Mercy for the Most Fallen
Over the years, some sankirtan devotees do big events, and sometimes the security guards check our bags and do not allow books in. So we take Jagannatha stickers, hidden in our pockets, and some small books in a shoulder bag. When guards ask what the small books are for, I say I am giving them to friends and they usually allow them in.
One big event is the famous Melbourne Cup for horse racing. A few times, after having big days with stickers and small books, I have walked out to my van, to head back to the temple, and seen a big line of people waiting for an under-supply of taxis. So when I jump in the van (with large "Chant Hare Krsna and Be happy" magnetics on the sides), some people ask me if I can give them a lift to the city for a donation.
They usually form a group of ten or twelve friends, so the van becomes full. I preach to them on the way and get them chanting in a Hare Krsna kirtan all the way, which is quite easy as they have been drinking. It is funny, as they don't have inhibitions about chanting and even open the windows to call out Hare Krsna to people walking by.
All glories to the holy names!
One such group chanted with me all the way to the city and gave me $50, so I gave them each a soft-cover Gita and some prasadam sweets.
Just as they hopped out, one intoxicated man asked for a lift to a casino 500 metres up the road. He gave $50 and received a hard-cover Gita and sweets. I started to think this was a very good transcendental taxi service so I drove back to the racetrack to see if anyone else wanted a transcendental ride.
There was another group of racing fans needing a lift to St. Kilda near the temple. They also chanted all the way, took prasadam, gave $50, and received a lot of books.
It was getting late so I retired to the temple.
The Lord has showered his mercy on the conditioned souls in a similar way at a few other race tracks in different cities. The Lord is merciful even to the most fallen souls at the races, who are gambling, eating meat, taking intoxication and chasing women all at one event.
Your Servant,
Rupa Raghunatha Das
