By the mercy of Mahadevaji many books have been distributed at this time. He is so merciful. Only by remembering him all auspiciousness is coming – for us doing our guru seva and auspiciousness for all the jivas who came here to glorify Sivaji. He is giving liberation from material suffering and Krsna Bhakti. He is so dear to Srila Gurudeva and Srila Gurudeva is also dear to him. Based on their intimate relationship we are able to come here and do something.

-Rasevari dasi from Vrndavan/ Chile

I had never distributed books before and was really scared because I don’t know the language. I was thinking how am I going to distribute books? But then in the very beginning we were just on our way to Har Ki Puri ghat. I was showing the books and saying, “Hare Krsna” and saying nice things about the book in Russian and also “das rupee (ten rupees in Hindi)”. One beggar ran to me, pointed at the book, and then he took from his pocket one old and disgusting plastic bag. He took out and counted very carefully ten coins. I understood that the people here are so open and was amazed how trusting they were and much they believed what I said.

Another time I approached two men with a book. They were a bit drunk and aggressive and began to speak to me in Hindi. Then I told them to speak in English, but I still could not understand their English. They began to mock me saying, “How can you distribute books if you don’t speak Hindi or English?” So I began to speak to them in Russian. Even though they don’t speak Russian they could understand. Then one of them took a book but said he would not pay. One in the group was ashamed for his friend’s behavior and paid for three books – one for each of them.

Later on my first day of book distribution, I offered a book and said as usual, “ten rupees”. He handed me a 500 rupee note. I told him I had no change, and he signaled with his hand to just keep it. So I gave him a few larger books as a present.

- Urjeshvari dasi from Omsk, Russia

All snake charmers have one special tune. We found one special tune to the following Hindi bhajan:

hamare braja ke rakhavale, kanhaiya radhikarani

The protector of Vraja, our Kanhaiya Radhikarani

kanhaiya radhikarani, kanhaiya radhikarani

hamare nayano ke tare, kanhaiya radhikarani

The star of our eyes, Kanhaiya Radhikarani

sahara ve-saharo ke, kanhaiya radhikarani

The shelter for the shelterless, Kanhaiya Radhikarani

Normally people stare at us and we have to approach them with the books and try to inspire their interest, but we discovered whenever we sing this special tune people stop and look with great curiosity at the book table. We know it’s the charming tune because as soon as we stop the song all they all slither away.

- Taruni dasi from Vrndavan/ Moscow

On Siva Ratri we had a glorious kirtan. We realized when we work as a team that it was much greater – one person playing mrdanga, one person playing kartals, the others distributing books to the crowd that gathered – but all singing.  People are so attracted by the maha-mantra kirtan. And the wonderful thing is we are distributing books to some, but we were distributing the maha-mantra to all who come near.

- Kunja Kalika dasi from Vrndavan/ Peru

Siva Ratri day was very difficult and different than the other days because there were so many people and they were going so fast. It was not possible to get everyone to look at our books. It was causing me distress that they could not all stop. After two hours I became bewildered and dizzy by the crowd. I wish we had Punjabi books because so many nice Punjabi people come here.

This time distributing books I had a feeling that I was truly in the river of Krsna consciousness. My faith increased as I saw how happy people became after contact with the books. The happier they became the more happiness and energy I felt. Haridwar is wonderful because there are so many people and the opportunity to share Srila Gurudeva’s books with so many. I feel so much thanks to Srila Gurudeva, by his mercy I am coming to the holy places in India, and now to this to Haridawar where Ganga deva has so much mercy and power.

- Gayatri dasi from Armenia

Many street people always watch us out of curiosity. Western ladies hocking books is a strange new weave in the fabric of their street. Sometimes we are able to coax them into joining the kirtan, but mostly they just want to watch. When one old street lady crouched by our mat displaying the books I didn’t give her too much thought. She caught my attention and asked for a book about Krsna-lila. I scanned our selection of books and suddenly felt the inspiration to hand her Sankalapa-kalpa-druma. She indicated how much. I told her she could give any donation. She surveyed the rest of our books and after having a good look pulled out a handful of coins and one by one put them into my hand. She was so reverential of this transcendental literature. She wrapped it carefully in plastic and placed in her bag.

We had one big international night. Knowing Kumba Mela attracts an international crowd, when we first came in 2010 we brought books in many languages. The last of these books were still here in Haridwar. We always bring them for our book table. Our last Russian book found a home with a group of Russians who had come to India seeking spirituality. Then we found a couple from France with a guide who got the last French book. At the end of the night Rasevari dasi was blown away to find two women who not only who speak Spanish, but were from her home country, Chile. They had a nice conversation and we were happy to present them each with a Spanish book. It is always amazing how each book has its home.

­-Anita dasi from Vrndavan/ USA

It is my first time in India and being in Haridwar I feel some special connection to Sri Sivaji and Srimad-bhagavatam. Sitting in the very place where it happened, I heard the story from Srimad-bhagavatm about how Sati devi burned her body after her father disrespected her husband Sivaji. I experienced that this place on the banks of the sacred Ganaga river gives people so much inspiration and power.

Under guidance I feel that we distributed these books to people who really need them. When I distribute books, I feel that I am distributing the bhakti that is inside them; the knowledge from Srila Narayana Maharaja about the soul. Sometimes I met very intelligent people and they were interested and amazed that a Russian is here distributing books about Krsna bhakti. It is very good we are here distributing books during Siva Ratri in Haridwar

- Damodar-priya dasi Saint Petersburg, Russia

There is a whole lot of difference to be felt when preaching hits the ears of those who are searching as opposed to those who are materially contented. Sparks from a fire can do little when landing on wet grass as opposed to dry grass. When we reach out to the masses it is one thing to be indiscriminative and let Krishna do the sorting, since only He really knows who is destined for bhakti and who is not. Yet, it may be easier for Him and you if the time and place are more ideal for a connection to be made with those future candidates for pure devotional service to the Supreme.

it was the prerogative of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur to preach in the headquarters of Maya, which was at his time Calcutta. The citadel of Maya was where he launched the main focus of his attack. With the acquisition of Bag Bazzar and the printing press his conquest quickly began to unfold. The same spirit of preaching continued in the West where Sri Srimad 108  Bhaktivedanta Swami spent almost a year in the United States before he found the right time and place to bring Mahaprabhu’s message of sankirtan yagna – New York City.  If Swamiji had stayed in the rural Pennsylvania setting of Butler where he first sought shelter nothing would have happened, whereas when he ventured to the biggest city on the East coast where a whole generation was looking for something new, something unique and something  wonderful found it at Tomkins Square Park and 26 2^nd Avenue.

The youth were rebelling against authority as never before in a country where thousands of immigrants hastened to live a life of their dreams. Crude and irreverent intellectuals lead the charge of anti-establishmentism followed by an avante guard of musicians and artists. Wanting an escape to a life without restriction or repercussions, the frustrated and fed-up, looked for a change in the status quo. The mood was contagious and thousands flocked to places like Haight-Ashbury in the West and the Lower East-side in the East with their hopes and aspirations carried with them. Swamiji or Srila Prabhupada threw out a net and captured so many with his mercy and the mercy of the Lord.

Now that period is behind us and some of us are the fruits of that intelligent decision of the acharya. But, what of the future?  Where are those persons who are rejected by society and who similarly have rejected society and have the capacity to understand the message of Shree Chaitanya? Where would you be now if you were not a devotee?

To this end I would like to recall my experiences with the people who rallied around the OCCUPY WALL STREET movement which later manifested in many cities across the U.S.. A magazine called Adbusters rallied the interests of the frustrated and forlorn- those who saw environmental disasters enfolding and scorned the powerful multilateral military-industrialism flocked to make a statement to the world.  The voice of these people came out like a boil on the body of the country in New York at Ziccotti Park where protesters camped out and networked together. Their voices were picked up by the press and soon the numbers began to swell due to the power of its message.

It all seemed like our version of the Arabian Spring taking inspiration from the Egyptian protest at Tahrir Square. The internet was alive with strategies and organization. The word got out on where to be, what to do and how to do it. Once people were in place then hundreds and thousands voiced their grief and drew up placards to catch the eye of the press and walkers-by. It worked. Websites came up to further fan the flames of protest and thus an assembly of people wanting positive change and yet not given to violence was born.

I had driven from Texas to Chicago after the Badger reunion with an eye to go to the East Coast where the protest started.  A preaching center of sorts had
just manifested in the capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg and knowing Madhava Das for many years I decided to fly in to the DC airport. There I was picked up and brought to a five bedroom complex by two devotees. However, being that they  were already accustomed to collecting funds (the notorious ‘pic’) at football games to pay bills and support children, I decided to use my energy at the rally in Washington DC.

My bus arrived at New Carrollton in Maryland where the local devotees had a lovely home base with a Temple room and four or five rooms for residents. It was Sanatan Goswami Dasa’s bid to somehow keep Krishna-consciousness alive in the DC area. However, meeting mortgage payments and personal rents kept everyone busy working. Not having any obligations, I took the local Metro down to the national capitol where the DC Occupy movement had secured Freedom Plaza to speak, live and exert its influence.

The Plaza was named after Marin Luter King Jr. who wrote his famous, ‘I have a dream’ speech in a nearby Hotel and is raised entirely off the street, composed of almost all granite and inlaid with various inscriptions by famous people. The Plaza is on Pennsylvania Avenue where you can see at one end the United States Congress building and the other end the White House.

The very first day I came it was just wonderful DC weather. The sun shone and as it was the weekend many tourists passed by the assembly of protesters, some of whom came from far away to join ranks with the nations disgruntled and for good reason. The country had just bailed themselves out of financial collapse. Congress borrowed trillions to float the banks, insurance companies and auto industries with taxpayer money. At the same time billions were being borrowed to finance war in Iraq and Afganistan. Something was wrong especially when many of the biggest American companies were paying less tax percentages than an average American. Some of the biggest most profitable oil companies were on government subsidy and not even paying taxes.
The country was founded on frustration with unjust taxes and revolt some two hundred and fifty years before and yet here there was notable restraint and
non-violent communication for the most part in these people.

I somehow felt that this was similar to the situation in which my guru had confronted some forty years ago when he had met  a youth that was protesting the American involvement in Vietnam. So, I did as he did and began to chant. Many took photos and some stopped to comment. One boy I met rode a bike from hundreds of miles away to attend. We talked philosophy for a while and I gave him some materials to read. I would meet him again the following weekends but I later found out that there was another park where most of the young generation was camping and staging their protest. That was McPherson Square. So, after heading back to the Maryland Home/Temple and then later back on the Greyhound to Harrisburg I made plans to go on to McPherson Square the next weekend.

Back in Harrisburg I coaxed the devotees
to go out into the streets and chant. It was a beautiful capitol building and when we arrived I was surprised to see that the city fountain was tinted saffron! The day we arrived for sankirtan Harrisburg declared bankruptcy! The city was broke. Well, all the more reason to chant and give them something of real value.

We chanted for a while and moving down the city street stopped to meet an Indian
fellow who had heard us from the 13^th floor of an office building. Being a very pious Bengali he could not restrain himself to come down and talk with us. We also ventured to the bus stand where a huge crowd off students waited. So, we chanted in the middle of everyone and gave out all our books and pamphlets.  However, after all was said and done I still longed for returning to the national capitol for a crowd that seemed to me to be ideal.

The next weekend I made my way to DC on
the metro making sure I got off at McPherson Square. There I saw the typical students and placards. Here we are back in the ‘60’s, I thought. So, I sat facing
the statue on horseback of General James McPherson of the Union Army. It was
right in front of where some were sitting but the grass area was behind me.  I suddenly noticed after about half-an-hour of kirtan that there were almost twenty people behind me all sitting in half-lotus
posture with their hands in a typical mudra for meditation. They were keen to
do something spiritual it seemed and had a little prior knowledge of yoga
postures and meditation.

So, I chanted some more and then was approached by a devotee dressed in plain clothes who was eager to join in with me. His name was Lalita-madhava from Virginia. So we struck up a twosome and continued. Then another boy came close as we chanted. He was in his late teens or twenties and definitely had an appreciation for the chanting. When I began to talk with him he told me that he had been to India and met his guru in Nepal. He also had a brother there and said that I should stay with them at the  park, but also wanting to speak at the Sunday gathering in Maryland I declined.  We would meet again the next weekend I told him.  So, eventually as the sun set and the DC evening chill came on I headed back. But during the chanting I cannot count how many times people would come up and  take photos or run their movie cameras.

The next weekend was more bliss. I opted for a more conducive place to sit where someone could easily join me. Every time I chanted someone would sit down or stop and ask about either the chant of the instrument (a tamboora). We became friends to so many and it was very endearing. There was some feeling of oneness as they took it that I was also part of the protest. But, everyone enjoyed the chanting and took books or a card with our  www.purebhakti.com printed on the back. I figured that with this audience practically all are online, could easily go to the web and not only read but
listen and watch as the web could do so much to activate their initial interest.

There were a few political questions here and there as Srila Prabhupada had also encountered in New York with the war-protesters. One fellow was convinced that our hopes for the future lay in space exploration. Another supporter of the communist party was trying to convince me of their platform for change. Either way everyone was looking for or convinced that something or someone would be able to change the way things were and make it better for all. It was a heyday for dialectics and of course, I made good use of our siddhanta, but after all was said and done I finished the day off with more chanting until the sunset beckoned me back to local temple.

I came again and again meeting newer and newer people each time as well as continuing relationships that had begun. Those who were musically inclined also brought their guitars or promised to bring some chimes or bells from home. I was so intrigued with the quality of their questions and the appreciation they had for the kirtan. But, this was now late November and winter was approaching. So, despite my attachment to all the kids and the adults of McPherson Square I decided to head down south to Florida for warmer weather. I knew that there must be a similar movement in Tampa or
Miami and so flew into Ft. Myers. The week I left there was a foot of snow outside the house in Harrisburg where I had made one last visit.

Tampa was quite warm and welcoming. But alas there was not the same crowd as DC and no one seemed to be even camping out. Nonetheless, I found that the young kids were happy to hear the chant. One curious kid stopped and gave his name as Sri Ram. It seemed he had some contact with Eastern philosophy, so we befriended each other and talked through the afternoon. Others gathered and more and more cards and pamphlets were distributed gratis at Occupy Tampa. Sri Ram it seems was from Ft. Meyers where I had landed
and after a second week of chanting offered to assist us in going to Miami. So, we drove East across the everglades and landed at the home of Ragunath Das in Miami Beach.

Sri Ram met Gaurapran Das and got on great and were the same age. We all chanted together and worshipped the large Dieties of Radha and Krishna on the 6^th floor of a multilevel condominium. Sri Ram stayed for about three days and then was spotted by a distant uncle who saw him on TV the first day at the Occupy Miami. Television TV cameras were wanting to film the protesters and the coalition they had made with union workers. The turn-out included busloads of young adults from Ft. Lauderdale, who saw us and were not the least hesitant to join in.  They were moved by the Harinam and one young man spontaneously recited parts of the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

It was a wonderful experience with the youth of the country and the men and women who caste their lots for a better life. Without a doubt Washington DC was my favorite place, although I am sure New York would have also been exciting times. But now even the Occupy Movement is gone from McPherson Square and the happening at Ziccotti Park near Wall Street is also history due to the powerful police and park officials there. Will it ever happen again? Who knows? No doubt the ideology lives on and the people are there wanting something fresh and new to satisfy their souls.

Whether a change will come or not only  Krishna knows and of course any material change does not necessarily mean life will be any better. Death, disease, old age and repeated birth do their work without the least consideration for political allegiance. I sometimes wonder what will happen next with this country and whether we will see another phase of public outcry.  Time and again virtually all material changes in government and the people’s choices or lack of choices in national rule have never proved to bring about inner peace and satisfaction.

We have a permanent solution though, Krishna-consciousness. All it requires is a curious mind willing to probe the ramifications of full surrender to the Lord of the heart. Should they but pause for a moment’s reflection then there is all possibility for a genuine change to occur. Where time and circumstances allows us then certainly Krishna will send some sincere souls our way.  In the final issue it is only Krishna-consciousness that can save one from suffering defeat by the progress of Kali. All attempts for happiness outside of Krishna-consciousness are surely in vain.

Still, we look for those prime time moments of unrest and searching, where there are actually hungry souls seeking nourishment. If food is given to those who are satisfied and full, then they will disregard your offer, but if someone is actually hungry then he will be more open to see what you have and often take a bite.

GAURA PREMANANDE HARI BOL

BV AVADHOOT

My spiritual name is Haripriya and Hiromis is the name my mother gave me. I am Cuban.

My Guru Maharaj is Vana Maharaja, who mercifully accepted me and gave me shelter under  the sacred dust of His glorious lotus feet.

In Cuba, whereI live, there are not much resources that people may be able to perform Krsna Conciousness. What I mean about resources is since devotional material for reading, the possibilities to associate with pure devotees or at least
advanced devotes  in the spiritual practices so we here can get that kind of association,etc.

Thanks to the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Vaisnavas, approximately 4 years ago  I met Lilavati didi.  I was still a member of Iskcon here in Cuba, and hearing her speak about her spiritual master (Srila Narayan Gosvami Maharaj),
at that time, I fell in love with him and his harikatha – through the medium of listening about him and his books that I read.

Now here in Cuba, I am humbly trying to make a service focused on preaching to new people and in in this service Lilavati helps me a lot.

One of the greatest helps for us it was that she brought from India to Cuba a big quantity of books of invaluable for spiritual life.

Those books are the one that personally I have been distributing gradually to people that somehow has shown a sincere desire for the advancement  in spiritual life.
I already have read some of those books like:

´´Verdades Secretas del Srimad Bhagavatam´´

´´La Alquimia del Amor´´

´´ Secretos del Ser Desconocido´´

´´ Lazos Eternos´´ and and bit more of the first 4 chapters of ´´ Jaiva Dharma´´
All the books are in Spanish.

In fact I cannot say if after reading  these wonderful books  I have become  a much better devote or not,  but  what I know for sure it is that every single book in more or less quantity had help me to increase my small knowledge about bhakti  and those books had changed by vision and way to think about some  very particular topics.

I just pray to Sri Krsna that any person that may read this,  my simple words, at least may awaken some curiosity for the lecture of these transcendental books, and in fact that can read them.

I can only assure that after reading these books, something will definitely change in your lives.

Ending here my letter , without saying more, at the feet of Sri Guru,Vaisnavas and Krsna, a humble servant ask forgiveness for all the offenses that I could have committed.

!!!HARE
KRSNA¡¡¡

Haripirya
devi dasi.

La Habana,Cuba

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by Lilavati dasi:

I would like to share with you this great news:

We found a place on the 15th of January, on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, rented a small apartment so Hari-priya and her family, (consisting of husband and small daughter named Anjali -1 year old baby) can have the opportunity to have this place as a Preaching Center and receive people interested in Bhakti Yoga and get the benefit of  Srila Gurudeva´s book there in Spanish, attend weekly programs consisting in reading Bhagavat Gita or any Srila Gurudeva´s
book, chanting Krsna’s name and receiving mahaprasadam.

It is
ust a small project that already started a few months ago at her mother´s  house, but she could not do it freely because her step-father was not favourable. Therefore, by Sri Guru and Gauranga´s mercy, now there it is a place that will be used as apreaching center, where she can invite people and share about Sri Krsna and Vaisnava Philosophy.

This was only accomplished by the mercy of Srila Gurudeva and Vaisnavas, as Vana Maharaj and Syamarani didi too that gave the opportunity to bring books to Cuba that though very few people have got them, they have made an
impression on their hearts for sure.

Also thanks to Lalit Krsna prabhu who traveled with me to Cuba for 2 days and together we rented this small apartment.

He also is helping a lot in this beautiful project with his assistance.

I went to meet the Vice President of the Garware college, and I have appraised him of the precious chance that he is getting, where the Bhagavat Gita of Srila Gurudev with the extraordinarily deep purports is coming to him at his home! So he gladly donated the amount for the Gita, and I am sure in the next 2 -3 weeks he will take a few other beautiful books also, he wont be able to resist!

After distributing my first Gita, I decided to call up Artha, who I had met at hari ganga apts. during the precious sanga of Srila Bharati Maharaj!

I remember CaruCandrika didi speaking to her, and after prasadam one day in December, we were talking and she had mentioned that Jaiva-dharma is a book that she is looking forward to reading.

I had this in my mind, so when I called her up and told her, “these incredible books are right here in Pune waiting for you to get to them.” She jumped at the chance, and we decided to meet at my place in the evening. Now a couple of days ago, Vasanti Didi had given to me the email address of Radha priya didi, so  I had written to her as well.

Its was really great when Artha called and said that they both are coming to my place to get a few books. I really enjoyed the conversation with both of them, and I was moved by Radha priya didi’s story of how Srila Gurudevs presence one day in darshan did something in her heart, and later how Srila Gurudev knew that she was the wife of Sankarsan Prabhu, even though they were sitting far apart, and how Gurudev inspired her to take initiation.

Another funny story was that Radha priya didi liked to take photographs of Gurudev during the parakrima, and one day Srila Gurudev told her “ Arre, how many photographs are you going to take!! What are you going to do with so many snaps?!” to this Radha priya didi said “oh….but ,…..no its not like that, its nothing,….ok” and so she decided that for a while she would take less photos. The next day on the parikrama as Srila Gurudev saw her he said “What? These days you don’t take photographs anymore? You should!”  I can only imagine the mischievous lila that Gurudev enacted for his beloved disciples, and how their fondness for Him only increased as a result!

So after our anecdote filled conversation, and a little bit of coaxing to Artha, she decided to get Jaiva Dharma, Damodarashtakam, Butter thief, and Journey of the Soul! Lucky her, those are some incredible books, whose importance will be known only after a lot of progress in sadhan-bhajana, and I myself always pray to the books like my siksha gurus and that they please guide and bless me to have their words contained in them to mercifully unfold in my heartspace.

So this was day one of the book distribution, and I have prayed to both Artha and Radha priya didi to please tell all of their devotee contacts in Iskcon and others, that this is a precious opportunity and a very limited number of books are available right here in Pune, so they should please call me or contact me, and I will be more than happy to go to their locations and personally deliver the books that they want to them! It will be my insignificant seva, and I will derive lots of ananda from following Srila Gurudev’s orders of distributing his books containing the sublime science of Shri Krishna Prema far and wide.

Anyway, thanks so much for everything, and i am looking forward to again talking and learning from you, and perhaps soon enough, to request another book shipment!

Aspiring to qualify as a kanishtha adhikari, in the service of Sri Hari, Sri Guru and the Vaishnavas,

Shriyash

Please, accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva, all glories to Sri Sri Gauranga Radha Govindaji.

Altogether we stayed in this Aurvedic resort for 2 month and now everywhere there are posters of Syamarani didi in frames and especially in the restaurant. People take their meal and look at Krishna’s lilas.

We have met one man who is chanting maha-mantra with us in kirtan. He has already been a vegetarian for many years, lives in the village community, follows Russian Vedas and invites us there for preaching.

One lady has read the Navadvipa dhama mahatmya and wants to come for parikrama. I’m not sure if she can but at least she has a desire.

Another lady has read the Guru-tattva book of Sripad Suddhadvaiti Maharaja. She is looking for a real Guru and now wants to make one cooking program on TV where we can teach people how to cook and eat vegetarian and sattvic food. She was a TV reporter and now she is struggling against hormones in food, modified products and so on. She is a very good and enthusiastic person. She wants also to unite all followers of the Vedas in Russia telling that we need to establish there the Vedic culture and understanding that this is the only way to survive in this age.

Humbly aspiring to become dasanudasi,
Snigdha dasi

by Radhika dasi

Most Indians are naturally pious people. They are open-hearted, charitable and curious. Though frustrating at times, their repetitive and seemingly irrelevant questions are often out of genuine fascination and curiosity. The constant staring and interest that many of them have upon seeing us western bodied devotees can start to feel rather obsessive and impolite. But it is that same sincere curiosity that makes them so receptive when they see a group of foreign Hare Krsna girls, distributing vedic literature.

This year in Jaganatha Puri after Srila Gurudevas Tirobhav, a group of us went out on book distribution every day. Premananda Prabhu would advise us to go to specific places. We spent most days at the beach, which was especially crowded because of the massive amount of tourists who had come to spend New Year’s in Puri.

Other days we would go on Nagar Sankirtan starting at the beach and passing through Gambhira, Siddha Bakula, and arriving at the Jaganatha temple.  Outside of Jaganatha temple we would start by singing Mangala Gitam and various other kirtans. Now this was a sight for the tourists! They whipped out their camera phones and gathered around with wonder to see the foreigners singing to Lord Jaganatha. When our voices heightened and our enthusiasm increased and our feet just couldn’t stand still anymore, the crowd grew and grew and they all began to dance. Eventually books seemed to be flying into people’s hands with great eagerness to be relished! The security guards of the Jaganatha temple were excited about the kirtan and happily accepted books. Though at times I felt like it was an exhausting austerity to go, the rejuvenating smiles upon seeing people so joyful to receive the jewels of Gurudevas heart, gave me so much energy.

While it was a fun challenge to distribute books because of the language barrier, I realized how much the books speak for themselves. Sometimes all it would take was opening it up, touching Gurudevas picture to my forehead and saying, “ Hamare Guruji, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaj”  In response, whoever was looking at the book would, out of reverence also touch Srila Gurudevas picture to their head.  Many were touched by the fact that westerners were propagating and dedicating themselves towards spreading Vaisnava culture. One boy asked me, “There are so many religions in the west, why are you following this path.”  To see westerners taking interest in their culture made them feel even more obliged to accept the books.  Krsna says in Bhagavad Gita,”chatur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino ’rjuna arto jijnasur artharthi  jnani cha bharatarsabha.” Four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the inquisitive, one who desires wealth, and one who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.”  There is so much flavorful variety in Gurudevas words, appealing to everyone for a different reason. One young girl, about eight years old approached us with a beaming smile, and bought five books being eager to practice her English. Another boy who bought a Jaiva Dharma said “I have no interest in this book! But I wanted a photo with all you people and I will give this book to my mother! One teenage boy was so touched by the books and began coming to the temple daily for pravachan and developing relationship with the vaisnavas; wearing tilak, and honoring mahaprasdam.  I met a physics student who wanted a book about “Spiritual physics”  and inquisitively took Jaiva Dharma.

Afamily of eight approached Lasika on the beach for a photo and ended up coming to meet Premananda Prabhu and stay for Pravachan.  Radha met an older couple who was going on a tour of all the holi tirthas and were excited to learn about the Origin of Rathayatra. Truly, there is a place and book for all; the distressed, inquisitive, and genuine seekers.  Each book truly had a mind and heart of its own capturing the sweet, sour, bitter, and salty of folks to begin or continue the journey of self-realization.

Every direction in this land of Vipralamba permeates a mood of separation. Prema melted Jaganatha who yearns for the Vrajabasis, Gambhira where the air is overflowing with Mahaprabhus viraha, the ocean a representative body of our acharyas deep love, and finally our Gurudevas room from where he left our worldly vision. As babies many of us are so foreign to this school of separation and have difficulty understanding what to speak of experiencing this, “special meeting.”

Being in this place, at this special time preparing for Gurudevas Vyasa Puja, gave me an opportunity to experience a special kind of meeting, through distributing his books. Though feeling the heaviness of being in the dham where Gurudeva departed, remembering how happy he would become when he heard that anyone was distributing his books, lifted my spirits, and pacified my heart. Just by making the slightest endeavor, we could feel his presence encouraging and guiding us forward.

We have published more than forty books, and we are now preparing to publish Sri Ujjvala-nilamani and Sri Bhajana-rahasya. I want to make a plan to distribute these books, and I think that it will be very easy for you all to give some attention to this. You can very easily distribute two, five, or six books of each title, and Niscintya prabhu and Radha-kanta prabhu will explain to you how easily you can do it.

If you do this, it will be pleasing to Parama-pujyapada Srila Svami Maharaja, it will also be pleasing to me, and it will be very helpful for the devotees. I don’t want to distribute these books for the purpose of making money. I want people to have the books so that they can see how glorious they are – and through that appreciation they will be able to advance in bhakti.

New Vraja: June 4, 2002

From Madana Mohini dasi:

On the 7th of January (Russian Christmas Day) we went for Christmas sankirtana. We are from Irkutsk, the heart of Siberia, and nowadays it’s about minus 30 outside, so street book-distribution is something like an extreme sport with real danger for one’s life. But we found the way – we went inside of a high-storu building and went door-to-door. We were nine people and that evening we distributed 45 books. We were giving Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada’s books. All devotees found it so blissful and satisfying! I hope Srila Gurudeva was satisfied as well. Here are some dialogues that took place:

Sumangala and I knocked on the door. A boy of about 12 opened the door.

Us: Hello, are any adults at home?

Boy: No.

Us: Ok, then….

Boy: Hey wait, where are you from?

Us: We’re from the Vedic Culture Center, we offer books based on Vedas…

The boy starts to study books with great interest. By that time we had only 3 “Essence of all Advice” (by Srila Gurudeva), “On the way to Krishna” (By Srila Prabhupada) and “One more chance” (by Srila Prabhupada).

Us: For example, it explains about karma. Do you know about karma?

Boy: When we do something and get result in future?|

Us: Yes, you’re very intelligent. It means our own deeds create our future…

Boy: How much do you want for them?

Us: We’re not selling but offering them for donations – whatever you have you can donate and get a book.

Boy” Ok, wait, I’ll check….

After few minutes he comes back with heaps of coins in his hands and we give him “One More Chance” by Srila Prabhupada. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Kundalata and I knock on another door. A young gentleman (about 30-35 years old) opens the door.

Us: Hello. Merry Christmas! This is for you (giving incense stick).

Gentleman: Thanks.

Us: We’re from the Vedic Culture Center, we offer books based on Vedas…|

Gentleman: No, I don’t need…

Us: Actually the initial culture of Russia was Vedic from the earliest times, but gradually this knowledge was lost and now you have an opportunity to touch this knowledge by reading those books!

Gentleman: No, no need…

Us: We all want to be happy. This knowledge gives internal satisfaction and opportunity to develop one’s spirit. You know this expression – “chasing the happiness”. So we all are chasing something, but don’t know what and why. So probably it’s time to stop and think a little where are we running?

Gentleman: Yes, it’s true I know… So how much are the books?

Us: We’re not selling them. We’re distributing them for any donation.

Gentleman: Oh, all money are on plastic cards, and I’m here sitting with the baby… My wife went to supermarket and took all the change! Sorry… Maybe you can come later when she comes back?

He felt uncomfortable, but knowing about the free book distribution fund we immediately said: OK, this book is a present from us, but you should definitely read it. And if you are interested, here is the contact number of our organization, you can call and come for free programs.

Gentleman: Ok, thanks a lot! He got “Essence of all Advice”. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Paramesvari and I knock on another door). A young gentlemen about 35-40 years old opens the door. Hello. Merry Christmas! This is for you (giving incense stick).

Gentleman: Thanks. Us: We’re from the Vedic Culture Center, we offer books based on Vedas… Actually this was the initial culture of Russia a long time ago even before Orthodoxy. But with time this knowledge was lost…

Gentleman: And how is it connected to Christmas?

Us: How? Directly! All knowledge came from Vedas, and Jesus Christ advent was predicted in Vedas also.

Gentleman: No, I don’t need. If I’ll need it I’ll find everything in the Internet.

Us: Still you can’t take internet with you everywhere, but a book you can take… for traveling…

Gentleman: I have Internet on my phone, so I don’t need.

Us: Ok, then, bye.
___________________________________________________________________________

Paramesvari and I knocked on another door and a young lady about 20-25 years old opens the door:

Us: Good evening. Merry Christmas! This is for you (giving incense stick).

Lady: Thanks.

Us: We’re from the Vedic Culture Center, we offer books based on Vedas…

Lady: Oh, I’m Muslim…

Us: The Vedas contain knowledge which doesn’t depend on religions and cultures. Vedas don’t depend on nations and confessions; it’s the religion of love. And we can develop our relationships with God independently from that…

We talked for 15 more minutes and then the lady took “On The Way to Krishna” (by Srila Prabhupada) and gave donation. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From Paramesvari dasi: Madana Mohini didi and I rang the bell and one lady with a shining face and big smile opened the door. We naturally started to smile also and said: – Hello! Merry Christmas! And Madana Mohini gave her incense. The lady asked, “Where have you come from, girls?” – We’re from the Traditional Vedic Culture Development Center. We meet with ancient knowledge of our forefathers. “Really?” – Yes, unfortunately it was lost but in 1966 this person brought this knowledge back to the Western world. She said, “Can I give you some sweets?”

Of course! And take the book, please for any donation! – and Madana Mohini gave her “The Science of Self-Realization.” She took the book and gave 100 Rubles. We told her, “If you will find something interesting, here are our contacts in the book. We have seminars on Vedic Culture in our center. We will wait for you!” We all felt so positive from this conversation! We discovered something wonderful tonight. Door to door book-distribution in Russia is real! It’s possible and even nice! Hope those books helped many people and our small report will inspire many devotees to go for door-to-door book distribution in their cities. With affection, devotees from Siberia (Madana Mohini dasi, Paramesvari dasi, Sumangala dasi and others)