Los Angeles SD Newsletter
SRILA PRABHUPADA
From the book “All Glories to the Sankirtana Devotees”
Srila Prabhupada told me in India, "I have many bank accounts. Empty them all out and just print books! Then fill up the temples with these books and bring the devotees together and tell them, "There is no more place to sleep. Now you must distribute a pile of books as big as you need for sleeping before you can take rest tonight." and while they are out doing that, fill in the pile with more books for the next day." He was serious. He wanted it done right then on the spot. He told me, "This man in charge of India is a miser. He is not giving out the books. Therefore I give you all my money. Just print and distribute books."
Devamrta Swami quoting Srila Prabhupada
We recommend that as soon as money accumulates in our Krishna consciousness movement, fifty percent of it should be invested in printing books, and fifty percent for expenditures, especially in establishing centers all over the world. The managers of the Krishna consciousness movement should be extremely cautious in regard to this point. Otherwise money will be the cause of lamentation, illusion, fear, anger, material attachment, material poverty, and unnecessary hard work.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.22.47 Purport
Great personalities of the material world are very eager to render welfare service to human society, but actually no one can render better service than one who distributes the knowledge of spiritual realization in relation with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All living entities are within the clutches of the illusory energy. Forgetting their real identity, they hover in material existence, transmigrating from one body to another in search of a peaceful life. Since these living entities have very little knowledge of self-realization, they are not getting any relief, although they are very anxious to attain peace of mind and some substantial happiness. Saintly persons like the Kumaras, Narada, Prahlada, Janaka, Sukadeva Goswami and Kapiladeva, as well as the followers of such authorities as the Vaisnava acaryas and their servants, can render a valuable service to humanity by disseminating knowledge of the relationship between the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entity. Such knowledge is the perfect benediction for humanity. Knowledge of Krishna is such a great gift that it is impossible to repay the benefactor.
