Quick Witted
Often, book distributors have to confront antagonists who challenge them in front of a crowd. The challenges are sometimes predictable, but many times are unexpected and bizarre.
A new devotee is generally shaken by such public hostility, but for some, it's just another opportunity to show quick-wittedness.
The following are some incidents that happened to the brahamcari trainees of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha Mandir in Chowpatti India.
1. Vikas Prabhu was distributing "Coming Back" in the local trains and made an announcement about reincarnation.
One man shouted from a seat, "You are so confident about reincarnation. OK. Give me your book now, and I will pay you in the next life."
His friends started laughing at Vikas and dared him to make the deal.
Vikas Prabhu is from the Navy. He was completely calm and with a sweet smile replied, "I can give you the book now, but what is the guarantee that you will get a human birth in your next life? What if you are born as a street dog? Who will pay me then?"
The crowd burst into uproarious laughter, and the man never opened his mouth again.
2. On another occasion, four devotees happened to board the same compartment together.
One man suddenly jumped up and went up to one of the devotees and said, "I want 'Coming Back'; I want 'Coming Back'. Do you have it?"
Unfortunately, none of the devotees had the book that day. He checked with everyone by peeking in the bookbags and became almost hysterical.
"I want that book. I read one line from it, and it solved a big problem in my life. I did not buy it at that time, but now I want it. Give me that book!"
I tried to explain that the knowledge in all the books is similar and he would gain from any book. But the man was very insistent.
Then he came to Tulasi Priya Prabhu, who gave him 'The Teachings of Prahlad Maharaja' and said, "Take this book; otherwise, you will read from somebody else's copy and find that this book solved another of your problems, and then you will trouble us next time for this book. Now you have a chance, so don't miss this book."
The man blinked, looked at the book, read it briefly and then bought it!
3. Vidagdha Madava Prabhu was distributing books when a man challenged him: "Why are you begging like this? Don't you have any shame? If you want a job come to me. I will give you a job. Don't do this begging business."
Unfortunately, he picked on the wrong person.
"Sir," Vidagdha Madava Prabhu replied with a boyish grin, "I am a graduate f the Indian Institute of Technology. I was earning 35,000 rupees as a starting salary when I left my job and joined ISKCON. If you want, you can quit your job and join us. We can provide you with all your requirements and give you the greatest opportunity: Distributing Srila Prabhupada's books!"
Your Servant,
Murari Gupta
