Mercy at every step
It was raining, and I did not have much time to distribute books but Krishna had managed to let a few books go out……
I got my books ready, seeing everybody so busy going/coming and shopping. My mind told me, "Who is going to take a book in this hurry?"
Still my desire was strong, and I approached a gentleman exiting a store.
"Excuse me sir, did you see this book today?"
"No, and I am not interested.
"Why?" I replied. "These books are such treasures. They tell you about the soul."
He stopped, looked at the book, and listened to what I had to say.
Touching his heart, I said, "This book will explain to you that although the body is changing from childhood to youth to old age, the soul remains intact."
He was patiently listening, but he said, "I do not have any money today" and walked to his car. He did not give me time to ask him whether he'd read the book. I could have let him keep it.
Then I saw a boy sitting in his car, busy with one of those appliances for games. My mind again said, "Why would you approach him? He looks so busy?"
But I walked to the car, and I signed to him to roll down the window.
"Did you get your book today?"
He said no.
"OK, then here are two for you."
I gave him "Introduction to the Gita" and "Easy Journey to Other Planets" to choose between. After I requested a donation, he opened his wallet and voila! he gave a nice donation. He didn't even think twice about giving the donation or keeping both books!!
In the Lowes parking lot, I approached two contruction workers and said, "Hi! I have a book for you."
One of them said, "This is the Gita!"
The other fellow said, "Oh, we know about the Gita."
"How wonderful!" I said, "This is so nice. These books were written 5,000 years ago, and it's a pleasure to find people that know about this philosophy."
One said, "Arjuna is my friend."
"Well, if you had said that Krishna was your friend, you would have had me prostrated at your feet!"
He liked that, and they both laughed and repeated the Hare Krishna mantra for me. They told me they knew Purnamasi Dasi, but never have gone to the temple. They took one book and gave a donation.
I walked away thinking, How is it possible that the only three people out of four that I had approached today were interested in reading Srila Prabhupada's books? They are willing and ready to give a donation. This is Krishna's doing, not my doing.
So let's hurry up and assist this movement in spreading the mercy, which is available at every step.
Your Servent,
Mahattama Devi Dasi
