It was as though Sri Lakshmi-devi had deserted Sydney. I roamed around the city for hours, talking, and all I was getting were empty wallets flipped at me. No money.
But just because of the decency and etiquette of people, I was giving some books away free.
Then someone tapped my shoulder from behind. It was Patrick. Apparently he had taken some books from devotees years ago and read quite a bit. He wanted to know what happened after the Mahabharata War. He had been quietly practicing bhakti-yoga, and he called himself a sadhaka.
I said, “Well, Patrick, after the war, part of the continuing story was told in the Bhagavatam.”
He pleaded, “Can you deliver a full set to my home?”
Attached is a picture of him. He also paid for all the free books that I gave away that day.
Then Nishit came by looking for Upanishads.
I said, “I will give you Isopanishad, but your desire to read the Upanishads will be fulfilled by reading Chaitanya-caritamrta.”
He accepted the offer of a Cc set and made a generous donation.
Then came Kirk, resisting his friend’s discouragement to take books. He took anyway.
So I asked, “What made you resist the opposition from your friend?”
He said, “I have dreams about Hare Krishnas from my past life.”
That was a bit esoteric for me and over my level of understanding. So I smiled and shook hands, passing him the book.
I was happy my stock was all gone and that I had a job ahead to deliver two sets. Lakshmi-devi was right there in Sydney, after all. I just couldn’t see her.
Your servant,
Radhika Prasad Das