Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy in Malaysia
By Mathuralilesvari Devi Dasi
The 13th Global Indian Festival was held from 3rd – 7th June at one of Malaysia’s biggest malls, the Mid Valley Megamall. The Indian population in Malaysia is a small fraction of 7% and during this festival it seems like the entire Indian population has descended here. The atmosphere is completely chaotic and the only intention in people’s minds is to either sell something for a profit or buy something with a good deal. Dare I say though, the only good deal in the festival is the presence of sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada.
Sri Jagannatha mandir, ISKCON Malaysia national Head Quarters, has been tirelessly participating in this festival for the past 13 years with one single aim,to propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the great scriptures, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. An elaborate book stall is set-up by the devotees at the festivals. All of Srila Prabhupada’s books and spiritual books authored by various devotees are displayed for visitors to purchase. The festival goes on for five days and is open for public from11am till 10pm each of those days. As the shifts are long, devotees take turns to help distribute the books.
The long hours however does not deter two stalwart devotees, HG Tattvavit Prabhu and HG Nila Madhava Prabhu from serving at the booth round the clock for all five days. Anyone who has been to the festival will agree that special mercy is surely required to survive in the completely materialistic environment, it is both exhausting for the mind and the body. The Late HG Ravi Locan Prabhu who without fail served at this festival to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books with much zest was truly missed. We had random visitors come up to our booth inquiring about prabhu’s whereabouts. They all spoke very fondly of him. He was truly an exemplary devotee,a dedicated preacher.
As though competing with costume jewelers and wedding planners,the devotees too stand outside the booth with the most attractive books of Srila Prabhupada to interests passers- by. While some just walk pass the devotee straight to the henna stall, some actually come looking for us. There was a 17 year old boy who was so interested in the Srimad Bhagavatam that he promised to bring his father to the temple next week to buy the Bhagavatam set. A total of 4 Bhagavatam sets were distributed during this five day festival. Below are the total book scores during the five days:-
|
Srimad Bhagavatam |
Bhagavad Gita |
Krishna Book |
Big Books |
Medium Books |
Small Books |
Mag |
|
4 sets |
67 |
5 |
175 |
96 |
75 |
12 |
While penning this article, I remembered one visitor I had encountered in this festival in 2005. He knew our booth was ISKCONs and we mainly have books on Lord Krishna so in a seemingly teasing manner he told me he is only looking for books by Lord Shiva. To his surprise, I gave him the Gita Mahatmya. He bought it! Transcendental Book Distribution ki Jai!
Photos : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.715513255243300.1073742163.532840756843885&type=3
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