Sankirtana in “Sweet Home Alabama”
I was distributing books in Birmingham, Alabama. A group of men walked by with drinks in their hands. I showed them a "Chant and Be Happy'. They laughed and ignored me. They went into a restaurant and I continued my sankirtan with a discouraged attitude. There was hardly anyone in the street. I started to think that I better go home and do some reading.
After 30 minutes, the same group came out of the restaurant, and I again approached them with a quick introduction on 'Chant and Be Happy'.
This time I talked about George Harrison's interest in chanting Hare Krishna. One gentleman immediately said, "I would like to buy a book". He gave me a five-dollar donation. This boosted my enthusiasm. I prayed to Lord Krishna to inspire many souls like this. In the next hour, a Bhagavad-gita and 14 medium-size books were sold.
After that I approached a college student from the University of Alabama. He was walking with his girlfriend. I disturbed their conversation and showed them 'The Science of Self-realization'. The girl was receptive, but the boy was not happy about her interest in the book.
He suddenly interrupted me and said, "Stop that. Stop talking to her".
He gave me ten dollars and said, "Take this, give her the book and get lost".
Although he was rude, he gave the most wonderful gift to his girlfriend.
After a few minutes, I showed a small book to a man with a well groomed beard. He asked me about meditation. I told him about the Hare Krishna mantra, and he chanted:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
and I joined him in the chanting. He knew the maha-mantra. It was wonderful. He told me that his wife used to attend the Sunday feasts and has been chanting the maha-mantra for the past three years.
Lord Chaitanya's Sankirtan Movement, Ki Jaya! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Your Servant,
Bhaktivinode Das
