Question: What is your idea on how to do more book distribution?

Author: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Answer: We are in competition,
after I try,
if it is successful or not I will tell.
And if you are in Māyāpur, you will find out.
But, His Holiness Gopal Kṛṣṇa Goswami Maharaj,
he said that 2,750 devotees were on the marathon month in Delhi.
So, one thing is to get as many devotees as possible during the marathon
and distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]

Related Questions

Do we also accept some of the karma of the non-devotees when we distribute books?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-26
This is a very interesting question.
Now selling books is an economic issue that you are giving some money for the book.
If you use the money for your own sense gratification, but then selling the books,
well, some kind of reciprocation may be there. If you give out a book freely then,
the person takes the book and throws it, you are responsible.
If the person bought the book and then he throws it or whatever he does,
that is not your responsibility, that is his, he has bought the book.
So at the same time, like devotees if they are working under some system
like the management tells them, you deposit the money, you can take so much per cent
or if are working under a system authorized by the temple,
and then it is considered that they are working for Kṛṣṇa and then Kṛṣṇa takes the responsibility.
So if the saṅkīrtana devotees have some agreement with the temple,
so as such they should not be responsible. They are considered to be working directly under Kṛṣṇa.
Of course, if they just try to buy and sell,
because they are selling the books it is not so much an issue of karma, I mean as I mentioned earlier,
at the same time something may be there. Because they are doing on their own behalf.
But if they are doing on behalf of the temple
and the temple says you can draw your maintenance or take some percent
then it is considered working under Kṛṣṇa directly. So if they are working for themselves i.e. buying and selling,
then it is a issue that we have to look into.
Generally selling things is not bring karma; any way it shouldn’t be a problem.
If you are working for Kṛṣṇa, you are doing it as a devotional service, so it is not an issue at all.
If you are doing it for your own for making money it is not also an issue because
selling things usually does not attract karma; except the karma
if it is some meat or drug or [such thing], then obviously there is karma.
But for selling books there is no karma. So that is transcendental books,
rather they will get the good reaction. So I don’t see in either case as a karma
except if you give out books free and you don’t know [inaudible word] the people,
if they misuse the book, then you may have to accept some karma.
On the other hand, if they… Just like Prabhupāda was saying that
we shouldn’t give out japa mālās for free. We should… Some ladies, some people
in India, like to give out japa mālā. But in doing so, as a guru, we give to our disciples;
we are taking their karma anyway. So if someone gives out japa-mālā and they
commit some offense on that mālā, then you have to take the karma.
So we get some token little donation, something sell it for even one cent or
it doesn’t matter. Just in fact they took for some price and then
then we are not responsible for their karma. In the same way Prabhupāda said
if you give a tulasī seed there is no karma.
Whether they plant the seed and then.... But if you give a plant
and they mistreat the [tulasī] plant, then you are responsible.
So, I don’t know if you particularly ask about books except if the book is given free,
I heard that question. So, I don’t think you have to worry about karma
rather you are doing it as a service to Kṛṣṇa, this is Lord Caitanya’s order,
so you carrying out His order. Why would you be responsible for their karma?
It is Lord Caitanya’s order. In the same way we chant also Pañca-tattva mantra
before we chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. So, you are working on behalf of Lord Caitanya.
He said to distribute the teaching of Kṛṣṇa, so that is what you are doing?
Category: [Karma], [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Sādhanā / Preaching]
Guru Mahārāja, please share some personal tips for book distribution?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Our books generally attract the people.
When I used to take the saṅkīrtana party out there was His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Swami and other devotees in the party.
We would distribute the books
and my job was to arrange the stay of the devotees overnight.
Then I had a system – I used to find out the richest and generous person in that area.
Then I would associate and go to them.
I would ask them where is the most pious person where we brahmacārīs can stay?
Where could we go?
Then they would say, no, no, you can stay with us.
The Hindus in gṛhastha-āśrama cannot spend much,
I used to take a list and would ask where the bazar was even though I knew where it was.
How will I be able to offer bhoga offering to the Lord?
They would grab the list from me and say, no, no, we will get it.
This way, every day we used to stay in different places
and we had Nitāi-Gaura Deities,
we used to cook for Them, the initiated devotees, they would cook and we would offer to the Lords.
We were guests and we used to give them the prasāda.
They would be very happy to have the prasāda.
They were vegetarians or not I don’t know but we used to cook, offer and give kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
We used to give the family including the women and others prasāda and they were very happy.
We used to go to the bazaar and bring the devotees back and give them prasāda.
This was our principle.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
How do the women distribute books when they are busy with work at home?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Now in every country there is a situation and procedure.
In the West there is no problem.
Women and men mix freely.
Women go for preaching and book distribution and there is no problem.
But in Bangladesh I cannot say much.
As per Bangladesh culture, I don’t know if unwed girls can go with men.
That the leaders of Bangladesh can say.
But mostly the ladies cannot mix with men and men cannot mix with women.
This way if women mix with women what is the inconvenience?
I don’t know if there it is convenient for women to go along with men in Bangladesh.
In the university there are hostels for women, there the women can go.
Ordinarily, the Hindus have a separate hostel.
And men cannot go to women’s hostel.
This way women can go and distribute books in the women’s hostel.
When I was in Montreal, I used to go the university hostel to distribute books.
Women are generally at home, they can in the evenings or when they are free they can distribute books.
In this time of pandemic, many people distribute books through the telephone or internet.
Here every day 100 or more Bhagavad-gītās, 10 or 12 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets, Caitanya-caritāmṛta 2 or 3 sets are distributed.
Today was the birthday of a devotee, therefore, from our virtual book table they donated 50 Bhagavad-gītās.
Because I cannot go to all, I have this virtual book table and the devotees donate here.
Some people send by courier and some just donate.
That way you can call your friends, relatives and distribute the books.
His Holiness Bhakti Vijaya Bhāgavata Swami knows very well in this regard.
Every day the boys in the saṅkīrtana team distribute books.
There are ten buses but they are not able to go but still they distribute books.
Category: [Women], [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
I want to distribute books and do that but in between lose enthusiasm. What should I do?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Even if you lose interest in between, you should not stop and still continue.
And that way your enthusiasm will return.
This is called anartha. There will be anartha-nivṛtti, then ruci which is taste, then āsakti – attachment and then slowly more and more attached to the holy name. 
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Sādhanā / Preaching]
If someone only does book distribution and no other devotional service, will they still go back to Godhead?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Will they not chant?
Will they not have kṛṣṇa-prasāda?
Jayapatākā Swami: If they do book distribution all the time then what is the difficulty?
We have to always do some service or the other.
If they distribute books all the time, that is good.
Those who are in Māyāpur they cannot distribute books all the time.
They come and contribute in the ārati, they dance.
This way they do different services.
But if they do book distribution there all the time, what is the difficulty? It is even good.
But we have to always be doing one service or the other.
One cooks, if there is no cooking then we have a problem.
Like soldiers, one cooks, and one goes out. Similarly, our devotees also, someone cooks, and someone does some other service.
One will distribute prasāda.
If they say that we will not do any other service.
Those who distribute books can also do any other service.
But the time allocated for book distribution, they should do that.
But they can also distribute prasāda, and they should have prasāda. During ārati they should participate and do everything.
One service or the other we have to do.
As many books are distributed, it is good.
But all the time we should do one service.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Is it due to lack of hearing that one doesn’t have enthusiasm to go out and distribute books? And by going out, does one become enthusiastic?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-11-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Lack of understanding.
Uttarā, why she was enthusiastic to protect her child?
She knew that this was her responsibility.
She saw the connection between her and the child.
The child was given to her by the husband.
It was her ward, she had responsible.
Because a devotee is not focused on the responsibility given by the spiritual master, is somehow absorbed in some kind of selfish materialistic consciousness or just due to ignorance, has become put in the type of a selfish consciousness.
Selfish means not the real self-interest, but the interest of simply the body and mind due to some misplaced sentiments.
It won't actually seize the connection.
The spiritual master has given us these fallen souls to deliver.
He’s given them.
They’re our ward; otherwise we could simply go with the spiritual master or if the spiritual master is not present, we could commit suicide and leave our body.
Why live in this world without our spiritual master?
Or why be somewhere without him?
We can just go wherever he is, you see.
We have another responsibility and we should see that these fallen souls are dependent upon us.
If we have that compassion, if we see that connection, then how can we help with being enthusiastic to go out, and preach up to our full capacity?
We don't see that connection.
If you want liberation, if you want mystic power, if you want sense gratification to go to heavenly planets, then why work so hard?
We just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, do some service, somehow or another, if we can simply stick it out, till we leave this body, then we are guaranteed to get either heavenly planets or to get Vaikuṇṭha, get some liberation.
Somehow or another we can stick it out, we will get back to Godhead.
So instead of actually taking up the responsibility given by the spiritual master, we are just so, more or less waiting for some liberation from the present miserable condition.
Therefore, that resolute determination, that pure devotion is not coming.
That’s why liberation has been said to be an obstacle in the path of devotional service.
This desire for liberation, if we simply desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, to serve our spiritual master, then how the determination to distribute His mercy cannot come?
It must come.
Its only when our desires are not focused properly, when we are becoming distracted by bhukti-mukti-spṛhā and therefore we become, disturbed in our mind.
Kṛṣṇa-bhakta-niṣkāma, ataeva 'sānta - because a devotee doesn’t have, the Kṛṣṇa devotee doesn’t have any ulterior lust, he is simply trying to give out the mercy, taking the responsibility that was given by Caitanya Mahāprabhu through the guru-paramparā, therefore, he is peaceful.
But the others, those desiring muktibhukti-siddhi-kāmī - liberation, sense gratification or mystic power– they are all unhappy, they all disturbed in their mind.
And a disturbed person, it’s very difficult for him to preach.
For a short time, one can do it.
So, the solution is to purify our consciousness, to become situated in the mood of pure devotion.
That will attract Kṛṣṇa, that will bring us to the goal.
Could you follow?
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Nitāi Gaura Guru Gaurāṅgadeva kī
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Sādhanā / Preaching]
There are poor people, when we go to distribute books and cannot afford to pay. What should we do?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: If they are genuinely interested in reading books and they are poor,
He said, “I have my wife, children, cow, my sister who is physically challenged. Can I bring them?”
The book distributor said, “I will check with the temple authorities and let you know.”
He said, “But I have read the book, I am determined now, I want to do something and follow the book.
What should I do?”
The book distributor said, “Then you become a life member.”
He asked, “How much do I have to pay?” The book distributor said, “It would be some few thousand rupees.”
The man said, “I am poor, I don’t get much salary.
I can maybe pay in instalments.
I want to do something! What should I do?”
“Then you buy some more books.”
Because of this I established the Nāmahaṭṭa.
That way people can stay at home and do devotional service.
If everyone comes to the temple, that is not practical.
This way, distributing books means being the representative of guru and Gaurāṅga.
Giving everyone the opportunity to serve the Lord.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
What is required for book distribution?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: The desire to serve the Lord.
Mercy on the conditioned souls.
When you distribute books to someone, pray to the Lord that He bestows His mercy on them.
This way the Lord if He bestows His mercy on that person, they may take the books.
One devotee in New Orleans airport, was trying to distribute books the whole day but no one took any.
Then he prayed to the Lord requesting that someone come and take some book.
At that time a plane landed, and many passengers alighted and left.
He went up to one such passenger and showed him a book and asked him to take it.
He said that today was my worst day! Worst day!
I will not see anything.
The devotee said, sir, when one has the worst day, I have come to help such a person.
Why was it the worst day for you?
He said, “Why did I study, why did I go to university?
Why did I get married?
Why did I take up a job?
Everything for pleasing my mother.
And today my mother died! My worst day!”
The devotee said, “Sir, your mother did not die.
Here is the Bhagavad-gītā, it says that the soul is eternal, and body dies.
Soul does not die.
Your mother is still there.”
The man said, “She is?
Can I take this book?”
“Sure”, the devotee said.
He said, “I only have 20 dollars, is that okay?”
The devotee said, “That is okay, give whatever you have.”
This way, if we pray to the Lord, what can not happen?
Category: [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]
When I go for book distribution sometimes people say you are selling books and this is an ISKCON business. Then I get offended and sometimes get angry too. What should I do in such a situation?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why should you feel bad?
Jayapatākā Swami: If we go to print books we cannot do that for free right?
There is a price for the paper, price for printing.
Compared to many other books, the price of our books is much less.
If you go to other book stalls, the price of the books are Rs. 300, 400 or 500.
Our Bhagavad-gītā is Rs.150 or so, in Bangladesh probably Rs. 100 or 200.
We see that we do not take much profit.
Now, if you can get it printed for free, then we can also distribute them for free. You can say that.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Emotions / Anger], [Emotions]
When we go for book distribution, people say we have this book and then we feel bad. What to do?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why should you feel bad?
It is not that everyone will take a book from you.
If they say they have this book, they say we have the Bhagavad-gītā.
Then we should ask them do you have Bhagavad-gītā As It Is? If they have, how did they like it?
Then you can ask them what is there in chapter 12 verse 32?
We know that in chapter 12 there are only 20 verses.
Do you really have the Bhagavad-gītā and do you read it?
It depends on how much time the person has, you can then have a discussion.
You can ask them how did you find reading this book?
What are the books you have? If there are many people, then you can say good and go to other people.
We want to serve the Lord.
If someone says, I have the books, then good.
Maybe they bought it from someone else.
But do they really have Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books or what books? You can inquire.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution], [Emotions / Sorrow], [Emotions]
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