How to exponentially accelerate the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s First Edition Original Books?
This book distribution, that was my Guru Maharaja’s purpose. He said that I have got so many temples and now in Calcutta I have got a marble temple, but I would have wished that if by selling the marbles I could publish and distribute books
[Letter to Ramesvara — Bombay 14 November, 1975]Hare Krishna.
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and all Vaisnavas.
The main purpose of this article is to practically re-establish the importance of Srila Prabhupada’s First Print Original Books. Since 44 years after Srila Prabhupada’s physical disappearance, these original books saw numerous unauthorized changes that led to a creation of new books which did not represent what Srila Prabhupada wanted. Therefore, the rate of distribution of the original books is very much lesser than the rate at which the changed books are distributed.
There are so many attempts by those who support the changed books to devise certain ways to stop the distribution of originals. Unfortunately, due to this, very less devotees know the glories of original books. If this continues, it may lead to the destruction of Srila Prabhupada’s original Vani. To stop these activities completely, we present some methods by which this book distribution will be accelerated at a greater pace.
We need to make the best use of important tools we have at our disposal. The tool is – current technology. With today’s technology, we do have better modes of communication and ease of access to all Srila Prabhupada’s works just by a few clicks.
Now the question is, how do we incorporate the technology to spread the movement? The answer is that we need to do the same thing using this technology that Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to do to increase book distribution in those days.
Today, we face a situation where many countries have imposed strict lockdowns which forbids the movement of people and thus reduces our book distribution programs. If we can try moving the same programs online, it will help us to network with a lot of people thus increasing the possibilities of distributing books.
Therefore some ways by which we can achieve this are presented below.
1. Approach the educational institutes by emailing them, and request a permission to deliver an online class by senior devotees.
So in my absence I wish that you may take charge of selling the books in India. Please let me know if there is any possibility of your taking such charge. So far my experience is concerned this publication can be introduced in all colleges and universities of India
[Letter to Mr. Dharwarkar — New York 16 February, 1966]I am also pleased to note that they are going to purchase my books, 30-35 sets. That is a great boon for us. If we can introduce our books in these colleges and universities, it will be great prestige for the society and myself also personally. So let us do this business as an experiment
[Letter to Brahmananda — London 10 December, 1969]I may once more request you to try your best to construct New Vrindaban an exact duplicate of Vrindaban, and that will give me the highest pleasure. Side by side, please try to introduce our books in the different university curricula, and that will be another success. I have information from Gargamuni that major portions of my TLC are not yet sold. Of course such literatures are not meant for ordinary public, but I am sure if you try to introduce in the university circle; and I have got many testimonials of my books and thus they can be introduced without any difficulty.
[Letter to Kirtanananda — Los Angeles 18 February, 1970]It is a great service to sell our books to educational institutions. The more you do this, the more you become recognized by Krishna.
[Letter to Amogha — Vrindaban 17 April, 1975]From the above quotes, we see that Srila Prabhupada wanted his books also to be distributed to universities so that maximum students can be benefitted. He often lectured in many colleges in many countries to attract young people to the movement.
We can fulfil his mission in the following manner. Prabhupadanugas good at preaching can approach the universities by sending them requests via emails to conduct sessions on Krsna Consciousness regularly for the benefit of all students and professors. This is a feasible solution because it may be impossible to go there physically due to lockdown restrictions, etc.
The students and professors can be given free pdfs of Srila Prabhupada’s Originals and in this way, the books will be massively distributed. If they want hard copies, they can contact the devotees.
2. Distribute Srila Prabhupada’s Original Books and audio tapes in public libraries
[“So press this matter until every library and school has fully stocked our literatures and that will be a very real success.” – Srila Prabhupada]It appears that the arrangement for distributing books in the libraries of schools, colleges and universities as well as public libraries is very satisfactory. Do everything conscientiously and Krsna will give you all necessary intelligence.
[Letter to Satsvarupa — Calcutta 13 September, 1970]I am very glad to learn that the program for distributing our books in the libraries and classrooms is having such outstanding success. I have already assured this and I have personally placed my books formerly in the library of Bombay which they were very glad to accept. So press this matter until every library and school has fully stocked our literatures and that will be a very real success.
[Letter to Rupanuga — Bombay 13 November, 1970]This is a simple solution to easily implement. Every devotee can purchase some books/tapes and give them to the local public libraries for the general public to read/listen. The public is accustomed to read all sorts of nonsense, but if they simply read even a few pages from Srila Prabhupada’s books in the libraries, they will soon develop interest in Krsna Consciousness.
We can implement this if the particular locality has eased the restrictions and opened the libraries for the public.
3. Opening local branches and conducting online/offline sessions on Krsna Consciousness
Unless we have got our own land, where is the question of other projects in New Delhi. Let us continue in the rented house and see how things develop. If local people come and join and take initiation, then we can consider developing. Simply lip-sympathy will not do. They must be regular disciple, follow the regulative principles, and they will develop it themselves. Besides that book distribution and preaching is our most important activity. Opening temples is subordinate. We have to see how books are being distributed and how people are joining wholeheartedly. That is actual development.
[Letter to Gopala Krsna — New York 11 July, 1976]Although this solution has been implemented by some devotees in their localities, we cannot disregard it considering its importance.
Prabhupadanugas can open up local branches and try to conduct online/offline sessions on Krsna Consciousness by inviting the localites. This would attract many people to participate in the local programs and get the benefits. Both hard copies and their pdfs can be circulated to these people.
Each branch can also form an online discussion forum(such as Google Groups), where the public can ask any questions to the devotees and have interesting discussions on the philosophy. Newcomers can be trained in these forums by being continuously acquainted by Krsna Conscious Discussions.
———
How to make the public realize the importance of Srila Prabhupada’s works?
Here is a link to all Srila Prabhupda’s Amrtam(Books,Audios,Videos,Albums,Diaries,Letters,etc):
“Sankirtana means chanting of the holy name of the Lord. The Hare Krsna movement is not a new movement as people sometimes mistakenly think. The Hare Krsna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma’s life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems…. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. Sometimes, because of our bad luck, this movement is stopped, but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His servants again start the movement for the benefit of the entire word or, indeed, the entire universe.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7:15:71 Purport
The movement was started with an aim to reestablish our eternal relationship with Krsna and enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss eternally, but the entire crux of this has been forgotten by most of us, which makes us disobey the orders of Srila Prabhupada who is our eternal spiritual master.
Therefore, this article is presented with an intention to make the devotees aware of the immense works left by Srila Prabhupada for all of us to make advancement and thus spread the glories of Krsna everywhere across the world. One must be completely serious to realise the importance in this regard and immediately start making the best use of these resources so that one can easily associate with Krsna and Srila Prabhupada to receive eternal spiritual happiness.
The best remedy to completely eradicate the demonic influence of those who have tried to purge the movement by self-ambition is to chant the holy name always without committing any offense and to keep oneself engaged in studying and spreading Srila Prabhupada’s original works.
It is seen that there are so many fed up with this demonic influence but to counteract this, they have started to keep criticising the sahajiya movement entire day, without themselves really making a good progress on the path.
This is observed on social media and other sites etc, where those who have left the movement are always engaged in making memes or trolling others in every possible way. While this might simply make others aware of what’s happening inside iskcon, it will never spread the transcendental effect of Krsna consciousness because this is simply a rejection of the bad and lack of knowledge of how one must advance further to achieve the real good.
The readers must note that in no way does the above paragraph condemn the criticism of all nonsense happening, but it intends to put a check on its continuity with a lack of real devotional service to the Lord, as this is not what Srila Prabhupada wants. He wants all of us to go back home and enjoy our relationship with Krsna and his innumerable topmost devotees without any tinge of material hallucinative attractions.
“Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life” (BG 4.34 Purport, Original Macmillan Edition)
So now, we shall see what all interesting works have been given to us by Srila Prabhupada and how to utilise them in the right way.
1. 80+ Original Books(with most of them being over 400 pages): Srila Prabhupada has written so many transcendental literatures, in which even a page can elevate one from the clutches of birth and death.
“This mission has been established simply on the publishing and distribution of my books. So get them translated and published as soon as possible”.
(Srila Prabhupada Letter , 26/7/75)
“Yes, if they read. Even if they touch. That is the difference between this book and ordinary book.”
Room Conversation with Mr. & Mrs. Wax, Writer and Editing Manager of Playboy Magazine — July 5, 1975, Chicago
“What I talk, I have written in the books…you can associate with me by reading my books.”
Morning Walk: August 7, 1975, Toronto
2. 4100+ Audio tapes: These tapes consist of lectures,morning walks, conversations,addresses,etc. Many of these tapes have a length of over 50 minutes to 1 hour(some tapes exceed even 3 hours). Even if a person decides to complete 2 tapes a day, it will take about 5-6 years just to finish one round of completion of these tapes. Anyone seriously interested in studying each and every of these tapes will undoubtedly make quick progres.
Earlier these tapes were available in DVDs or in temple libraries which were also costly and somewhat difficult to access. Now with the advent of technology, they are all available in just “a few clicks” for free of cost. All one needs to do is open the tape link and just play it for an hour or so.
Previously, people had to travel to hear Srila Prabhupada, but now we can hear him easily. Noting this, shouldn’t one hear the transcendental words making the best use of this excellent opportunity?
“Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your god-brothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way”.[Letter to Bhargava written from Los Angeles, June 13, 1972]
3. 7000+ letters: These letters are called as Siksamtra, they contain direct instructions to so many devotees and non devotees. So many questions posed by people have been answered here as well. One can find so much nectar present in his letters which remove doubt and illusion from one’s mind.
We can spend a minimum 15 minutes a day to complete at least 3-4 letters. To study all of them fully may take years, but it will still guarantee one the best spiritual knowledge.
4. 11,000+ Questions and answers in his books, letters, tapes etc: It is interesting to note that over 11,000 QAs have been addressed in his works. One can clear all doubts by studying these QAs asked from various angles of vision and on so many topics by interviewers, devotees, non-devotees,etc.
If one becomes proficient in studying these, one can very easily open the eyes of those still in material hankering, as the answers given by Srila Prabhupada have the effect of brightening up the spiritual dormancy being in presence for a very long time.
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (BG 4.34 Translation, Original Macmillan Edition)
5. The Back to Godhead Magazine: The BTG Magazine was started in 1944 to enlighten the general public in the matters of spirituality. It has 100s of articles written by Srila Prabhupada on different issues and describes methods to elevate oneself to the real consciousness that is uncontaminated from the modes of material nature.
We have to defeat tyranny in the realm of thought and create a will for world peace. Instruments for training the mind and educating human nature should be used to develop a proper social outlook without which institutional machinery was of little use.”These psychological movements of the leaders of all countries-combined with the orders of my Divine Master Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada has led me to venture to start a paper under the above name and style “BACK TO GODHEAD” which implies all the words that we may intend to say in this connection.
[BACK TO GODHEAD, BTG MAGAZINE,1944]6. 250+ Kirtans, bhajans, book dictation tapes, etc: These kritans, bhajans and their purports, help one to enjoy the kirtan with Srila Prabhupada. One can learn how to play mridanga or simply play a kirtan tape and follow the style in home or workplace.
We can also associate personally with Srila Prabhupada here by playing any kirtan in a big room where there’s a good congregation, where this will make one recognize that Srila Prabhupada himself is leading the kirtan and we all are ecstatically chanting and dancing by following the style.
7. Other works such as essays, journals, articles, diaries,etc: Srila Prabhupada has also written essays,journals,articles and diaries in his lifetime.
For example, the essay “Who is crazy?” tries to make one aware of what he’s supposed to do and give up the crazy mindedness by being in touch with the temporary material nature.
These works are also a must read for all, for one can find so much nectar in every line of Srila Prabhupada’s words as it relishes one’s joy more and more.
“All these books should be regularly read. That will give you guidance. You haven’t got to ask repeatedly to me; everything is there.”
Room Conversation — April 2, 1972, Sydney
To summarize, Srila Prabhupada has written 80+ books, 4100+ tapes, 7000+ letters, 11,000+ Questions and answers, 250+ music and purports, BTG magazine, essays, diaries,articles, journals, etc.
We need to convince all just to constantly study and follow all the above mentioned works without deviation from the principles.
If we ourselves become equipped with this knowledge, we can fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s desires to spread the movement in every house throughout the world. This is exactly the prediction given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
It is therefore hoped that this article will be of the utmost benefit to everyone because it will make everyone realise the importance of the great literature given for us to make the best use of.
We request all disciples to make everyone aware of these works and engage everyone in studying each and every line of this excellent nectar for at least 1-2 hours a day. Once these original “as it is” works are presented even to the general public, they shall receive a good reception. Slowly, these works when presented to the general public, will get spread in every house thus fulfilling the prediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Caitanya Caritamrta– 1975 EDITION ADI LILA CHAPTER 9,TEXT 40
jagat vyāpiyā mora habe puṇya khyāti
sukhī ha-iyā loka mora gāhibeka kīrti
SYNONYMS
jagat vyāpiyā—spreading all over the world; mora—My; habe—there will be; puṇya—pious; khyāti—reputation; sukhī—happy; ha-iyā—becoming; loka—all the people; mora—My; gāhibeka—glorify; kīrti—reputation.
TRANSLATION
“If the fruits are distributed all over the world, My reputation as a pious man will be known everywhere, and thus all people will glorify My name with great pleasure.
PURPORT
This prediction of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s is now actually coming to pass. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being distributed all over the world through the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, and people who were leading confused, chaotic lives are now feeling transcendental happiness. They are finding peace in saṅkīrtana, and therefore they are acknowledging the supreme benefit of this movement. This is the blessing of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His prediction is now factually being fulfilled, and those who are sober and conscientious are appreciating the value of this great movement.
Conclusion:
If we utilize whatever tools we have got in our hands, we can thus fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s orders that he wanted all of us to carry out. Not everything is doom and gloom. Few and far between, we will find sincere devotees trying to preach in the “As It Is” way who’re helping Srila Prabhupada to expand the glories of the holy name. With the techniques mentioned above, we can surely find hope to expand the movement rightly.
The following is a summary of the discussions between Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya, where they discuss transcendental knowledge and how to develop love of Godhead. Ramananda Raya lists out many formulas, but most of them were rejected by the Lord but the final suggestion of association of self-realized souls was approved by the Lord.
Some ways to implement the solution for saving the downfall of the transcendental Hare Krsna Movement started by Srila Prabhupada are already discussed.
Achieving the love of Godhead and that of Srila Prabhupada is more important than building skyscrapers and/or corporate organizations in the name of Krsna Consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord then proceeded towards South India for some time and converted every one He met on the way to become a devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. Such devotees also converted many others to the cult of devotional service or Bhagwat Dharma of the Lord and thus He reached on the bank of the Godavari where He met Srila Ramananda Roy the Governor of Madras on behalf of Maharaj Prataprudra the king of Orissa. His talks with Ramananda Roy is very much important in the matter of higher realization of transcendental knowledge and the conversation forms itself a small booklet. We shall however try to give herewith a gist of the conversation as follows: –
Sri Ramananda Roy was a self realised soul although outwardly he belonged to a caste lower than the Brahmin in social convention. He was neither in renounced order of life and besides that he was a high government servant in the State. Still Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as one of the liberated soul on the strength of high order of realisation of transcendental knowledge. Similarly, the Lord appointed Srila Haridas Thakur a veteran devotee of the Lord hailing from the Mohamedan family. And there are many other great devotees of the Lord who hailed from different communities sects and castes of the then social status of life. But the Lord’s only criterion was to see the standard of devotional service of the particular person. He was not concerned with the outward dress of a man but He was concerned only with the inner soul and it its activities. Therefore, the whole missionary activities of the Lord are to be understood as standing on the spiritual plane and as such the cult of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or the cult of Bhagwat Dharma has nothing to do with mundane affairs of sociology, politics, economic development or any such spheres of life. Srimad Bhagwat is purely transendental urge of the soul.
When he met Shri Ramananda Roy on the bank of the Godavari the conversation began with the subject matter of Varnashram Dharma followed by the Hindus. Srila Ramananda Roy said that by following the principles of Varnashran Dharma or the system of four castes and four orders of human life it should be followed by everyone in order to realize transcendence. In the opinion of the Lord the system of Varna Ashram Dharma is superficial only and it has very little to do with the highest realization of spiritual values. Because the highest perfection of life is to get detached from the material attachment and proportionately realize the transcendental loving service of the Lord. The personality of Godhead recognizes a living being who is progressing in that line. Devotional service is, therefore, the culmination of the culture of all knowledge. When Sri Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared for the deliverance of all fallen souls, He advised for clear cut deliverance of all living entities as follows. The Supreme Absolute Personality of Godhead from whom all living entities have emanated, must be worshipped by all by their respective engagements, because everything that we see is also the expansion of His energy only. That is the way of real perfection and is approved by all bona fide Acharyas past and present. The system of Varnasharam is more or less based on the principles of moral and ethical rules. There is very little realization of the transcendence as such the Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu rejected it as superficial and asked Ramananda Roy to go further up.
Sri Ramananda Roy then suggested renunciation of the fruitive actions unto the Lord. The Bhagwat Geeta advices in this connection as follows. “Whatever you do, whatever you eat and whatever you give as well as whatever you may perform in penance, all must be offered to Me alone”. This dedication on the part of the worker suggests the Personality of Godhead a step higher than the impersonal conception of the Varnashram system but still the relation of the living being and the Lord is not distinct in that way. The Lord therefore rejected this proposition and asked Ramananda Roy to go further on.
Roy then suggested renunciation of the Varnashram Dharma and acceptance of devotional service. The Lord did not approve of this suggestion also for the reason that all of a sudden one may not renounce his position and that will not bring in the desired result.
It was further suggested by Roy that attainment of spiritual realization freed from the material conception of life is the topmost achievement by a living being. The Lord rejected this suggestion also because on the plea of such spiritual realization many havoc may be done by the unscrupulous persons and therefore all of a sudden this is not possible. The Roy then suggested sincere association of self-realized souls and to hear submissively the transcendental message of the pastimes of the Personality of Godhead from any wordly position. This suggestion of Sri Ramananda Roy was welcomed by the Lord. This suggestion was made following the foot prints of Brahmaji who said that the Personality of Godhead is known as ‘Ajita’ or the One Who cannot be conquered or approached by any one. But such Ajita also becomes Jita (conquered) by one method which is very simple and easy. The simple method is that one has to give up the arrogant attitude of declaring oneself as God Himself. One must be very meek and submissive and try to live peacefully by lending the ear to the speeches of the transcendentally self realised soul Who speaks on the message of Bhagwat Dharma or the Religion of Glorifying the Supreme Lord and His devotees. To glorify a great merit is a natural instinct for living being but artificially they have learnt not to glorify the Lord. Perfection of life is attained simply by glorifying the Lord in association* of self-realized devotee of the Lord. Self realized devotee is he who surrenders unto the Lord fully without any further attachment for material prosperity. Material prosperity and sense enjoyment and advancement of learning thereof, are all activities of ignorance in the human society. Peace and friendship are impossible propositions in the light of a detached society from the association of God and His devotees. It is imperative, therefore, that one should sincerely seek for the association of pure devotees and hear them patiently by submissive aural reception from any position of life. The position of a person in the higher or lower status of life does not hamper in the path of self realisation. The only thing one has to do is to hear from self-realized soul with a routine programme. And the speaker may deliver lectures from the standard of Vedic literatures following the foot prints of the bygone Acharya who realized the Absolute Truth. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this simple method of self realization generally known as Bhagwat Dharma. Srimad Bhagwatam is the perfect guide for this purpose.
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Volume 1, Introduction, Delhi 1962 Edition:
Jai Srila Prabhupada. Haribol.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
————————————————————————————————–