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.)

Ratha-yatra July 13, 2010

book distribution report by Anita dasi


“Mahaprabhu added this idea to the Ratha-yatra Festival, that the gopis brought Krsna from the mandir in Nilacala – they brought him from Dvaraka. . . .The singing of Radhika and the gopis is the deep mood behind the Ratha-yatra Festival. They were pulling the ropes of Jagannatha’s chariot by their moods of separation, and He was coming with them to Vrndavan.” – The Origin of Ratha-yatra

Hundreds of thousands come each year to Puri to see Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra leave Their temple, mount giant colorful chariots and pull the chariots by ropes down the Grand road to the Gundica Mandira. We came to witness Ratha-yatra and to serve Lord Jagannatha by offering those attending the festival an opportunity to understand the deeper moods of this festival and to receive the mercy of our Acaryas through their books.

Sulata dasi and myself distributed books in the proximity of the Gundica Mandir and waited for the carts to arrive. Many people would stop and take books.

For several years the devotees from the Jai Sri Damodar Matha here in Puri have set up a book stall in front of Gundica Mandir. Many people visit the book stall and it also serves as our base for book distribution.

Sri Balaram’s chariot comes first. When I first saw the bright top of His chariot coming down the road I hurried to meet it. I joined our kirtana party as they chanted and danced in front. When the chariot is moving there is a heart-stiring cacophony of gongs.The cart stopped for a little while and the kirtana party danced in front. Suddenly the gongs started up again. I was quite close to the ropes. Pulling the ropes can be quite dangerous because so many men are trying to get a chance and they literally run at times, but just as they started the end of the rope was sticking out, so Anandini dasi and myself ran over and grabbed the rope for a thrilling instant before dashing away.

We distributed books and waited for Subhadra’s chariot to arrive in a gentle rain. When I saw Lord Jagannatha’s chariot in the distance I hurried to meet it. After walking some distance I tuned back, a rainbow spanned the sky ending at the two chariots in front of Gundica. It seems there was a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, better than a pot of gold.

Our kirtana party was there again, but this time it had swollen to include hundreds. I joined them for sometime until Jagannatha’s chariot stopped. I had my first glimpse of His giant and immensely merciful eyes. Those of you who have experience know what I am talking about; those of you who have not, I am sorry, I cannot find the words.

At dusk His chariot joined the other two in front of Gundica. The thousands of devotees in the crowd sang, offered ghee lamps, coconuts, prayers or just stood and stared.

One student named Asutosh was inspired to see us distributing books and began helping us by translating for us. Eventually he took his own small stack of books and began distributing alone. He met us again the next evening and says after reading the two books small books we gave him for helping that he wants to meet Srila Gurudeva.

Jaya Jagannatha!

Purification - Jagannatha Ratha-yatra July 10-12

book distribution report by Anita dasi

As we pulled into the train station at 6:45 am, I thought to myself, “Wow, everything is going so smoothly.” We entered the station and enquired what platform the train would be departing from, only to find out the train was running five hours late.


“No problem we can sing bhajans.” An hour passes. “Lets make breakfast.” Another hour passes. Tick, tick, tick . . .

“Lets distribute books.” We had a brought a box of books to distribute on the train, but out of boredom we broke it open. Unfortunately, after an hour we had distributed all the books except a few in Bengali and English. Only a few more hours to wait . . . tick, tick tick.

The books were a hit with the sampapri wallas. Even though there was a train teeming with hungry passengers in the station they set down their boxes of flakey sweets to examine the books. Word spread and more vendors came for books. I ran out and told them to follow me to the waiting room. Once I had more books they lead me to the room where they keep their goods. Nearly everyone one there took at least one book.

The five hour delay became six hours, and finally the train came. Once we were on the train it became more and more late. We were scheduled to reach Puri 12:30 pm, but it was 1:30 am when our train finally arrived. When we reached the matha the night guard did not know what to do with us, so we just collapsed on a balcony.

At 6am we awoke to gongs, whompers, mrdanga and devotees calling us to come clean Gundica Mandir. Delirious, we dragged ourselves downstairs.

“One day before the Ratha-yatra Festival, Mahaprabhu leads all the devotees to the Gundica Mandira to clean it. On the next day Jagannatha goes to Gundica Mandira along with Baladeva, Subhadra, and His devotees for ten days, after which they all return. Just as Jagannatha goes to Gundica Mandira after it is cleaned, so He may come into your heart if you make it very pure and clean.” – The Origin of Ratha-yatra

After some rest we returned to the Gundicha Mandir in the afternoon to distribute books. Sukadha dasi and Nagari dasi were just inside the gateway distributing books. Even though in this region they speak Oria, the Bengali books were a hit because so many Bengali bhaktas of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were coming for gundica-marjana.