![](\"https:\/\/iiif.wellcomecollection.org\/image\/V0031183ER\/full\/2048%2C\/0\/default.jpg\")
\nIt was time for taking Prasadam so the three devotees who I was with in New Plymouth (small town NZ) had met me outside the mall this fine Saturday.
\nWe were gathering our book boxes to head to the car when a Maori man (pictured in the photo :-)) approached us asking in a soft timid voice how much our books were.
\nBeing the closest to him and rather eager after three hours of next to no books going out I quickly jumped to speak with him. Turns out this man whose name was Maori, had seen a book on the front cover of their local newspaper and was searching for it. I couldn\u2019t help myself and cheekily said smiling, \u201cYes this is the one\u201d passing him a hard cover Gita. He looked at the cover while I explained a bit about it.
\nThen he said, \u201cNah this ain\u2019t the one, it\u2019s got a different title.\u201d But looking back at the other three ladies standing by us he said, \u201cI\u2019m sure it was you all on the cover of the paper with the book though.\u201d I remarked how cool it was that we were featured on the front page of the newspaper.
\nHe further asked what this book in his hand was all about and how much it was. I related in my simple way how the Gita was similar to his Moari culture, expanding on how it spoke about the wairua (Maori word for soul) I ended by directly asked him for $14 for the printing to which he surprisingly offered $30 for the book, which meant he then could receive three books as in the photo.
\nWhen he made the transaction on our mobile eftpos (credit card reader) and I passed him all the books, there was a noticeable change in his face, that of relief and joy.
\nHe was searching for a book he had a desire to read, somehow or other he caught us just before we left on our lunch break and received a treasure from Srila Prabhupada, a ticket back to godhead.
\nGrateful to be able to witness this person and so many others lives being benefited and transformed by receiving the mercy of Krishna.
\nAll glories to Srila Prabhupada!
\nBegging the Vaisnava\u2019s blessings to remain a witness and servant of Lord Caitanya\u2019s flood of love of godhead.
\nYour Servant,
\nGokula lila dd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"