Krishna’s agent
I returned to the brahmacari ashram after a really tough day on Queen Street in Auckland. Although I was out only for a short time, all I received was abuse; not one book went out. Feeling fallen and useless, all I could think was, "After all my years of distributing books, why won't Krishna use me as an instrument?"
Entering the temple room, I offered obeisances to the Lord. As I rose, I found a young man facing me, offering pranams. Surathanatha introduced me to our guest, Jerome, who pointed his finger at me, exclaiming, "You're the one who sold me the Bhagavad-gita! You're the one who introduced me to Krishna consciousness. Thank you so much!"
Jerome pulled out a well-read Gita from his bag and said that it changed his life. He thanked me again.
Dredging my memory, I recalled meeting Jerome during the recent Prabhupada Marathon. He'd sailed all the way from Uruguay, South America, to Auckland. I had stopped him on the very same day that his boat had docked at the harbor. He had been very happy and grateful to receive the Gita and started reading the book immediately. Inspired, he later visited the temple and met the brahmacaris, who invited him to the ashram.
Later that evening Jerome left with a set of japa beads and a small book. Chewing a mouthful of humble pie, I was left to reflect on how the Lord reciprocates in most unexpected ways.
Your servant,
Stambha Bhava Dasa
