The Nectar for which We Are Always Anxious
by Madhumangala Dasa (South Africa)
This morning I was unable to get transport from the temple to my regular sankirtan spot, so I went to distribute books in an Indian area a couple of blocks from the temple. Lining one side of the road were many shops selling fruit, clothing, and spiritual paraphernalia. I approached an Indian gentleman and introduced myself. At once he asked, "How can I become a devotee of God? What must I do?"
I said, "We're all devotees of God, but we've forgotten Him. We just have to revive our dormant love for Him. Then our lives will become successful. The best way to do that is to chant the holy names, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare are Krsna. Please raise your arms like this and chant with me."
He chanted the maha-mantra with me with great enthusiasm. I then took my cell phone and asked him to listen to a recording by Guru Prasada Swami: "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, 'Whoever chants the holy name of Krsna just once is worshipable and is the topmost human being.'"
He smiled as I told him, "That is the answer to your question. You have chanted the Hare Krsna mantra once; now the process of your becoming a devotee has begun." With that I handed him a "Krsna consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System." I said, "If you read this book and put its instructions into practice, your life will become perfect."
He took the book in his hand but told me that he didn't have any money, that he'd just spent his last money on a haircut. I replied, "Maybe you could ask your friend to lend you some money." But his friend was also broke. He asked someone else, but no luck. Then he urgently asked me to wait and went into a Muslim butcher shop. Five minutes later he came out of the shop looking very pleased and gave me a donation.
I said to him, "If you're eager to learn more about bhakti-yoga, come to our Sunday program and visit with the devotees. Here's an invitation."
"You know," he replied, "I'm tired of my humdrum life and worshiping the demigods. I'm certain God has sent you to me. I'm so happy to get this book." Then he gave me his contact info.
Our prime duty is to perfect our chanting of the holy name of the Lord, and our second duty is to distribute the holy name in sound form and in the form of Srila Prabhupada's books.