Srila Prabhupada has said, even if one does not take a book, even if he just looks at it, or the devotee who has given him the book, he will make spiritual advancement. By the mercy of Guru and Krsna, the fortunate spirit soul who takes one of Srila Prabhupada's has the seed of devotional service planted in the heart.
The book may not be read immediately, but maybe one day, he thinks, "Let me read this book - I still remember the person who gave me the book, he told me that the book would help me to understand that I am not the body, but spirit soul, and as such I am eternal servant of God." Paramatma within in the heart, will give the spirit soul some curiosity and he will read it. As enquiry further develops, one wants to meet the people who are applying the book in their lives, so he takes the invitation flyer that was given to him by the book distributor and goes to the temple to find out more about the interesting book he has read, and of course, to learn about the author of the book he has read. On arriving at the temple, he is greeted at the entrance by a smiling devotee, "Welcome to our center.”Is this the first time you have come to our programs?" and leads him to the temple room. On entering the temple room, there is a smell of fragrant incense and beautiful pictures on the walls.
To the right is a man sitting on a raised seat wearing a garland of flowers around his neck, on a sort of golden throne. He seems to notice the man sitting on the seat, he remembers seeing his picture on the front cover of the book that was given to him by the devotee. Later he learns that it is the founder of the movement. On a alter, there are two golden statues with upraised arms, wearing beautifully decorated clothing ands a garland of flowers around Their necks. The program begins as the speaker gives a discussion on Bhagavad-gita, ending with questions from the guests and interesting answers. A devotees blows a conch shell, as all the devotees stand before the alter, as everyone dances in tune to the captivating sound of the Hare Krsna maha mantra. It sounds like a long lost friend who has returned, if fact, it sounds very familiar, almost as though it were bringing memories of the past. After the chanting, the devotee announced that prsaadam would be served, as everyone chanted, devotees came in with the feast, colorful and exotic, as everyone enjoys the sumptuous feast. So this was so nice, to see everybody, dancing and singing with joy, these people certainly are a happy crowd, yes I think I will continue to come and learn more and be with them. By the mercy of the Lord and His devotees, that special spirit soul who took one of Srila Prabhupada's books, is now a member of his family, blissfully engaged in the service of Srila Prabhupada Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan mission, preaching the glories of His holy name, in every town and village.
Just from this moment’s association of Srila Prabhupada in the form of his books, so many fortunate spirit souls are living in his house which the whole world can live. Srila Prabhupada's house is non-different from the spiritual world. In his house, lives the most important resident of all, Lord Sri Krsna. Daily throughout the world, wherever there is an ISKCON center, so many programs are going to give people the chance to associate with Him, to always remember Him, and to never forget Him. The devotees of the Lord Sri Krsna are ambassadors of the Spiritual World and Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement, is the embassy of the Spiritual World. By distributing Srila Prabhupada's books, we are giving so many fortunate spirit souls an opportunity to go back home, back home to Godhead. or him.
When Srila Prabhupada was preparing to leave the planet and go back to the spiritual world, although he was very weak, whenever one of his disciples brought him news of large numbers of his books, he would become enlivened and pleased. All glories to Srila Parabhupada, savior of the whole world ki jay!
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