Often a new book distributor thinks that he or she needs to know manytechniques to impress the customer to make the sale. Some basic knowledge ofthe operation may be needed, but the most important ingredient of success isthe willingness to go out. Success and failures are in the hands of Lord, asrevealed by this story narrated by Gaur Kirtana Prabhu, a member of the busparty of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty:Last year in December marathon, we went to an area with lots of textilemills. We distributed sets of Srila Prabhupada's books on credit; theworkers simply signed their names and the payment was later deducted fromtheir salary. Each set had Krsna book, Bhagavad-gita, SSR and some mediumand small books. We were doing nice when one day we reached this company."Oh Maharaja ji, welcome, welcome," exclaimed the Chief Security Officerupon seeing us. He was a tall, well-built man in mid-thirties, with a bigmoustache and triple stars on his uniform.We showed him our permission letter and our books. He was delighted to seeour books and was the first one to sign and take a set. "O Bhairon Singh,keep these books in my office and bring hot tea for the Maharajas." "No, sirwe don't take tea.""What! No tea? No problem, milk is ok?"We said yes and he ordered fruits and milk for us."Don't worry Maharaja, I will make sure that everyone takes your books," hepromised us and set our table right inside of the exit route. We couldn'thave asked for a better place.The siren blew, announcing the end of the shift. We were ready with our setsand credit-book. As soon as the masses arrived we began announcing, but morethan all of us put together was the effect in the lone voice of CSO, MohanSingh (his name as we learnt later)."O Sohan, O Bhagwat, O Billu come and take these books. Very nice. Keep athome." There was something in the strong booming voice of Mohan Singh thatstopped the workers and pulled them to our table. When anyone showed nointerest Mohan Singh ridiculed him to such and extent that man could noteven stand there. Then Mohan Singh did the unthinkable."Oh Bhairon Singh. Lock the gate. Don't let anyone go without a set." Theburly moustached Bhairon Singh jumped at the order, locked the gate, andallowed only those who had the sets to leave. The empty-handed workers stoodat one corner and the proud owners of sets gleefully displayed their newlyacquired treasure before them thus effectively changing mind of many whowere planning not to buy.The pace was frantic. Jagannath Prabhu, Sri Caitanya Prabhu, our driverSunil Prabhu and I were just ripping open carton after carton. MahanandPrabhu and Mohan Singh were simultaneously making entries in two creditbooks and Panchapandava Prabhu was standing on top of the table and shoutingat the top of his voice. We did not even bother to pack the books. We justcounted the books before the customer and handed him a polythene bag to packit himself. The workers then made a queue and simply came and said theirname and signed in the credit-book.In two hours, we did 220 sets i.e. 440 maha-big books plus much more. LaterMohan Singh told us his story. In his youth he had left his home to join theashram of a baba close to his village, but after the death of his father hehad to return to take care of his family. "When I saw you," he said, "Iremembered my earlier days. I thought, 'I could not lead the renounced orderof life, at least let me help these sadhus.' And when I saw your books I wasconvinced that you are working for the right cause."All we need to do is go out to distribute. Let this be the motto for thismarathon. 'Just be there-on the frontline!'ysmurari gupta das
Comments
Thanks for posting this
Radhe Krishna