Sankirtan Stories for ISKCON Book Distribution
Shaman Ananda
It was another wonderful day of trying to be an instrument of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental book distribution. I was looking for the next recipient of Sri Caitanya’s mercy when a young man caught my eye. He looked like a South American shaman.
I stopped him and offered a Bhagavad Gita As it is and Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1. Upon seeing the spiritual effulgence emanating from Prabhupada’s books he was visibly taken aback and excitedly said that he was just studying these books in his eastern philosophy class and that the Bhagavad Gita is the most amazing religious text he ever read! He told me that after graduating in a couple weeks he plans to take a Bhagavad Gita to the mountains and find a cave in which to read and meditate on for a period of time.
He proceeded to ask if we have a training program where he could learn to fix his mind on the Supreme in complete tranquility. I told him about the local temple and our Bhakta Program at Rupanuga Vedic College under the guidance of HH Danavir Goswami, gave him my card and got his information. He then took the books and gave a nice donation.
The next person I spoke with was immediately interested in the books. He said his roommate had plastered pictures of Sri Krishna and Lord Buddha all over their dorm room walls and that they were beginning to explore meditation and spiritual culture. He said that he wanted the books, but could not leave a donation. As a result, we walked to his dorm where he could procure one. When we reached the dorm, he gave a donation, took the books and told me that he uncharacteristically took the long route home that day because he knew something amazing was going to happen. He said he felt it was divine arrangement that we met and was impressed that something interesting actually happened! Consequently, he said he was excited to read the books. After that I taught him how to chant, directed him to the nearest temple, gave him my card and got his contact information. Book distribution Ki- Jaya!
A few moments later, I was showing the books to some nice people when a young gentleman approached and looking at my bag with a captivated expression said, “Excuse me sir! Are you the monk with the Bhagavada Gita?” I joyfully informed him that I was and said, “Sir, did you get one?” He said that he had not and I told him, “Well here, please check it out.” He gave a nice donation, I gave him a card, got his information and told him about the local temple. He excitedly said he was looking forward to visiting the temple and went on his way. The rest of the day was filled with many more people enthusiastically taking the books and sharing their exuberant appreciation for this wonderful gift of pure spiritual knowledge and culture. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
It is very inspiring for me to know that many many people are so happy to receive Srila Prabhupada’s books! I pray at the lotus feet of my spiritual master and all of the Vaisnavas that I may ever remain a humble servant in the sankirtan mission of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Krsna Sankirtan ki-jaya!
Your humble servant,
Baladeva dasa
