BBT Presentation
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
A couple of days ago the BBT Trustees did a presentation in the temple room in Los Angeles after their semi-annual meeting.
At this presentation, organized by Brahma Muhurta Prabhu of the North European BBT, a number of devotees spoke about book distribution.
Gopal Krsna Maharaja related that in 1977 Prabhupada told the devotees, "As long as my books are being distributed, I won't die."
Maharaja pointed that in India, before coming to the West, Srila Prabhupada wrote, printed, and distributed his Back to Godhead magazine and the first volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam. All we have to do is distribute his books. He was so devoted to this service for the welfare of humanity that he was translating up to his last breath.
Maharaja also mentioned a statement by Lord Siva: "The achievement of knowledge is the greatest achievement." Prabhupada therefore wanted to propagate transcendtal knowledge as widely as possible to negate the ignorance that is so widespread. He also wanted us to not only distribute the books but also read them. We have no idea how powerful these books are they have the power to change society. If we give Krsna, then He will give Himself to us.
Satyanarayan Prabhu, Bhrgupati Prabhu, Bhakta Phil, and I also spoke.
The next day I was distributing books in the Los Angeles Airport when I approached a man of Indian descent. When he looked at me he said, "I know you. You spoke at the temple last night." I said, "Yes, that's right. Do you remember what I was talking about?"
"Yes, you were talking about distributing books."
"You're right again. And here are two of the books I was talking about." I handed him the books and explained their contents. He was very happy to have taken part in the previous night's presentation, so he gladly took the books and gave a nice donation.
Shortly thereafter, as I distributed a book to a gentleman, another man came and just stood in front of me and the person I was talking to, observing the transaction. Then the man I was speaking with went to catch his flight. I couldn't figure out where the observer was at, so I just gave him the books and started explaining what they were about. He seemed receptive and polite. Then I asked him for a donation and he gave a nice one. Usually we have to approach the people, but this person came to me as if he may have come to the airport just to get some of Prabhupada's books. It seems that the devotees have been distributing Srila Prabhupada's books at LAX for so many years since 1972! that some people are just primed to receive Srila Prabhupada's books there.
All glories to transcendetal book distribution!
Hoping this meets you well, I remain Your servant, Vijaya dasa
