Lord Nityananda distributes books through a madman
Place: a village in Kelva India (near Palghar, which is in the Thane District of Maharshtra, an hour away from our Govardhan Eco village.
Almost twenty of us (most from the same family) distribute Srila Prabhupada's books each December, the month when Lord Krsna spoke the sublime Gita. Every year, since most of the family members are devotees and are in ISKCON, we get together in December and go to many villages near Palghar and Kelva to distribute books. There were 7-8 males and 9-10 females in our group.
One evening we were all tired from the day's book distribution and were hurrying because in that village all outgoing transport closes at 7 PM. In the early darkness we saw a man with torn clothes. He looked unbathed for a few months. He came slowly slowly, closer and closer to our group, and most of the people, including me, felt fearful and cautious.
A few men got ready in case this apparent Madman attacked us. However, it turned out differently.
He told us, "Come here," and pointed toward me.
I went near him praying to Narasimhadev to protect me.
"Go there and distribute your books. That lady will surely take one."
He was pointing to a bunglow, and I went there and knocked and asked whether anyone will take a book. Someone did.
Then he called others of us and pointing toward more houses, claiming that the people in them will take the books.
To everyone's surprise, the books were going wherever he was pointing, and about twelve Gitas were distributed.
But we were worried that at 7 PM no transport would be available. Finally we told him that we can't distribute after 7 PM, but he proclaimed, "I will personally arrange transport for you."
We were now wondering whether to believe this man could arrange transport for 18 of us. However, he told us to continue. So we continued, and we almost finished the stock that we brought with us that day. Everyone of us was hungry, but everyone was really relishing transcendental happiness because of the small miracles we were witnessing.
The person then arrange a big riksha for us after 7.30, which seemed like an impossible thing in that village.
Although our madman was shabbily dressed and filthy in appearance, the riksha wala was quite respectful toward him. Finally we were about to board the riksha, then we were completely stunned and moved by what we saw. Someone told me to give prasad to the madman. But we had none, so we bought some chikki (a Maharashrian sweet) and offered it to Lord Vishnu and gave it to him. He was so happy that tears poured down from his eyes. Then both parties were crying. He was crying because he never received any smiles from anyone, only stares and glares and stones from children. And we were crying, seeing the pitiable condition of the person whose wonderful heart allowed us to distribute the greatest literature.
Finally our Riksha wala sid, "He is not mad. He is the wisest among all."
There was a big roar of Haribol after this, and finally we left. The "madman" stood and cried, waving goodbye with his hand. We were amazed and happy to witness this miracle of Lord Nityanada and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Prabupada also gives mercy to such people. We should not judge anyone. The Lord can empower anyone to do his service.
Aspiring to be your Servant,
Devadatt
