Book Distribution Asylum Seeker Centre, Cork

All Glories to Sri Guru and Guaranga! I started the book distribution on 6th December 2010 from the main reception of the centre. During this time, one lady refused to take one initially saying she was a Christian. I told her I also love Jesus Christ and that there is only one God, she took the book. Another resident of the name Charles spoke about how he never ate beef but ate other meat such as chicken. He was happy to receive a book.

I gave a book to a lady who faces deportation, she was very happy to take a book and posed for photos with it. Another lady took one but refused to be photographed. One Brahmin asylum seeker from Mauritius was thrilled to take a book and asked for 5 more to distribute amongst his friends in the centre.

That evening, when I was finishing my shift I left some books in the reception area. I was delighted to see that the next day, 7th December, they were all gone. When I was going for my lunch, I left more on the table in reception and when I was finishing that day, I left more there.

On the 8th December, there was a lot of fighting in the centre, two ladies were arguing all day and it was really taking a lot of time and energy to restore the peace. The arguing was going on two days.

One of the ladies involved came to the office to speak to the manager and when she was waiting to go in I handed her a book. She left it to one side while she went in and spoke to the manager. When she came out, I said to her “Don’t forget your book”. She replied, “You want me to read this?”

I was surprised when the security guard next to me said to her “Yes, go read it, it’s a book about peace, love and harmony, you really need that now! Go read it!” I was amazed at the power of a pure vaishnav, Gurudeva is truly merciful!

I realized that leaving the books in the reception area was an ideal place, as the centre is open 24 hours a day and this gives residents a chance to take a book when I am not here. Sixty books out of a hundred have been distributed and I am sure that they will be gone by next week.

I am thinking of keeping some to one side to give to people in times of strife such as the arguing this week that turned to violence and assault and terrified the children of those involved who were present at the time.

I will be in touch soon with another update!

Your lowly servant

Tarini

Faridibad Book Stall

Last weekend a group of 3 devotees including me & 2 others organised a book stall in one of the biggest shopping mall in Faridabad. By Srila Gurudev's mercy I got the approval to organize a stall without any charge for 3 days. During these 3 days we Distributed about 300 Books from little ones like the way of love (50 Copies), beyond liberation, Secrets of the undiscovered Self, Chamatkar Chandrika, Damodrashtakam, Prem Samput to Big ones like Bhagawat Geeta (10 Copies), Raas Panchadhyai (2 Copies), Journey of the Soul (10 copies) & Jaiva Dharma (3 Copies). Along with that We Distributed lot of Transcendental Pictures.



I would like to share some of the wonderful experiences. A man named, Jamuna Prasad left his home to pick his children from the tudoring. He was delayed in being able to pick up his children so He was passing his time at the mall. He landed himself in front of our book stall to buy Jaiva Dharma, Raas Panchadhyayi, lot of other small books along with one year subscription to our monthly magazine "Bhagwat Patrika". Srila Gurudev brings Jivas to the Transcendental world through so many ways.



I also came across a school teacher who worships Lord Shiva. When I showed her the position of Lord Shiva through the map of the worlds printed in "Journey of the Soul", She was so happy. She bought a copy of the Journey of the soul along with Siva Tattva.



The most amazing part about this book distribution was the ISCKON book stall next to us. When I ran out of my BG I distributed few of Prabhupada BG & Krishna Book. The ISCKON leader (Gopeshwar Prabhu) & Others showed love & affection towards Srila Gurudev. He said Together we can fulfill the mission of our Acharyas & Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. At the end of the 3rd day they gave us Prasadam & Milk to us. It was a heart melting experience with them.

Puri Book Distribution

Today 2 girls from our book distribution seva team – Taruni dasi and Yamuna dasi – went out for an experiment. We wanted to distribute books near the Jagannatha Temple. We thought it would be a great chance to meet very pious people from all over India, who came especially to take darshan of Lord Jagannatha. We cannot go inside due to our fallen condition, so we were doing kirtana just near the main entrance. There was a big crowd there – hundreds of people searching for spiritual experience. We found distributing books there really easy. Yamuna was surprised, “I didn’t have to do anything. The books themselves did everything, books and kirtana, and Srila Gurudeva, and Sri Jagannatha.” While we were singing the maha-mantra, people were crowding around us and asking for books. We were non-stop giving them Ways of Love, Damodarastakas and especially Jagannatha Ratha Yatras. This constant flow was interrupted time to time only by dwarfish South Indian cows who were suddenly knocking their cute muzzles on our hands asking for some caresses.

I saw nearby one honorable looking Indian family and approached them with books. I was surprised to know that they came from New York. I asked the young gentleman, why didn’t he go inside the temple to see Lord Jagannatha. “My mum went for darshan,” he said, “but I didn’t go, because I feel bad they don’t allow foreigners to come inside. I think the Lord is for everybody, not only for Indians”. He bought the Jagannatha Ratha Yatra book.

Yamuna met very sweet children, with such a very natural and playful mood – she was just charmed by them.

In about two hours all our bags became empty and we managed to come back to Srila Gurudeva’s temple in time for evening prasadam. Now we are waiting for the rest of the girls who should soon come from the book fair, looking forward to hear their news. We’ll write more tomorrow.

Bhubaneswar Book Fair

BOOK DISTRIBUTION SEVA IN BHUBANESHWAR
07.12.2010 – 09.12.2010












Haribol devotees! Dandavat pranams and greetings from Bhubaneswar and Jagannatha Puri! Yesterday 6 young devotees in our ladies seva team travelled to the annual Bhubaneswar bookfair to continue the distribution of Srila Gurudeva’s transcendental literature. After an auspicious morning of parikrama of Sri Jagannatha Puri Dhama under the senior guidance of Sripad Bhaktivedanta Damodara Maharaja, the ladies seva team arrived infused with an exalted mood from the dust of the holy Dhama. Jaya!
With more than 500 publication groups participating in the book-fair, in various genres such as yoga, philosophy, literature and education, we were met with a crowd that was open and eager about reading, ideas, and spiritual life. Many young people gladly accepted “The Way of Love” and “Journey of the Undiscovered Self” which opened many a lively conversation on the nature of the soul and for contact with other amazing books. For half the team, this bookfair marked their first book distribution seva. Taruni dasi observed an upbeat and brave spirit in the new ladies as they approached book browsers for the first time. Despite certain language barriers we realized that sincerity and trust in Gurudeva and the books empowered the strong connections we made with others.
Sita dasi shared that many were astonished and curious to encounter Western women distributing books on Krishna. “Why have you left your country of opulence and wealth (so many conceptions of USA and Russia) to come to India? Who are you? How do you know Lord Krishna?” We shared about the power of Srila Gurudeva’s mission distributing the true wealth to the lost jivas – pure bhakti. Just as the bee is attracted by the nectar of the flowers, so our hearts are searching for the highest love and affection. In many of our encounters, Indians expressed moods of deep appreciation and honor toward the power of the Vedas to speak to souls all over the world. Such is the nature of the Absolute Himself! The sakti of the transcendental literatures lifted our energies to continue book distribution late into the evening and periodically we checked in with one another to exchange inspiring anecdotes from those who received books.

Yamuna Flood

Dear All,
The Yamuna River has not been so high in over 30 years. This year she kept growing and growing until she finally flooded homes and unfortunately, after devotees watching and watching - she flooded our basement book storage room. The water came in through the drains, so that is why no one caught it in time. The Yamuna was not all the way up to our building yet - but the drains were overlookedS.

The devotees did a Titanic delve into the water and got all of the boxes out of the water. Then so many devotees helped with taking all of the books out of the boxes and packages and lying them out one by one all over the temple room, empty rooms (under the fans) and all over the building. We are still doing this and so many of the books have been saved. Some are wrinkled or have some blemishes now in the cover, and some we could not save.

We all realized that the Yamuna flooded the bookroom so we can flood the world with Srila Gurudeva's books. He has said so many times he does not want them sitting in cold storage.

So, a group of us plan to go to Delhi next week for the Commonwealth Games and to distribute as many books as possible for any donation.

We have had to incur many costs to save these books as well as the losses we have taken with the unusable books and posters.

If you would like to make a donation, we would be so grateful. You can donate through www.gvpbookdistribution.com/Sponsor.html

Aspiring for the service of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas,
Vasanti dasi

School Program in South Africa

by Vasanti dasi






On Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010 Syamarani didi, myself, Mukunda prabhu, Anupama prabhu, Asim-Krsna prabhu and Lalita didi went to a school in a rural town outside of Johannasberg. There were about 50 kids there and they were so incredibly sweet.
First we chanted and we gave them all a Way of Love so they could follow along with the Maha-mantra. They loved the book and we told them that the books are sacred so to keep them in a special place and not on the floor, etc.

Syamarani didi gave a sweet class for them which can be viewed on my youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vasantidasi1&aq=f

We heard that one kid even became a vegetarian after the program because he said he doesn't want to eat his brothers. His mother came into the school, and told the teacher my kid won't eat meat anymore. The teacher told her alternatives and she was pacified.

Some of the kids couldn't stop staring at the Krsna pictures in the books.

We had a kirtan at the end and we all danced together. Then, I asked the kids who could chant the mantra into the microphone and they all came to the mic with such enthusiasm - some learned the maha-mantra so fast, some needed help, and some used the book.

We then gave them all sumptuous prasadam and they ate to their hearts content (we've heard some of these kids don't eat much on weekends, when they are not in school.) We also gave them take home plates for their families.

Preaching in India

Preaching in India is challenging and inspiring. Everywhere people need Srila Gurudev’s books, in the West as well as in India. In our dealings with Indians we could understand, that Gurudev’s books are extremely necessary. Most of the Indians have the conception that all paths lead to Bhagavan, but they can not clearly define who is Bhagavan. For that reason, according to their birth, samskar and liking they choose demigods for their worship. In most of the cases they think that Sri Krsna is also like a demigod, but we detected that even though they can not understand Sri Krsna’s identity still they have some kind of special respect for Him. In other cases they know that Sri Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they still have the strong desire to worship demigods as well

In Hindu temples, the Sri Sri Radha Krsna murtis are generally centred in the middle, surrounded by Sivji, Durga, Ganesh etc. It is very helpful when we make programs in Hindu temples and speak about the cause and the centre of all causes, Sri Krsna. Indian people very quickly feel if the preacher is sincere or not, so equipped with Gurudev’s powerful books and the weapon for Kali yuga, the harinam mahamantra, we try to capture their hearts. We meet those who practice Buddhism, Sikh Religion, Shivaits, Christians, demigod worshippers, the Brahmakumaris and new age movements like art of living, etc., which forces us to study our philosophy deeply to be capable in philosophical exchanges. We have learned it is very important to be respectful and careful towards other religions and habits.

Preaching in India is challenging and inspiring. Everywhere people need Srila Gurudev’s books, in the West as well as in India. In our dealings with Indians we could understand, that Gurudev’s books are extremely necessary. Most of the Indians have the conception that all paths lead to Bhagavan, but they can not clearly define who is Bhagavan. For that reason, according to their birth, samskar and liking they choose demigods for their worship. In most of the cases they think that Sri Krsna is also like a demigod, but we detected that even though they can not understand Sri Krsna’s identity still they have some kind of special respect for Him. In other cases they know that Sri Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they still have the strong desire to worship demigods as well.

In general people have appreciation and curiosity if they see us Western people speaking about Krsna, which is an advantage for us and makes book distribution easier. Many times people invite us to their houses, we perform kirtan and speak harikatha. In nearly every house Krsna is present, mostly as Balgopal. We can not expect that the people will change their lives in one day. But by slowly going their again and again they become more attracted to Krsna consciousness. A few sincere people take harinam and diksa from Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. For this reason we are inspired to go everywhere in India and to preach this wonderful message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

In the last year we have travelled to and distributed books in Sikhim, Darjling, Jaipura, Delhi, Mathura, Haridwar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhara and trains along the way.

Srila Gurudev ki jaye

Savitri and Bakula d.d.

Report by Ramacandra dasa

Haribol,
All glories to Srila Narayana Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada,
and all the assembled Vaisnavas. I want to thank you
for allowing me to express my sankirtan ventures to all the
devotees. I hope through my presentation of the
following events, other devotees are inspired to push
forward the desire of the parampara. Their desire is that
the Hare Krsna movement is spread throughout the
world.

For those who do not know me, my name is Ramachandra dasa, disciple of Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. By good fortune, I am under the guidance
now of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Narayana Maharaj. Since 1975, I have had the great fortune of coming up in the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. I was
able to get the good fortune of having the association of very serious and determined book distributors of Srila Prabhupada. This has led my life to this
day, of having the mission of book distribution. Srila Narayana Maharaj has expressed his thanks to me many times for my efforts in this book distribution service, including embracing me three times. What mercy!
Now, I know that everyone has their own approach on sankirtan. I, myself, being a military person, I enjoy approaching soldiers. A lot of these men I talk to have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, or are on their way overseas. The two books that I enjoy handing out to these men are “The Perfection of Yoga” and “Beyond Birth and Death”. When I hand them these books, I don’t get into trying to explain to
them about Krsna. I find that people become disinterested in the book when talking about Krsna straight forward. So, my approach, when I hand the book to the
soldier, is to tell them that this book teaches stress management and psychology. It is a yoga book. When I mention “stress management”, everyone reaches for the book. I find that the people really appreciate the book when I explain it in this context.

I hope that every devotee that is into book distribution can continue praying hard to distribute books. This is pleasing the Lord, and our Srila Gurudeva, and we will attain the highest perfection if we please our Gurudeva in this way.
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, all glories to book distribution,

Your servant,

Ramachandra Dasa

Worms, Dirt and a Miracle

Book distribution report - Aug 5&6, 2010

By Anita dasi

I was walking back from a dip in Ganga devi in Haridwar, thinking what a nice start to this ekadasi. Nearby the matha I met two nice boys from Delhi and invited them in, shortly thereafter two more contacts stopped by. We were all having a nice chat and I was thinking what a peaceful day.

Bakula didi went to show them some books; suddenly she raised the alarm. “WORMS!!!” She hurried over with a pocket edition of the Bhagavad-gita, and showed me how worms had eaten the pages of the book. We had about 2000 books stored under the altar in the Haridwar matha. We quickly checked through all the boxes. Luckily the worms had only infested about 5 boxes. The books from the infested boxes we spread in the sun – worms hate sun.

But what to do with the books? We could not keep them in the same storage or they would all be digested. When Srila Gurudeva says to go deep into the books, I don’t think he meant it for the book worms. First we asked in the matha and guest house if they had a drier place to store the books that were not yet infested, but they could not help. Out of desperation I turned to one of the guests. He has not yet meet Srila Gurudeva yet, but he has been reading Srila Prabhuapda’s books for years. We met him in April at Kumbah and he has been inviting us to come for programs in Badrinatha and Rsikesh. I asked him if he could take the books now to Rsikesh and store them until we come there. Thankfully he was happy to help.

The books that were from infected boxes we did not want to store with the others in case they spread, so we decided to take those ones to the Punjab and distribute them immediately. We thought we had solved the big problem of the day.

When one local contact came for lunch, I asked him, “I haven’t seen any auto rikshaws on the road. Where can we find one to take us to the train station to catch our train tonight?” The city was overloaded with Siva-bhaktas dressed in orange, collecting ganga water then going by foot, bike, motorcycle, truck, train, bus, anyhow to the Siva temple of their choice where they will bathe the Siva linga in the ganga water.

He just shook his head and said, “Not possible.”

“What?!”

“Well they can take you part way, but you will have to walk 6 km.”

We desperately thought of every possibility – taxis, bicycle rikshaw, bus, hitch-hiking, motorcycle. The best option seemed to be to get a train from a nearby local train station to the main station. “What times do the trains come there?”

“Mam, 2 pm and 7:30.” I look at the time - 1:15- and the books de-worming in the sun. No way we can be ready and at the station in forty-five minutes. And our train leaves at 7:05pm, so a 7:30 train is useless.

We deicide to speak to some bicycle-rikshaw drivers to see if they will take us the long way around. We find two who say they will for 200 rupees each, we arrange for them to come at four.

We pack up the books and our luggage. At four when the rikshaw drivers turn up they have changed their price to 600 rupees each and they are not sure they can get all the way to the railway station.

Some other contacts who came in the afternoon from Deharadoon were helping us, they also wanted to take a train back home at six pm. They again came up with the idea of the local train station, thinking that since the roads are blocked that they must be running more local trains. We sent two of them ahead to inquire. They called and said come.

When we reached the small station my heart sank, only a few people resting in the shade. The whole city was teaming, if this was really away to move across the city then it would also be packed.

Bakula didi and Savitri didi went to enquire. Sure enough the next passenger train stopping here was at 7:30 pm. They had the idea that maybe our train would be late, and went back to the office to see if they could check in their computer. Our train was on time, but the station manager felt compassion for us, so he said he could put us on the “mal gari”. The boys from Deharodoon started laughing. I asked, “What does it mean?”

“Dirty train.”

After about 45 minutes a cargo train rumbled to a stop in front of the station. It was literally filled with dirt. With the help of three friends from Deharodoon we hauled our (you know the tune ) 5 boxes, 4 back packs, 3 rollies, 2 shoulder bags and 1 poster roll to the caboose of the train. Another 15 minutes pass and the train rolls into motion. We easily cross the few kilometers to the main train station, arriving about 15 minutes before our train.

Next mission: to find out what platform our train leaves from and get our luggage to it on time. Savitiri didi runs ahead and finds out its on platform seven. But the mystery is that the Dirty Train dropped us on platform 5 and there is nothing beyond that. We cannot find any porters or anyone to help, no signs indicating where this mysterious platform is. Maybe something out of a Harry Potter book. We are down to less than 5 minutes. How can we have overcome all odds to reach the train station only to not find the platform?

Finally one boy who sweeps out the trains understands we need platform seven. He leads us tearing through the train station to some practically hidden platforms, no time to go to overpass, we cross a set of tracks by climbing down from the platform, across the tracks and up the other side. Bakula and I are hot on the heals of this little sweeper, dripping in sweat, heart pounding, lungs burning (note to self – more athletic training is needed for book distribution). We reach our coach and fling the bags on. Just them the train gave a lurch. I look down the platform. I call out to the others, “Just get on in any coach!” Sulata and Saviti didi jump on as the train begins to pull off. I look out to the platform and see the three boys running as best they can with five boxes down the platform. The train begins to gain momentum, and I start running towards them thru the inside of the train. Hope against hope that they just throw the books into any coach.

Suddenly a miracle. The train stops. Some conductor must have seen our mad dash. I get to the compartment near the boys, they toss the boxes on to the train. I fold my hands in pranams, and call thanks as the train starts off again.

We met these boys during Kumbah mela some months ago, they came back to see us again. Little did they know they would get roped into our mad adventure and even miss their own train. And the contact from Badrinath who came to visit us and ended up with 16 boxes of books in his custody. I guess its sucretee like this that adds up over time. I pray that very soon they come to sat guru.

The Maha-magnet

Book distribution report, Delhi July 29 – Aug 4, 2010

By Anita dasi

The most exciting part of book distribution is when you see a recipient of a book come to meet Srila Gurudeva. The books are like tiny homing devices which seek out fortunate souls and sat guru is like a maha-magnet pulling these tiny souls towards the absolute truth.

Over the past few months of book distribution here in India, we met many people. We try to collect as many email addresses and phone numbers as possible. Those who give their email are signed up for the harikatha emails – the gift that just keeps on giving. But most people in India don’t have email, but virtually everyone has a mobile phone. So we began sending out short Krsna conscious text messages about once a week to our contacts. We also let people know about festivals and programs in their area. Several came for Guru Purnima in Vrndavan and Mathura.

We met many people from Delhi. Srila Gurudeva was in Delhi for about a week after celebrating Guru Purnima in Vrndavan and Mathura and before leaving for the Russia festival. I was in Delhi this time and was stunned to see how many seeds planted as books, grew into a visit to the matha, and ripened into a darshan with Srila Gurudeva.

Srila Gurudeva gave went for a short walk outside the matha each morning and then gave darshan, answering questions from devotees as well as new comers.

On Aug 4 Guru pujya was celebrated at Raman-vihari Gaudiya Matha. At least six contacts though book distribution came for the program.

Story by Ananda Vardana dasa

Heres an interesting story. This last weekend I went to a local nursery and was wearing a small badge with Shrila Prabhupada s picture. As I walked out into the parking lot one of the carguards sees me and says "Prabhupada !" so I say "Hare Krishna " to him and he says "Hare Krishna ,Andrew Freedman " (my name ) . I coudnt believe he said my name so I asked him " How do you know my name ? " He says " I heard you on the radio about 5 years ago ! " So I say " Thats amazing that you remember my name but how did you know I am the person you heard on the radio ? " He says , and laughs " I just knew . " So I ask him how he heard about Krishna and he says he went to a second-hand bookshop in Seapoint and saw a picture of Shrila Prabhupada on the cover of Science of Sel-Realisation and he felt "This man is a master , he looks so humble " so he bought the book and also Shrimad-Bhagavatam and Laws of Nature. His name is Anderson and he is a refugee from Congo and a qualified dietician. I invited him to come to our Bhagavad-gita group and he bought a Tulasi necklace from me and I gave him a copy od Shrila Gurudeva s Way of Love. He kept on saying "Shrila Prabhupada is a great master , very rare soul. " So wonderful how Shrila Prabhupada reaches out to sincere souls everywhere , touching their hearts , bringing them to Krishna. His books are indeed conscious. Beautiful , compassionate Prabhupada. Hare Krishn

Darshan July 14, 2010

book distribution report by Anita dasi

Ever get the feeling you are being watched? We did, and it was amazing – giant wide eyes and a smile hidden by the crowds waiting hours to have a chance to go up on the chariot for a special darshan. Our book stall was directly in front Lord Jagannatha’s cart. It’s inexplicable what it feels like to be distributing books and to look up and see Lord Jagannatha watching. Those eyes . . .


Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra spent the night in Their chariots and the whole next day. This way many could come for darshan. Very long lines formed behind each chariot. With offerings in their hands, people would wait for hours for a chance to go up onto the chariot and have a very close darshan. Several of us went along the lines distributing books. Since those in line were in a devotional mood (and also probably a bit bored waiting in line) many took books.


Many people visited our book stall as they waited for Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra to come down from their chariots and enter the Gundica Mandira.

Around 9 pm the police roped off the path to the entrance of the mandir. Sulata dasi and myself were lucky to be in the front row, and the police were very kind to do their best to keep the crowd from overtaking us. Hundreds of pujaris gathered with their gongs. There were fire-twirlers and dancers to entertain Lord Jagannatha. One pujari tied a piece the rope that pulled the chariots around our hands and said. “You are all Jagannatha’s children.” Later the same pujari came with some maha prashada from Subhadra. He came up to us so quickly I opened my mouth in surprise and he stuffed a piece of cucumber in my mouth. Mahaprashada ki jaya!

We watched as Sudharshan, then Baladeva, then Subhadra and finally Jagganantha were coaxed from their chariots, across the courtyard and into the Gundica mandir.

(In this photo you can see Sri Baladeva wearing a big flower crown as He comes down from His chariot.)