Only Krsna
Often book distributors feel that they should mention indirect spirituality by using terms that a common man in the street can relate to. They speak about stress control, peace of mind, meditation, personality development, yoga etc. They feel that directly mentioning about Lord Krishna will put off secular or atheistic minded crowd. Although this approach has its uses an attitude of presenting pure Krishna Consciousness may also work at times. Here is a story from H.G. Nityananda Charan Prabhu, from Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty.
I distribute books in the local trains of Mumbai. I prefer to directly glorify Lord Krishna during my announcements. And most of the times it works. Even if people don't buy the books they are very happy to hear about the Lord.
This incident happened some time back with me. Once I boarded a local train and I turned towards the corner compartment which is very small. Around three people were sitting there – an old man, a middle aged man who was looking out of the window, and a student, two three people were also standing nearby.
The moment I entered the train and took my first step towards the compartment the old man saw me and began waving his arms indicating 'No, No'. Thousands of emotions flooded my mind in one moment. First was moroseness at this rejection. Then determination that since he is rejecting me I should be even more forceful in my presentation of Krishna Consciousness. I clinched my jaws and stepped forward. I had 'Perfection of Yoga' with me. Without mentioning anything about yoga I straight way started glorifying Lord Krishna.
"Here is the Lord who when He was a new-born killed Putana; when He was a small toddler He killed Trinavrata; when He was seven years old He lifted Govardhan Hill. The same Lord spoke Bhagavad-gita and the teachings of the same Bhagavad-gita are in this book. Please take it."
During my announcement the old man continued to wave his hands. But as I continued there was a change. His hands slowed and his expression softened. When I reached the end of my announcement, he completely stopped moving his hands. Then I showed him the book. He took it and brought out a ten rupee note and handed it to me. The man in the window seat who had not even looked at me during the entire announcement and seemed completely disinterested, took out a ten rupee note an asked for the book. A note came from behind my shoulder and another book was gone. Out of five people around me four took the book!
Another time I met two executives in the train and I gave them 'Krishna the reservoir of pleasure'. Before they could return the book I requested, "Sir, Kindly see the lines on the back cover." These lines are very beautiful both in English and Hindi: Wouldn't you want to love a person who is the most beautiful, the richest, the most powerful, most famous and at the same time the most renounced? This is what this small book is all about – the qualities of God or Krishna that make Him the most attractive, the most lovable, and the most exciting person to be with."
Many times people just read these lines and take the books. And although those executives didn't take the books they appreciated, "You speak very nicely."
"These words are appealing," I replied, "Only because they glorify Lord Krishna." They agreed and smiled in affirmation.
Thanking you
Your Servant,
Murari Gupta Das
