Dear devotees.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
Here are two stories from the previous Srila Prabhupada marathon. I feel they are small examples on how one can be close to Krsna while trying to serve Him by distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.
The whole marathon was very blissful and nice. There were about twelve of us distributing throughout the five weeks. Plus there were many congregational devotees who sponsored books. This year it was exceptionally cold, i.e. some days were -20 centigrades.
#1
We were distributing in a town called Toijala. It was quite cold and also otherwise it was a very tough day, as nearly all the people were difficult to deal with. We had decided to stop distribution at 6 P.M. Just before the set time I met a man in front of the local bhoga-shop.
He said, "A monk. Really! I have always been interested about Buddhism."
I was presenting the 1st canto to him and said this book explains both about Hinduisn and Buddhism, together with the law of karma.
"Great! The only problem is I really have no money at all. I just brought my mother here to do the shopping." he said.
I thought, "What a bad luck! The only interested person in the day shows up just at the final moments, and he either has no money."
I tried to persuade him to go to the shop and ask the mother to give some money, but he would not agree. I prayed intensely in my mind and just as I was about to give up and bid farewell to him, he exclaimed, "There is Simon, my neighbor. I wonder if he has any cash on him."
"HEY SIMON! DO YOU HAVE ANY MONEY?"
"I have some. How much do you need?"
The man got ten euros from his friend and got a Science of Self-realization and the First canto.
#2
The second incident took place in a town called Riihimaki. This day was even colder than the previous ones. I had met quite ordinary people the whole day. Among all the very ordinary people I met a lady who seemed to be the most ordinary. She said she lives with five cats and works as a cleaner in a swimming hall. She was just on her way home from the work.
I felt a little frustrated. I asked her, "Have you ever heard of the law of karma?"
She replied, "Of course. I am very interested of these matters. Actually, I have read all the books of the _parapsychology_ section in our local library" (She was especially stressing the word parapsychology)
I was wonderstruck. She seemed so ordinary.
She continued by saying, "I believe in angels. Every day when I leave home, I pray to my guardian to protect me."
She was very happy to take the books Teachings of Queen Kunti and the Second Canto.
To not make this message too long, I will send two more stories soon.
Your servant,
Avadhutacandra das
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