“Bank” Book Distribution: Gauranga!
On the afternoon of August 7th, I attempted to bank Krishna’s laksmi. My bank is a very good bank, because its employees often buy books about Krishna. At one Brisbane branch, a lady recently bought all three of Kurma's cookbooks for her vegetarian daughter.
This particular non-Brisbane branch was no exception. One lady not only confirmed that she already owned some Krishna books but then and there added a copy of Renunciation Through Wisdom to her collection.
Next I walked toward the teller queue. I usually try to keep busy in Sri-Krishna sankirtana, or book distribution, under all circumstances. In a queue, I ask the people in front of and behind me to consider acquiring a book. There was only one person in front of me, and he was an Indian or perhaps a Nepali. I initiated our conversation. And guess what his name was?
“Gauranga,” a name of Lord Caitanya's! Echoing him, I exclaimed “Gauranga!” and raised my arms. I had already requested him to purchase a copy of Bhagavad-gita when we were about to be separated by the call of the teller, and he invited me to come and see him next door at his restaurant, after the bank transactions.
The time was right. The restaurant was closed for an afternoon break, and we had a chance to sit down and talk. He told me that he is from Manik Nagar in the district of Nadia, West Bengal. This town is situated some ten kms from Navadvipa, so he is a regular visitor at our Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir. When I asked him again to purchase books, he mildly protested that in his hometown he already had most of them.
To counter his objection was evidently easy: “What use will you get from books thousands of kilometers away?”
When he mentioned that in India the books are much cheaper, I could not help but give him a special discount. He agreed to purchase a copy of Bhagavad Gita As It Is and a copy of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
All glories to Lord Gauranga! “Raising His arms, chanting the holy name and looking upon all with deep love, He drives away all sins and floods everyone with love of Godhead.” Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 3.62
Your servant,
Yadavendra Dasa
