http://www.wavesofsankirtana.blogspot.in/2014/07/waves-of-sankirtana-volume-1-issue-2.html
Get Sets and Go!!!
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| A couple from Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, receiving a Telugu Srimad Bhagavatam set from HH Sukadeva Goswami Maharaj |
Speaks: “I want that every respectable gentleman…”
Report Card – June 2014
Insights: Interview with HG Raas Govinda Prabhu (ISKCON Chowpatty)
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Srila Prabhupada Speaks
“I have also heard that you are making plans for a very
large order of my books from the BBT to be sold on a door to door basis on the
style of the encyclopedia sales. If you can do this it will revolutionize our
book distribution and afford greater spreading of Krsna Consciousness than any
book distribution thus far. I want that every respectable person has a
full set of Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta in his home. I have given some
suggestions how this book distribution in the homes can be done to one of my
secretaries, Satsvarupa das Goswami…” — Letter
to Alex, Bob, Drdhavrata, Gupta, Rsabhadeva, Stan — Bhuvanesvara 24 January,
1977
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India Sankirtana Report Card – June 2014
for June 2014, as per the World Sankirtana Newsletter
India! The table below lists individual book distributors for June 2014 with name, world rank, book points, and temple affiliation.
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Dr. Harsha Vardhan, the Union Minister
for Health and Family Welfare, India, receives
Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is
from HG Rohini Suta Dasa (29 July 2014)
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Sankirtana News
The Indian Sankirtana Leaders Team hosted a conference call to discuss goal setting and team building for enhancing book distribution. During the 1-hour conference call, several Temple Presidents and Sankirtana Leaders from across India shared brief updates and realizations on book distribution
and joined a common platform to discuss strategies for enhancing book distribution at their respective temples/centers. HG Vaisesika Prabhu briefly
addressed the conference citing quotes from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Thakur and Srila Prabhupada on the foundational role of book distribution in
boosting all other facets of devotional life. HH Sukadeva Goswami maharaj highlighted the importance of distributing Srimad Bhagavatam sets and stated that we should encourage life members to take a set of Srimad Bhagavatam along with their membership since it makes a relatively small difference in the fees. Attending devotees resolved to determine goals in relation to book distribution before meeting for the next call in August.
Early evening on last ekadasi, HG Srirama prabhu, HG Maha mantra prabhu, and I went out knocking doors in the Miyapur suburb of Hyderabad. We reached the home of a neighbour, who had previously been friendly and interested in the Krishna book. We took the permission of the elderly couple who owned the beautiful and clean home and performed harinama sankirtana for a few minutes. We complimented the clean and sattvic look of their home and the presence of Tulasi plant in front of their main entrance. We had hardly begun speaking, when the elderly lady asked if we could get her a Bhagavatam book; this was even before we had done anything to try and distribute a set! I was pleasantly surprised, and Sriram prabhu concluded that Krishna, in the form of His literary incarnation, Srimad Bhagavatam, goes wherever He wants to, our job is just to carry Him there! Mahamantra prabhu got the rest of the set and we places a few copies on a clean pedestal at their altar. The elderly man arranged for a few flowers, bananas, incense sticks, and a ghee lamp, and Sriram prabhu worshipped the Srimad Bhagavatam, welcoming the Lord into the home of this couple. I could feel the natural devotion in their act of offering something to the Lord, who came as an unannounced guest. We left feeling ecstatic and particularly grateful to the Lord for His kind reciprocation to our meager efforts.
Weekend Warriors Bangalore — Shanta Lakshmi Narasimha Dasa
in front of a prominent mall in Bangalore. We were approaching all the
passerbys, and we were not too successful in distributing the books. When I
started losing heart, a person passing by stopped and smiled at me, ” Very nice! You people are doing very nice work.” He asked, “Where do
you work?” I said I am working in software company and I am doing this book
distribution as a temple service. He was impressed with us. He said that he
will come back from the mall, as he has some shopping to do. We all
know that only 1% people return to take books. As such, I was not hoping that he
would return.When we were starting to pack up, against all hopes that
same person came, and started asking me various questions about our lifestyle.
It seemed that he had already read some Srila Prabhupad’s books, and thus was
appreciating. Later he gave his business card, and he turned out to be the Head
Business Manager of a prominent motor vehicle company, and told us to meet him
in his house.
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| New Bhaktas and Bhaktins at ISKCON Gudur pose for photograph on a blissful day of book distribution |
New Bhaktas and Bhaktins taste the bliss of book distribution: — HG Srirama Dasa
This year at the Gudur Rath Yatra, Andhra Pradesh, something amazing happened. Around ten new bhaktas and bhaktins who had recently begun coming to the temple at Gudur, formed an impromptu book distribution team. I joined them for around half and hour, and then, they distributed books individually, talking to people and showing the books with eager desire to serve. The energy and sincere intention of the devotees was impressive; at the end of the day, the team had distributed almost 10,000 ruppees worth of books! What is more impressive is that all of them became blissful by distributing transcendental literatures.
distant Kashmir village” — Bhakta Rahul
visited a village named Swanka near Vijaypur, which is nearly 25 km from Jammu, along with my cousin Ashish and friends, Varun and Amam. A fair was being held
in this place commemorating a great saint, and we decided to distribute
Srila Prabhupada’s books there. We started in the morning around 7 a.m. and
loaded our car with 50 copies of Bhagavad Gita As It Is and several small books. I sat at
the book table, while the others went out to do one-on-one distribution
and preaching. I was finding it very difficult to bear the scorching heat of the day. After a couple of hours, we found that most of the crowd
comprised of poor families. However, they
were spending money to buy balloons, toys, and other things that don’t have much lasting value. I had the realization that the same money that people would spend on trivial things would become a significant spiritual investment, if they purchased Srila Prabhupada’s books.
In the afternoon, we took some food which was being distributed at a free food
distribution booth there in the temple (because it was a temple, the food
was good for us to eat). After that, we continued doing book distriution in the
scorching heat till 6 pm when we decided to pack up and to call it off
for the day. We distributed around 40 Bhagavad Gitas and several small books; not a lot but we were satisfied and
prayed to Lord Krishna that He may be happy with whatever little we were able to
do to serve Him. Then, we packed all the books and closed the stall and took a
bath in the holy lake lake there, which is believed to be the samadhi place of
a great saint. We put all our books in the car and went back after a wonderful day of book distribution.
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Sankirtana Training VIDEO: How to Distribute a Full Srimad Bhagavatam Set:
books such as a set of Srimad Bhagavatam can be a fun and easy thing to do. The book distribution team at ISKCON Silicon Valley (California) has been distributing sets of Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita for a few years now. They have put together an inspiring video presenting guidelines on distributing a set of books. Check it out!
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Sankirtana Insights: An interview with HG Raas Govinda
prabhu (ISKCON Chowpatty)
ISKCON Chowpatty. He was heading one of their Sankirtana buses (Traveling
Sankirtana Party) for three years. Following are some of his insights into book
distribution:
what works for you?
office, street, different pilgrimage places. The Gita Champions League is
another favorite of mine, where students and interested people study the Gita
and take an exam with multiple-choice questions. The winners get cash and other
rewards. I also like distribution of books in various companies, where books are distributed on credit basis. This
way, we can do mass distribution.
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| Krishna and His books can reach any corner of this universe, even an industry. |
Question: Please share a memorable moment from book distribution/ lessons
learned.
and still had 500 books left in our Sankirtan Bus. I approached more companies
but all my efforts went in vain. I was frustrated and planned to come back to
Mumbai. While coming back in the Sankirtan bus, I looked out from window and
saw a huge industry on the way. Something inspired me from within; I asked the
driver to stop the bus. I prayed to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, Srila
Prabhupad, and Shri Shri Radha Gopinath “Let me distribute these remaining
books in this company.” I gave up my frustation and entered the
company security office, where the In charge of the office gave me a seat
and said “How can I serve you?” I was very surprised. I told him I
want to meet your Plant Head. He said “Do you have appointment with Plant
head?” I said no. He replied “Then it is impossible.” It
was already 5 pm and office hours were over. I pleaded a lot and
finally, he said “I will try.” He gave a call to the Plant Head and
said one person from ISKCON Mumbai is here to meet you. And for his surprise,
the Plant Head invited me to meet him. As I entered the reception area, I saw
a photo of Shri Shri Radha Gopianth! I was very jubilant, and started
dancing. In my mind, I offered dandvat pranam and prayers. After I waited in
reception for a while, the Plant head invited me and gave a seat. After hearing
from me, he allowed us to do book distribution. The next day, when we went in
the company for book distribution, we distributed all our books just within one
hour.
Lesson: If you depend on Krishna, He will inspire you from within to take some
steps by which we can render better service and come closer to Him.
Question: Why do you think devotees should take up book distribution?
Answer: In India, there are more than 100 newspaper companies supplying
millions of newspapers daily. Other literatures are also flourishing a lot. In
travel, 60 % of people read newspaper, magazines, novels, or other
books; 20% of people use a hearing gadget; and the remaining 20% only talk or
do nothing substantial. In some trains, they provide a free supply of
newspaper or magazines. This shows that people have a habit of reading.
So, we have to dovetail this habit of reading news paper and other literature
into Srila Prabhupad books. When devotees distribute books people will have
some a better option to read. Many people are reading other literature because
they do not have Prabhupada’s books. And one book of Srila Prabhupada is sufficient
to change the mind and lifestyle of people. Hence, if we want Srila
Prabhupada’s books to take the place of other literature, we have to take up
book distribution!
Question: What is your favorite book to distribute (written by Srila
Prabhupada); why?
distribution. By reading this book, one can know that the purpose of life is to
serve Lord Krishna in five mellows, and by meditating on the pastimes of the
Lord, we can enter into the pastimes of the Lord. I like one quote of Srila
Prabhupada, “If you distribute one Krishna book, you can take one step
towards Krishna.
Question: What steps should devotees take to increase book distribution in
India?
2. Maintain good health
3. Reading Srila Prabhupad’s books every day.
4. Setting a personal target and encouraging healthy competition
5. Find out different areas and different ways for doing book
distribution. For example, book distribution in trains, schools,
colleges, office, street, different pilgrimage places, and others.
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Sankirtana FAQ
both practical and philosophical. In this section, we highlight common,
important, and relevant questions and outline some possible answers, with
support from shastras and sadhus.
pre-arranged where the books will go; our duty is to simply carry the books. The
books will find their destination. With an eager desire to do this
service, pray to the Lord and the Acaryas, and see the miracles happen. If you
are beginner or too shy to go out and talk to people, there are lot of back-end
services you can do! For example:
- ordering
books, - storing
the books, - counting and packing the books
- loading/unloading
them into bags, - maintaining
accounts and contacts, - developing
websites or databases, - designing
or printing flyers to give out during book distribution, - writing
articles or stories to inspire devotees to do book distribution.
Shastra dana: In the purport to the verse 12.11 of the Bhagavad
Gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada advises one to engage in charity as it would purify us. So, one can support the local temple financially in their book distribution efforts. By donating a part of earned wealth to the sacred act of giving transcendental knowledge, one makes progress on the path of Bhakti. For example, the Matsya Purana states in a verse describing the glories of Srimad Bhagavatam that “Anyone who makes a gift of this great work on a full moon
day attains to the highest perfection of life by returning to Godhead.” Therefore, donating to this transcendental cause is a surefire way to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.
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Tell us what you think!
Please write
to us at indiasankirtana@gmail.com:
- Report your book distribution scores,
- Share your experiences, realizations, and stories,
- Ask (or answer) a question (FAQ) on book distribution,
- Suggest a book distributor who could share valuable
insights, - Give ideas for how to make this newsletter better and
sweeter, - Get involved with ISLT strategy and help develop this
newsletter, - Extend your support and encouragement with comments or letters.
on the right hand side bar of this page. Thank you very much for reading this
month’s newsletter!
Waves of Sankirtana Coordinators.