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By Ganapati Govind Das

ISKCON Of CT has been around for more than 35 years and during that time, the small congregation has been using a small house in East Hartford as a Temple. The presiding Deities are Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, along with Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. The congregation has been actively distributing books for many years, but the year 2015 brought a dramatic change in the history of ISKCON CT.

In 2015, the Temple President – His Grace Pyari Mohan Prabhu decided to send one of the devotees to attend the Sankirtan Orientation Session (SOS) at ISKCON of Silicon Valley. This session is organized under the guidance of His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu. That devotee learned many new tricks and tips for book distribution at that session and came back to share it with other devotees in CT. Soon, a number of devotees in CT started implementing what was learnt. Teams were formed for door-to-door book distribution and devotees started scouting for events where books can be distributed. Many new initiatives were started for distributing more and more books and the results were very inspiring. At the end of the year, the Sankirtan team had distributed over 3,500 books. The BBT Remittance increased by a whopping 160%. And that’s not all; during one such door-to-door book distribution trip, the Sankirtan devotees met a family and spoke to them about Krishna Consciousness. The family was very inspired and started coming to the Temple regularly. Now both husband and wife are initiated and actively distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Picture: ISKCON CT Book Distribution Team along with Temple President His Grace Pyari Mohan Prabhu and his wife Her Grace Jivanausadhi Mataji

Although 2015 was certainly an eventful year for the CT congregation devotees, 2016 was equally exciting. The book distribution increased by leaps and bounds. Sankirtan is certainly infectious and it caught the attention of many devotees who joined ranks with the Sankirtan team to distribute books.

In 2016, the total books that were distributed increased by 18% and the BBT remittance increased by 16%. In 2017, the number of books distributed increased by 26% and the BBT remittance increased by another 22%. The CT Temple has definitely climbed the ladder in the World Sankirtan rankings from 2015 through 2017, where there is a significant jump in the rankings. By the end of 2017, CT Sankirtan devotees formed dedicated teams for Indian/American events, Store fronts, smart boxes and Motel Gita distribution. In 2017, the congregation distributed over 5,000 books, which included 101 full sets and 1,400+ Bhagavad Gitas.

Picture: Her Grace Sudevi Priya Mataji (right) distributing Srila Prabhupada books during an American event

Picture: Prananath Govind Prabhu (right) distributing Srila Prabhupada books during an American event

The team is now trying its hands at some other new ventures like college book distribution. There is also a team of Matajis who join the Sankirtan team at American events with a Henna stall. Henna attracts crowds and it helps Sankirtan devotees to distribute books.

In 2017, after many years of searching, the CT congregation was blessed by Lord Jagannath with a new Temple building, which opened its doors in July.

Picture: New CT Temple that opened its doors for devotees in July, 2017.

Book Distribution not only helps the souls who receive these books, but it also changes the lives of the devotees who distribute these books. Members have shared their soulful experiences about how book distribution touched their devotional lives.

Brandon Stebbins, who joined the Sankirtan team in 2015 shares – I had read about India and had seen a few videos showing the special places and culture. When I went on book distribution I was able to have a great experience firsthand. Indian families were so nice to invite us in their homes during door to door book distribution and even offer food for us. Every single time I’ve gone for book distribution I was given a chance to smile and laugh with fellow book distributors. I have always been learning too. Book distribution means a lot to me and I’m extra grateful I’ve had this opportunity to be involved.

Thirumurugan who joined the team in 2016 shares – Book Distribution means a lot to our devotional service. When we go for book distribution there are lots of spiritual realizations. It connects us directly to Srila Prabhupada. It also gives us an opportunity to help others connect with Krishna which gives the REAL happiness and satisfaction for the soul. It pleases Srila Prabhupada and the entire Guru Parampara.

Menaka Thirumugan who joined the team in 2016 shares – I am really fortunate to be part of Book Distribution team @ ISKCON CT. Motivated devotees in service of Srila Prabhupada inspired me to participate in book distribution. Through Henna service, it encourages more devotees and more souls to get the knowledge from these books.

Rasaraj Das who has been serving since 2016 shares – Book Distribution is very dear to Srila Prabhupada. Through book distribution we get an opportunity to directly serve Srila Prabhupada. Being an IT professional, I have to work hard to get my monthly paycheck. When I collect Lakshmi at the end of book distribution, though the amount is very less as compare to my paycheck, but this is different; it is for Krishna. Real happiness comes when we serve the Supreme Lord and His representatives. Whenever I get rejections or negative reactions from people during book distribution, it cleanses my false ego and helps me realize that we are not the body and our eternal constitutional position is to serve the Supreme Lord. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!!

Amrtakeli Devi Dasi who joined the team in 2016 shares – Our desires for book distribution were dormant (or perhaps not strong enough) for a long time. But that changed. Our children grew out of infancy /toddler years. ISKCON CT’s Book distribution family, along with our Temple leadership enthused and engaged us still, it wasn’t until the very last day of 2016 that we stepped out for some actual activity. Book distribution brings us a lot of satisfaction. Both our children have been swept into the high tide of ISKCON CT’s book distribution activities – something that brings us immense joy . This service also drives home valuable lessons for us – we are not the controller, we are not the doer, purity is the force, and that good devotee behavior (favorable impression) is more important than the scores. Giving a book to a new person is the equivalent of bringing him one step closer to Krishna. Book distribution is also motivating us to read some of Srila Prabhupada’s books that we haven’t read cover to cover yet – for how else could we preach the glories of the book to a new person.

Sunder Gopinath Das has been distributing books in CT since 2015. Here is what he has to share – My best moment of 2017 book distribution was distributing one “Nectar of Devotion” book. I saw a video from one of H.H. Radhanath Maharaj disciples group wherein, my dear Maharaj is giving His personal instruction to all his disciples on chanting and following four regulative principles. With that, he mentions to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and “Nectar of Devotion” too. I meditated on this instruction and went with a determination to distribute at least one “Nectar of Devotion” at an upcoming event. I generally focus on distributing Bhagavad Gita and Krishna books and never had any experience of distributing Nectar of Devotion to Americans. But, that day, I read from NOD and gathered some points. I tried throughout the day to distribute one NOD, but it didn’t work out. Finally I prayed to Guru Maharaj. As I was losing hope, in the evening, a person stopped by. I went on to explain about NOD with little hope, but to my surprise, without me having to explain a lot, he decided to buy the book. This made me realize that if you go under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada and Guru Maharaj, all the required skills to accomplish a service will be revealed in the heart by Krishna.

Pooja who joined the team in 2017 shares – By going on book distribution I am trying to engage my senses in the service of Srila Prabhupada and that way the senses get purified, otherwise the senses are automatically attracted to serve the illusory potency of the Lord. When I apply Henna to a person, I do understand that our main business is to broadcast the glories of the Lord through Srila Prabhupada’s books. So understanding this, I always request the person to read the book and always tell them about Srila Prabhupada by showing the picture of Srila Prabhupada from his books. Rest of everything is the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.

Many CT Congregation devotees are inspired to serve Srila Prabhupada by distributing his books and hopefully 2018 will turn out to be another great year, just like the previous ones. Last year was certainly eventful and inspiring for the congregation, but the highlight of 2017 was the adventures of an undercover Sankirtan devotee who has a full time day job, but in evening, he goes out to various places and distributes books, but that is whole another episode that I will write about later. Stay tuned until then! Also, watch out for the next Sankirtan Orientation Session (SOS) and plan to send some devotees from your congregation to attend the program. It is usually conducted around the month of March.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=58210