Offering simple service and taking a book
We are halfway through our winter marathon in Wellington, NZ. It’s a time when we go across the country and push for two weeks to distribute as many books as possible.
We have two traveling teams and one home team that keeps the prasadam distribution going and the preaching center running, while also fitting in a couple of hours on the street.
Last week was the first time out on the street for me in at least a month.
Nervous and excited, I and my team went to Upper Hutt, which is notoriously a slow, quiet place. We set up a table at the Countdown supermarket and started the day. A new bhaktin named Floor was pumping out our softcover Science of Self Realization, telling people that she is convinced that these books will change their lives.
Toward the end of the day, our sankirtan partner came back to the table from the main street, saying that things were really slowing down and she was too cold to stand outside anymore.
Seeing as we had only thirty minutes left, I swapped spots with her and ventured out into the cold.
I saw a barefoot man standing outside two big metal doors and vaping. He was a bit old and looked ruffled. He looked at me and smiled. He said that he lived there, pointing to the metal doors. I asked him what kind of flat it was, and he paused and said it’s just temporary accommodation and that he couldn’t afford anything else.
He asked me what I had, and I showed him The Perfection of Yoga. I gave a simple presentation, assuming he wouldn’t have anything to give. He asked how much, and I said it’s just a donation. He said that he didn’t have any money on him, and he gave the book back.
But then he paused and said wait, I think I might have a dollar in my account. He then went into his phone, opened his banking app and said, “Yes, I have a dollar!” He was keen to do a bank transfer, so we set it up.
He gave everything he had to Krsna, and I was really amazed. It reminded me of Srutadeva and King Bahulasva. The King was able to offer opulent service to Krsna, but Krsna was just as pleased with the simple service of Srutadeva. This man was so happy to receive a book and gave his last dollar to Krsna. Imagine what Krsna will give to him!
Your servant,
Madhupana-lila devi dasi
