A phone call in Paris and an Indian Exhibition at a Paris East mall
Recently, I received an unusual phone call, the kind that is divinely inspired . . . no doubt!
– Hello,. Am I speaking to Nitai?
– Yes, indeed.
– Do you remember having offered the book "Coming Back" about ten years ago in Saint Denis (a city on the outskirts of Paris, most famous for its cathedral, where most of the kings of France are buried)?
– Well, yes, but I distributed more than one. Who is this?
– My husband at the time bought this book from you. You dedicated the book, signed your name, and wrote your phone number. My husband did not read it. Actually, he never reads, but I do. I read it once, and liked it, and now I am beginning to read it a second time. So before doing this, I wanted to call you and thank you.
– Very nice. I am honored.
– I divorced this man, I am now living in another city, north of France. I come from a Muslim background, but I am not a Muslim. Rather, I believe in reincarnation and appreciate very much the philosophy of this book.
– We have many more that you will appreciate.
– Please go on distributing these books. They help people, I am very grateful to have received it. Maybe these books will not be read by the people who are buying them, but, as in my case, they finally come to people who can appreciate them.
Then I took her details and promised to meet her again, to show her more books.
Four days before getting this phone call, I was trying to sell Srila Prabhupada's books in a big shopping mall in Paris East. In fact, I had been invited by the director of that supermarket, who wanted to organise an Indian Exhibition in the gallery and to have a stall with books, prasada, and Indian handicrafts. I was there for three days, distributed a few books, and met many nice people. On the last day, while I was busy talking with two persons who had each bought a few books, a lady approached the stall and looked at the Gita. I asked her:
– Do you know this book already?
– Yes, of course. It is a bomb.
– Woah! Great, what do you mean exactly?
– I do not mean a kind of terrorist bomb, but real a spiritual bomb that reveal an unmatchable knowledge, never disclosed before, and so precious for human society.
What a realisation this lady had, without having met any devotee! Then she bought a different book and told me she would come back in a while with a friend. Half an hour later, the two ladies came. A discussion started about Bhagavad Gita. This new lady said:
– You know, it is amazing. I have had this book, Bhagavad Gita, at home for more than twenty years, but never read it. But one month ago I decided to read it. What a pleasure! And now my friend is also reading it, and we are often talking about our realisations together!
Param vijayate Sri Krishna sankirtana!
Nitai Gaurasundar Dasa (Temple President)
