Distributing books on the train is really fun. People are just sitting with nothing to do and it’s nice to walk through each car and offer everyone a chance to read something. I pass out the books to all in the compartment and then tell them it is a beautiful book about Krsna.

There were three police sitting and I offered them a book and they said no, so then I turned to the next people and there was a man lying down on an upper seat. I offered him the book, he took it, and asked if it was free. I said, no, it is ten rupees. Then he showed me his left hand and that he was handcuffed to the rail. I was in shock. I said, “Jail?” He nodded his head yes. I asked, “Why?” He made a motion of cutting his head and said kill. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but thought it meant he killed someone. I said, “For you, this book is free. It will help you.” He was so grateful. Then I left that car and had to pause and get grounded after that experience. I headed up the prison program for our International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society, and there just felt some difference between getting a letter from an inmate, and distributing a book personally to one. Really all jivas are suffering….

When I went back, I saw that he was reading. I wanted so much to take a picture of him reading the book for this report. So I thought I would hurry back to my seat (four cars a way) and get my camera. As I was walking back to my seat, so many people who originally said no to buying a book, then stopped me, and said, “Excuse me, can I see that book now?” So I would wait while they looked through the various books I had. I finally got the camera and hurried back to take the picture. By the time I got back, the train pulled into Delhi station, and the prisoner was at the door handcuffed to one of the policeman and about to get off the train. He thanked me and the police also smiled at me.

I followed them off the train to try and get a picture, and this is what turned out….

Nice Korean lady studying in India

Overcast skies were no match for the jubilant smiles of the ladies book distribution team as we headed for Har Ki Pauri, the main ghat in Haridwar for this years observance of Siva-ratri. Last year’s Siva-ratri was also Kumba-mela and consequently we could hardly walk a few feet without a tidal wave of Siva bhaktas eagerly reaching for a copy of Siva-tattva. This year, as we strolled down the same path, I was a little worried to see only small tributaries of people coming our way. Luckily, all my fears were dispelled once we reached Hari Ki Pauri and I remembered its India! There’s always a crowd waiting nearby! My eyes met a kaleidoscope of colourful jivas gathered around the Ganga for bathing and puja. Initially I was a little nervous about approaching unknown people (it having been a while since my last book trip) but Gurudeva is ever full of surprises and eager to ease my anxiety in the wake of his seva.

I was happy on the first night to meet a young boy from Japan. We shared our common love of India and he told me he was hoping to study some yoga during his 6 months here. As I began to tell him about Bhakti yoga he instantly pulled out his journal and starting taking notes. I was really charmed by his eagerness to learn and told him I had some books he could take with him. Joyfully he replied “For me?!” He gladly took three books and gave a donation. At that point I noticed he had tulsi around his neck. He didn’t know anything about it but said he had gotten it in Rishikesh. I assured him it was a sign. I left feeling so inspired by his openness! With nothing to fear he was able to take away precious jewels in the form of Srila Gurudeva’s transcendental books. And now he is planning to come to Navadvipa!

The next day I met a young Indian boy who told me he wasn’t much interested in Indian culture and explained how he didn’t think people should go to temples to ask for things that they can easily work hard for, and at the same time, he said, their karma would determine what they would or wouldn’t receive. I agreed with him and we spoke about the importance of approaching Krsna instead with our spiritual desires, our need for Truth and True Love. He identified with this need and said “Yes, that is what I am looking for” and confessed “I am quite an emotional guy.” I could see his sincerity and depth despite trying to profess that he wasn’t spiritual. We agreed to keep in touch and continue our conversation. Using his interest in the west, I was able to use a film example to explain how our consciousness is covered by ignorance. In the movie Inception, the characters find themselves within several layers of dreams, trying to make their way back up to the surface of reality. As I see it, we are in a similar predicament. A dream within a dream, ad infinitum, and Srila Gurudeva comes to wake us up to the reality we seek.

That wasn’t the last time I got the opportunity to use my immersion in maya for prachar. Later that day I was feeling tired and decided I needed some ice cream. Yamuna devi dasi also came and as we walked inside the shop she started to share books with the men working. She had a group of seven surrounding our table. At first I wanted them to go away, I just wanted my ice cream! But then as I was sitting and enjoying, I remembered the Hindi Jaiva Dharma I was determined to distribute. I reached into my bag and handed the Jaiva Dharma to one man standing in front of me, “This is the book you want.” I said. (Jedi mind trick *wink*) He took the book and after looking through it for a while, decided he did in fact want it! I was so astonished! Have no doubt; Srila Gurudeva is always many steps ahead of us. The young man held his Jaiva Dharma, and with a simple heart said “I have a feeling this is a very special book.” A village man who bought several books from Karunamayi dasi also felt the same way when he kindly expressed to her “It is very rare to meet someone like you and to find books like these.” It’s moments like these that make book distribution worth every second.

One evening Anita dasi was asked if she could explain the topic of the books in hindi. Put on the spot she quickly scanned her brain for the best combination of the 50 or so hindi words she knows. Being the ever clever Anita we love, she discovered the most succinct way to explain Bhakti yoga to beginners. “Bolo Hare Krsna, Samsara hogya, chelo (while pointing to the sky)” For those of you that need a translation “Chant Hare Krsna, the cycle of birth and death will be finished, then off we go” We all got a good laugh about the brilliance of this explanation and I even found myself using it later.

All glories to Srila Gurudeva’s magical endeavors to put us in the right place at the right time! How wonderful it is that has given me this opportunity to meet people and instantly engage in transcendental conversation. Without him my life would certainly be meaningless.

I must be honest – I was feeling some trepidation about distributing books in Hardwar for Siva-ratri. It was the first time that I would be distributing books after Srila Gurudeva’s physical departure from this world. I had some fear and sadness and a range of emotions. I was thinking how easy it was to talk to people in India and that my entire motive was to show them Gurudeva’s picture and encourage them to come meet him, a pure devotee of Krsna. Now what would I say.

What to do? I couldn’t miss Siva-ratri in Hardwar. The Siva-tattva book is special to me and I know that Gurudeva wants book distribution.

Once I got to the ghat (the bank of the Ganga) where all the shops and people are, we set the books out and people immediately began to approach us. The second I picked up a book , a wave of joy overcame me and there was like no difference now or before in distributing books. The same conditioned souls are wandering by and as a messenger, I have the incredible fortune to share such transcendental life-altering truths.

I gave one man a Hindi Secrets of the Undiscovered Self. When he saw Srila Prabhupada’s picture, his eyes lit up and excitedly said, “Swami Maharaja, I’ve met him.” He bought the book from me for 10 rupees. Then a few minutes later he came upset and said, “you cheated me. This book is not by Swami Maharaja.” I was nervous at first by his reaction and didn’t know what to say. I opened to Gurudeva’s picture, begged his guidance, and then said, “This is Swami Maharaja’s successor and he is teaching the exact same teachings as Swami Maharaja did. You think you are an Indian man, and I think I am an American woman, but really we are the soul – our atmas are the same.” He got a big smile, and said, “Yes, thank you. “ I said, “Hare Krsna” and he walked away.

We took one box of books that was labeled Secrets of the Undiscovered Self (in Hindi). This is the most popular seller in India. The cover is so dynamic and all are attracted to it –and the book is only 10 rupees. When we got to the ghat, and opened the box, to our surprise, it was a box full of Hindi Sankalpa-kalpa-drumas. “Oh my gosh, how to distribute such a high book? Do we really believe Gurudeva’s words, ‘All for all?’” I even heard him say, “All for all” personally in the Fiji airport. We were all laughing, and decided must be Lord Siva’s mercy on the jivas to give the highest benediction – manjari-bhava. After all, he meditates on Radha and Krsna’s asta-kaliya-lila. We all tried to push that book and occasionally someone would buy one. It is 20 rupees, and thanks to the sponsorship program, we even offered it to people for 10 rupees. Then, one young boy came to our table. Taruni showed him the Sankalpa-kalpa-druma. He looked at it and I also showed him Siva-tattva. He then took 4 Sankalpa-kalpa-drumas and two Siva-tattvas (all for 100 rupees). Taruni and I were surprised thinking, “Why would he buy four?” What will he do with them? Then, a few minutes later, he came back and bought four more Sankalpa-kalpa-drumas and two more Siva-tattvas and gave us another 100 rupees. Taruni looked at the 100 rupee note and asked me, “Is it real? Or, is it counterfeit?” Between the 7 of us, we distributed about 30 Sankalpa-kalpa drumas on Siva-ratri day.

Transcendental Book Distribution ki jaya!!

Anita speaking to nice students from Jaipur

“I am very, very fortunate that, as early as 1946, in Navadvipa and Calcutta, I met Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, at that time known as Abhaya Caranaravinda. My Guru Maharaja told me to serve him, as soon as I met him, and I have been doing so ever since. At that time ISKCON had not yet been born. I was with him and serving him then, and still I am with him and serving.

“Without power from Krsna, no one can preach all over the world in a couple of years, as he did. The power and inspiration of Krsna and the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were with him, and that is why his Gurudeva told him to write articles in English and to preach in Western countries.

“Thus he went to America, without a cent in his pocket; nothing at all. He had karatalas, and with those he began to sing Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare; and Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura-bhakta-vrinda. He was so internally absorbed that he was not aware of who was hearing him or not hearing.

“Attracted to what they heard and saw, the people coming to the parks in which he chanted, especially the hippies, would dance and sing with him. Sometimes, out of affection but not knowing what an exalted personality he was, they would offer him alcohol and other things like that.

“By his love and his mercy, spiritual impressions very quickly entered their hearts, and practically all those hippies who came to that Thompkins Square Park became happy. One of these hippies was Syamarani, another Vrndavana Vilasini, another was Tamal Krsna, and another was Krsna Vilasini [the three ladies were sitting in the temple-room of Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha as Srila Maharaja spoke].

“Engaging these hippies, he preached over the entire world, establishing preaching centers in the mountains, in the forests, in the midst of the ocean (on islands) – everywhere – in almost all of the counties of the world. His preaching was especially very solid due to his books – by his translations of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Sri Isopanisad, Easy Journey to Other Planets, and also the books of the Gosvamis. In a very few years, he preached everywhere.

“He gave sannyasa to young devotees, who were not qualified for sannyasa. If one has a thorn (splinter) in his foot, he takes it out by the medium of another thorn (or a needle or pin or another sharp object), and then throws away both thorns. Sri Krsna did something like this in His pastimes as well. *[See endnote]

“Similarly, his disciples were actually not qualified for sannyasa, but as a sannyasi he gave them sannyasa – because he wanted to preach the glories of the holy name and Sri Krsna everywhere. Engaging his disciples, he preached throughout the world and distributed his books.

“I think that my disciples are not doing as well as his. During his manifest stay in this world, young ladies used to go to airports, schools, colleges, and practically everywhere else. Somehow my book distribution is going on, but not like it was during his time. At that time, his disciples were not at all shy – they would go anywhere. I think that my disciples – lady and male devotees – should also preach like this. Still, I am happy that the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the mission of Srila Rupa Gosvami, is now developing very quickly.

“At that time, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja saw that his followers were not qualified for raganuga-bhakti, so he mostly kept this secret in his books. For the most part, he did not speak about it in his general classes. Many of the ISKCON leaders have not carefully read his books, and therefore they do not know what is raganuga-bhakti and what is proper siddhanta (philosophical conclusions). They could not even understand his teaching that the soul can never fall from Goloka Vrndavana. He has never written that the soul falls from there. He has only written, and told, the words of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami:

“krsna bhuli’ sei jiva anadi-bahirmukha
ataeva maya tare deya samsara-duhkha

[“Forgetting Krsna, the living entity has been attracted by the external feature from time immemorial. Therefore the illusory energy [maya] gives him all kinds of misery in his material existence.” (Madhya-lila, 20.117)]

“It seems that many of his disciples somehow think that the jivas were first remembering Krsna and serving Him in Goloka Vrndavana and after that they fell down, but this is not the truth. All of our acaryas, such as Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, have written that the jivas came from tatastha-sakti. When Sri Krsna is alone, with only His tatastha shakti, then the vibhinnamsa jivas (the infinitesimal separated parts and parcel living entities) manifest. The jiva soul here in this world has never gone to, or come from, Goloka Vrndavana. He has never fallen down from there.

“Many disciples could not understand the mood of their Gurudeva, and that is why they call Krsna ‘Radha-Parthasarathi’. This is quite wrong. In recent history, since the divine departure of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja from the vision of this world, I see that too many wrong ideas have been introduced, and so many of his disciples and followers are not progressing towards pure suddha-bhakti. They have no guidance in this regard, and that is why Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja told them just before his departure, “You should take guidance from Narayana Maharaja.” He also told them about Srila Sridhara Maharaja.

“He instructed his disciples and followers in this way, but many of them are not following. Nowadays so many persons throughout the world are engaged in ritvik discussions. Those who fell down, those who are without knowledge of spiritual truths – they are now ritviks. Actually ritviks have no relation with Krsna-bhakti. The actual meaning of the word ‘ritvik’ is only in relation to performers of fire sacrifices. The ‘ritviks’ of today do not even know what is a proper fire sacrifice, or how to do the offering of oblations in the yajna, or how to correctly utter mantras, what to say about knowing anything of Guru-tattva. Nowadays, so many wrong things are going on.

“Now the time is over. Please perform kirtana, and after that you can all take your parana (break fast on the day following Janmastami, Ekadasi, or any appearance day of the Lord and His incarnations).”

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[Vicitra dasi:] I am reading in your Brahma-samhita your description of the kunjas (secluded forest groves) in Vrndavana. That description is very beautiful.

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] One day the entire world will be amazed at what I have given. Not now, but later they will realize what I am giving.

[Vicitra dasi:] Has anyone else described the kunjas as you have?

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] Srila Rupa Gosvami and all of our acaryas have done so. I am only following in their footsteps.

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At the end of Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja’s Kartika class of
October 11, 2003, he made the following announcement:

“Our bookstall is there in the back. I also request you to take the new books.”

[Srila Maharaja then held up the just-published Harmonist magazine and continued]

“Many new books are there, as well as this, the best magazine in the entire world. It is better than the Back to Godhead Magazine published nowadays. It is like those magazines published during the time of Parama-pujypada Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja – not as they are now. You should each take one copy for yourselves, and ten copies for your friends.

“There are so many wealthy persons, and I request them to come forward to help with our projects and in publishing books. I know they don’t want name and fame, so they may come to me alone. They may come secretly – no harm.

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[Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja is in the process of printing a large quantity of Sri Brahma-samhita, Sri Bhajana Rahasya, The Origin of Ratha-yatra, and revised editions of Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindhu, Gaudiya-giti-guccha (the Song book), Their Lasting Relationship, Guru-devatatma, and My Siksa-guru and Priya-bandhu, and Our Gurus: One in Siddhanta, One in Heart. He encouraged the devotees to distribute these books, and others, by sprinkling his Los Angeles classes with excerpts on that subject: The following are a few of those excerpts.]

May 11:

The books that Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja produced, and also the books that I am now producing, should be printed in very large numbers – and now it is taking place. We are presently spending about one crore rupees ($200,000) to print books, and now there is a question of distributing them. I do not want the books to remain in cold storage. I want you all to help me in the distribution of books, and you may also keep some profit for your going here and there.

[This was the introduction to the class. During the class, Srila Narayana Maharaja called on various devotees to speak. During this time, Sripad Madhava Maharaja addressed the devotee audience:]

[Sripad Madhava Maharaja:] One devotee just said that book distribution is not pure bhakti. But when a devotee goes for book distribution, he will take the book and say, “Oh, this book contains Vasanta-pancami (the pastimes of Krsna’s rasa-lila during spring time).” Or, “This book contains the disappearance days of Srila Dasa Gosvami and Srila Cakravarti Thakura.” They are explaining something about bhakti; they are doing kirtana. When Sriman Mahaprabhu, being Krsna and having taken the complexion of Srimati Radhika, went to South India, He brought Kurma Purana and Brahma-samhita and ordered His devotees to make copies of them. This is book distribution.

[Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja:] He wanted to obey me, so he spoke in summary; and he left some remnants for you and for me. If book distribution is done for one’s own purposes, such as personal profit or reputation, then it is not pure bhakti. A devotee must think, “They should have this book and read it thoroughly, and they should enter into a deep understanding of bhakti. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned from South India with Sri Brahma-samhita and Sri Krsna-karnamrta, and He told the devotees that they should make a necklace of the teachings therein. Why? Because there is so much siddhanta in them. Without knowing all these subjects, you cannot enter the realm of bhakti.

Book distribution is for this end “by the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to please Guru and Krsna“ then it will be real bhakti, otherwise it will not. You should be careful about this. While distributing books, you should think, “I am doing this to please my Gurudeva and Krsna, all should know what is written in Jaiva Dharma.” You may tell people, “Jaiva Dharma includes everything from top to bottom about how to develop your bhakti from the beginning. If you want to read only one book, then you will have to read Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. From the conclusions of Bhagavad Gita starting with Saranagati, and continuing to maha-bhava, everything has been explained in this book. So you must read and follow Jaiva Dharma.” Know that book distribution is essential. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did this Himself, and we must follow His example. But always be careful. It should not be sanga-siddha or aropa-siddha bhakti.

May 12 — Book Distribution is not aropa-siddha-bhakti

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself distributed books to others, so don’t think that book distribution is aropa-siddha-bhakti [see endnote 1]. Never think like that; never. Srila Vyasadeva first compiled Srimad Bhagavatam, and then he instructed Sri Sukadeva Gosvami to preach it everywhere. If book distribution was aropa-siddha bhakti, why, then, did Krsna give an order in the Gita that this knowledge should be given to everyone?

ya idam paramam guhyam mad bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva mam evaisyaty asamsayah
na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi

["For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear." (Bg 18.68-69)]

If there is no Bhagavad-gita in book form, how we can preach? Don’t think that distributing it is aropa-siddha bhakti. Have a strong belief in this. If the motive is other than to please Krsna — if it is to earn money to maintain oneself — then it is bogus, aropa-siddha-bhakti. However, if any book is distributed to please Gurudeva and Krsna, for the benefit of all human beings and the entire universe, then it is not aropa-siddha-bhakti; it is svarupa-siddha-bhakti, pure bhakti.*[See endnote 2]

What to speak of book distribution, even a person who cleans the stool of another devotee is much better situated than someone who is chanting and remembering but is criticizing others. Many mayavadis [impersonalists] and sahajiyas [those who equate mundane sex life with Krsna's transcendental loving pastimes] chant the holy name, which generally comes in the category of svarupa-siddha-bhakti, but what is the fruit they aspire for by their chanting? They want to merge in Krsna, and this is offensive. So you should be clear in your mind. When the book is distributed for the benefit of humanity, to please Gurudeva, it is bhakti.* [See endnote 3]

If Gurudeva tells you to clean up the stool of any devotee, you should run immediately to do so. There was once a very sincere devotee of our Gurudeva who rendered him so much service; playing mrdanga and singing excellently, cooking, and washing the cloths of Gurudeva. That disciple, who was quite young, became sick, and Gurudeva became busy in serving and caring for him – even though that boy was his disciple. At that time I personally told Gurudeva, “I want to help you, so that you may have time to preach. I will look after my godbrother.” Every day I would wipe off the blood coming from his mouth, and clean up his urine and stools. As a result of this, my Guru Maharaja became very, very pleased with me, and that is why I have been blessed to come here to preach today. Pujyapada Trivikrama Maharaja, used to glorify me, saying, “You risked your life to serve this devotee.”

[Sripad Madhava Maharaja:] And he also said, “And by this you conquered Gurudeva’s heart.”

So you should not have any doubt. You should chant, remember, perform nagara-sankirtana and book distribution, and go through the books; learn the essence of these books and try to follow sincerely. Then it will not be aropa-siddha-bhakti. Otherwise, it must be. Thank you.

* Endnotes

1. Aropa-siddha-bhakti — Endeavors indirectly attributed with the quality of bhakti.

Endeavors which by nature are not purely constituted of bhakti – that is, anukulya-krsnanusilana – and in which the performer, in order to fulfill his own purpose, offers his activities and their results to the Lord so that He may be pleased, is called aropa-siddha-bhakti. In other words, because his activities are assigned (aropa) to the Supreme Lord, bhakti is attributed (aropita) to them.” (Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindu, 92)

2. Svarupa-siddha-bhakti — Endeavors purely constituted of Uttama-bhakti

All favorable endeavors or cesta such as sravana, kirtana, smarana, and so on, as well as the manifestation of the spiritual sentiments which occur beginning from the stage of bhava, which are completely devoid of all desires separate from Sri Krsna and which are freed from the coverings of jnana and karma are known as svarupa-siddha-bhakti. In other words all endeavors of the body, words and mind which are related to Sri Krsna and which are performed exclusively and directly for His pleasure without any interruption, these are known as svarupa-siddha-bhakti.

Therefore in Raya Ramananda samvada, the conversation between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Raya Ramananda found in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, both aropa-siddha and sanga-siddha-bhakti have been described as external.” (Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindhu 18-19)

3. Vaisnava-sastra-seva (serving Vaisnava scriptures)

[Within the 64 limbs of bhakti, this is #54]

Only those sastras which cause Bhagavad-bhakti to be obtained are vaisnava-sastras. One should faithfully and regularly study such scriptures, hear them from the mouths of pure devotees, and read and recite them with a worshipful attitude. One should know the object to be obtained by such scriptures, that is bhagavad-bhakti, and having full faith in that, one should mold one’s life in accordance with its principles. The restoration of, careful keeping of, publication and propagation of vaisnava-sastras are all included within sastra-seva (service to Vaisnava scriptures).” (Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindu.)

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Just before beginning his own evening class, Srila Maharaja called on his young disciple, Damodara-priya dasi, (who had been studying law in a university) to speak to his audience of 400 devotees and guests. She had not spoken about Krsna in a public forum before this.

[Srila Narayana Maharaja:] Damodara Priya should stand up and speak about the mission of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja – your Prabhupada. Speak about why he came, how he traveled in his old age, and what was his mission. You should speak very boldly.

[Damodara-priya dasi:] I’m actually very embarrassed to be standing up here, because I’m looking at the audience and I can see so many people whose knowledge and devotion are so much higher than mine…

[Srila Narayana Maharaja:] Begin with your Gurudeva’s pranama mantra. Then more inspiration will come.

[Damodara-priya offered prayers to the guru-parampara and then spoke a few sentences. She spoke very simply, but very enthusiastically and boldly.]

[Srila Narayana Maharaja:] She is an advocate. She can preach my mission. She is speaking about the soul. Yes I want this. Very good. Thank you.

[Damodara-priya continued to speak for 5 more minutes.]

[Srila Narayana Maharaja:] I want that all my daughters and children should speak like this – very boldly – jumping like lions and roaring like lions on the head of an elephant. [Then, pointing to other ladies in the audience, he continued:] You, and you, and you. I don’t want [now speaking in the tone of a shy kitty cat:] mew, mew, mew. [In other words, "I don't want timid, fearful, preaching."] You should be ready to preach my mission throughout the world. Begin from Australia and then everywhere. That is why I told you to practice. Then, someday, when you become expert, you should preach like lions – like me – everywhere. Thank you.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Sri Nityananda Prabhu to preach His mission: “You should go door to door with Srila Haridas Thakura and beg some alms. You should say, ‘I want you to put something in My bag. Chant one time Krsna, Krsna.‘” From here He began.

Especially Nityananda Prabhu never went to wealthy persons, nor to very beautiful persons, nor to very learned persons; never. He went to very general, common persons—even to those who were fallen. In India, the brahmanas and ksatriyas, do not even take water touched by such fallen persons; but Nityananda Prabhu preached amongst them. You know Jagai and Madhai. Sri Nityananda Prabhu thought,“They are very good persons to preach to.” He went from village to village, and He preached amongst those who were fallen. He preached everywhere.

He Made Them Happy…

I know that Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, my siksa guru, also did like this. He never went to those who lived in palatial buildings, to very wealthy persons, nor did he go to any king, or minister. He first went to hippies. These hippies were very attracted to him, and he made them happy. Gradually, from there he started his mission, by chanting under a tree in Thompkins square park: Sri Krsna-Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasadi, Sri Gaura bhakta Vrnda. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. [All the devotees chanted the maha-mantra with Srila Narayana Maharaja one time, in the same tune that Srila Prabhupada chanted in Thompkins Park]. He never saw who was following him or not, nor did he see who was sitting there or not. Only his karatalas were there. His eyes were closed and he was chanting, [referring to the melody they had just sang] absorbed in that pathetic tune. And sometimes the hippies would dance, taking wine and other things. They would say to him, “Oh my friend, you should take wine.”

Thus he preached, and so many came and became happy. Young, very beautiful, energetic persons came. Ladies also came, like Jadurani and Vrndavana Vilasini, and all of them became happy. This was the very beginning, and very soon Srila Swami Maharaja made many preaching centers and established book distribution. He also made so many editions of his magazine.

His one magazine, (BTG), became very popular all over the world. He translated so many books, and gradually they were also distributed all over the world. At that time there were very beautiful young ladies. They used to go here and there, to airports, to markets, and everywhere. They knew no shyness. They gave up all these things for preaching, and that is why you are now seeing devotees all over the world.

That Same Enthusiasm and Spirit

At that time most of the senior Vaisnavas were brahmacaris. Davendranatha was at that time a very beautiful, young brahmacari of 15 years. And Tamal Krsna, Jayapataka, Bhagavan, and all others were like that.

After Srila Prabhupadas departure, however, many became very weak and hopeless.

I also don’t want to go to wealthy persons, to beautiful persons, or to very learned persons. If they will come, oh, they will ruin everything. I know it is very hard to control them.

So I want that we go to common people and preach. I am not seeing that same enthusiasm and spirit which was there during Srila Prabhupadas time. You should have the same spirit—and then you can preach. Go door to door. Don’t be afraid that, “He will beat me with a wine bottle.” Never. Don’t fear.

Nityananda Prabhu went to Jagai and Madai and said, “What are you doing? You should chant Hare Krsna just once.”
”Oh, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna” and they followed.

So I want the same spirit. The books should be distributed everywhere, and preaching should also be in that spirit. Don’t think, “I don’t know anything, I am so weak.” Krsna will give intelligence. I was also very weak, like dry straw. But then I became so strong to preach and serve my Gurudeva, om nitya lila pravista visnupada astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Goswami Maharaja.

Ladies Should Be Strong — Like Draupadi

All qualifications are gradually coming and helping me, even though I am now in old age. So you are not weak. The atma is not attained by any weak person: ‘Nayam atma pravacanena labhya.’ A weak person cannot do anything. He cannot give up a single farthing. He cannot give up any of his attachments—because he is weak. I want to make them all strong.

Even ladies should be strong — like Draupadi. Her father Drupada Maharaja made a pillar, on the pillar he placed a moving chakra, after that was a fish, and on the fish were two eyes. And he then told his assembly, “I will marry my daughter to that person who can shoot the eye of the fish while looking at its reflection in the oil.” A date was fixed and everyone came — all the Kauravas, Durodhana, Karna, Bhisma Pitamaha and Krsna and Baladeva. Arjuna, and the other Pandavas also came, disguised as brahmanas. All the ksatriyas were trying but they were not successful. Bhisma Pitamaha took his bow and arrow, and he was ready to shoot. But Draupadi at once came and said, “Are you willing to marry me? Why are you doing this?”

He replied, “I’m doing this for Duryodhana.”

“Oh please sit down”. She was so bold.

Then Karna came, and he wanted to shoot, but Draupadi boldly came again and asked, “Who are you? What is you name and who is your father?”

Karna became upset, but Draupadi continued, “I don’t want to marry you because you are an unknown person. I don’t even know who is your father and mother. So please tell me. If you are a ksatriya, and if you are very strong, then tell me who you are. If you do not tell me, then I don’t want to marry you, because you must be a sudra-putra, the son of a charioteer, or any servant.”

Karna became so upset. Nobody had ever spoken to him like this in his whole life. Feeling insulted, he threw down his bow and arrow, became very angry, and said, ”I will take revenge. I must take revenge.”

Krsna was looking on. He could have shot the fish. He was a better archer than Arjuna, Bhisma Pitamaha and all others. But He and Baladaeva Prabhiu were just sitting there and watching.

They were giving a chance to that brahmana boy. When that brahmana boy came, all the others asked Draupadi, “Who is he? Will you marry a brahmana?”
She said, “I know that he isn’t a brahmana”.

“How do you know?”

“Oh, there is something a sign”

Arjuna then went to the arena and very easily shot the eye of the fish. All the kings present there began to make war against him. They said, “We will take Draupadi forcibly.” But Krsna and Baladeva came and said to these kings, “If you come, we are ready to fight.”

So Draupadi was so bold. Be bold like Draupadi. Don’t think that you are ladies. Preach and go on your path—be very straight and very bold. You should all try to preach and distribute books.

By this, we will again very quickly preach all over the world.

While distributing books, you should think, “I am doing this to please my Gurudeva and Krsna, all should know what is written in Jaiva Dharma.” You may tell people, “Jaiva Dharma includes everything from top to bottom about how to develop your bhakti from the beginning.

If you want to read only one book, then you will have to read Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. From the conclusions of Bhagavad Gita starting with Saranagati, and continuing to maha-bhava, everything has been explained in this book. So you must read and follow Jaiva Dharma.” Know that book distribution is essential. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did this Himself, and we must follow His example. But always be careful. It should not be sanga-siddha or aropa-siddha bhakti.

June 15, 2003 Birmingham

If you want to know all these things, you can read Sri Bhajana-rahasya and Sri Jaiva Dharma. Jaiva Dharma is very important. We should try to distribute Jaiva Dharma to all devotees – devotees and non-devotees. By reading this book anyone can become a pure devotee. I think that this is the most important. Jaiva Dharma is needed before Sri Bhajana-rahasya. I want that all should collect that Jaiva Dharma and distribute it everywhere.