Thoughts on upcoming Book Distribution Marathon
Is distributing Srila Prabhupada's books just a leftover from the past? Is it relevant in ISKCON today?
For the answer look to Srila Prabhupada's words and look all around.
Srila Prabhupada was very clear that he wanted distribution of his books to continue.
"So please, I beg you, continue distributing my books in this way and Krsna will pour His blessings upon you all."
Srila Prabhupada BEGGED us to distribute his books, and why? Look all around to see. Everyone is full of intense suffering. Sinful life is so normal, so gross, that the world is in a horrible situation. Really the only hope is Srila Prabhupada's books.
How can we understand that? Just open the books and read them to experience their transcendental power that cuts through illusion and reaches through multiple layers of ignorance to reach the soul.
Srila Prabhupada said:
There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, "Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there." If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful. If one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, "Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book." A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community, this mrdanga.
So please Prabhus take this marathon seriously. It's really up to Srila Prabhupada's dedicated followers to "do the needful." Whatever ISKCON may or may not be, Srila Prabhupada's books are the only hope for afflicted humanity and only ISKCON devotees are going to bring this transcendental nectar relief. The Gaudiya Math aren't going to do it, nor the babajis, nor the New Age psychological gurus, nor anyone else.
So don't moan, don't groan, just pick up your beadbags, pick up your bookbags, chant Hare Krishna and get out there, praying for the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada to become an instrument in distributing Their mercy everywhere to everyone all over the world without discrimination.
Hare Krishna.
dasa, BVS
