the Vedic hymns needed to
conduct it. And sadly I couldn't find any live cows in the shopping mall to
supply the buckets of ghee.
Luckily Krsna supplied me with some quick needed intelligence and I explained
to them the potency of what was about to happen so they were ready for this
uncommon event.
So I (uninitiated at the time) an aspiring devotee of Krsna, empowered by
Guru parampara and witnessed by the Srimad Bhagavatam, conducted Parramatta
Westfield mall's first public baby initiation into the chanting of the Hare
Krsna Maha Mantra.
I crouched down, look the child in the face and thought of Srila Prabhupada
as I chanted...
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
They gave a nice donation and took the book and I hope some time in the
future, that baby will become a great devotee.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!!!!!!
An aspiring priest,
Dhruvananda Das
(Formerly Uddhava Das, gurukuli)
(Text D:2243955) -------------------------------------------
------- End of Forwarded Message ------
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 03:15
Sent by Bhakti Vikasa Swami
In a lecture on this occasion in 1976 in Mayapur Srila Prabhupada quoted his
Guru Maharaja:
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada . . . continued that “There is
no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books.” He said
like that.
He said that “We started our Gaudiya Matha in Ultadanga. The rent
was very small, and if we could gather two-hundred-fifty rupees, it was
going on very nicely. But since this J. V. Datta has given us this stone,
marble stone Thakurbari [Datta donated for a marble temple], our competition
between the disciples has increased. So I don’t like any more. Rather, I
would prefer to take out the marble stone and sell it and publish some
books.”
So I took that point, and he also especially advised me, “If you get
money, you try to publish books.” So by his blessing it has become very
successful by your cooperation. Now our books are being sold all over the
world, and it is very satisfactory sale. So on this particular day of
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s advent, try to remember his words—that he
wanted many books published about our philosophy, and it should be given to
the English-knowing public especially, because English language is now world
language. We are touring all over the world. So anywhere we speak English,
it is understood, except in some places.
So on this day, particularly on the advent of Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakur, I’d especially request my disciples who are cooperating
with me that you try to publish books as many as possible and distribute
throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as
well as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.
(Text D:2242189) -------------------------------------------
------- End of Forwarded Message ------
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 14:20