A humble scholar asks his taxi driver to narrate and sign the Gita
For about ten years, I maintained myself and my family by driving a taxi. Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan always softly played in the taxi, and I was distributing his books to my passengers. Some happily accepted, and some refused as always.
One day, I picked up a passenger from the airport to take him downtown, about a forty-minute drive with traffic.
On the way, he recognized the maha-mantra in the background and started a conversation with me. I slowly introduced him to the message of the Bhagavad Gita. He started listening to my narrations very attentively and began expressing his emotions.
He said, “I am a professor at a university, and here I am listening to a taxi driver! I am spellbound by the knowledge and wisdom you are sharing.”
I handed him a Bhagavad Gita. After I came to know his profession, I became a bit nervous. He sensed that and requested me to continue sharing the knowledge. We had a nice, smooth ride to the city.
Upon arriving downtown, he requested me to sign the Gita so that he will remember me whenever he reads the book. I was shocked, and I said, “Sir, this is my spiritual master’s work; I cannot write in his book. Moreover, I am just an ordinary taxi driver, and you are . . .”
He stopped me there and said, “The knowledge you have shared with me today is priceless. And I promise I will start reading this book from now on.”
I prayed for forgiveness from Srila Prabhupada, wishing for the professor to become a devotee of Krishna in this lifetime, and signed the book as requested.
Hare Krishna!
Acyutananda Gaurahari Dasa
ISKCON Melbourne, Australia
