Short skp stories from Narataka Gopal DD
Just to let all of you know a bit about Narataka Gopal dd. For about 20 years she was a great inspiration for myself and so many other devotees in Miami with her saintly demeanor and determination to please Srila Prabhupada by distributing his books. She joined in 1974 and from that time until the early 90's she was steadily distributing Prabhupada's books.
She promised me that she would send the many stories she collected through her years of distribution and here is chapter one.
Sankirtan Yajna Ki Jaya-Chapter One By Nartaka Gopala dasi
In the Science of Self Realization (on page 181 in the soft-cover edition) Srila Prabhupada tells us: "Real meditation means to achieve a state in which the mind is saturated with God consciousness."
One day while I was distributing books in Miami, I stopped a large lady from the Cayman Islands and offered her a Science of Self Realization. She told me: "My husband has this book. I am reading the Journey of Self Discovery right now, it's very good." She continued to relate to me how she had gone into renal failure, both of her kidneys had stopped working, and she had to have a kidney transplant. "But I know the Lord saved me for a purpose!" (To learn about Him.)
I met a scientist returning from Antarctica. He said he had been doing research there with many scientists. I asked him if it was exciting or boring and he said: "A little of both." When I showed him an SSR he exclaimed: "My sister gave me this book; I have it in my luggage!"
When I showed a book to a gentleman from Panama, he saw Srila Prabhupada's picture and said: "I've heard of him; I would like to read this." As we continued to talk he revealed to me that his 23 year old daughter had been killed in Virginia, where she had been working. I was able to tell him some verses from the Bhagavad-gita about the eternality of the soul, which seemed to sooth his heart, and when he left I was convinced that he would read his book.
I find book distribution to be a challenging mixture of struggle and joy. By encountering rejection or lack of success I become forced to beg Lord Krishna to absorb me in His internal potency and use me as His instrument. I feel that if I can somehow or other become absorbed in His devotional service, this is the greatest blessing.
