Book Marathon 2002 + 5-year plan.
Tirupati, 28 November, 2002
Srila Prabhupada's book marathon (+ a 5-year plan for South India).
The marathon 2002 is starting, and we are praying for all the Vaisnavas' blessings so that it can be a grand succes and make Srila Prabhupada and his books more famous all over India and the world.
Inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s letters on book distribution, we are preparing for a wonderful marathon here in Tirupati:
100,000 pamphlets are printed: ("Read Bhagavad-gita by H.D.G.A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for world peace and unity.")
We also have 1000 posters of Bhagavad-gita As It Is for sale or on display at our book tables to encourage the public.
Our students and our congregation both want to distribute a minimum of 108 Bhagavad-gitas each. A Padayathra cart will walk through the town every day to advertise and distribute. Students are going to their colleges for distribution.
On December 15 we will organise a Gita Jayanti fire yajna FOR WORLD PEACE AND UNITY and invite schools and VIPs to chant slokas and speak on the significance of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
We very much feel that the time has come when Srila Prabhupada can become world famous, and that the people are getting ready for Srila Prabhupada’s message and teachings. We have to help them. They know there are so many cheating leaders and gurus. The people want clear answers and we have to help them. As Srila Prabhupada says ”These books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly” and “everyone will want these books.”
We have a 5-year plan to distribute one million Gitas in at least all the South Indian languages. When we can place a Bhagavad-gita in every single house, let’s see what will happen then. People will be irresistibly drawn to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement of reviving India’s cultural tradition in the purest form.
Hare Krishna.
Your servant, Amitacara dasa, an insignificant beggar with a poor heart.
APPENDIX: Srila Prabhupada’s most inspiring words on mass distribution:
*“I am very glad to know that your sales of our books are very good and improving more. It is natural that such distribution of literatures should increase as the people hear more about our Krishna consciousness movement. Distribution of our books is our major propaganda program.” (letter, July 1, 1970)
*“A book sold becomes a permament matter for enjoyment.” (letter, Oct 1971)
*“I have faith in your words that next year the figures will be far beyond what they were last year. It is the nature of the spiritual energy — it is always increasing if we just apply our energy.” (letter, May 9, 1974)
*“I am very pleased with your activities. Now continue and increase. Everyone will want our books. We will always have customers. This is Caitany Mahaprabhu’s mercy.”(letter, Nov 20, 1975)
*“My Guru Maharaja used to say, "Don’t worry about money. Do something nice for Krishna and money will come.” So we should always be thinking how to distribute the message of Krishna, and surely he will give us facility. Even an ordinary man, if he wants publicity, then he gives so much money for the propaganda work. Similarly, Krishna is not poor. He can supply any amount for the devotees engaged in broadcoasting his glories.” (Nov 30,1970)
*“I am very much obliged to you and your government that both the people and the government of America do not put any hindrances on our distributing books. This kindness of your nation will cause the blessings of Lord Caitanya to ber showered upon it, and the higher section of American people will all become Krishna conscious. So many books they are reading, so will there not be any effect?” (letter, Nov 9, 1975)
*“Don’t you see that this printing is my life? Then do it; otherwise you are killing me. If you don’t arrange this, then you are half killing me. Either kill me full or give me peace. How do you expect me to have any peace if you don’t organize this? I want to immmediately spread Krishna consciousness everywhere. Our unique contribution is Deity worship and the large-scale distribution of India’s cultural tradition. This is the Krishna consciousness movement. If you love me you will not fight — stay united.
*“We have many plans, we are building Mayapur City, so Krishna must increase our booksales more and more .”
