By Book Distribution one learns to become humble

[Guest guest]

And begging is bad. To keep the people, whole population, in terrified

condition, that is very good, and if anyone in a humble way begs, that is

bad. This is your culture. Vedic way allows the brahmacari to beg just to

learn humbleness, not beggar. Coming from very big, big family all family,

they practice it. This is not begging. This is to learn how to become humble

and meek.

 

Room Conversation Excerpt,

February 4, 1977, Calcutta

 

The Vedic system of begging has been transcendentally adopted by Srila

Prabhupada for the modern times as the masterplan of book distribution. Not

only to beg but also to give. And this is the best way to become humble.

Because if you are puffed up on book distribution you get heavy kicks from

Maya. It forces the devotee to become humble and approach others with straw

in his teeth. That is why this service demands the most surrender. And that

is why our mind gives thousands of excuses not to go out and sell books.

When the devotee comes back to the temple after meeting materialistic people

the whole day, he certainly appreciates the association of the devotees and

becomes humble in the temple too.

 

Book distribution is the often repeated instruction of Srila Prabhupada. So

following the instructions of our parama Guru one becomes humble. Like

Arjuna fought with anger but on the instructions of Krsna, so he is

considered really humble.

 

Therefore book distribution is considered military training. Those devotees

who have got these training can easily tolerate any disturbing conditions in

their spiritual life. Hence it is advocated that the New Bhaktas to go in

book distribution after their six months training for atleast another two to

three years. This gives a solid foundation to one's spiritual life. Then

what to talk of those exalted sankirtana devotees who distribute books

throughout their lives. One cannot imagine what is the state of their

consciousness.

 

Your servant,

Nayana-ranjana dasa