Book Distribution Stories
Yadavendra Das
THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT
Yesterday I sold a Bhagavad-Gita As It Is to Betty, a 79 year old. Tomorrow 3 rd of July 2011 is her birthday anniversary. She cared to make the following statement: ” Hello, I am Betty from Central Queensland, Australia. Next Sunday 3 rd of July 2011 is my birthday anniversary and my age will then be 79. Today, July 1st I have purchased one copy of Bhagavad-Gita As Is It from a travelling sales person from the Hare Krishna Movement. I am delighted about this acquisition and I am inviting you to buy a copy too. It is such a famous, well-read and useful book. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna!”
WHAT LITTLE IT SOMETIMES TAKES TO SELL A BHAGAVAD-GITA AS T IS
Here is what it takes in some cases to sell a copy of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. I have met this gentleman a few times over the last few years and he would have acquired some small books such as Science of Self Realization, Your Ever Well Wisher or Higher Taste etc.He owns a computer shop.
Customer: So this Bhagavad-Gita is based on Hinduism? Devotee: No, this is not a sectarian book. It is a universal book. Human nature is universal and God is one. Customer: We believe in the same ideas. Please let me have a copy.
GAMBLING FOR KRISHNA
On July 1st 2011, I was distributing books in a public bar in Airlie Beach, a popular tourist resort in Central Queensland. Public bars are certainly a manifestation of the mode of ignorance. But if we go there exclusively for book distribution and service to Krishna we shall remain untouched by the lower modes. Besides that, many public bar customers are quite willing to engage in Krishna’s service. There are some rare ones that will insult the book distributor spontaneously, profusely and without any provocation at all, just like a venomous snake will bite without any provocation. But these are “les risques du métier” and we have to tolerate it. In a letter to Lilavati dated 12 May 1974, Srila Prabhupada gives the definition of patience as follows: “So there will be, that in our preaching, we will meet with many tribulations, that is patience.” So this young man had already given me a donation and I had given him a copy of the Science of Self Realization in return, when he decided to ask me whether I was allowed to gamble. The immediate answer of course is:” No, our rules and regulations prohibit gambling”. Gambling is irreligious! Then he made the following proposal:” Look, come with me into the gaming room and all you have to do is press the buttons with me. I shall supply all the money and whatever we win, I shall give you half the amount for Krishna.” Considering all the circumstances and conditions, I felt safe to accept the proposal for Krishna. There was no risk of loss to me and a chance of profit for Krishna. All I had to do is in turn press two buttons a few times. Unfortunately, there was no win and therefore no fruit to offer to Krishna. He assured me, however, that the maximum he had ever won was $500. How nice it would have been to be able to raise an extra $250 offering for Krishna’s cause!
Comments