English
Topic : Etiquette to be observed while distributing books
Suryavanshi Dasa – We are doing padayatra in Maharashtra. Books are being distributed in schools and colleges and in the markets. Many people get their salary during the first half of the month and book distribution becomes easy. Many people from the congregation are purchasing books – 60 Bhagavad-gītā or Srimad-Bhagavatam sets. Some Matajis are buying Bhagavad-gītā to distribute it as daan in the upcoming festival of Makar Sankranti and some of them are buying it as return gifts to be given in their wedding ceremonies. We are devising various plans, specifically targeting schools, colleges and market places. Some people are saying that they will distribute Bhagavad-gītā, because of the upcoming elections. Such words are not guaranteed. This is a new idea of how some people want to distribute books. If we serve like this, we can serve everyone better. Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Mahadev Dasa – Guru Maharaja, I made a plan and it was successful. I have approached various institutions and coaching centres and have planned to start Bhagavad-gītā classes there. Hopefully it will be successful. I am planning to start my Bhagavad-gītā classes from next Monday at various institutes and coaching centres. Thank you. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Braja Vilasini Dasi – Guru Maharaja, my strategy is first of all to tell them what’s in this book. In case they are not interested, we then tell them about ourselves. We run a business and need their support. This has a positive effect on them because they think that we are not selling books, but taking out time from our busy schedule to distribute books. We have a few friends who daily travel by train. I take 1 box of books and distribute it in the train. I have taken a pledge to distribute 108 books, but will try to distribute more than that.
Arcavigraha Devi Dasi - Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share. While distributing books we should share Gita Mahatmya. We should study it ourselves first. I delivered a Sunday feast lecture at the Giriraj Centre. After the lecture 5 to 7 people came to me, and they sponsored 11 books and promised that they would distribute Bhagavad-gītā on a one to one basis. Amongst them was a person who had come for the first time. He took chanting beads and a Bhagavad-gītā from me. All of them promised that they would read Bhagavad-gītā. The prime focus of my lecture was the benefits of reading Bhagavad-gītā. It had many points, which people liked and so they purchased Bhagavad-gītā. The point I want to highlight, is that we should tell people the importance of Gita Mahatmya because hearing that many people will buy the book. Many devotees did Tula Daan. We can encourage people to do Tula Daan on their birthdays. One mataji from Vrindavan did Tula Daan on her daughter’s birthday. This was held on Gita Jayanti and 67 books were donated. I am requesting everybody to share Gita Mahatmya at the time of distributing books and then encourage people to participate in Tula Daan on their birthdays or wedding anniversaries. You can follow these tips and distribute more books. Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Bhaktin Pinky Yadav – I distribute Bhagavad-gītā on a door to door basis. Seeking Gurumaharaj’s blessings so that I can distribute more and more Bhagavad-gītās.
Vishnu Kanti Devi Dasi – I participated in the school program for the first time. There I told them about Bhagavad-gītā. I had carried one box with me, the principal also bought one Bhagavad-gītā. She told me that she would definitely read it. When after my address nobody came ahead. I uttered the name of Srila Prabhupada and took out my bead bag. After some time people started coming forward to buy the books. Everybody told me – “Yes, we will definitely read this book.” The entire box was distributed. Seeking the mercy of Guru Maharaja, to continue this seva. Hare Kṛṣṇa
Devotees (Nepal Padayatra) – Recently we had a nice experience. We normally try to distribute books during Padayatra. If we give a single Bhagavad-gītā people accept it. The cost here is Rs. 350/-. We add two small books and distribute the set.The cost of the set is Rs. 500/-. It is very good, cause when the people make payment, they give a single 500 rupee note. We try to give them the maximum amount of books. Making a set of 3 books makes them happy. If somebody does not start reading Bhagavad-gītā, then he can at least start reading small books. Hence, he too can start connecting with Srila Prabhupada. A set of 3 books includes small books leading to nice book distribution.
Today’s japa talk is very special as Kautukarnava Prabhu is amongst us. There is a famous place in USA known as Silicon Valley. It has a famous ISKCON temple and it is specifically known for its book distribution, under the guidance of Vaisesika Prabhu who is one of the senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada. He holds seminars across the world on book distribution. Till today, he performs his daily seva of book distribution. He shares many tips and strategies. Kautukarnava Prabhu has obtained personal guidance under him and has been trained by Vaisesika Prabhu. Now he too distributes books under his guidance. There is a special team in ISKCON Silicon Valley doing book distribution. It is an important and interesting service. They do not devise new processes for book distribution. Their focus is mainly on which places the books can be distributed. There are lots of benefits. If you hear today’s japa talk attentively you will understand book distribution better and also get new strategies. We just have to participate in the activity of book distribution. We would like to thank Kautukarnava Prabhu. He has a beautiful name. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ocean of praise. Lord Kṛṣṇa is full of praise. How can we distribute the knowledge of the Supreme Lord, Bhagavad-gītā to various people.
Kautukarnava Prabhu – Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to present myself before all of you. First of all I would sincerely like to thank Lokanath Swami Maharaja and offer my obeisances to him for arranging this beautiful zoom call through which so many devotees can jointly do japa and know more about Srila Prabhupada. They are getting the daily darshan and association of Maharaji. I am grateful to him. I am also grateful to all the assembled devotees.
Recently I was reading a newsletter issued by ISKCON, mentioning Lokanath Swami Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada had written a letter to Subhavilas Prabhu. I would like to share this letter with all of you in brief.
This was written on March 16, 1970. Srila Prabhupada wrote:
Whatever is available easily we can use. There is no objection to using electricity. But we should not be dependent upon it. Produce oil from castor seeds and stock the oil sufficiently. It can be used in so many ways—for burning, grease, cooking, and as a purgative to cure all diseases. And oxen can be used for driving carts and go preaching village to village. What is the question of killing them? Here in India our Lokanatha Maharaja has successfully organized such a program and it is a great success.
Lokanath Maharaja has successfully performed similar types of activities. It is a big success as Lokanath Maharaja has done padayatra throughout India. He distributes prasada and books. Every night he stays at a different village. We can send similar types of vehicles in the entire world. With the blessings of Lokanath Swami, I would like to begin my presentation. He has nicely followed the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and is now guiding us to follow it practically. In my presentation today if you find anything appropriate or beneficial it is just due to the mercy of my Guru Maharaja, Srila Vaisesika Maharaja and whatever you feel inappropriate is due to my weakness or impairment. Please forgive me.
To understand why etiquette is essential at the time of book distribution, I would like to quote a verse from Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya lila. Caitanya Mahaprabhu speaks this verse to Sanatana Goswami. CC Antya 4.129-130
“yadyapio tumi hao jagat-pāvana
tomā-sparśe pavitra haya deva-muni-gaṇa
tathāpi bhakta-svabhāva — maryādā-rakṣaṇa
maryādā-pālana haya sādhura bhūṣaṇa
Translation
“My dear Sanātana, although you are the deliverer of the entire universe and although even the demigods and great saints are purified by touching you, it is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaiṣṇava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaiṣṇava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee.
Sanatana, although you are uplifter of the entire universe. Great demigods and saints on touching you, become purified. To follow Vaisnava etiquette and to protect it, is the special quality of a devotee. To follow Vaisnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee in whatever services we undertake like chanting, serve in the temple, present a class, deity worship, preparing prasada for the devotees, distributing prasada. In each of these services we have to follow Vaisnava etiquette.
I would like to share one more letter with you all. It is written by Srila Prabhupada to Bali Mardan, 30 September 1972.
Regarding the question you have raised about traveling sankirtana parties and selling of books, yes, we want money. So that is the real preaching, selling books. Who can speak better than the books? Whoever purchases it will see it. At least whoever buys, he will look over. If you have to sell books, do it by hook or by crook. The real preaching is selling books. You should know the tactic how to sell without irritating. What your lecture will do for three minutes, but if he reads one page his life may be turned. We don't want to irritate anyone, however. If he goes away by your aggressive tactics, then you are nonsense and it is your failure. Neither you could sell a book, neither he would remain. But if he buys a book that is the real successful preaching. That is the certificate of my Guru Maharaja, if someone, brahmacari, would sell a one paise magazine, if one of our brahmacaris would go and sell a few copies, he would be very, very glad and say "Oh, you are so nice!''
Selling books is our true purpose. Hence, etiquette is very important in one’s life. We have to distribute books together and with it create a nice impression on the people without troubling them. We can feel it is very difficult to distribute books and not trouble people, but give them a nice experience, so that they can read the books with their mind and accept the path of devotional service. How can we practice this sensibly?
I have learnt these techniques and sutras from my Guru Maharaja and have read it in his book, “Our Family Business”. I have used it in book distribution. I will share some techniques with all of you. Like Rupa Goswami has mentioned, in the Nectar of Instruction
dadāti pratigṛhṇāti
guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati
bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva
ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam
Translation:
Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasāda and offering prasāda are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another. [NOI Verse no. 4]
Devotees share amongst themselves topics related to the Supreme Lord along with their personal realisations. Similarly, I would like to share the below mentioned points for effective etiquettes.
Titiksavah (Tolerance) and Karunikah (Compassion) are important qualities when we go out for book distribution. We must be tolerant and have a feeling of compassion in the mind. In this context, there is an instance given in Canto 4 of Srimad Bhagavatam wherein Svayambhu Manu tells Dhruva Maharaja that the Lord is satisfied with His devotees when the devotee practices tolerance, mercy, and friendship and sees everyone with equal vision. Lord Kṛṣṇa tells Uddhavji in Canto 11 of Srimad Bhagavatam that a saintly person should not irritate others. He should tolerate the insulting remarks passed by others. He should not offend anybody. He should not create enmity with others for this material body. If he does so, he will be as good as the animals. How do we practically apply this? Hence, hearing the divine pastimes of the Supreme Lord is essential. We have to hear the pastimes of the Lord’s devotees who have practised these qualities in their personal life. In Caitanya-caritamrta, we hear the katha of Haridas Thakur.
Haridas Thakurji was born in a Muslim family. He used to chant the names of the Supreme Lord daily for 24 hours. He was beaten in 22 market places with a whip for this. Even while he was being beaten, he continued to chant the Lord’s names. He never had the feeling of enmity in his mind. The persons who were beating him finally got tired. They said to him, “We are beating you so hard with the whip, but you are not dying. When we return to the Nawab, he will kill us. We have small children at home. What will happen to them.” Haridas Thakur on hearing this, had so much of compassion for them that he jumped into the river just for their sake. His motive was that people should not face any problems because of him. We get to hear such katha of such great devotees from Caitanya-caritamrta, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gītā and learn lessons from them. By hearing Kṛṣṇa katha we can develop the quality of tolerance and compassion in our heart and mind.
The second katha we often hear is of Nityananda Prabhu. He would daily go with Haridas Thakur and narrate the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He would tell the people to chant the names of Gauranga, worship Gauranga. Gauranga is your life and soul and make Him the goal of your life. Jagai and Madai were born in a high class Brahmana family, but due to their bad habits they had become Jagai and Madai. When Nityananda Prabhu saw them, out of compassion he thought that if he made them devotees, then people will understand the merciful nature of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When one of them tried to beat Nityananda Prabhu, he was injured and blood was flowing from his forehead. Then too he prayed to Mahaprabhu to forgive them. This is the type of compassion evident in Nityananda Prabhu. We have to become representatives of a similar type of compassion.
Srila Prabhupada has many times mentioned Jesus Christ. How he had to suffer so much pain. He was crucified. What was in his mind? He was chanting the name of the Supreme Lord in his mind and was telling the Lord, “These people do not know what they do. Please forgive them.” A Vaisnava’s heart is always filled with tolerance and compassion.
Many times when we go to distribute books people think of us as normal salesmen. I would like to share my personal life experiences.
Once I attended a music festival. We had taken a cart and on it we had displayed all our books. Above it was a banner – “Free meditation books”. In this manner we were distributing books. A person asked me, “Are you a costermonger who sells water and cold drinks”. Sometimes people misunderstand you. Actually you are distributing the best product. I would like to share one more story.
Once I was distributing books in the Walmart parking lot. I had loaded the books on a cart and it had a sign on it. Somebody asked me, “Are you homeless”? In California, there are people who do not have a house to stay in. I replied, “I am not homeless. I am just volunteering for a temple. These are the books I are selling.” Later I thought about it. His question was correct. Actually my house is Goloka Vrindavan. I have willingly come to this material world, leaving my home. I am homeless. When we go for book distribution with the feeling of tolerance and compassion then the Lord gives us the divine knowledge from within Whatever we have read from Srila Prabhupada’s books or heard in various classes we begin to experience in our life. If we wear tolerance and compassion like an ornament, then whatever we have read in the sastras we can actually implement it in our lives by distributing books. Now you will think all this is very good to hear, but how much can we practically apply in our lives. Will it give us good results? Do we just have to tolerate people? Is there any return in the investment?
I would like to share with you from “Our Family Business.” It mentions Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. We have two bodies - one is material and the other one is spiritual. We feed our material body with food and water. We perform various exercises to remain fit or healthy so that we can live a long life. The other is our spiritual body in its original form or svarupa. It requires spiritual blood to nourish itself. We supply prasada to our physical body. Our spiritual body requires spiritual blood. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakurji tells us in Bhakti Siddhant Vaibhava that a devotee who is misunderstood or neglected or protested, but inspite of all this continues to preach Kṛṣṇa Katha or distribute books, such a devotees attains the spiritual blood in his spiritual body. Sometimes during book distribution people do not notice you. Talking to them is a distant thing. You are giving Bhagavad-gītā and smiling at them, but people ignore you as if you do not exist. Sometimes people protest against us – like when we go for music festivals. They tell us that we require a permit to distribute books at that festival and since we do not have a permit, we cannot distribute. We have to pick up our table, wrap things up and go to a new place. What happens when you face such situations? The spiritual body is getting spiritual blood. How much we are tolerating the inconvenience for Lord Kṛṣṇa in that much proportion our spiritual body is getting spiritual blood. When we get that much spiritual blood – and become healthy then we will not be affected by our physical body. We will be ready to go home – Back to Godhead. The more we do book distribution, when someone protests against us or abuses us or misunderstands us, the more we will get spiritual blood. This is our return on the investment.. You have to understand that the Lord has sent him in our lives so that we can quickly go back to Godhead. Thinking that we will get spiritual blood, we need to offer obeisances to such a person.
trinad api sunichena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
Translation:
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. [Sri Siksastakam Verse 3]
Tolerance and compassion are two of the basic etiquette.
The second point is our main purpose when we go out for book distribution. I will give you four options. You can either type it or we can do a poll.
Question : Why do we go out for book distribution?
Option 1) To sell books
Option 2) To leave everyone with a good impression
Option 3) To become the no 1 book distributor
Option 4) To tell them that they are living a demoniac life
There were different responses.
Each ones purpose is different. We would like to do all four options, but the prime purpose is to leave everyone with a good impression. Give a good experience to everyone.
There is one sloka from Bhagavad-gītā - BG 12 ,13-14.
adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ
maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca
nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ
sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī
santuṣṭaḥ satataṁ yogī
yatātmā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir
yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Translation
One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.
Practise being friendly with everyone. When we meet people we tell them about books. We are selling ourselves too. People see our behaviour. We have to go with a nice purpose. The purpose is – I am going for book distribution for my own purification. I have to go out and that will please my Guru Maharaja, please Srila Prabhupada, please Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is our topmost purpose – going out and distributing books.
All the living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. Even I am part and parcel of the Supreme. People have anarthas. I too have anarthas. We all are in the same category. This time I got the opportunity to read the books of Srila Prabhupada and I want to share it with everybody. Like Lord Kṛṣṇa is in my heart, He is there in their heart as well.
The Lord tells Arjuna – One is a full yogi if he sees with equal vision himself and all animals – in both happiness and distress.
In Kali-yuga many people are living a demoniac life. They are not aware of it. Our purpose should not be to tell them that they are living a demoniac life, that they should rise above it. We should have compassion for them.
Srila Prabhupada would often say, “ You are leading a demoniac life and you need to come out of it.” He would simply say it out of his compassion for that living entity. He did not feel that they are so fallen. We have to use compassion so that it will create a good impression in their minds by telling them.
Why are we going out for book distribution? Caitanya Mahaprabhu said :
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
Translation:
Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land. [CC Madhya 7.128]
I am going out to create friendship with people and trying to introduce people to the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa who is our friend and well-wisher. The Lord states this in the last verse of chapter 5 in Bhagavad-gītā.
To distribute the books of Srila Prabhupada is an honour, our good fortune and privilege.
When we go out for book distribution our mood should always be of giving. It should always be in our mind, I want to serve. I am going out for my purification. Purification is much needed for me than for others. The people outside are giving me an opportunity to distribute books so that I can become a representative of our entire guru parampara and can eventually purify myself. I give all respects to others. I should always express my gratitude to all those whom I meet, engage with whom I stay. I am an instrument in the hands of my Guru Maharaj and Kṛṣṇa. Every person is special and my work is to make them remember that they are very special. I go out to befriend lots of people. I work in the mood of a team player. When we go out to distribute books – many people have to work together. Some devotees get the books; some look after inventory; some do reporting; some go out and take part in the physical distribution of books; some devotees collect laksmi. This is a team work. It requires co-operation. When I go out, my mood is of a team player.
You will meet people of other faiths. Many times we meet Christians who tell us that we have lost our way and should only worship Christ. Guru Maharaja tells us that if we talk with such persons we will be wasting our time. They do not want to buy books. They just want to waste our time. It is best not to talk to such people. We have to express our gratitude towards them for coming and giving us enlightenment. You can say, “We have an important service to perform. Hence we cannot talk with you for a long time. Thank you very much.” Like this we can remove ourselves from such persons. If a person catches hold of you physically, we have to tell another devotee beforehand that if I get caught somewhere please come help me. He can come help you – “Arre Prabhuji, we are getting late. We have to go.” Like this we can save ourselves from time wasters. This is very important.
I will stop here. Thank you very much for your kind attention.
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
