Importance of Book Distribution
That transcendental vibration… Just like we are chanting, this is one vibration. And these books are bigger vibration. This is… This, when we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, a few yards, people can hear, “Here is Hare Kṛṣṇa.” But this, my Guru Mahārāja used to say, that “This is bṛhad-mṛdaṅga.” Mṛdaṅga, that drum, you have seen, that is small mṛdaṅga. If I beat on this drum, maybe a few yards, people can heard from few yards. But this is… The books are distributed, it can go from country to country, from continent to continent, actually it is so happening. So our only appeal is that all book sellers, all publishers, may come forward and cooperate with us and distribute the transcendental literature in the unique form. They will find something sublime, and we’ll be benefited.
(Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.11 — London, September 12, 1973)
If you sell a book to someone, that is better than your speaking to them—what will your three minutes’ preaching do? But if they read a book it may turn their life. Go on preaching, that is the highest perfection of activity, and do not worry for anything, Krishna is so much appreciative of this preaching work that He will give you every facility, as much as you have ambition.
(Letter to: Brahmananda — India 3 November, 1972)
So if the preaching work has stopped, what can I do? In that case you must expect there will be so many troubles. So try to improve your preaching work, distribute all the books, and print more, and in this way, Krishna is the husband of the Goddess of Fortune, you will get as much money and as many big buildings as you need for spreading Krishna Consciousness movement, without any doubt.
(Letter to: Yadubara — Vrindaban 11 November, 1972)
Book Distribution or Building Temples – Which is More Important?
So that’s a long story, but I wish to narrate this, the Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī’s mission. So at that time one of my Godbrother was also present. He reminded me about my friend’s donation, and Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda immediately took up the land. He continued that “There is no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books.” He said like that. He said that “We started our, this Gauḍīya Maṭha in Ultadanga. The rent was very small, and if we could gather 2 to 250 rupees, it was very nice, going on. But since this J.V. Datta(?) has given us this stone, marble stone Ṭhākurabari, our competition between the disciples have increased, so I don’t like anymore. Rather, I would prefer to take out the marble stone and sell it and publish some books.” So I took that point, and he also especially advised me that “If you get money, you try to publish books.” So by his blessing it has become very successful by your cooperation.
(His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day, Lecture — Mayapur, February 21, 1976)
My own Guru Maharaja stressed the printing and distribution of literature even over gorgeous temple construction, and I also was printing even before I have big temples in the U.S. So you may follow the footsteps of the previous acaryas, while always strictly following the regulative principles for spiritual strength.
(Letter to: Hrdayananda — Vrindaban 14 March, 1974)
Distributing Books
Book Distribution Pleases Srila Prabhupada Most
