For the coming year, I will be trying to spread more of Srila Prabhupada's mercy and distribute his books. I also have a burning desire to do traveling sankirtan and preaching to neighboring countries of South Africa. What are your comments Maharaj? I would like one day, if the Lord so desires, to go and preach in Namibia and to distribute books there. I do not know if book distribution has ever been done there.

I have recently gone distributing Srila Prabhupada's books door to door and have met so many interesting people who have taken Srila Prabhupada's books from me. I spoke to one lady at the gate of her house and introduced myself. When she saw me, she remarked how amazing it was that she had seen me, as she had just come back from India and had stayed at a Hare Krsna temple in Bangalore.

She invited me into her house, and told me about her spiritual visit to India and in general told me how she was a seeker. She has heard of our temple but has never been to any of our programs. I invited her to come, and she gave me a very nice donation of 150 rand for four books. She gave me her telephone number and said that she will keep in touch and that she would be interested to come to one of our programs.

So it has been another glorious year, preaching the glories of Lord Sri Caitanya's sankirtan mission and Srila Prabhupada's book-distribution mission. As I look back and reflect on this past year, I see how my life has been blessed in so many countless ways, how by trying to walk in the footsteps of all the great saints— my Guru Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada, Lord Nityananda, and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu— I find each step bringing me closer, by their mercy, closer to the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya. I am trying to realize that such an insignificant insect as I am can indeed be a most fortunate spirit soul. By the mercy of Guru and Krsna, I am praying that I shall always remember them, always remain in their association, and keep them in my heart. Hare Krsna.

The year 2001 ended, and 2002 arrived after an ecstatic Srila Prabhupada's December book marathon. January ushered in the Krsna consciousness new year with a visit of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami. This was the perfect start to another glorious preaching year. We also had His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, who came to Cape Town in January for two days and personally oversaw the cooking for the Panihati festival, followed by a visit of His Holiness the following day.

What a glorious festival it was! The devotees chanted the holy name of the Lord and had a chipped-rice feast. Vraj Krsna and Vraj Basi have been doing very nice preaching work with the BYS [Bhaktivedanta Youth Services] program at the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, and the University of Stellenbosch, which began for the first time at the beginning of this year.

There has been a lot of interest from the student of the Stellenbosch BYS. Many have begun chanting and have become vegetarians, and they are taking an active part. This is indeed the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. Also of note here is that Sikhi Mahiti had a meeting with the ministers of art and culture and the minister of education.

Concerning prasadam distribution, our prasadam-distribution team, led by mother Karuna Mayi, distributed very nice sumptuous Krsna prasada at many community and music festivals.

In March this year, after the Durban Ratha Yatra festival, I was most fortunate to accompany you, Maharaj, and the devotees on a most glorious preaching mission to Maputo in Mozambique. We had many wonderful programs led by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Maharaj and a very nice program that was attended by a very large audience at the auditorium of the medical faculty at the University of Maputo. A large majority of them came as a result of the invitation flyers that we gave out when the devotees distributed Srila Prabhupada's books.

At that same program, there were very nice questions asked, after which we gave a nice Krsna prasad feast and distributed many books. For the one-week period we distributed 800 of Srila Prabhupada’s small books. For me it was a wonderful book-distribution year in the service of Srila Prabhupada, and by his mercy, I was fortunate to give out many of his books and to have many realizations (and much purification) and wonderful encounters while doing so.

The preaching highlight for me this year, most undoubtedly, was the Grahamstown National Arts Festival 25th June to 9th July. We had a food stall called Hare Krsna Cuisine. We held house programs, ecstatic Harinams through the streets, and distributed wonderful and tasty Krsna prasadam for Food for Life, taken by many of the poor and relished by them as they chanted the holy name of the Lord.

We also distributed lots of Srila Prabhupada's books, which many people took enthusiastically. So this preaching is going on very nicely by the mercy of Their Lordships Nitai Mayapur Candra and Their devotees. I consider myself to be fortunate and privileged to be a part of it by the mercy of Guru and Krsna.

So Srila Prabhupada's book marathon is almost a week away. I am looking forward to it with great anticipation and to another glorious preaching year in the service of Srila Prabhupada, my Guru Maharaj, and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees.

Here is my offering to Srila Prabhupada on the 25th anniversary of his disappearance:

My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

On this most auspicious day of the 25th anniversary of your disappearance to go back to the spiritual world to be in the eternal association of Radha and Krsna, I am trying to realize and understand that you have never left us. You are with us now more than ever in your ISKCON movement, as it spreads the glories of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan mission.

I remember the first time I saw you, together with your loving disciples. They chanted the holy names of the Lord around your bedside as you prepared to leave, to go back home, back to Godhead, to be with Radha and Krsna. Although I had only just recently joined the association of your loving family, I watched the video "The Final Lesson."

I remember watching it with great awe. To some it may sound a bit strange, but I did not feel sad. Two years ago, I saw it again in Vrndavan. When I asked the devotee if I could see it, he asked me if I was sure that I wanted to see it, as it might make me cry. I never cried, but I felt your presence and how you are present with us all each day as you guide us in our daily preaching activities, although some of us, like me, are not qualified to see.

I remember thinking when your divine murti was bathed in Radhakund — each time your murti was submerged into the water of that holiest of places in the universe and you emerged, the glistening rays of the sunlight shining upon the waters of Radhakund and your lotus head— you looked just like a victorious general who had triumphantly returned from a great victory on the battlefield.

You are still leading us into victory Srila Prabhupada. You live on in your movement in so many ways— by your instructions, by your books, and by the love you have shown us— although there are times when we forget it.

Srila Prabhupada, you said that our love for you will be shown by how we cooperate with one another. On this day of your glorious disappearance, let us each look within our own heart and try to rededicate ourselves to these important instructions of yours. Your love for your disciples was so deep, Srila Prabhupada, that when you heard that when one of your disciples left your association, you cried. I am trying to understand how close you are to us, Srila Prabhupada.

We should make you the center of all our preaching activities. Let us each examine our own shortcomings and begin to live with each other in a spirit of forgiving. After all, you are patita pavana, and we should continue to extend that mercy and love in your family by your example. You have given us so much, Srila Prabhupada. The least we can do is to keep your instructions in our hearts.

Remembrance of your divine pastimes will always keep us alive. I am praying to you, Srila Prabhupada, to please help me be more conscious of you in my daily activities so that I too may become Krsna conscious and follow your instructions without deviation. In this way I hope to please you, the parampara, and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees.

Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees,

Hare Krsna.

Madhumangala das,
Cape Town, 8th November 2002.

Here is my offering, which I shall give to Srila Prabhupada on the eve of the start of his 2002 December book marathon:

My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept this humble offering from me on this eve of your December book marathon in my attempt to glorify your Divine Grace. Please accept my obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet (although I am not worthy to serve them), all glories to your spiritual master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. All glories to the sankirtan devotees of the Lord.

Translation:

The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities and are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent.

How glorious it is that the sankirtan warriors are going out daily to the battlefront armed to the teeth with your books, Srila Prabhupada, sharing your mercy with those who take them. They are getting the blessings of their Lordships, Sri Sri Nitai Mayapur Candra. Is there any greater fortune than that?

As I look back and reflect at this past year, I am thinking of how fortunate I have become by distributing your books and of the untold blessings you have bestowed upon such an insignificant insect as me. I think of all the special souls who have taken your books and how they have helped me make spiritual advancement.

How ecstatic it is! You give someone a book and he replies, "Now this is the book I’ve been looking for. Hey, this is amazing! Do you know that my friend and I were just talking about the soul? And now you give me this book on reincarnation."

This indeed is the beginning of the end of their material existence — going back home, back to Godhead. As I distribute your books, Srila Prabhupada, I see right before my eyes how people’s lives have become transformed. This material world may appear to be a comfortable place to those who are enamored by its temporary arrangements, which they take shelter of. As I distribute your books on the street, in shopping malls, car parks, and music festivals, I daily see people with naked eyes, pretending that they are happy; yet within, they are crying out, "Help! Please save me!"

This material world is a very lonely place, Srila Prabhupada, but you have built a house in which the whole world can live. The invitation to live in your house has been extended to those that take your books. They need not look anywhere else. You hold out your hand, and say, "Come dance, chant, and feast." Your ISKCON movement is the gateway to the spiritual world.

Srila Prabhupada, you said that your books are the law books for the next ten thousand years. This becomes even clearer to me as I realize the material suffering and political problems that the world in which we live has been beset with. We see more and more how this Kali-yuga progresses, how human society becomes Godless and demonic. Some would call it democracy, but you, Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of the Lord, with your transcendental vision, called it "demoncrazy."

Those in the material concept of life— the so-called philosophers, world leaders, scientists—make empty promises to make this temporary world a comfortable place, but no matter how hard they endeavor, they will continue to suffer and become servants and ultimately slaves to the material energy, dragging those who follow them to the lower regions of nescience.

You say in your book The Science of Self Realization, "At present human society is being misled by leaders who are blind, for they do not know the aim and objective of human life, which is self-realization and the reestablishment of our lost relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the missing point." They want the kingdom of God without God.

During this December 2002 Book Marathon, I am praying to you, Srila Prabhupada, to please empower me to distribute and to help those lost souls to reestablish their lost relationship with the Lord so that I may become freed from my envy, false ego, and innumerable imperfections.

I am eternally indebted to you, Srila Prabhupada, for saving me. I know that I will never be able to repay such a debt. The least I can do is spread the glories of your book-distribution mission. Without you I am useless, Srila Prabhupada. I am trying to understand that I am made of your mercy and the mercy of the other devotees of the Lord.

All glories to you Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your book distribution mission! My desire is to distribute them as long as my miserable body allows me to do so. You live forever in your books. Haribol!

Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna,

Hare Krsna,

I have been told over the years, since I first started distributing Srila Prabhupada's books, that I should take my sankirtan stories and compile them into a book. I have asked for the blessings of His Grace, Sihki Mahiti Prabhu, Partha Sarathi Prabhu, and my Guru Maharaj, who have given me their blessings to do such a project. I am asking you, Maharaj, if you could also give me your blessings so that I may please our dearly beloved Srila Prabhupada.

My desire in doing this project is to share the nectar of distributing Srila Prabhupada's books and to enthuse all those who would like to take up this most glorious work in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Included in the book will be the encounters over the years distributing Srila Prabhupada's books. After each story, Bhakta Kevin will draw a small cartoon beneath it. Also, I will include tips on distributing Srila Prabhupada's books and some instructions by Srila Prabhupada about the importance of distributing his books in his ISKCON preaching mission.

At about 6 am, during japa period, whilst chanting my rounds, I suddenly had this strong desire to go out and distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. My mind kept on saying to me (or was it the Supersoul?), "Why not? Just take some books and go on a japa walk. Maybe you will meet someone to give one of Srila Prabhupada's books to."

I replied to my mind and said, "Maybe that would not be such a good idea. Maybe I will just stay and finish my rounds."

It got to a point where I could not concentrate on my chanting. The desire became stronger and stronger to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. In the end, I decided to go out on a japa walk and take a few books with me. "Even if I only distribute one book," I thought, "I will be satisfied." I took about six of Srila Prabhupada's books, one of each title, looking forward to distributing one of Srila Prabhupada's books.

Just as I was about to cross an intersection, I saw a young man in his car making a u-turn in my direction on the opposite of the road. I tried to get his attention to make him stop. He ignored me, pretending he did not notice me.

I got to the other side of the road and approached a group of young boys and girls going into an all-night restaurant. They were all in a jovial mood, apparently on their way to have one more for the road. I approached one young man, but he brushed me off. Then another looked at a book but said that he did not have time. They were all a little bit intoxicated and very focused on the material energy.

As I left them, I remember praying to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to please send me someone so that I could give him His mercy. The street was empty at that time of the morning. I decided to turn back. I walked past the restaurant and saw the young boys and girls through the window. "Oh look how they are trying to enjoy," I thought as I passed by them, looking through the window. "If only they knew what real enjoyment is."

I crossed back over the same intersection. I decided that I would wait for a car to stop at a red light, and when it did I would approach the driver with Srila Prabhupada's books. I saw a car had stopped at the red robot, but as I got to it, the light turned green. I stood at the intersection for about a minute, but there were no cars coming towards it. "Maybe I should go back to the temple," I thought. "But no. Wait. I am sure the Lord will send someone to me."

It was then that I heard a loud echoing of voices in the still of the early morning. I looked across the road and saw three young boys having a friendly disagreement about something.

"Right!" I thought to myself. "This is it! These are the one I am going to give the mercy of the Lord and Srila Prabhupada's books to."

I approached them. "Are you guys from around here?" I asked. "I wonder if you could please help me."

They stopped dead in their tracks and looked at me in startled amazement. I could see they were slightly intoxicated and were most likely going back home after an all-night party. One young boy standing in the middle spoke to me with a sound of urgency in his voice. "Yes you can," he said, then pointed to his two friends.

"These two guys are my buddies," he continued. "We have known each other for a long time. You see, we are have this disagreement...."

His friend butted in and put his hand on my shoulder. "Listen," he said to me, "you might not understand what's going on here."

The first pushed him away from me and abruptly replied in a commanding tone of voice, "Listen, just shut up!" (His friend looked startled and took a step back.) He pointed to me. "This guy looks like he is spiritual," he said, "and I am sure he knows how to help. So what is the solution?"

I looked at him and said the first thought that came to my mind: "The first thing that you have to understand is who you really are."

"Yes, that's it!" he said with great amazement pointing to his to friends. "Yes! You see?" He put his hands in his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and opened it. "Thank you," he said with great excitement. "Let me give you a donation."

I could see inside his wallet. He just had a few silver coins in it as he handed me seven rand. Everything flashed passed me. My whole body felt as though it had been charged with electricity. I was stunned. "By the mercy of my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees," I thought, "this special spirit soul has been sent to me."

"Thank you, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada," I prayed.

I asked him what his name was, and he said it was James. I gave him a Chant and Be Happy. "You are a very special soul, James," I said. "If you apply the principles and teachings in this book, you will undoubtedly attain the highest perfection of life, which is love of God."

I gave him a hug and patted him on the back and thanked him for taking Srila Prabhupada's book from me. I told him that by taking the book from me, he has helped me make spiritual advancement. He smiled at me and thanked me as he looked at the book.

I gave each of his two friends a hug. "You look after this friend of yours," I told them. "He is a very special soul. You all take care of yourselves. Have a good rest."

As I walked away, I prayed to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri Mahaprabhu for sending James to me and to please bless him. I thanked the Lord for letting me have the good fortune of distributing Srila Prabhupada's book.

Have a glorious preaching year, Maharaj, in your service to Srila Prabhupada. May he continue to bless you more and more.

Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees.

Hare Krsna,

Madhumangala das

© dipika.org December 16, 2002