I was in the back of the harinam passing out invites to our sunday festival. All of a sudden by Krishna's causeless mercy this one young girl maybe 17 or 18 yrs old approched with tears in her eyes. She said. "Can I give you a donation," and gave a $20? She said, "You guys bring such an amazing energy into the town I cant even describe it."

I asked her (her name was Mitchelle), "Have you seen us before? Do you know anything about us?" She said, "No first time I am seeing you guys and first time I am hearing this Hare Krishna." She said she actually comes from Napier (small city in the north island in New Zealand 3 hrs from Wellington) and she was just passing through Wellington.

I was so happy to see her enthusiasm so I asked her to come later that night for some meditation and some dinner at our out reach center (Gaura Yoga). She said, "Actually I have only 5 mins my mum and brother are waiting for me in the car we are leaving Wellington in 5 mins."

I really wanted to give her some Prabhupads books and some prasadam so I requested her please come with me to our meditation center which is only few mins walk I would like to give you some of our books. She obviously didn't realize the importance of reading our books but I was praying like anything to Krishna. "Please Krishna allow her to come and get some of Prabhupada's books.

So inspired by Krishna she finally agreed to come but she said, "I have only 2 minutes." So we ran to our center and she was so impressed by our out reach center the vibration and the devotees etc. So I gave her a slice of cake prasadam and 2 books (Science of self realization and a Gita).

She gratefully left with the books and prasadam and promised me that she will visit us in the near future after reading our books. We also exchanged emails. It was amazing to see this lost soul get so much mercy in the 5 mins that she was in town.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and my eternal spiritual master H.H Devamrita maharaj for inspiring us.

YHS Shastra-krit das

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy" (Text D:2263345) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------ ]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:15:03 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=835 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=835 Jadu Thakur Prabhu a devotee in the Brahamchari Trainee group of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty recalls this interesting experience from last year's Marathon: I was distributing books in the train with Pitambar Prabhu, when I saw this man reading a book. He was so absorbed in reading that he just looked up for a split second to see what Pitambar Prabhu was announcing and immed ... Jadu Thakur Prabhu a devotee in the Brahamchari Trainee group of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty recalls this interesting experience from last year's Marathon:

I was distributing books in the train with Pitambar Prabhu, when I saw this man reading a book. He was so absorbed in reading that he just looked up for a split second to see what Pitambar Prabhu was announcing and immediately went back to his book. I edged closer and saw that it was the bestseller, Secrets. I had read an article in BTG about this book. It is about desiring something so badly that eventually the cosmos arranges it for us. Although very simplistic in approach, the book is widely popular. I went to the man and said, "Excuse me sir, may I have a moment, please?" He looked up. "I see that you are very interested in this book. It is nice to see someone so spiritual." He smiled. "But," I continued, "There is a fundamental flaw in this book." "What is it?" he asked. "It ignores a very basic law of this cosmos-the law of karma. You see, so many people in this world want things, some of them really do so desperately-they may even pray for them-yet they do not get them. Do you know similar people from your life?" He pondered for a moment, and then nodded in affirmation. "Why don't they get the things that they so badly desire for?" Everyone wants happiness and no one wants distress. Yet we don't get happiness all the time and we keep on getting distress. Who decides this allocation of joy and sorrow? Is our quota of pain and pleasure destined by some higher authority, or is it under our control?" He was listening intently. "Here is a book," I handed him 'Laws of Nature,' that explains karma in a lucid and simple way. It teaches you the laws that bind us and what is the process that will free us. Give it a try. It will teach you the real secret of success, and even give you a mantra for achieving it." He took the book gave a donation and asked for my phone number. (Text D:2263015) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------ ]]> Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:15:02 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=834 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=834 I took blessings from Caru Candra Prabhu, North American sankirtana record holder, and launched into my best, most enthused, book distribution session that I can remember. For 30 minutes down in the home-base of the Broadway-Lafayette subway station in New York City, I was in flow. It was unmistakable. And then.... Krsna just pulled the plug. Why, I could not understand. I did not see m ... I took blessings from Caru Candra Prabhu, North American sankirtana record holder, and launched into my best, most enthused, book distribution session that I can remember. For 30 minutes down in the home-base of the Broadway-Lafayette subway station in New York City, I was in flow. It was unmistakable. And then.... Krsna just pulled the plug.

Why, I could not understand. I did not see myself as particularly prideful or independent-minded. I was grateful and happy to serve Srila Prabhupada in a manner that is, frankly, so much nicer than I am accustomed. And I slowly began to suffer more and more through the pain of rejection and my previous successes. Was there such a thing as suffering without meaning in Krsna Consciousness? I thought that was the difference between material and spiritual suffering. But alas, I could not understand why Krsna was treating me in this haphazard way. Krsnaaa! How can I approach people and be normal when I can predict exactly what each one is going to say before he even speaks a word? This is surely an unreasonable task.

After some time of trying to keep my mind together, my friend, Doyal Gauranga Prabhu spontaneously showed up on the scene. When he asked me how I was doing, I told him the truth, but somehow my tone had subtly shifted. Bewilderment and frustration had turned to acceptance and realization. It then occurred to me that for the last 45 minutes or so, I'd not really minded the suffering. I'd somehow struck a pinch of liberation without my even noticing! Delighted and enlivened, our conversation revealed to me how Krsna was working on me, sculpting me determinedly, without even my slightest awareness.

My results remained meager as before, but my consciousness cleaned up. This was special mercy that I could not afford to take for granted in my present state. Then suddenly, *again*, Krsna pulled the plug! Dissatisfaction began to subtly seep through the cracks of my consciousness. And as it reached a second-wind of crescendo, I called out with fervor, "Krsnaaa! No one wants Your books out here! No one! What am I supposed to do? You can compel people better than I. But You're not doing anything. Krsnaaa! Is this really what You want?"

At that very moment, I approached a young bearded man with an air of hipness. "Hey, I'm from Long Island, where are you from?"

"Alabama"

"We're just showing these books to nice folks. Check it out. It's a classic of Eastern wisdom. You've heard of karma, right? What goes around comes around. These ideas originate in this book. Thoreau and Emerson said this book changed their lives, Gandhi said it gave him inspiration in his darkest hour. I'm a monk, my name's Ari, what's yours?"

We spoke for but a moment before he exclaimed, "You know, I've been looking for this."

He took a Gita and gave me a generous donation. As he walked into the train that arrived on the platform, he turned to me slightly and said, "What you're doing. it's not easy." He paused a moment. "Keep doing it."

And the train swept him away.

My jaw dropped, but there was no surprise in me. It's said in sankirtana circles that if you perform the service for long enough, you meet Krsna out there. It's unavoidable.

Your servant,

Bhakta Ari (Text D:2261618) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------ ]]> Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:15:02 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=833 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=833 Dear Devotees, Parramatta, Sydney Australia, during an all-auspicious Srila Prabhupada marathon, was the location for a very significant milestone in one fortunate jiva's life. Not only was it very hot weather but also it was extra passionate because, apparently, soon it was Jesus Christs birthday, and strangely, although a lot of things were being purchased, it didn't seem as though a ... Dear Devotees,

Parramatta, Sydney Australia, during an all-auspicious Srila Prabhupada marathon, was the location for a very significant milestone in one fortunate jiva's life.

Not only was it very hot weather but also it was extra passionate because, apparently, soon it was Jesus Christs birthday, and strangely, although a lot of things were being purchased, it didn't seem as though any of the gifts were for him. But fortunately Prabhupada's books were being profusely distributed to reconnect this occasion to God.

Intelligently following in the footsteps of one of my senior god brothers, I spent a lot of time excavating in the air-conditioned "Mall Mines" (shopping centres) trying to save any gold-hearted souls from Maya's dungeon.

It was much too busy to be noticed on the cameras by the sleeping surveillance team so I could let my shika hang out.

Due to my lack of purity not every attempt was successfully but one simply sweet exchange still stands out in my memory even though it was the marathon 2008.

I stopped one average everyday Australian looking couple pushing a stroller (baby carriage) and handed them the SB 1.1.

I can't remember exactly what I was saying as it was some time ago but they seemed to think it was pretty spiritual because they became exited and stopped me.

"Hold on." They said as they eagerly opened the veil of their child's stroller while turning it to face me.

At this point I was a little perplexed. Was there some kind of deprogramming device in there?

"Let him here all this." Said the mother.

She wanted her child to hear what I was saying.

I was bewildered by the simplicity of this couple but I continued my presentation now including the new infant observer.

Recognising some of the pictures, they said that there child's babysitter was an Indian lady.

The mother said "Oh! Oh! Our child hasn't been baptised yet. Can you do something for him?"

Now my head was really spinning. I had no yajna pit handy, nor the golden paraphernalia and the qualified Brahmans to chant the Vedic hymns needed to conduct it. And sadly I couldn't find any live cows in the shopping mall to supply the buckets of ghee.

Luckily Krsna supplied me with some quick needed intelligence and I explained to them the potency of what was about to happen so they were ready for this uncommon event.

So I (uninitiated at the time) an aspiring devotee of Krsna, empowered by Guru parampara and witnessed by the Srimad Bhagavatam, conducted Parramatta Westfield mall's first public baby initiation into the chanting of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra.

I crouched down, look the child in the face and thought of Srila Prabhupada as I chanted...

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare,

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

They gave a nice donation and took the book and I hope some time in the future, that baby will become a great devotee.

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!!!!!!

An aspiring priest,

Dhruvananda Das

(Formerly Uddhava Das, gurukuli) (Text D:2243955) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------ ]]> Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:15:01 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=832 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=832 Sent by Bhakti Vikasa Swami In a lecture on this occasion in 1976 in Mayapur Srila Prabhupada quoted his Guru Maharaja: Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada . . . continued that “There is no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books.” He said like that. He said that “We started our Gaudiya Matha in Ultadanga. The rent was v ... In a lecture on this occasion in 1976 in Mayapur Srila Prabhupada quoted his Guru Maharaja:

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada . . . continued that “There is no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books.” He said like that. He said that “We started our Gaudiya Matha in Ultadanga. The rent was very small, and if we could gather two-hundred-fifty rupees, it was going on very nicely. But since this J. V. Datta has given us this stone, marble stone Thakurbari [Datta donated for a marble temple], our competition between the disciples has increased. So I don’t like any more. Rather, I would prefer to take out the marble stone and sell it and publish some books.” So I took that point, and he also especially advised me, “If you get money, you try to publish books.” So by his blessing it has become very successful by your cooperation. Now our books are being sold all over the world, and it is very satisfactory sale. So on this particular day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s advent, try to remember his words—that he wanted many books published about our philosophy, and it should be given to the English-knowing public especially, because English language is now world language. We are touring all over the world. So anywhere we speak English, it is understood, except in some places. So on this day, particularly on the advent of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, I’d especially request my disciples who are cooperating with me that you try to publish books as many as possible and distribute throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as well as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. (Text D:2242189) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------ ]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:15:02 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=831 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=831 Dear devotees It was a Saturday. Four of us set out in the sankirtan van to Campbelltown on the south-western outskirts of Sydney. It's kind of like a country town with tama guna farmer type people. This day it was rather quiet when we arrived. Usually only two devotees go there but this day we had four. So I felt bad because there was not many people around and it was my idea for fou ... It was a Saturday. Four of us set out in the sankirtan van to Campbelltown on the south-western outskirts of Sydney. It's kind of like a country town with tama guna farmer type people.

This day it was rather quiet when we arrived. Usually only two devotees go there but this day we had four. So I felt bad because there was not many people around and it was my idea for four of us to go there so I decided to leave the street to my god brothers and I went to a quiet car park around the back of a small shopping centre.

I felt disheartened like we weren't going to do many books and it was my fault. But I dug deep for some prayer to Srila Prabhupada and just tried anyway. I approached everyone going in and out of the mall, moving swiftly with careful positioning to catch people as they left and returned to there cars. I didn't notice at the time but books were actually moving quite well.

A lady from behind said with great hope in her voice "Ah, haribol prabhu?"

She said, "Oh, you are a devotee! How wonderful!"

She told me how she went to New Govardhana gurukula (Australia). I also went there but she was a little older then I. Her name is Sita. She has fond memories of Krsna consciousness but now on her own with a non-devotee husband and three kids she was really struggling in the material world. She explained how due to association of her husband she has unfortunately been eating meat.

With great eagerness she asked, "Prabhu. Please can I take a book?"

She only had enough for one so she chose Krsna book for herself and her children to read.

She was so happy to see a devotee. She begged, "Please do you have any tulasi leaves or maha prasadam?"

Once having tasted Krsna one can never forget the transcendental nectar. Krsna never forgets ether and He is always reaching out to the lost souls in the form of book distributers.

After a couple of hours our friends at security came out to see if I needed refreshments. I mean chastisements for doing the car park. He mustered up an authoritative voice and said, "You can't do this here. Do you have any Identification?"

I said, "No I don't carry sorry."

He said, "What if the police ask you?"

I said, "They never do. They like us and they let us be."

I used some intelligence to make friends with him then said, "Good bye. Have a nice day." As I left the area with an innocent smile on my face and I went to another place to distribute.

Shortly after I met with the other devotees and we went to Macarthur Square shopping centre about five minutes drive away. This mall is generally quite busy and fruitful.

I was excited because it was my first time there so with full enthusiasm I packed as many books as I could in to my bag with five more in my hands and ran into the mall.

It was amazing! Krsna really empowered me. Quickly my books disappeared. Running back and forth between the car and the mall everyone was taking!

The highlight of the shopping centre was when I stopped three young adults, two boys and one girl. I handed them each a Gita and with the biggest smile I simply said, "I am a monk. We are trying to spread peace. These books are full of wisdom. Please take a book and give a donation.”

All three took and gave a donation. Wow! It was ecstatic!

I invited them to our classes.

We finished at 5pm when the mall was closing and floated back home on a cloud of bliss.

The beginning of the day my mind was filled with so many doubts. All day feeling impotent, still I just prayed and Krsna empowered me to distribute over 50 hard covers and collect over $600 laxmi. The others also did very well

But Krsna has His way of humbling us, the next day I did 7 books and $90 laxmi. When I asked my Guru Maharaja why does that happen, big one day and tiny the next? He just smiled and said, "Krsna is showing you who is the controller."

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!!!!!!!!

Your servant,

Dhruvananda Dasa

(Formally Uddhava Dasa gurukuli. Recently, by the mercy of the Vaisnavas, I received initiation from HH Devamrita Maharaja. Haribol!!!) ]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:15:01 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=830 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=830 SOFIA, Bulgaria -- One morning during the recent Prabhupada marathon, shortly after arriving at our sankirtan spot, I opened a box full of Srimad-Bhagavatams. A curious lady came by and looked over my shoulder. She was ninety-three years old! "What is this?" she asked. Usually such old people don't buy anything; they just tell us how big their library is and how learned they ... SOFIA, Bulgaria -- One morning during the recent Prabhupada marathon, shortly after arriving at our sankirtan spot, I opened a box full of Srimad-Bhagavatams. A curious lady came by and looked over my shoulder. She was ninety-three years old!

"What is this?" she asked.

Usually such old people don't buy anything; they just tell us how big their library is and how learned they are. Expecting she was like that, I tried to at least give her the Holy Name. "This is for Krishna!", I said.

"What?" she asked.

I almost shouted, "This is for KRISHNA, the SUPREME LORD! KRISHNA!"

"Can you show me a book, son?"

"Yes, mother." Something in my heart told me, "She can take a few books." After I•d quickly described a little about the three Bhagavatam volumes we•d brought, she took all three books and gave all the money she had with her -- a good donation. She had been raised in an atheist family and was just waiting for ninety-three years to find the treasure of her life, the Srimad-Bhagavatam (although she didn't know it).

* * * Dear Vijaya Prabhu, you inspire all the devotees around the world to distribute books. This year forty-three devotees from Sofia distributed books during the marathon. It is because of your association that they distributed more books then the last nine Prabhupada Marathons! We greatly appreciate your service of inspiring devotees to distribute books. That your personal distribution is not so big is not so bad. We are sure that Srila Prabhupada is very pleased with you. Dear prabhu please let all the devotees on BDN read this few last words if it is posible.

Your servant, Sthanu Dasa ]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:15:06 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=829 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=829 All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga ! All glories to Srila Prabupada ! A trading company chairman visiting ISKCON Temple mentioned he trades in a commodity which cannot be stored. He informed that he started his company humbly and by the blessings of The Lord he received reasonable success. Then, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj met him at The ISKCON Temple. And Mah ... All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga !

All glories to Srila Prabupada ! A trading company chairman visiting ISKCON Temple mentioned he trades in a commodity which cannot be stored. He informed that he started his company humbly and by the blessings of The Lord he received reasonable success. Then, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj met him at The ISKCON Temple. And Maharaj preached to him about ISKCON and its activities.The visitor said he wanted to take initiation in ISKCON. Then, Maharaj told him that Lord Krishna will be pleased by his service to Lord Krishna. And distributing ISKCON's Bhagavat Gitas by him and his friends will please Lord Krishna. The person agreed and he ordered thirty sixÊ thousand (36,000) ISKCON Bhagavat Gitas from his side and his friends. Now he is chanting minimum one round of The Hare Krishna Mahamantra and keeping Ekadeshi Fast.

All glories to all the sankirtan devotees at all the times.

best regards, your servant, rakesh uberoi new delhi ]]> Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:15:02 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=828 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=828 Arvind Prabhu, a devotee in the Brahamchari Trainee group of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty was one of the leading book distributors in the recently concluded book marathon. He recalls an interesting experience about distributing a Srimad Bhagvatam set: I met a Gujarati man travelling with his 18 year old son. I offered them a book and the son took one English Bhagavad-gita. ... I met a Gujarati man travelling with his 18 year old son. I offered them a book and the son took one English Bhagavad-gita. I offered the elderly man Srimad Bhagvatam. "No, thanks," he said. I took his number and decided to follow-up.

For three days, he kept on saying no. Then I said, "I will come to your house and show you the set."

I went to his house. The wife and son were out. I gave a lecture for half and hour, after which he seemed convinced. Just when I thought that he was going to take the set, he dropped a bombshell. "I will ask my wife."

"Oh, no!" I thought. "It took me half an hour to convince this man by showing him the whole set. What will the wife say, when she doesn't know anything about glories of Srimad Bhagvatam?"

I knew the answer. Yet while he was making the phone call, I prayed intensely to the Lord.

He returned, and even before he opened his mouth, I knew the verdict of the wife,"No."

But I was not going to give up so easily. Again, I preached to him for half and hour and then I asked. "How long have you been married?"

"20 years."

"Did you, in these 20 years, ever do anything which your wife had asked you not to do?"

"Yes, off course."

"How many times?'

"Many times."

"Please do it one more time. This is your decision. I am sure you will be able to convince her."

He took the set.

thanks your servant murari gupta das ]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:15:02 -0500 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=827 http://www.bdsnews.net/article.php?action=show&ID=827 On one Sunday morning in Seattle waterfront, Veda Narayanan Prabhu and myself were distributing books. We had a good number of books distributed in spite of few stopping to take a book. By 3.00 PM we were tired and headed back to the car. We continued to distribute books on the walk back to car. I reached the curb side where our car was parked and was waiting for Veda Narayanan Prabhu ... On one Sunday morning in Seattle waterfront, Veda Narayanan Prabhu and myself were distributing books. We had a good number of books distributed in spite of few stopping to take a book. By 3.00 PM we were tired and headed back to the car. We continued to distribute books on the walk back to car. I reached the curb side where our car was parked and was waiting for Veda Narayanan Prabhu who was talking to two tall African American gentlemen explaining about Bagavad Gita. I suddenly saw him rushing to the car telling me "Prabhu, let us go to the parking lot where these gentlemen have parked their car, since they have their check book in their car". This was a huge shock for me, since in the USA you would hardly entertain talking to strangers leave alone giving a ride to two African Americans who were twice as tall and heavy compared to both of us. I asked VD Prabhu, "are you sure?" Seeing a big affirmative, I told that him one person should sit in the front and that prabhu ji should sit with the other in the back seat at a place where I can see his face on the rear view mirror.

While we were driving to the place where their car was parked, we came to know that the two African American gentlemen were strangers to themselves. The gentlemen in the back seat was all the time glorifying Srila Prabhupada's books and Veda Narayanan Prabhu, saying, "It's amazing that this person whom I've never met will trust my words and my personal check." Which only drove my adrenaline to its peak.

After reaching his car, these two gentlemen sat on the curb side reading the book for 45 minutes. I was gesturing to Veda Narayanan Prabhu that we should probably leave and finally we asked the gentlemen to give us some donation for the book. One of them wrote a check and said "I should have donated more, but this is all I can do for now".

I could not believe my eyes when I saw that he has donated $100.00 for the book. We immediately gave a copy of all types of books that we had (SSR, JSD, Krsna, Ramayana, Glimpses of Traditional Indian Life), We took his email address and Veda Narayanan Prabhu has been in touch with him.

This has been and will be my most cherished and memorable Sankirtan experience, since it opened my eyes and mind to strengthen my faith in my Krsna Consciousness practice.

your humble servant, Sridhara Srinivasa das ]]> Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:15:01 -0500