Ask a monk any question
Hare Krsna,
Whilst traveling around the planet, I've been performing a service called “Ask a monk any question.” I thought I could share with the devotees some book distribution stories.
Day 25: on the boat to Labassa, Fiji Islands (Pacific Ocean)
While working on the computer on the boat, an Indian passenger saw my dhoti and inquired whether he could ask me a question.
“Of course,” I said, taking my sign from a bag and showing it to him: ASK A MONK ANY QUESTION. He read it aloud.
“I want to know how the salt got into the ocean water. Some people say it is the sweat of Hanuman. Some say it is the urine of Agastya Muni. Can you tell me the answer?”
I was stumped.
I simply said, “I don't really know. I understand that the creator put it there.”
I recalled scriptures that mention the different kinds of oceans in the universe. I also recalled Srila Prabhupada explaining that the ocean is a reservoir and that salt acts as a preservative.
I continued, “Because you asked such a deep question, I am sure you will like this book.”
I showed him “Perfect Questions Perfect Answers”. He liked the title.
What happened next amazed us. I opened the book randomly, and on the very page I opened it to Srila Prabhupada was speaking about how water as a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
“So who supplied all the tons of hydrogen and oxygen to make all the water in the ocean?”
The astonished man saw this passage just “randomly” appear.
He took the book and gave a donation. I thought, “Saved again by Srila Prabhupada.” Surely now Srila Prabhupada will satisfy his deepest curiousity.
Day 26: Labasa
Today, while distributing copies of “Beyond Birth and Death” I met an owner of a clothing store, an Indian man.
He saw the title and asked me, “So what happens after death? Enlighten me.” I joked, “I don't want to ruin the surprise for you.”
He said, “You have to create some interest for me before I can purchase.”
“OK. I'll tell you something, but not everything. This book explains that we are always changing our body, from childhood to youth, to old age. The final change is death. The body is changing, but you remain the same person. The last change is when the body dies and you go to another body.
“Just like in this store. When people walk in, they can try on different clothes. They can dress up and dream they are famous people. Similarly, this universe is like a big clothing store, and the soul tries on many different bodies. This change of dress is called birth and death.”
He was impressed with the explanation and took the book and happily gave a donation. I commended him for his inquisitive nature and encouraged him to keep asking questions. He said he hopes that I will come to his store again.
Your servant,
Sundar Nitai Dasa
