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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)

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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)

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Distributing Books

These books are the best advertising, they are better than advertising. If we simply present Krishna Consciousness in a serious and attractive way, without need to resort to fashionable slogans or tricks, that is sufficient. Our unique asset is our purity. No one any where can match it. That will be noticed eventually and appreciated, as long as we do not diminish or neglect the highest standard of purity in performing our routine work, not that we require to display or announce ourselves in very clever ways to get attention. No, our pure standard is enough. Let us stand on that basis.
(Letter to: Yogesvara — Bombay 28 December, 1971)

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Book Distribution Pleases Srila Prabhupada Most

Your report of the book distribution there is very encouraging. Make program to distribute our books all over the world. Our books are being appreciated by learned circles, so we should take advantage. Whatever progress we have made, it is simply to distributing these books. So go on, and do not divert your mind for a moment from this. I have full confidence in you.
(Letter to: Ramesvara:  —  Mayapur 11 October, 1974)
Regarding sales figures, please endeavor in this way. The sales figures — this is the only solace in my life. When I hear that my books are selling so nicely, I become energetic like a young man.
(Letter to: Ramesvara:  —  Vrindaban 13 August, 1974)
I am very pleased to see how nice the book distribution is increasing in Germany. Give those two boys who have done so nicely my thanks. Krishna will bless them: ye yatha mam prapdayante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. Krsna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution. Devotional service is absolute but one who preaches His message becomes very dear to Lord Krsna.
(Letter to: Jayatirtha  —  Vrindavan 27 October, 1976)
 
I thank you very much for the good news. The enthusiasm of the devotees is a very good sign. The more they become enthused and anxious to preach the more they become Krishna conscious. Ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg 18.68]. One who explains the supreme secret to the devotees is the most dear to Krsna and never will there be one more dear. So always keep them enthused in this book distribution. This pleases me very much.
(Letter to: Mahatma Prabhu – Vrindaban 22 September, 1976)
Please offer all the devotees my blessings. Their enthusiasm for distributing my books will please me very much. Not only will I be pleased, but my guru maharaja will also be pleased and they will all be blessed. This is very good news, prithivite ache yato nagaradi grama sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama, this is the way of preaching, to spread the news of Krsna in every town and village all over the world. Thank you very much.
(Letter to: Hrdayananda)
Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I wish that if I live or die you should take very serious care for my publications.
(Letter to: Hayagriva – New York 10 June, 1967)