Marathon Message by Janananda Goswami
It’s never too late. Srila Prabhupada arrived in US at 70 years of age and preached alone in the snow of New York, distributing his Srimad Bhagavatams.
We sure can’t imitate Srila Prabhupada, but at least we can try to follow. Last year I had the fortunate experience of trying to distribute books in France, and I do not speak the language. You may know what France is like if you don’t speak French. Still, by the mercy of Lord Nityananda, many books were distributed, and I am no book distributor at the best of times. To be honest I had not been on a full marathon since 1985. Done a few partial ones here and there, in the snow of Newcastle and the sun of the Gold Coast. But Paris was something special – a real dose of mercy and a
close feeling of Srila Prabhupada’s presence.
This year we are giving it another go. Coming close to 70, but better late than never. Srila Prabhupada wanted the privilege to die “preaching on the battlefield”. What better way to go? It’s not much, but I hope this little effort will please Srila Prabhupada and to a tiny degree show our indebtedness to him.
Let the snow come down, the wind blow, the public shun us – “non merci!” Let the authorities hassle us, let the mind say what it likes, let the world go on in its crazy way, but let us do all we can to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books, wherever we are, and the tougher it is, the better it is. Last December our best day was in a blizzard!
‘You should give much effort for book distribution, it is such a valuable service. Simply if one will read our KRSNA book, TLC, NOD, and Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, he will surely become a Krishna Conscious person. So somehow or other distribute these books, either in schools and colleges, libraries, through life membership, bookstores, or wherever else you think they might be accepted. Do so with enthusiasm and determination and Krishna will surely help you.
Letter to: Nityananda – Bombay 1 April, 1971
‘Just like you are taking so much trouble, going place to place to give one book to somebody. Why? Because you love Krsna, and you are thinking if this gentleman takes one book, never mind, small or big, he’ll read at least one page about Krsna. So you are thinking of Krsna. That is meditation. Not that simply sit down at a place.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.101 – July 6, 1976, Washington, D.C.
Let’s go, get the book bags and the winter togs on, and pray, pray, pray for the mercy to be an instrument for these books to find their place in the homes of unlimited unknowing souls. Even one book is a great victory.
I noticed even some of our critics had a good word to say about the effort to perform the yuga dharma yajna. If we all got into the spirit of book distribution, no matter what the situation, I am sure many apparent problems would no longer exist. Wishing everyone big or small an ever ecstatic marathon.
your servant,
Janananda Gosvami
