Vibhu Chaitanya Das: ISKCON celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This is remarkable when you consider that we have achieved so much in such a short space of time. For me, the most amazing fact is that every five minutes, one of Srila Prabhupada’s books is distributed somewhere in the world. By the time you reach the end of this article, someone would have bought one of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
What is it about Srila Prabhupada’s books? Srila Prabhupada once described this material world as a horrible place and that he did not want to come to this world. But Lord Krishna requested him to please do so and Srila Prabhupada denied the request. Then Lord Krishna asked Srila Prabhupada to come into this world to translate scripture into the common language and only then, did Srila Prabhupada agree.
When Srila Prabhupada’s met his spiritual master, he was requested that whenever he got money, he should print books in English. Srila Prabhupada was a young college graduate but he made it his life mission to fulfill the instruction of his spiritual master. Before the establishment of a worldwide institution, Srila Prabhupada painstakingly translated the 18000 verse Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). When ISKCON became an international society and Srila Prabhupada was travelling the world, he slept for only 3-4 hours a day so that he could translate. Srila Prabhupada humbly said that Lord Krishna was dictating and he was simply transcribing.
If you read Srila Prabhupada’s commentaries, you will notice that his books are written without material motivation or for self-glorification. Every word glorifies Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He urges the reader to nourish his intellect and soul by the process of devotional service. Srila Prabhupada’s books have transformed people into better human beings.
Followers of Srila Prabhupada find much joy in distributing these priceless treasures. Scripture describes that spreading the glories of the Supreme Lord (this includes the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books), is the highest welfare activities.
Distributing these books is also described to be higher than any fast or sacrifice we can make to the Supreme Lord and by doing so, we quickly make advancement in spiritual life.
One of the main lessons we learn from Srila Prabhupada’s books, and his example, is that we need to become selfless. In this mood, devotees voluntarily try their utmost to share these treasures.
Going out on book distribution can be humbling and it’s not easy to stop people who are caught up in their own lives. After much endeavour, a book distributor meets a person who is kind enough to stop and listen, they may read the synopsis on the back cover, and then take a book. I have noticed how that simple exchange brings a person immediate joy and I know that there is so much more joy in store for him when he reads the rest.
So if you have read Srila Prabhupada’s books, then try distributing one of your favorite books and see for yourself how it will change someone’s life. This is “the season to be jolly,” so why not be part of the joy of distributing happiness? Join the Temple on the Weekly Marathon Sankirtan Festival, every Saturday, to help you get into the mood.
And if you have not yet had the privilege of reading one of Srila Prabhupada’s books then the next time a devotee stops you, buy a book.
Nov/Dec 2016 Hare Krishna News - Published by ISKCON Durban. Used with permission.
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