Freeway to back to Godhead

We went to the Asian Plaza in San Jose going shop to shop in this Oriental marketplace. It was my first shop-to-shop experience. I did not spend much time (about two hours only), but it was a very satisfying experience. Vaisesika Prabhu was absolutely right on the dot when he said this regarding Shop-to-Shop Book Distribution:

• The people are always at home
• They have their wallets with them

Book distribution started in earnest right in the middle of the parking lot, where Malini mtj convinced a Vietnamese gentleman to set set aside a large bread roll that he was relishing and listen to transcendental talks. He took the book, gave donation, posed for a picture (thanks to Shailesh prabhu's excellent camera) and offered us the rest of his bread saying it was the best:). We politely declined but asked him from where he had bought it.

I had never seen Kameshwari Mtj speak fluent Spanish. I was amazed to see her rattle off with a Mexican lady who was selling cherries. The lady had no money, but later on when we met her again she took a book and gave a donation. The fact that it was a book written in their own language was an immediate hook.

At a beauty salon, we were almost successful in giving away a Bhagavad-gita to the owner, but her employee somehow convinced her in Vietnamese not to take it :(

When we went into the bakery next, opening the conversation was very easy; all we had to do was tell the person at the counter that people out in the parking lot were raving about her goods. Needless to say she took a book. A gentleman had come from San Francisco, also said that this was the best baked goods that he had ever eaten. "Wait till you have a chance to eat what Hansapriya and Nirakula Matajis bake", I said to myself. He too took a book.

We went into a Laundromat, and I saw Malini mtj patiently extract a donation out of a person on whom I had given up long ago. When I entered into another shop I saw Kameshwari mtj and Malini mtj give a Vietnamese Bhagavad-gita to a shop owner who also posed for us holding the Gita in his hand.

Ever heard of the Christian Book pack? Well, I saw Malini mtj give The Christian Book Pack to a lady who had refused to take the Bhagavad-gita saying that she was a Christian!

I had two experiences that I will fondly remember. I was in some kind of a juice shop next to the famous bakery talking to a young man and showing him the books. He was joined by his beautiful wife who is going to have a baby soon. She had stayed silent all along our conversation, and so I was pleasantly surprised when at the end she said that she would read the book to the child in her womb!

The next one was this Chinese young man who was hesitating to take the book since the old lady next to him (his mother I presume) kept whispering, "Donation, donation". Anyway he took a small Chinese book and gave me a dollar. I thanked him and left him to enjoy the juice and the book. After some time when I happened to walk across the juice shop again, he came running after me and said that he had been reading the book and found it worth more than the $1 he had given me. He gave me even more! Some men just never listen to their mothers...

I had to leave early that day. As I drove back I was thinking about, and thanking the people who spend countless hours painstakingly translating the books, and how much important it is to have our transcendental literature available in as many languages as possible. I had seen the instant connection in people's eyes when they see a book in their native language appear in a foreign land! I am sure Bhaktivinoda Thakura is smiling at all of us.

I was also thanking the book distribution process. Thanks to this MSF, I drove for first time on 280 - a freeway I had always feared- not knowing that if used properly, it can take you back to Godhead!

We all Heard them saying "Hare Krishna" !!!!

Hare Krsna Dear Devotees,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabupada!

Ever wonder why the groom carries the bride over the threshold, or why the groom has a best man during the wedding celebrations? It is said that weddings of the old times often involved kidnapping, and so the carrying over the threshold is a symbolic representation for the stealing away of the girl, while the best man acted as a shield between the groom and the angry relatives of the bride!

When newly-wed Sri-Krsna Purushottam and his lovely wife Aparna-Laxmi crossed the threshold of Building 19 of the Heritage Apartments in Sunnyvale on Saturday April 9, 2011, the situation and reasons were very different! They both carried transcendental literature in their hands and were there to spread HDG Srila Prabhupada’s heritage. In the process Aparna-Laxmi Mtj stole the hearts of the kids of the block, to whom she taught the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra! There were no angry relatives; in fact she met someone from her hometown in Karnataka back in India. A weekend earlier, Sri-Krsna Purushottam Pr had met a gentleman in the parking lot while distributing books. It was a coincidence that he met him again, this time in his home. The gentleman was curious to know who this young girl by his side was, and was very impressed to learn that just three months after their wedding Sri-Krsna Purushottam Pr and Aparna-Laxmi Mtj were out distributing these great books! It was the first time Aprana Mtj was out on book distribution in the Bay Area, and the very first house where she knocked, she was invited in and was able to give away a book and collect Laxmi! The story repeated at every door. We have found our lucky mascot!

This Saturday I was able to pair up with most of the team members. It is always a pleasure observing Malini Mtj. When a door was opened just a crack by a young Chinese lad, she used that opportunity slip in the standard question, “Have you heard of stress?” and give him some jnana in the process. He was a tough cookie, and hesitated to take the book. So she encouraged him to learn the ancient ‘secret’ Mahamantra which was made available to the general masses just a few centuries ago. This had such a profound effect of him that when she turned to depart, we all heard him say, “Hare Krsna!” From there she went off in another direction, while I continued on with Sunny Prabhu in the other direction. Together we left no door un-knocked; up and down the stairs we went (a good exercise) and the experience was very positive. People were enthusiastic and willingly took books and gave donations. If they already had the books, they still gave a donation. Sunny Prabhu egged me to go talk to someone who was getting into his car to go away. It was a good suggestion, since I met Naveen from Vrindavan, who said he remembered going to the “Angraizon Ka Mandir “, ISKCON-Vrindavan, ever since he was a child. A vraja-vasi to the core, he took the Krsna book and gave $20 without our asking, and encouraged us to continue the good task of spreading Krsna Consciousness. Barely had I walked a few steps that I found Sunny Prabhu talking to Sanjay Shukla who I learned was from Navadweep . While we were talking to him, we were joined by Malini Mtj and Srinivas Prabhu, who were very excited since they had just met a person called Hari Krsna and another called Caitanya! In Malini Mtj’s words, “ If you chant Hare Krsna, then you will soon meet Caitanya in Navadweep.” “You can remain there or go to Vrindavan,” we chipped in! We just could not believe our good luck. In a small area of about 50 square feet, we came across such great names and and even managed to have them pose for some pictures! The sun was bright on this hot yet windy day, and the pictures came perfect.

"Always carry a bottle of water with you to beat the heat of a hot day", Sunny Prabhu advises me every time we go out on book distribution. But, Malini Mtj had no need for that. She was invited into the home by a very broad-minded and open Christian couple , who had heard of the Bhagavad-gita, but had not seen it. They offered some delicious and cool tango drink, and gave her $20 for the Gita! Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that going into someone’s house is like walking on a bed of sweet smelling roses, then hear this: When Malini Mtj was going door-to-door with Aparna-Laxmi Mtj, another householder invited them in. There was such a terrible stench coming from the house that it would put the stench from Kumbhakaran’s yawn to a shame! The lady took the small book pack, and was very apologetic since she could give only $10 for it. Bless her heart! While Malini Mtj was escaping from there, Aparna-Laxmi mtj innocently asked why she did not teach them the Mahamantra. The answer came fast, “You have to breathe my dear, to teach the maha-mantra!”

Shailesh Prabhu had a different advice to give to us. Never use Shabd-Bhedi Vaans (like King Dasharatha did)- i.e. you cannot judge correctly by just hearing. As he and Srinivas Prabhu knocked on a door they heard Telegu sounds coming from the TV inside. Thinking that the residents were wasting their time in watching useless stuff on TV, they were pleasantly surprised when they came to know that they were actually watching the Ramanyana! Not only did they take the Ramayana Book in Telegu, but they also gave $50 in donation! I was not with them, but I can vouch from my experience of pairing with them at other buildings that day, that they make a great case of how important the books are, how ISKCON is a non-profit organization and how neither we nor Krsna needs the Laxmi, and thus the residents are encouraged to get the transcendental literature, and also gain some sukriti by donating to the cause supported by the fine devotees at their door.

When I look back at Saturday when we all participated in the MSF of Encouragement, I remember a lot of laughter. When Ben Prabhu had met someone named Darshan, he smiled and thanked him for giving him his darshan! When he told us about it, we all fell laughing. Nilesh prabhu joked that all the doors he knocked at were never opened – very hard to believe that he had no darshan. It was a beautiful day and that was just one reason for the cheer all around. The residents we met were very positive and welcoming. That always helps with the mood. We also had something very good to look forward to at the end of the day: A late afternoon lunch prasadam! That always makes me very cheerful. We knew that prasadam lunch was cooked by Prana Gopi Mtj and her lovely family, so that itself gave us 50 happy points each. When it was time to eat, everyone was thrilled to honor the super delicious aloo parathas, home made fresh pickle and yogurt, along with a very healthy dessert: fruit. Thank You! Our thanks also to Elena Mtj who single handedly packed all the lunches. Looking forward to joining her one of these on book distribution events.

As I drove back home, Sunny Prabhu’s words rang in my ears, “You may write about GNABs regarding people met, laxmi collected or books distributed, but my best GNAB is that I got a chance to go out on book distribution with such an excellent team.” I couldn’t agree more.

The Team:

Prabhus: Sri-Krsna Purushottam, Sunny , Srinivas , Shailesh , Nilesh, Ben

Matajis: Kameshwari , Malini , Aparna-Laxmi , Shraddha

Kids: Advaita

My apologies if I missed anyone

Laxmi:

Laxmi $358.70 ( $348.70 given to Raxit Prabhu, $10 Kameshwari Mtj will give, I forgot to collect it from her)

Books

Title	Number	Points
Bhagavad-gita	14	14
Krishna Book	5	5
Small books	159	159
Farsi	2	20
Chinese	1	10
Total	181	208

Hari Bol!

Ys

Shraddha-devi Dasi

Kid Sankirtan trend setters

Due to the cause less mercy and help of our dear Mayapurbihari prabhu the Sunday school kids got an order of sending books to the Hindu students association of the US.

Mayapur Bihari Prabhu ki jay With out his help Our kids could not have been so far ahead in acheiving their goal .He is also the one who gave us the idea of having a stall at the Sunnyvale hindu Temple.Thanks so much Prabhuji.

We have had many other parents who have helped us stamp,arrange,pack and ship these orders I would like convey my heartfelt dandavats to all of the parents who made this possible.

Devotees who participated:All the Sunday school kids,Urmi mataji,Vanamali Krsna Prabhu,Sridhar Prabhu,Shilpa mataji,Anuradha mataji and Damodar vamsidhari prabhu.Please excuse if I missed any other names.

Total number of books sent:750

Kids also went on books distribution to a near by apartment for trick or treat .

Total number of Books distributed:164 books

Our Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Total scores were: 1002

Total till date: 1916 Books.

Saket and Srivatsa have taken a few books to distribute at texas and India respectively.

I will soon send in the updated scores.

Thanks so much

yAs

Sukhesvari dasi

=========================================

Dear Sukesvari dd,

Congratulations on organizing and inspiring this trend-setting program.

All glories to the kids! (And their intrepid teachers and parents.)

In amazement and with deep gratitude,

Vaisesika Dasa

The Twin Solution

Couple of weeks back when we were distributing books at Fremont Hindu temple, we met an Indian lady (from Stockton) who
expressed interest in Bhagavad Gita(for her son), but did not take the take book because she did not have cash with her.
After following up with her, we were able to go to her house today. We kept a few other books - just in case.
We found that she had twin sons - one of them was spiritually inclined and other was not. So we gave the 'Bhagavad Gita' to one,
'Beyond Illusion and Doubt' to the other and 'The higher taste of India' to the mom. All were very happy. The kids were very
inclined and they curiously asked about each picture in the BG- including significance of each avatars- I had forgotten about the Vaman avatar story and Khyati came to my rescue :). We spent almost an hour discussing. This has been a nice experience.

One of Khyati's college(Bengali) friend saw Bhagavad Gita in car and took both soft bound and hard bound BG. After a week, she said she is
happy for getting the book, esp. that the book has a 'bengali' touch to it and would like to visit the temple soon.


ys,
niral and khyati

Don't wish it. Work it

Vedavit Pr approached an African American gentleman who was so enamoured with reading the Sanskirt from Srila Prabhupada's books that he would repeat flawlessly all the mantras that Vedavit Pr would recite. He took a few books. Little Poojha with her presence was able to stop even the most busiest people running away after shopping. ……… Narahari Dev das

We met this person named David. Although a catholic by birth, he was very open minded towards other religious/spiritual faiths. He got extremely interested in BG after Prashant Pr and I showed him the pictures in BG……………

Vedavit Prabhu taught Hare Krsna Maha Mantra to many people. If a person takes a book without giving laxmi, Vedavit Pr would run to him and teach the Maha Mantra. One must either give the laxmi or chant the Maha Mantra in order to get a book. That was Vedavit Pr's mantra for the day. Haribol. Ys, Ramaswamy.

There is nothing in life than can make anyone happy other than performing the Sankirtana Yajna. Sankirtana is life. "Don't wish it. Work it." ………….. Vaisesika Dasa

The Namkeen attraction

Narahari Pr met a gentle man named 'Rahu' who just saw our book stand and offered $5 as a charity and appreciated the service of book distribution.Narahari Pr very nicely explained about the BhagavadGita Philosophy by quoting different verses on the context and then that gentle man said that he needs BG book at any cost and donated another $20………………… Vedavit Krishna Dasa Vedavit Krishna Dasa

Conversation between Kanchan M and a lady : Kanchan M : These are the books on Yoga! Lady : oh! I am already a member of 24x7 fitness centre!

-Bhakta K

One Indian family crossed by the book table but did not show interest in taking any book. A while later, their daughter pulled them to the table. Reason : She saw our Jagannath namkeen prasadam and told her parents that she wants to buy that :-) Her dad came and asked us how much is that namkeen (prasadam) packet. We took that oppurtunity and sold them a book along with the prasadam packet.

Ys,

-Bhakta K

Thou shall eat only Leaf,Flower,Fruit & Water

: I was distributing "Christian Vegetarian" pamphlets (some Christians gave me in Berkeley a couple years ago) to people who said they did not like our books because we are not Christians, and found that this was a good way of peacefully engaging people. When my pamphlets recently ran out, I was thinking I would like to have more of them. I was even telling Vaish last week that maybe I would go to their website (www.christianveg.org) and order a few hundred at $.12 apiece.

On Saturday in Santa Cruz, a Christian veg. hippie named "Star" offered me one of the same pamphlets, and I told him how I like to pass them out and was even thinking of buying some. He gave me all he had, for free, about 100 of them.

If anyone likes I can provide some. They can be used sparingly, just for those who clearly are not interested in taking a book and want to make a point that as Christians they do not like what we are doing. I find it quickly defuses the situation if we say, "We do have a Christian pamphlet, written by Christians, which we also pass out to those who are interested. Here, please take one." They see it really is a Christian pamphlet and go away calm and satisfied. The pamphlet argues strongly in favor of vegetarianism based on Christian scriptures and priciples, and as far as I can tell is in line with Prabhupada's preaching to Christians (i.e., "Don't stop being Christians, but to be better Christians become vegetarians.")

Y.s., Akruranatha dasa

Book Table at my Office !!!

I was distributing books to some colleagues now and then but suddenly one fine day this thought of arranging book rack in my cubicle crossed over my mind. I thought I could grab the attention of passers by so that they can come and talk about the books and take a book or two. This certainly DID work and lot of people were curious when they saw this book rack and came by and asked about what's this about. Many of them took the books as well. Even though I don't expect to do lot of mass book distribution here, my aim is to impress on every one that here is some thing they can look forward to always. So even if some one becomes genuinely interested after some time it will be great.

Bhakta K

Humility is the first sign of wisdom

At one door I took great pains to get a man to buy a book. He gave back the Gita, so I gave him a smaller book. When I asked for a donation, he said he had no money. I asked for a penny and explained that it would give him sukriti. Finally, he came back with a handful of change. However, he also tried to hand back the Chant and Be Happy, saying, "Why don't you give it to someone else?"

I said, "I would except that our aim is to give them to the most intelligent people."

He said, "That rules me out."

I said, "This book teaches that humility is the first sign of wisdom. Since you are showing humility, this proves that you are intelligent." Finally, with a smile, he relented and took the book….

Vaisesika Dasa

Following in the footsteps of ISV sankirtan model

Dear Vaisesika Prabhuji

pamho

AgtSP

Following the many months of association with Glorious Sankirtan Generals AT isv like you I had learned something about book distribution. When I came here to Bangalore I saw that the book distribution program is very much lackluster compared to ISV. I thought I should try to implement a few things that I had learned from you. Emulating the Walmart Model, I decided to target the big malls in Bangalore where there is a lot of foot fall. So I started with one mall named Big Bazaar near my residence. I made friends with the Store Manager, took prasadam for him regularly and befriended him. Somehow by Krishna's mercy he liked my company. He allowed me to distribute books on his store premises. I asked him if he could put in a word to all his other friends. In a span of two weeks we have got permission to distribute books from about 7 different malls across the city with another 3 to added to the list starting this week.

I then started targeting Railway Stations in Bangalore that are packed with people always. We found out about devotees who work in the Secretariat and are working with the Deputy Regional Manager for the Railways to secure permission to setup spots at the Railway Stations and also have volunteers walking across the different platforms to distribute books. We hope to receive the green signal this week. While chanting my rounds last week I kept hearing "Hospitals" in my head. I sometimes feel I day dream or dont chant with proper attention, I thought it to be a passing phase. However I realised that I was being prompted to target hospitals for book distribution. I've found out about devotees in the congregation who work in hospitals and they are helping arranging a meeting for me with the Management. I am planning on meeting a few big hospital groups to have a copy of 'Beyond Birth & Death" and also "Bhagavad-Gita" in every room. Please keep us in your prayers so we can become successful in these two projects.

For the Marathon, the Bangalore ISKCON Temple in Seshadripuram has started advertising in the Radio on a local channel called RED FM, which is heard by over 2-3 million people daily, for anyone to purchase a copy of the Gita for just Rs 99 simply by sending an SMS to 56066 with the word GITA for a FREE home delivery. We're also advertising radio ads called 'jingles' on RED FM that run for about 30 seconds about the offer to get a Gita for half the regular price (Rs99) along with a spiritual message. There is a program from 6am-7am every Sunday like a radio talk show where people can call in and ask questions on the Gita or simply describe how the Gita has helped them in their lives. This has also been a good venue for the Gitas to be distributed as many people who did not have the Gita, ordered for one after hearing the program. Maybe ISV could try that on NPR or some local channel.

I'm trying to become friends with the MLA(political leader) in the area where I live, so we can get additional traction and help in Government offices. I've made friends with the friend of his PA. Long way to go but let's hope something works out. There are a lot of Government entities here in Bangalore like BHEL, BEL, HAL, BEML, etc (similar to NASA, Pentagon,etc). We know of one devotee who just got transferred to BEL Bangalore. We're taking his help to see if we can work out to get bulk orders from these corporates. Could you send me the contact information of the devotee in Mumbai who does corporate Sankirtan?

As promised it would be really helpful and encouraging if you could give a 15-20 min video presentation on Book Distribution for the devotees in Bangalore to help encourage them so they feel inspired to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. I have talked to the TP and he said he can give me a 20 minute window immediately after the Sunday Feast Lecture so I can show your video.

Working out all the logistics and all the background services is also no easy task keeping in mind Bangalore's widely distributed congregation with the city's traffic, etc. I realize how much work Praveena and Malini have done for all MSF's at ISV.

Finally the numbers ... about 2000 Gitas in 2 weeks just from the malls. All books should be around 3-4k in two weeks. The goal is to distribute 30000 Gitas. But I highly doubt if even 10000 books is possible. We need help, inspiration and blessings.

YS

Narahari dev das

OUT of the Box thinking

A little out-of-the-box thinking was employed to inch closer towards our goal of deploying 150 devotees. The method today was to encourage the people who were receiving books to pass it out to their friends in the spirit of holidays. I went to the motel laundry and gave some books to the lady who passed them out to her friends.

In the same way, the motel manager Sanjeshini got some books and was planning to give it to her mom who is devout lady and she visits the Fremont/Livermore temple. That motel can be a prospective target for our Motel Gita program. Carlos volunteered to talk to the manager.

In the farmer's market, I spoke to Robert and gave him a book to give it to his boss which he did.

Thus those who received books were giving it out to others.

MSF of 20k ki jaya !

YS

Srivasa Pandita Das