# BOOK DISTRIBUTION ## The Importance and Results ==67-05 “== I am very much pleased to learn that our comments on the *Bhagavad-Gita* are being appreciated by the audience in Montreal. Regarding printing, if I print the *Bhagavad-Gita* in your country it will cost not less than 12,000 dollars, out of this I have already secured about $5,000 from one of my students in San Francisco and still require $6 - 7,000 dollars. I do not know how to secure it, but the only hope is that I have my books ==. If you can organize the sales of my books, either you or Pradyumna, then there is no question of scarcity of money. I can go on printing so many books.== **But because the books are not selling nicely, neither there is sufficient money, so I am handicapped. Anyway, let us depend on Krsna and when He will desire, everything will be very nice. ==”== ([[letters/1967/670505_gurudasa_yamuna|Kīrtanānanda, 5 May, 1967]]) ==68-12 “== Your idea of arranging a meeting with all of the influential people who are interested in your activities is an excellent suggestion and may prove very good results. So certainly Krsna is guiding you in your thoughts and activities. This is very nice and all very encouraging to me. As you may have heard, our *Bhagavad-Gita As It Is* is now published and can be ordered from the New York temple by writing to Brahmananda. ==Please try to popularize this book throughout England as much as possible. Because if these books are read, there is no doubt that many sincere souls shall be attracted and will join you in your work for Krsna== . So please try for selling these books, it shall be considered as the greatest service. ==”== ([[letters/1968/681201_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 1 December, 1968]]) ==69-01 “So we should now organize in such a way that there shall be nice kirtana and attempt for selling our publications. My Guru Maharaja indicated that the mrdanga and the press are the mediums of our missionary propaganda activities, and we shall follow his path in the same way. We must have large quantities of mrdangas for vibrating in different parts of the world and we must distribute our literature also.”== ([[letters/1969/690130_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 30 January, 1969]]) *** 69-06 “My spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupāda, sometimes used to say that if after selling all of my property I can convert one person to Krsna consciousness factually, then I shall think my mission is successful. Similarly ==I am also thinking like that after reading your letter that if I could induce even one person to Krsna consciousness through my publication, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, then I shall think my labor is successful.== So I am very much encouraged to read your letter, and I have received many such letters from others also, so I am very hopeful *.* ” ([[letters/1969/690612_tamala_krsna|R. Chalson, 12 June, 1969]]) ==69-07 “Try to organize our book selling department very nicely. That will be great service to the Society and to the people in general. The books we are publishing are completely novel to the western world.== We are explaining the science of devotional service in so many ways, and *Srimad-Bhagavatam* especially is unique literature that the people in general should try to understand. I have got an ambition to finish the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* in the same way I have already done, so try to help me as far as possible to finish this high project. ==”== ([[letters/1969/690711_gopala_krsna|Bali Mardan, 11 July, 1969]]) ==69-07 “== In the meantime you should continue going out on *sankirtana* as much as possible and preach to the many boys and girls with whom you come into contact there. ==Krsna== consciousness is the absolute need of the present day society, and there are many people who will come to join us if we simply make these teachings of Bhagavad-Gita and rest of the Vedic literature available to them. == So try to sell *Back to Godheads* as far as you are able to do with only Arundhati and yourself on *sankirtana* party, and soon others will come to join you.== ”== ([[letters/1969/690712_carl_lange|Jaya Gopala, 12 July, 1969]]) ==69-07 “I wish that all of our Krsna consciousness literatures may be available to men of all languages throughout the world, so whatever assistance you can give in this connection is always appreciated. But your main business at the present moment is to propagate sankirtana to all the people of Germany. This is also a very great service”== ([[letters/1969/690722_sivananda|Sivananda, 22 July, 1969]]) ==69-07 “== I am glad to learn that the Philadelphians are quickly taking some interest in our Krsna consciousness movement, and you are simply standing on the corner wearing robes and the people come to purchase copies of *Back to Godhead.* So if you can continue in this way, letting them hear your chanting and selling *Back to Godheads* then all success is automatically there. I remember that ==my Guru Maharaja would often send young boys out to sell literature== of Krsna consciousness, and if they could come back having sold only a few issues, Guru Maharaja was very, very pleased. == Now you report that you have sold 300 issues of *Back to Godhead* in just a few days, so I know that Guru Maharaja is very, very pleased with your work. Actually, in all of our centers our *sankirtana* party and Krsna consciousness literature is becoming more and more popular. Perhaps you have heard that Brahmananda has already made arrangements to increase the number of copies printed from 20,000 to 25,000. This is all very encouraging, so continue to increase your sales of *Back to Godhead* as far as possible. You are a serious worker, and Krsna will reward your efforts with success.== ”== ([[letters/1969/690731_subala|Subala, 31 July, 1969]]) ==69-11 “== Now that our press is ready in Boston, we have more than one dozen books which are ready to be printed, so with your help I wish to over flood the market places with our literatures. Now people are reading all kinds of nonsense books and thus their reading capacity is helping to pave their way through the circles of birth and death. ==If they will simply take to reading this transcendental literature we are presenting, the same reading capacity will elevate them to the highest perfection of spiritual life== . **So this is very important task we are doing, and all of you push forward in Colorado with increased enthusiasm. ==”== ([[letters/1969/691106_harer_nama|Harer Nama, 6 November, 1969]]) ==70-03 “…we== shall over flood the market with Krsna conscious literature. That will create our prestige, and being cheap distribution, many people will learn our philosophy”== ([[letters/1970/700320_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 20 March, 1970]]) *** 70-07 ==“I am very glad to know that your sales of our literature and books are very good and improving more. It is natural that such distribution of literatures should increase as the people hear more about the Krsna Consciousness movement, so distribution of our books and literatures is our major propaganda program.”== (SPL to Tulasi dasa, July 1st, 1970) ==71-03 “Also, book distribution is a very important program and you should give much attention to developing it. Anyone reading our Krsna book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, The Nectar of Devotion, and Bhagavad-Gita It Is, he is sure to become a Krsna conscious person. So somehow or other either through schools, colleges, libraries, life membership program or ordinary sales, we must push on this literature distribution program. It is so important and a most valuable service to Krsna”== (SPL to Vamanadeva, March 5th, 1971) ==71-04 “And try to introduce our books there and it will be a great missionary success. One Krsna book sold means we go forward one step in our Krsna Consciousness. We should always remember this.”== ([[letters/1971/710404_nayanabhirama|Visnujana Maharaja, 4 April, 1971]]) *** 71-05 ** ==“But in my heart I want that Krsna book in small or large form, should be distributed in every home who are English speaking people”== (SPL to Karandhara, May 17th, 1971) 71-05 ** ==“That is the immediate important business—how to distribute these books all over the world. So far as the per cent of discount, that will depend on your discretion. But quickly distribute all the books as soon as they are received.”== (SPL to Karandhara, May 17th, 1971) 71-06 ==''Whatever is done by a great nation or a great man is followed by ordinary persons, so it is my mission to distribute the treasure-house of India's transcendental knowledge to the whole world, and your cooperation in this connection will be a great asset.”== (SPL to Professor Kotovsky, June 24th, 1971) 71-08 ==“I am so glad to hear that your program is going on so nicely there in New Orleans and especially that sankirtana and Back to Godhead distribution are so successful. That is very encouraging. This sankirtana and Back to Godhead distribution is our main business and you should give as much energy in this direction as possible. Also your traveling sankirtana party to various universities in the Southern cities is wholly approved by me”== (SPL to Nityananda and Kanya, August 26th, 1971) ==71-10 “== Regarding printing our books and literatures, I may inform you in this connection that I saw one bulletin of ’Indian Railways' in which it was specifically advised that every railway servant should see to it that the wheels of the carriages or vehicles must be moving always, which means that the railway is going nicely. Similarly ==all of us should see that our literatures are profusely distributed. That means that our missionary work is going on nicely. Otherwise we are simply sleeping and eating. The literature we have already designated as brhad mrdanga.== So distribution of literature means great *sankirtana.* ==”== (SPL to Karandhara, October 9th, 1971) ==71-11 “== If you simply push on this one activity of distributing my books, your all success will be there. I have hatched this ’transcendental plot' for getting money by selling my books, and if we stick only to this plan, and use our brain for selling books, there will easily be sufficient money. I have recently informed the GBC * * to allow each temple to keep 25% of the money they collect from direct book and magazine sales for temple maintenance, 75% to be sent to book fund. Supposing you can sell 800 dollars a week worth of literature (retail price). Will not 200 dollars weekly be sufficient for food and rent? If not, increase book sales, or, until things are adjusted in this way, supplement in other ways, but try * * to avoid too much business as this distracts us from our real mission. ==If Krsna sees that we are very active to spread information about Him, He is Master of the goddess of fortune, He will give everything.”== (SPL to Lalita Kumara, November 15th, 1971) ==71-11 “You state that you will be the largest distributor of Back to Godhead in the world. This statement is very pleasing to me, because more than anything I want that my students should distribute my books and literatures profusely all over the world, and this should be our foremost concern, how to do it properly. But one thing, now you must try very hard to live up to your promise of becoming largest distributor!”== (SPL to Sridhama dasa, November 17th, 1971) ==71-11 “== You have been my student for some time, and I consider that you are one of the big men who are assisting me in this vast work, so I am naturally concerned for your well-being. I want that you should give up this idea of outside living and working and regard it only as a temporary trick of *maya.* I need such strong men as yourself to stick with me and together we shall go back home, back to Godhead. ==If you have no other engagement, I would be greatly pleased if you could take up this work of selling my books and literatures everywhere, as many as possible.”== (SPL to Badrinarayana dasa, November 18th, 1971) ==71-11 “== A man is known by his actions and by his words. But sometimes it may appear that he is doing something, but he may be thinking something else. So a man is really known when he speaks, then everything is revealed. So if this Mayavadi *sannyasi* does not speak, then he can fool everyone. But if you force him to speak he will expose himself, therefore he is silent. Even he remains silent, we shall speak very loudly and expose these bogus men. Let our philosophy be challenged by anyone and we shall defeat them. I want that you distribute our books very widely, as many as possible, then people will get the right information. ==We show people by the results: so many centers, happy devotees, big books, strong conviction—like that. Let people judge who is better by the results”== (SPL to Hiranyagarbha dasa, November 22nd, 1971) ==71-12 “I’m specially pleased to hear that your distribution of our books and magazines has increased. Go on in this way, increasing more and more. Each time someone reads some solid information about Krsna his life becomes changed in some way. These literatures are the solid ground upon which our preaching stands, so I want that they should be available to everyone, as many as possible. So please try for this.”== (SPL to Damodara, December 3rd, 1971) 71-12 ==“One thing, you say that literature distribution is low; actually, the test of the strength of our preaching work is that we sell many books and magazines. So what is the difficulty? Simply preach very sincerely to anyone and everyone, and go on in this way preaching more and more, and the demand for our books will increase.”== (SPL to Sri Galim, December 17th, 1971) ==71-12 “== So far books are concerned, it appears that it will be difficult to bring books there from other places, due to financial reasons of the government, so whatever they will allow you to send, you may send to the book fund and receive that amount of books. Try to get big books in this way, especially for our life members, by persuading the government to allow us. For other books we can print in Nairobi through that Mr. Patel who owns a very modern press facility. ==Distribution of books and magazines is our most important activity. Without books, our preaching has no solid basis. Especially the Africans want our books.== * * So Karandhara is in Tokyo now supervising the printing of many books, including the Krsna * * book paperback size which I am especially printing for Africans. We are printing 50,000 copies of each volume in three volumes, or 150,000 books total, so you may order as many as possible by paying Dai Nippon and ordering from Karandhara. I think if I meet Mr. Kenyatta, I shall be able to request him to allow us more books.” (SPL to Cyavana, December 26th, 1971) 71-12 ==“If there are ample books, everything else will succeed. Practically our Society is built on books.” ( *SPL to Yogesvara, December 28th,* 1971) ==72-01 “== I am glad to hear that you are distributing nicely books and magazines. ==The more we sell books, the more we advance in Krsna consciousness, and the more we help others to have solid information how they may take advantage of their human form of life== and achieve the supreme perfection. So I want that you should now increase very greatly this selling of books and literatures. I have heard that in San Francisco they are selling daily not less than 75 Krsna **books. So I am very much encouraged to hear this. Now take this spirit of transcendental rivalry and consult with Dayananda and the others there in England to be the first rate book sellers. ==”== (SPL to Kulasekhara, January 10th, 1972) 72-01 ** ==“My first concern is that my books shall be published and distributed profusely all over the world. Practically, books are the basis of our movement. Without our books, our preaching will have no effect...”== (SPL to Mandali Bhadra, January 20th, 1972) 72-01 ==“The reports of increased book sales all over the world gives me so much pleasure. I thank you very much for your very determined efforts to push on this movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”== (SPL to Karandhara dasa, January 25th, 1972) ==72-02 “I am very pleased to hear that you are puffing your full energy into distributing books and magazines very widely all over Canada. It is not so much the numbers of books sold, it is the sincerity which Krsna appreciates, and I am encouraged by your determined enthusiasm to increase in every respect.” (*SPL to Jagadisa, February 5th, 1972) ==72-02 “I especially appreciate your attitude toward increasing more and more the distribution of our books, that will sanctify all other activities of preaching because preaching means selling books.”== (SPL to Bhakta dasa, February 21st, 1972) 72-04 * * ==“If we have regular plan of selling books, then there will be no scarcity of money ....” (* SPL to Giriraja, April 12th, 1972) ==72-05 “== I am also very much pleased to hear from you that you have sold 100 sets of paperback *Krsna* book in one day, and that you have re-ordered from Dai Nippon. Gradually, we shall replace the literatures which are currently popular with our own style of transcendental literature. ==I have tried it: any page you open, that is wonderful reading matter. My ambition is to spread these books far and wide all over the world so that everyone shall read at least one of our books and that will change his life. If only 1 % become devotees, that will change the world.== I think that eventually we can print *Teachings of Lord Caitanya* in paperback also. In the skyscraper building, that can be a guest house for receiving tourists, so they can see **how practical spiritual life is developing. If just 1% of these tourists become devotees, if they adopt this process, then our effort is successful.” ([[letters/1972/720502_karandhara|Karandhara, 2 May, 1972]]) ==72-05 “One thing is, we have got very good response in Africa by our kirtana, so have sankirtana widely, with dancing, and that will attract everyone, and also distribute many of our Krsna books, paperback edition—they were especially meant for the Africans. Kindly keep me informed what is your progress in this connection, I shall be always glad to hear from you. Thank you very much for assisting me in this way.”== (SPL to Bhaktijana, May 11th, 1972) ==72-11 “== Yes, that is a good proposal, print many, many books in African language and distribute widely, that is real preaching work. ==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, Krsna is so much appreciative of this preaching work that He will give you every facility, as much as you have ambition. ==”== (SPL to Brahmananda, November 3rd* , 1972) 72-11 ** ==“Anyway, print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching work. What will your three minutes preaching work—But if they buy one book, it may turn their life== . So make this your important task, to print our books in French language and other languages, and distribute widely, and that will please my Guru Maharaja. Never mind it takes little time to make progress, our process is slow but sure, and we are confident that if we continue in this way we shall go one day back to home, back to Godhead. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721105_bhagavan|Bhagavan, 5 November, 1972]]) ==72-11 “== If you become lazy in your spiritual life, everything else will deteriorate. We are not interested in big, big buildings, no. That was not my plan for Juhu. I simply want to engage everyone in the service of Krsna, that's all. And that means preaching. 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, Krsna is the husband of the goddess of fortune, you will get as much money and as many big buildings as you need== * * for spreading Krsna consciousness movement, without any doubt. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721111_yadubara|Yadubara, 11 November, 1972]]) ==72-11 “== I am very glad to hear all the good news, especially that you want to sell books more and more. That is the best preaching work ==; each book sold means there is some practical effect of preaching, there is some tangible progress== *.* So try to sell books as many as possible in your country, and in this way, so long you remain active but not for your personal sense-gratification. So long you remain active only satisfying Krsna's senses, then this movement will be successful without any doubt. As soon as someone wants to satisfy his own senses, then he fails at everything ==. We are the only movement in the world which is preaching the real fact or secret to success, and outside our movement everything else will fail.== **So try to convince people to join us and be successful in their life, that will be your credit.” ([[letters/1972/721123_kurusrestha|Kurusrestha, 23 November, 1972]]) *** 72-12 * * ==“I am especially glad to see how nicely your St. Louis temple is distributing Back to Godhead magazine== * .* Only three years ago I asked Dai Nippon to print 20,000 copies and barely could we distribute them. But now ==in your temple, you are distributing, so many, so this very, very encouraging to me== . It is the perfect form of preaching. Follow the line laid down by Prahlada Maharaja and try to take everyone back to home, back to Godhead. And this is done by distributing our literature. I am so much pleased upon each and every one of you for helping me this way to push on this great movement. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721203_vamanadeva|Vamanadeva, 3 December, 1972]]) *** 73-01 ** ==“I am especially happy to hear from you about the huge distribution of books in the Canadian zone. That is the most auspicious sign. You are making good progress that I can understand. As soon as I see that there is such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other programs are successful as well. I am especially encouraged to note that you have sold 268 of our Bhagavad-Gita As It Is in only three weeks time. That is very, very satisfying to me”== ([[letters/1973/730105_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 5 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 * * ==“Al1 programs must go on but it is a fact that this book distribution program is very, very important== * .* ==It is real preaching work== * * but I think this program for TV and radio is not so important. There are so many TV programs. Someone will see us on TV and then right after they will see some other nonsense and they will forget. Therefore, it is better for them to read my books but I think your proposal for seriously organizing the college programs is first-class. If this program is conducted in the proper fashion it can be our biggest book distribution outlet, I am convinced of this. You are advanced devotee and you should use your intelligence to convince the professors that they should use my books in the colleges. This will be the greatest service. ==”== ([[letters/1973/730214_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 14 February, 1973]]) *** 73-03 ** ==“Your plans for increasing book distribution are very good. If so many books are being sold then very soon we will be finished the second edition. Distribution of all these books is making a firm basis for our movement.”== (SPL to Trai dasa, March 4th, 1973) 73-07 ** ==“It is very encouraging to note that the work on our Back to Godhead and other books is going on. Actually producing and distributing books is our most important engagement, all other engagements culminate in this one end—distribution of books.”== ([[letters/1973/730727_tamala_krsna|Tamala Krsna Maharaja, 27 July, 1973]]) *** 73-08 * * ==“There is no doubt about it, to distribute books is our most important activity.== * * The temple is a place not for eating and sleeping, but as a base from which we send out our soldiers to fight with *maya.* Fight with *maya* means to drop thousand and millions of books into the lap of the conditioned souls. Just like during war time the bombs are raining from the sky like anything. So you are the expert in this field. ==I like also your program of sending out your best men to teach the others. That is the actual process of Krsna consciousness. To train others. Continue this program so that in the future every devotee in our movement will know the art of distributing books. This is approved by me.”== (SPL to Ramesvara, August 3rd, 1973) 73-08 ** ==“Yes that is nice that you are distributing many books. I do not want money, or buildings or anything else, I simply want to see that my books are being distributed and because you are doing that I am quite happy.”== ([[letters/1973/730828_prahladananda|Prahladananda, 28 August, 1973]]) ==73-09 “== I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 12th, 1973 and am so glad to learn that you have again ordered to Dai Nippon Printing Co. for so many books. This engladdens me when I see our literature very widely distributed. This was the subject matter of my Guru Maharaja's satisfaction. ==He liked to distribute books more than constructing temples. He personally advised me to print books if I have got some money== *.* So by his mercy we are printing books and constructing temples as well. Although in the beginning we had no such opportunity, but still I brought some books from India, and that was the foundation stone of our Krsna consciousness movement. So I want all our centers should give very much importance in the matter of book distribution. ==”== ([[letters/1973/730927_rsabhadeva|Karandhara dasa, 27 September, 1973]]) ==73-10 “I am very encouraged by the report of how nicely our books are being distributed. This is our main business all over the world. If you give full attention to this, there will never be any shortage of funds. So I am very glad to note that in London now this program is becoming well established.”== ([[letters/1973/731006_mukunda|Mukunda, 6 October, 1973]]) ==73-10 “== Yes you can go on with your book distribution as you were doing before, there is not any harm. I thought that our men were becoming like hippies, but now I understand from you that is not the case. So I have no objection. Our main business is to distribute books, and from the reports I am receiving from all over the world, the progress is very encouraging. So far as the women distributors who have left New York and Boston temples and have gone to New Vrndavana, they should return immediately and resume their original service. ==In Caitanya Mahaprabhu's movement, everyone is a preacher, whether man or woman it doesn't matter.== * * I do not know why Kīrtanānanda Swami is encouraging our women devotees not to go out on * sankirtana* for book distribution. ==Everyone should go out.”== (SPL Karandhara, October 6th, 1973) 73-12 ** ==“Thank you very much for pushing on our book distribution program so enthusiastically. Kindly offer all the devotees there my deepest gratitude for their wonderful service in this connection. I understand from Karandhara that you are one of the most staunch supporters and workers for distributing our books and I assure you that it is the highest service to my Guru Maharaja. Thank you very much.”== (SPL to Trai dasa, December 8th, 1973) 73-12 ** ==“Thank you very much for your endeavors in book distribution and please offer your good wife my blessings for her service in this connection. Our preaching work will be measured by the quantity of books we distribute so continue ever increasingly.”== ([[letters/1973/731211_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 11 December, 1973]]) ==74-01 “Your emphasis on book distribution is quite right. I can understand in the northern centers it is very cold now, and yet you report they are still going out for sankirtana party. Please convey that I extend all blessings to those boys and girls who are trying to distribute our books even under difficult conditions.”== ([[letters/1974/740108_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 8 January, 1974]]) ==74-03 “== Just as Hamsaduta and Bhagavan have gone to foreign countries and arranged for a solid program of translation, printing and distribution of my books by *sankirtana* party, so you will also find the devotees in South America willing to help you in this noble project which is for the benediction of the suffering humanity. ==My own Guru Maharaja stressed the printing and distribution of literature even over gorgeous temple construction,== * * and I also was printing even before I had big temples in the US. So you may follow· the footsteps of the previous * acaryas,* while always strictly following the regulative principles for spiritual strength ==.”== ([[letters/1974/740314_hrdayananda|Hrdayananda Maharaja, 14 March, 1974]]) ==74-06 “The explanation given by Ramesvara that sankirtana is Lord Caitanya's lila, which he compares to the gopis trying to engage others in Krsna's service, is the correct understanding”== ([[letters/1974/740609_nandalal|Nandalal, 9 June, 1974]]) *** 74-06 “ ==So the books are selling and we are expanding. This book distribution is the brhad-mrdanga. It is the greater preaching== *.* Anyway, you have replied properly to the article that this may be some isolated incident. Yes, as you have said in your reply they must see what kind of life our men are living. Our books are better than the nonsense books. You have written them to the point. And, even if there is some complaint, they're getting the real thing from our books. Therefore, getting the aim of life. Somehow or other, we have to give them the real thing. Why this one man should be envious? In the history of the world, especially in the Western countries, there's no record of selling religious books so many daily. It is unique in the history. Our men are doing good, that they do not see. They are so blind. But the end justifies the means. We have to give them even if they do not want it. ==”== (SPL Sri Govinda dasa, June 12th, 1974) ==74-06 “You have said rightly when you write that the devotees are working to please me by distributing my books. My mission on behalf of my Guru Maharaja and Lord Caitanya, to spread Krsna consciousness would never have been so successful if it had not been taken up by enthusiastic boys and girls such as in San Francisco, especially through distribution of books.”== ([[letters/1974/740628_bhakta_dasa|Bhakta dasa, 28 June, 1974]]) ==74-08 “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. It is a very good report that the printers are surprised at our sales figures.”== ([[letters/1974/740813_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 13 August, 1974]]) ==74-09 “I very much appreciate your report of Sarvabhauma Prabhu who distributed 138 hardbound books simply because of hearing about my letter. That is very, very nice.== **They are all very nice, Krsna will bless them. This boy he immediately attempted and Krsna immediately responded. So this is the success of your book distribution. So if the books are distributed nationwide that is the success of our movement. ==”== ([[letters/1974/740914_jayatirtha|Ramesvara dasa, 14 September, 1974]]) *** 74-10 ** ==“The book sales are very encouraging, increasing, increasing. It is very good news. Thank you, I want this. Record selling is temporary. Even George Harrison's record sales do not continue for a long time. But, a book sold becomes a permanent matter for enjoyment. We read the scriptures again and again and it is still fresh. When there is time I go on reading my own books.”== ([[letters/1974/741001_rupanuga|Hamsaduta, 1 October, 1974]]) ==74-10 “== These statistics are very nice. I like very much to receive the report of my book sales. I think it also gives encouragement to the devotees who distribute the books. Here at Mayapur, my Guru Maharaja was printing one paper. It was selling for only a few paise. Sometimes whenever one *brahmacari* would go to Navadvipa and sell even a few copies, I would see my Guru Maharaja become very much pleased. Even if the *brahmacari* was not a very important member, my Guru Maharaja would become very, very pleased with him. ==He personally instructed me that books are more important than big temples. At Radha Krsna, he told me that since constructing the big marble temple at Bagh Bazaar, there have been so many difficulties== *.* Our men are envious over who will live in which room. I think it would be better to take off all the marbles and sell them and print books. He told me this personally. So I am always emphasizing book distribution. It is the better *kirtana.* It is better than chanting. Of course chanting should not stop, but book distribution is the best *kirtana.” ([[letters/1974/741024_jayatirtha_sudama|Srutadeva dasa, 24 October, 1974]]) ==74-ll== “Regarding the book distribution, somehow the distribution must be doubled and tripled as far as possible. Do it.”== ([[letters/1974/741114_patita_uddharana|Ramesvara dasa, 14 November, 1974]]) ==74-11 “== Regarding the book distribution, apart from our books, the Communist Party has become popular simply by distributing their literatures. I know in Calcutta the Communist agents were inviting friends and reading their literature. The Russians never came to India, but by distributing literature in every language they get a pretty good number of followers. So, ==if it is possible for ordinary third-class mundane literature, why not should our transcendental literature create devotees all over the world?== **I see practically how our books and magazines are becoming popular in your country. So there is good potency for pushing on these literatures very vigorously. So organize this propaganda work very carefully and our movement will be very much successful by introducing literature from village to village. Lord Caitanya wants this, so carry out His order.” ([[letters/1974/741121_nrsimha_caitanya|Tamala Krsna Goswami, 21 November, 1974]]) ==74-12 “== Regarding your question, actually it is a fact that ultimately ==everyone should preach and distribute books if they want to please me in the best way== *.* Book distribution should be given stress always. He has spoken the right thing. If you do this sincerely, it is a fact that Krsna will supply everything else required. So you say that your men are like the four Kumaras disobeying Lord Brahma. Does that mean you are Lord Brahma? But, it is a fact. Here in India we are now arranging for publishing Hindi books and other languages for profuse distribution in India. This is my immediate program. ==I blindly follow my Guru Maharaja. I do not know what is the result. So I am stressing on this point of book distribution. He told me this personally.”== (SPL Sri Govinda dasa, December 6th, 1974) 74-12 ==“Book distribution is bhagavata-marga and temple worship is pancaratriki-vidhi. Both are important for cultivating Vaisnavism but comparatively speaking bhagavata-marga is more important than pancaratriki-vidhi. As far as possible both should go on in parallel lines but still bhagavata-marga is more important than the other.”== ([[letters/1974/741206_sri_govinda|Sri Govinda dasa, 6 December, 1974]]) ==74-12 “== As far as your engagement is concerned I think it is most appropriate for you to consult with the GBC men. But one thing that everyone should understand is that ==I am not so interested in selling incense as I am in selling books. Distribution of my books is the most important thing.== These other things such as selling incense, records, etc., are not so much important as this. If Spiritual Sky is a separate concern then what is the need of our own men who are capable preachers to be engaged in that way. I want that my books be distributed in huge quantities, and thus we will be able to thoroughly convince the majority of the population especially there in America. But finances are also needed. Therefore, for further direction you please contact the GBC men and they will give you consultation. The more one preaches the more he becomes expert and the more he is able to convince others. ==”== ([[letters/1974/741219_bahudak|Vipini dasa, 19 December, 1974]]) ==74-12 “Distribution definitely doubling in USA, Hare Krsna, Ramesvara!! This kind of wonderful news is very pleasing to my heart and I thank you all again and again== . I think this is the first time in history that ever before so many religious books have sold so popularly. Four thousand books in one day is a very unique figure. Keep distributing as many as possible in huge quantities. This is my pleasure. We must make a large propaganda program for Krsna consciousness by distributing these books everywhere, all over the world. Just like the communists they are very expert in distributing their literature, their propaganda. At the present moment they are distributing their literature here in India in nine different languages and it is quite effective. Therefore, we must print hundreds and thousands of books and distribute them at the same speed and thus we will have a great effect on the mass population of Europe and America. If we can get the masses in the Western countries like Europe and America to become Krsna conscious, then all the rest of the world will follow. That is a fact. So please, I beg you, continue distributing my books in this way and Krsna will pour His blessings upon you all. Please keep me informed form time to time of the book sales statistics. ==”== ([[letters/1974/741221_gopijanavallabha|SPL to* Ramesvara, 21 December, 1974]]) *** 75-01 * * ==“Thank you very much for your sincere endeavors to distribute my books widely. If you continue with such desire and determination, Krsna will give you all strength to increase more and more.”== ([[letters/1975/750116_m.v._sita_ramalai|SPL * to * Srutadeva dasa, 16 January, 1975]]) ==75-01 “== Regarding your question about the controversial talks going on, this kind of talk is not befitting my advanced students. This is childish. In Krsna's service there is no inferior and superior. Deity worship is just as important as book distribution. It is not material. As mentioned in the *Bhagavatam:* sravanam kirtanam visno smaranam pada-sevanamarcanam vandanam dasyam, sakhyam atma-nivedanam *Sravanam* and *kirtanam* is the beginning—to chant and hear. ==Book distribution is under this category of sravanam kirtanam.== * * The next item is * smaranam. * If somebody simply remembers the Supreme Lord, that is also as good as * sravanam kirtanam. * Then there is * arcanam. * That is also as good as the others, but one who simply becomes engaged in * arcanam * and does nothing of * sravanam kirtanam, * his position becomes in the material field. Anyone of the nine processes is as good as the other. There is no question of inferior or superior. But out of all of them * sravanam kirtanam * is very important. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while instructing Srila Rupa Goswami has said how the seed of devotional service sprouts and increases by watering the root by the process of * sravanam kirtanam. * So, these two items are very important in devotional service, but that does not mean that the other items are inferior. Srila Jiva Goswami has stressed * kirtanam * especially in the Age of Kali. Even if there is * arcanam * for sanctifying the contaminated mind, it must be accompanied by * sravanam kirtanam.” ([[letters/1975/750119_radhavallabha|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 19 January, 1975]]) ==75-02 “You have asked me what I feel is the best engagement for you at this time and in response, I kindly request you to continue to distribute my books full-time. You are very expert in this matter and you can also teach others how to do it. At the present moment, the plays are not as important as our book distribution. So, my desire is that you increase your book distribution more and more and be blessed by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”== ([[letters/1975/750202_sahadeva|Lokamangala dasa, 2 February, 1975]]) *** 75-02 ** ==“Whatever money is owed to the BBT, that should be paid. As far as record distribution is concerned, if you have no big books, you may temporarily continue, but give a book with each record. With record distribution alone, the result is temporary. They will hear it for some time and throw it away. Book distribution is solid. Even if they do not read, simply by touching they are benefited. It is so much powerful.”== ([[letters/1975/750202_puranjana|Puranjana, 2 February, 1975]]) *** 75-02 ** ==“You are a very expert book distributor, so I do not want you to give it up altogether. If you like, you can also do some painting, but you should still distribute books two days out of the week (at least).”== ([[letters/1975/750203_radhey_syam_kripalu|Gauri dasi, 3 February, 1975]]) ==75-02 “Thank you again and again for distributing my books with great enthusiasm. Now, try to double this enthusiasm. Anyone who even touches one of our books gets such great benefit. Give them to everyone. Because you are all very sincere and working very hard, Krsna is giving you all facilities.”== (SPL to Dina Bandhu dasa, 16th February ,1975) 75-08 ** ==“Do not worry, in spite of war, Srimad-Bhagavatam will be distributed. We don't care for war. Our preaching business will go on.”== ([[letters/1975/750821_rupanuga|Radhaballabha dasa, 21 August, 1975]]) ==75-09 “== I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 31, 1975 and the six new volumes of *Caitanya-caritamrta.* So the books have increased, and they are all very nicely done. I think I may stop all touring and just sit down here for translating. You have taken seriously the publishing and also the distribution of these books and that is the success of our mission. ==You have taken seriously this work and I know that my Guru Maharaja is pleased with you because he wanted this. So by this endeavor you will all go back home, back to Godhead.== * * Let me first of all finish * Srimad-Bhagavatam,* then we can take up others. So I wish to also thank you for your cooperation. Because of your cooperation, therefore, it has been possible. For me to publish alone the first three volumes, I had to take so much trouble, but by the cooperation of you American boys and girls now this has become possible. ==”== ([[letters/1975/750901_jayananda|Ramesvara and Co., 1 September, 1975]]) ==75-11 “== 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.== **Now by the mercy of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupāda I am doing both by the cooperation of my American disciples. I am constructing so many marble temples and I am distributing so many books on Krsna consciousness. This does not mean that I am excelling my Guru Maharaja, but it is the mercy of my Guru Maharaja that he is giving me the facility for doing both. ==”== ([[letters/1975/751114_sri_v._s._murthy|Ramesvara dasa, 14 November, 1975]]) ==75-11 “Krsna will guide you how to increase the library distribution. Do not worry. Just do it sincerely and with a cool brain.”== ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|SPL* to Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, 20 November, 1975]]) ==75-12 “Yes, your present engagement is more important, managing Calcutta temple is not so important. I am pleased that you are selling my books, this is superior engagement, so please continue and increase it more and more.”== ([[letters/1975/751204_mark_phillips|Gargamuni Maharaja, 4 December, 1975]]) ==75-12 “Your letter is very, very encouraging to me.== * * I do not know how you are selling so many books. ==There is no instance in history where religious books were sold with such enthusiasm and success.== * * Is there any such history? The Christians have spread their teachings all over the world, and they have only one book, so we have got already 40 big books published in English, therefore if we distribute, as you are distributing we cannot even imagine the result. Your program is very nice, please continue more and more.” ([[letters/1975/751218_all_temple_presidents|Tamala Krsna Maharaja, 18 December, 1975]]) ==75-12 “I am in due receipt of your telegram as follows: ’Christmas week book distribution in Los Angeles despite closed airport better than ever by your grace 112,000 Back to Godhead's 8,000 Gitas sold. On invitation of Governor Brown of California 50 devotees visited State mental institutions to help improve conditions and morale by giving religious message. Publicity very good! Hare Krsna!' Thank you very much. This is very good. Fight and depend on Krsna, that will bring you victory.”== ([[letters/1975/751227_visvambhara|Ramesvara dasa, 27 December, 1975]]) ==76-01 “Our first business is this book distribution. There is no need of any other business. If this book distribution is managed properly, pushed on with great enthusiasm and determination and at the same time if our men keep spiritually strong, then the whole world will become Krsna conscious.”== ([[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 5 January, 1976]]) ==76-01 “Now you have got very excellent land, so develop it very nicely. Miami is a tropical climate, so it should be made very lush with fruit and flower trees. I was very glad to see how your temple is now amongst the big leaders of book distribution. This is a sure sign of spiritual strength, for where there is preaching there must be life. Please go on increasing more and more the book distribution. You are working in the right direction.”== ([[letters/1976/760109_abhirama|Abhirama, 9 January, 1976]]) ==76-01 “In the six day book distribution, Eastern zone was first. This is our most important work. All the leaders should tax their brains for increasing the sales of our books. I have always said that if we simply rely on book distribution all our needs will be met.”== ([[letters/1976/760111_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 11 January, 1976]]) ==76-01 “== That so many people are purchasing our literature in Los Angeles indicated that it is being advertised: ’Oh! I have got a very nice book.’ Then their acquaintances want the book also. ==The book distribution in Los Angeles during the six day period is transcendental samadhi. They are working in trance, not on the material platform.== No common man can work so hard, it is not possible. Working without sleep means no death. Sleeping is dead condition— *iv jago, jiv jago, gauracanda bole, kota nidra jao maya-pisacira kole.* Your book distribution is really intoxication.” (Ramesvara, 12 January, 1976) *** 76-01 * * ==“The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly. We are not fiction writers.== * * It is a fact that no expert book salesmen can compete with our men. The librarian has noted the difference between our men and other publisher's men. We are working for heart and soul, not for money. Such expert salesmen would have to be paid at least $1,000 per month. That means if they had as many men as our Library Party they would have to pay at least $15,000 per month ==.”== ([[letters/1976/760118_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 18 January, 1976]]) ==76-05 “== These books are the life of human society. Others may be disturbed, but they cannot disturb this *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* Let any man come, but here they cannot touch. We are putting these books for deliberation before the topmost thinkers of human society. Therefore, I have to see that in all languages all of our books are published. ==If we strain, and if he takes one book home, some day people will come to understand what valuable knowledge they have received. It is transcendental literature. Nobody can challenge it. It is done so nicely, without any spot, the spotless Purana.== **Please continue like this to print books in all the languages for the benefit of suffering, misdirected humanity. ==”== ([[letters/1976/760504_puranjana|Puranjana, 4 May, 1976]]) ==76-07 “== I am in due receipt of the new *Krsna* books and your letter dated July 24, 1976 and with great pleasure I thank you for them. 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, * prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama, sarvatra pracara * haibe * 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 ==.”== [ * CB Antya-khañòa* 4.126] ([[letters/1976/760731_hrdayananda|Hrdayananda Maharaja, 31 July, 1976]]) ==76-10 “The main thing is to distribute books—the communist idea has spread practically all over the world on account of distributing huge amounts of literature, but they have no substance. Introduce Ratha-yatra very nicely and distribute books.”== ([[letters/1976/761004_balavanta|Balavanta dasa, 4 October, 1976]]) *** 76-10 ** ==“Your report of book distribution is very encouraging. Please go on increasing more and more. Yes, you should become the topmost temple for distributing my books. This is a very good proposal. That is the only way to please me. Distribute my books profusely. That is real preaching.”== ([[letters/1976/761023_bala_krsna|Bala Krsna dasa, 23 October, 1976]]) ==76-11 “I am very glad to hear how the book distribution is increasing more and more. This is our greatest weapon. The more the books are distributed, the more the ignorance of the Age of Kali will be smashed. The world is feeling the weight of this Hare Krsna movement, especially in your country. We have to increase this book distribution work more and more to firmly establish this movement, which is the only hope for the suffering living entities.”== ([[letters/1976/761123_balavanta|Balavanta, 23 November, 1976]]) ==76-12 “I am very pleased that you are taking my order to distribute books so seriously. All blessings of Krsna are on these girls who are working so hard to distribute my books. That is very nice that you want to distribute more books than Tamala Krsna Goswami's sankirtana party.”== (SPL to Dharmatma, December 23rd, 1976) 76-12 ** ==“Whether it is more important to organize the women's book distribution or to work on the college preaching? The book distribution is more important.”== ([[letters/1976/761229_shaktimati|Sukadeva dasa, 29 December, 1976]]) ## To Colleges, Libraries and Universities ==69-12 “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.”== ([[letters/1969/691210_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 10 December, 1969]]) ==70-02 “Our Isopanisad is now published. This excellent book of God consciousness should be introduced as a study book for school and college students because it is so nicely explained about God consciousness. Any sincere gentleman serious about knowing God consciousness must read this book. A little education will make everyone aware what is meant by God. It is a challenge to the atheists, agnostics, skeptics and gross materialists. Please get this book in quantities from Boston and try to introduce it.”== ([[letters/1970/700218_sivananda|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 18 February, 1970]]) ==70-09 “== I am so glad to learn that you are having nice success in placing my books in the libraries and in schools and colleges. That is very much to my satisfaction, so ==please continue your program for placing these Krsna consciousness literatures in all the libraries and schools and colleges.== **I am sure that this will revolutionize the thinking of the thoughtful men of your country as well as the students and professors and the ultimate end will be to save the world from the clutches of material illusory activities which is now causing havoc everywhere. ==”== (SPL to Karandhara, September 13th, 1970) ==70-09 “I can see that there is very good potency at the present moment for spreading this movement as was desired by my Guru Maharaja, and I am simply trying my best to carry out his desire. And if some of my students adopt this attitude, without any other motivation, surely Krsna will fulfill our desire. So push on with book publication and distribution, and I am very glad that you are now distributing to schools and libraries.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, September 22nd, 1970) ==70-09 “…please see that there is a very strong program for placing our books and literatures in all the libraries, schools and colleges of your country. That will be a great boon to the thoughtful men of your society.== *” (SPL to Rupanuga, September 25th, 1970) ==70-09 “I am especially pleased that you are taking charge in the Boston area of placing my books and literatures in the local school, college libraries== and you have already had success with placing all our literatures in the two most important libraries of Harvard University and the Divinity School. When I spoke there sometimes back our Krsna consciousness philosophy was very much appreciated, so I think this is an important place for our literatures to be available to the students and faculty. Please go on with this engagement enthusiastically and Krsna will give you all success in the venture. You are an intelligent and hard working devotee of Krsna and Krsna will bless you for this very fine service which you are rendering unto Him.” (SPL to Dinesh, September 25th, 1970) ==70-11 “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.”== (SPL to Rupanuga, November 13th, 1970) ==70-11 “I am very glad that your distribution to the libraries is well received. Please get our books, at least one full set, in every city and college library in your neighboring areas. And if you read these literatures carefully you will realize the topmost science of Krsna consciousness and be more inspired to spread the same to all persons as their real welfare benefit.”== (SPL to Bansidhari, November 16th, 1970) ==70-11 “I hope you are trying to place our books in the libraries and school/colleges. The program is everywhere very successful, so you please do this very thoroughly in your area and it will be a great service”== (SPL to Krsnakanti, November 29th, 1970) ==70-11 “Also continue placing my books in libraries, colleges, bookstores, etc. and gradually the public will learn to appreciate this stock of transcendental literature. People are accustomed to read all kinds of rubbish literatures. The principle is there—reading. We simply have to direct their attention to Krsna.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, November 30th, 1970) ==70-12 “These engagements at schools and colleges is a most important task. If schools become interested with our philosophy and we can introduce these books, then it is our success== . A little effort in this direction is sure to be successful because these are completely new thoughts for the Western world, this science of God. And because the West is scientific minded, they will take it up. We should try for this vigorously. Once they take up Krsna consciousness in the colleges, it will be the greatest success. We've got books and we've got the Dr. Staal correspondence. Let the school authorities inquire about it. These are the propaganda items. This task should especially be trusted to Hayagriva Prabhu because he is in one university. Not just Hayagriva, but all of you who are college graduates. You know better than me how to introduce these books into the schools. Also recently I have received one report from Jagadisa and he is distributing our books nicely. ==”== (SPL to Rupanuga, December 1st, 1970) ==70-12 “== Yes, I am so glad to learn that you are distributing our books in colleges and schools so nicely. Actually this Krsna consciousness movement is a novel to the world. The world is suffering on account of atheistic conviction of life, so our theistic proposition presenting Krsna, the Supreme Lord, is certainly a great relief to the agnostics, atheists, impersonalists and voidists. ==In all our books we have very scientifically covered all such demons and if these books are introduced in the schools and colleges, so many beautiful souls will be saved.== You are doing a great service to humanity to introduce our books to the people in general. So far as preaching through television the *mantras* of *Isopanisad* is concerned, that will be a great success to do so. ==”== (SPL to Nayanabhirama, December 1st, 1970) ==70-12 “Our literatures are unique in the world and we want to introduce our philosophy in learned circles, so your report of library distribution is good news for me. Keep trying to place my books in auspicious places such as libraries, universities, clubs, etc. and someday the world will realize and appreciate these transcendental literatures.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, December 18th, 1970) ==71-01 “I am very glad to learn that you are trying to distribute our books. Please continue with this program as it is so very important. Especially try to place our books in the schools and libraries. Our literatures are for the intelligent class also.”== (SPL to Gopala Krsna, * January * 21st, 1971) ==71-01 “I am glad to see that incense distribution is increasing and your method of distribution, that is with our literature, prasadam, etc. is very nice. So continue it. I am especially pleased at how you are distributing our books, particularly to the schools and universities. This program is so important and should be increased more and more. We want to flood the world over with our books. So go on in this way and Krsna will surely bless you.”== (SPL to Sri Govinda, January 21st, 1971) ==71-02 “It is a very nice way to distribute our literatures and gain support for our movement, especially from the higher circles. Also book distribution to the schools, libraries, and various institutions is most important. So try and increase on these programs more and more.”== (SPL to Ranadhira, February 16th, 1971) ==71-03 “Also, book distribution is a very important program and you should give much attention to developing it. Anyone reading our Krsna book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, The Nectar of Devotion, and Bhagavad-Gita It Is, he is sure to become a Krsna conscious person. So somehow or other either through schools, colleges, libraries, life membership program or ordinary sales, we must push on this literature distribution program. It is so important and a most valuable service to Krsna.”== (SPL to Vamanadeva, March 5th, 1971) ==71-03 “Someway or other we have to push these literatures, whether through schools, colleges, libraries, membership or ordinary sales. In your country practically there is no illiteracy. Everyone can read and write. So when they will read Krsna book, certainly they will enjoy this as a story or as philosophy, morality, religion, etc. and gradually they will become perfect in Krsna consciousness.”== (SPL to Karandhara, March 18th, 1971) ==71-03 “... you should be very enthusiastic for distributing our books to schools, colleges, libraries, book-stores, and wherever else you can imagine that they will be well received.”== (SPL to Sukadeva, March 25th, 1971) ==71-04 “Now you are beginning to preach at the universities. That is a very good program, so increase it more and more. It is also a good opportunity for distributing our books.== * * You should give much effort for book distribution; it is such a valuable service. Simply if one will read our * Krsna * book, * Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion, * and * Bhagavad-Gita As It Is,* he will surely become a Krsna conscious person. So some how or other distribute these books, either in schools and colleges, libraries, through life membership, book-stores, or wherever else you think they might be accepted. Do so with enthusiasm and determination and Krsna will surely help you. ==”== (SPL to Nityananda dasa, April 1st, 1971) ==71-04 “Push on your program at schools and colleges, vigorously, as you have been doing, and try to teach classes there also. That affords the ideal opportunity for introducing our books.== Try and get *Krsna* book and *Bhagavad-Gita As It Is* recommended by the professors. Door to door *Sankirtana* is very nice program also, and a very nice means for distributing the books, so increase it more and more. ==”== (SPL to Krsnakanti, April 11th, 1971) ==71-04 “Your report of temple activities in your zone is very much encouraging. In all those centers you should especially emphasize the book distribution program in schools, colleges, libraries, etc. That is most important program, so tax your brain how to increase it more and more and Krsna will surely help you.”== (SPL to Jagadisa, April 11th, 1971) ==71-04 “It is so much encouraging to hear how you are introducing this Krsna consciousness movement in the schools and colleges there. Especially this is an ideal opportunity for distributing our books also, so you should make all serious endeavors in this connection. These books are so potent that anyone who reads them is sure to become Krsna conscious. So it is a very valuable service to distribute our books.”== (SPL to John Milner, April 22nd, 1971) ==71-09 “So Krsna will give you all intelligence how to push on this movement. Already you have a program for preaching at the university and you should continue this program more and more. The universities are always a good field for preaching and distributing our literatures also. So work very hard and just depend on Krsna and surely you will be successful.”== (SPL to Sri Galim, September 25th, 1971) ==71-10 “== Please try to distribute our books very, very widely in all languages. That will push our movement very rapidly. We are now preparing a book on philosophical discussions. Syamasundara is daily discussing with me the views of the different Western philosophers and we are studying them from the ISKCON point of view. This work is going on regularly and Aravinda is typing them regularly. So very soon a book will come out. When I go back to India I shall review all the Indian systems of philosophy also, from this angle of vision, so that this book will be very much interesting to the student class in the schools and the colleges. ==Try to encourage all our centers to go to the schools and colleges and introduce our philosophy, books and literatures.”== (SPL to Karandhara, October 16th, 1971) ==71-11 “== I am very pleased that you have accepted the responsibility of managing such an important center as Berkeley. I know that there are many students in that city, so just attract them to our Krsna consciousness movement by giving them *prasadam* and our Krsna philosophy. We can challenge any nonsense philosophy. Socrates, Plato, Kant, Darwinall of themso many mental speculators and word jugglers who have misled so many people. Now it is your task to find them out and expose them, so that the people may appreciate the real philosophy. We must become now very serious to save the people of the world from this very dangerous situation. So become very convinced yourself of our philosophy and then your preaching will act. And ==try to sell as many books as possible at all the schools and colleges. This is scholarly information, flawless science.== **Kindly assist me in this great work, and know it for certain, that by your sincerely working in this way you shall very soon go back to home, back to Godhead. ==”== (SPL to Locana dasa, November 24th, 1971) 73-02 ==“== All programs must go on but it is a fact that this book distribution program is very, very important. It is real preaching work, but I think this program for TV and radio is not so important. There are so many TV programs. Someone will see us on TV and then right after they will see some other nonsense and they will forget. Therefore, it is better for them to read my books ==but I think your proposal for seriously organizing the college programs is first-class. If this program is conducted in the proper fashion it can be our biggest book distribution outlet, I am convinced of this.== You are advanced devotee and you should use your intelligence to convince the professors that they should use my books in the colleges. This will be the greatest service. ==”== ([[letters/1973/730214_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 14 February, 1973]]) *** 73-04 ==“== The report of book distribution going on in Chicago is very pleasing to me. As you know, our Chicago center is one of the most important. Please continue to use your intelligence to find out how to distribute my books more and more ==. I am especially pleased to learn that you are introducing my books as textbooks in the colleges. We especially have to try to attract the educated young men and women== **in your country so that in future there will be many strong leaders to keep our Krsna consciousness movement strong. ==”== ([[letters/1973/730407_govinda|Govinda dasa, 7 April, 1973]]) *** 74-04 * * ==“Yes, by all means you may print my morning walk speaking about 'Life comes from Life' into a small book; this argument should be spread, as any intelligent man will be convinced that our discussion is thoroughly scientific and exposes the so called materialistic scientists as rascals.== * * So go on printing and distributing as many books as possible; this is your real work and your personal success. ==”== ([[letters/1974/740421_whom_it_may_concern|Hamsaduta, 21 April, 1974]]) *** 74-05 ==“== The report of the BBT traveling library party is something new for us and this is also only the beginning. Please give my heartful thanks to the boys, Sriman Maha Buddhi dasa Brahmacari and Sriman Ghanasyama dasa Brahmacari. ==These books are specifically meant for the intellectual class of people in your country and I have great hope in the results of this preaching at the Universities.”== ([[letters/1974/740509_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 9 May, 1974]]) ==74-08 “It is very encouraging that many professors have purchased books for themselves and are considering to order them for their students. I very much like this program of the standing orders. Try to increase it up to 50,000 such orders from the libraries. I have written to Bali Mardan Goswami in this connection. Regarding the remark that distributing a book to a professor is 100 times better than to an ordinary man, I never said that. I said it was very important.”== (SPL to Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, 8th August,* 1974) 74-09 ==“== Your letter is very much pleasing to me with the report of the book distribution. Whenever I get report of my book selling I feel strength. Even now in this weakened condition I have got strength from your report. You should know that in this work you have Krsna's blessings. You are a sincere worker. Right from the very beginning when you joined me you have always been a sincere worker, therefore, I keep you as GBC. You may not be a good manager, but whatever I say you accept. These are all good qualifications. Others should follow your example and take instruction from you to push on this library program. I have instructed Tamala Krsna Goswami that he can also do this library program. The American people are very intelligent, therefore I concentrate on the Americans for spreading this movement. They are not crippled by poverty like here in India. In India of course the people are naturally Krsna conscious. Whenever we have some Krsna conscious program they come by the thousands, but they are crippled by poverty. Therefore it is difficult for them to take to this movement seriously. So ==you go on with your work there in America and distribute my books to these libraries. This is very encouraging to me, to write more books.”== (SPL to Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, September 2nd, 1974) 75-05 ==“== Thank you for sending the book reviews. They are very encouraging to me. As much as possible, we want our books to be accepted by all learned circles of men. ==Regarding sending books freely to any library== *.* The system that you can adopt is to send the books and tell them to read them over for one week's time. If they do not like the book, they should send it back at our cost. If they like it and want it, then they can send the amount of money to us (whatever the book sells for). But, ==we cannot give books away free to anyone. They must be paid for== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1975/750528_anangamanjari|Kirtiraja dasa, 28 May, 1975]]) *** 75-08 ==“== Your success of book distribution to the libraries has given me great pleasure. Gopala Krsna has discussed with me the problem of selling books imported under the present == == CCP. We are planning to import books for sale to libraries through an importer of books in Delhi. The arrangements will be finalized in about two weeks, and then we will be able to supply you with all the books you need for libraries. == This distribution of books to the libraries is very encouraging. Please expand this program all over India. == **In one library carrying my books, hundreds of people will be able to read. == ”== ([[letters/1975/750817_kirtanananda|Abhinanda dasa and Gopesvara dasa, 17 August, 1975]]) ==75-11 “Yes, my books should be introduced as regular reading in all courses. There are many evidences of the professors’ certificates== *,* so these can be utilized as proof of how our books are being appreciated. Now Cyavana Swami has made one inquiry from the Nobel Foundation for getting myself recognized as Nobel Prize for literature. Enclosed is the correspondence and you will see that one can be nominated by professors of literature and theology at universities and university colleges; so I think if you take up this matter and pursue it, you can get some professors to make the recommendation, such as Professor Judah, who is very familiar with our movement. Also, enclosed is one letter from Kartikeya Mahadeva who suggests in this regard and also Mukunda Prabhu from London has telephoned that the *Encyclopedia Brittanica* will be containing an article of 350 words on myself in their publication. ==”== ([[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|SPL Satsvarupa Maharaja, 9 November, 1975]]) ==75-11 “The report of the BBT Library Party is very encouraging to me that the main library of Harvard told us they would be honored to complete the collection of our books.== * * Just see. This is wonderful. Still University of New Brunswick has ordered our books even though they do not order religious books. This is a success. This quote by the head of their religion department of Oberlin is very important: ’I think the best feature of the Hare Krsna movement is that it is providing scholars with authorized translations of the rarest books on Krsna * bhakti.’ * This should be quoted and printed in a pamphlet. Also the fact that at Colorado Springs Library, eight volumes of their * Bhagavatam * had been taken out seven times in the past year. This should be published. You print one poster, big type and put the quotation of the Oberlin professor. You can title it * How Our Books Are Being Received* and have the quotation of the professor, the professor's remarks. This will be a good advertisement for our books. ==”== ([[letters/1975/751114_sri_v._s._murthy|Ramesvara dasa, 14 November, 1975]]) ==75-11 “On the whole it is very encouraging that the professors like our books. This is our success.== * * This quotation is very important: ’One professor went on to explain that the other books were mostly dealing with speculations in contrast to our books which presented religion as a way of life based on authentic writings.’ This is a very good quote. This should be publicized and it should be published in the new book that is being presented of all the quotations, * The Hare Krsna movement is Authorized. * As I had ordered you to preach and distribute to the libraries, so you are doing it. So I am very pleased with your activities. Now continue and increase. ==Everyone will want our books. We will always have customers. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy== * .* ==”== ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|Ghanasyama dasa, 20 November, 1975]]) *** 76-01 ==“Now you and all of your men are experienced in distributing books to the libraries. If you can get our books placed in the public libraries it will be a great victory. Do whatever you think best to make this possible. Yes, the reviews you are getting are very important. Many times I am showing them to influential gentlemen.”== ([[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 5 January, 1976]]) ==76-01 “I am always very much pleased with our Library Party's preaching. Their work is most important== *.* Ramesvara has sent me some recent review from Professors and there is no doubt that these intelligent men are deriving benefit from reading my books. These reviews make me very encouraged. Also, *The Krsna Consciousness Movement Is Authorized* has come out very nicely. The review or appreciation of your lecture sent by the professor shows that they are appreciating how nicely our men can present this perfect philosophy of Krsna consciousness. Go on vigorously expanding this preaching. You are proceeding in the right way. It is good that now you have arranged for independent support of the party. ==”== (SPL to Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, 22nd* January, 1976) ==76-02 “I have received a letter from Gopala Krsna wherein he states that you are distributing our books to libraries. That is solid. Simply by bluffing words these bogus gurus and yogis are actually accomplishing nothing. But when the people read our books then they will get good opinion.”== ([[letters/1976/760218_amogha|Amogha dasa, 18 February, 1976]]) ==76-05 “== Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 8th, 1976, and I have noted the contents with great pleasure. Continue with this program of standing orders. It is very important preaching work. At least if they read our books they will not speak nonsense that *kirtana* is nuisance. I have asked Gopala Krsna and Tejyas dasa to keep sufficient stock of all of our books so that we can supply the standing orders immediately. ==They very much appreciate the fine printing and color illustrations which are not available in other Indian publications. So somehow or other introduce these books into the universities and libraries like that== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1976/760511_giriraja|Mahabuddhi and Library Party, 11 May, 1976]]) *** 76-06 ==“I am in due receipt of your letters along with the list of standing orders thus far received. The library party is doing very nicely. It is nectar to my ears to hear the list of schools which are taking our standing order.”== ([[letters/1976/760606_b.r._sridhara_maharaja|Amogha dasa, 6 June, 1976]]) ## To Important People 73-04 ==“== The report of book distribution going on in Chicago is very pleasing to me. As you know, our Chicago center is one of the most important. Please continue to use your intelligence to find out how to distribute my books more and more. I am especially pleased to learn that you are introducing my books as textbooks in the colleges. ==We especially have to try to attract the educated young men and women in your country so that in the future there will be many strong leaders to keep our Krsna consciousness movement strong.”== ([[letters/1973/730407_govinda|Govinda dasa, 7 April, 1973]]) *** 74-05 ==“== The report of the BBT traveling library party is something new for us and this is also only the beginning. Please give my heartful thanks to the boys, Sriman Maha Buddhi dasa Brahmacari and Sriman Ghanasyama dasa Brahmacari. ==These books are specifically meant for the intellectual class of people in your country and I have great hope in the results of this preaching at the Universities.”== ([[letters/1974/740509_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 9 May, 1974]]) ==74-10 “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 due to distributing these books. So go on and do not divert your mind for a moment from this. I have full confidence in you.”== ([[letters/1974/741011_tejiyas|Ramesvara dasa, 11 October, 1974]]) ==75-02 “Try to increase the book distribution as much as possible. This is our business—to put our books in the hands of intelligent men of America. If they read even one page, the influence will be so great.”== ([[letters/1975/750202_sahadeva|Jagadisa dasa, 2 February, 1975]]) ==75-04 “It is a great service to sell our books to educational institutions. The more you do this, the more you become recognized by Krsna. Take standing orders, as much as possible. If you can induce any of these educational institutions to invite me, I shall go there to speak amongst the educated persons. Please continue your good work with added enthusiasm.”== (SPL to Amogha dasa, 17th* April, 1975) ==75-11 “The report of Ghanasyama Prabhu selling standing orders to the head of the Mormon church is very encouraging to me, may Krsna bless this boy.== Practically speaking there is no religion in the world, the only true religion is *Bhagavata-dharma,* that is the original religion of the human society, whatever else there may be passing as religion has come after Vedic literature. The whole world is in darkness, so we are bringing light in the shape of *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* Therefore this is the best service one can render to the human society, to give knowledge, how to go back to home, back to Godhead. ==”== ([[letters/1975/751127_ramesvara_prabhu|Ramesvara, 27 November, 1975]]) ==76-05 “Seeing the success of the BBT Library Party, I am therefore stressing so much on the book distribution. Let the higher section accept these books, it will be a great triumph. Then the nonsense remark that ’kirtana is nuisance’ will be stopped.”== ([[letters/1976/760504_giriraja|Giriraja, 4 May, 1976]]) ==76-06 “I== ** ==was very pleased to see how you are getting top-ranking men to read my books. That is real preaching. If all the government officers at least purchase some of our books, it will be a great credit so do it very nicely.”== ([[letters/1976/760618_tejiyas|Tejyas dasa, 18 June, 1976]]) ## Techniques: Honesty and Cheating, etc. ==68-11 “The sankirtana party is selling Back to Godhead nicely and if they display the record on a record player in the street, I think we can sell this album very nicely.”== ([[letters/1968/680929_krsna_devi_dinesh_candra|Krsna Devi and Dinesa Candra dasa, 29 September, 1968]]) ==68-12 “My only suggestion for this selling is to get the books widely reviewed in different papers and that is the only standard method of promoting this publication. By such reviews as soon as there is some demand all the book sellers will purchase from the publisher at least three copies each. That is the way of propagating sales organization.”== (SPL to Brahmananda, December 19th, 1968) ==69-01 “The best thing will be therefore, to organize sales of our books as other publishers are doing. The simple and approved method is to appoint at least 1,000 stores and booksellers== **who agree to purchase at least 3 copies a piece of our books as soon as they are published. This means that if we have 1,000 dealers, we can immediately sell 3,000 copies, and this will give us sustenance for conducting our own publication activities. I do not think it is a very difficult task to appoint such selling agents throughout the country. So yourself and Gargamuni should take charge of this organization, and for press management others shall take charge. In this way, if we can work on our publications, all of our poverty shall immediately be subsided. So think over this matter seriously. ==”== ([[letters/1969/690130_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 30 January, 1969]]) ==69-05 “== Regarding *Teachings of Lord Caitanya,* I am very glad to know that you are hopeful for great success. The stores demand of 40% for at least 4 copies is all right. There are about 1,000 stores in New York at least. So if they take 3 copies each, we immediately distribute 3,000 copies. Similarly, in the other big cities we can distribute at least 1,000 in each city. There are at least 25 important cities in your country so in each city, if we distribute at least 1,000 copies there is potency of distributing 25,000 copies in your country only, what to speak of other countries, like England or any other part of the world where English is spoken. So it requires only organization; and now that we have special ISKCON Books Department simply for the promotion and publication of our literatures, and you also have the help of Nayanabhirama and Bali Mardan, so the future looks very hopeful. Now ==you should definitely organize to distribute amongst the stores in the same conditions you have mentioned. Then our publication department will be a grand success.”== ([[letters/1969/690506_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 6 May, 1969]]) *** 69-06 ==“== I understand that you are feeling some inconvenience due to police interruption, but we have to make the best of a bad bargain. ==There is a Sanskrit proverb: sathe sathyamacareta, and this means if somebody is cunning== *,* ==we must also become cunning== *.* To a cunning person we must not be a simpleton. Krsna consciousness devotees are expected to be very intelligent, so we have to work very intelligently to prove our advancement in Krsna consciousness. I think you should keep a table by the *sankirtana* party, a table with a charity box and our books and literature for sale. You go on with your work as usual and when the police come, you say you are not canvassing. You have simply kept a table and whoever wishes to purchase may do so. This is called *sathe sathyamacareta.* ==”== ([[letters/1969/690608_ananda|Hamsaduta, 8 June, 1969]]) *** 70-02 * * ==“Regarding== * * ==what to do with the eyes while on sankirtana, your suggestion to look into the faces of the people and try to convince them of the sincerity of our movement is best. There is no need of artificial things like seeing the spirit soul. We talk, and we talk on Krsna topics—that is all.”== ([[letters/1970/700227_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 27 February, 1970]]) *** 71-03 ==“== These books are so nice that anyone who reads them is sure to become Krsna conscious. ==You can show them Krsna books and ask them to read any part and if they like what they have read they should purchase, and if not you will walk away. “'Who could resist? Krsna book is so nice that everyone will like it,== either as a story book, or history, or philosophy, or whatever, they are sure to be attracted. Simply it depends on your presentation. So do it nicely and Krsna will help you. ==”== (SPL to Sukadeva, March 25th, 1971) 71-12 * * ==“These books are the best advertising, they are better than advertising. If we simply present Krsna 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 anywhere 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 clear ways to get attention. No, our pure standard is enough. Let us stand on that basis. ==”== (SPL to Yogesvara, December 28th, 1971) ==72-01 “Regarding salesmanship, it is a great art. It can be used for selling Krsna consciousness also. I am very much engladdened that you are so much enthusiastic, and you may know it that Krsna will help such enthusiastic devotees. May Krsna bless you all around.”== (SPL to Hamsaduta, January 20th, 1972) 72-05 ==“So far the meaning of the word ’cheating,’ there are only three things to be known, that Krsna is the Supreme Enjoyer, the Supreme Proprietor of everything, and the Supreme Friend of everyone, and we say that honesty is acting upon the knowledge of these three facts.== * * So if one is always acting under these three facts, knowing Krsna to be the Supreme Proprietor, Enjoyer, and Friend, then he is truly honest, and if one is not acting in this knowledge, then he is always cheating or being dishonest. So if you apply this to your techniques for selling literature to persons in the * sankirtana* party, then you will understand what is the meaning of the word 'cheating.' ==”== (SPL to Bhakta dasa, May 2nd, 1972) 72-09 ==“== Regarding the question you have raised about travelling *sankirtana* parties and selling of books, yes, we want money. So that is the real preaching, selling books. Who can speak better than the books? At least whoever buys, he will look over. If you have to sell books, do it by hook or by crook. The real preaching is selling books. You should know the tactic how to sell without irritating. What your lecture will do for three minutes, but if he reads one page his life may be turned. ==We don't want to irritate anyone, however. If he goes away by your aggressive tactics, then you are nonsense and it is your failure. Neither you could sell a book, neither he would remain. But if he buys a book that is the real successful preaching== *.* That is the certificate of my Guru Maharaja, if someone, a *brahmacari,* would sell a one *paise* magazine, if one of our *brahmacaris* would go and sell a few copies, he would be very, very glad and say 'Oh!, you are so nice!' So distribution of literature is our real preaching. Now if you cannot handle the matter nicely, that is your fault. But the success of your preaching will be substantiated by how many books are sold. Anything you want to sell, you have to a little canvass, so he gives some money for the service of Krsna. That is his good luck and he gets the chance to read some transcendental knowledge. But if you only irritate and he goes away, that is your less intelligence. The fact is that we have to adopt the same tactics as ordinary salesmen adopt, but the difference is we do it for the satisfaction of Krsna, they do it for sense gratification. Actually we have experienced that sometimes out of sentiment some one gives to ISKCON and then laments and wants it back, but that does not mean we should give it back. Our policy is that his money which would have been used for purchasing cigarettes, liquor, sex literature, meat, will give him the opportunity to gradually become purified. So if by tactics we save that money from being spent on cigarette packets, that is good. If we can take some money and give some literature, that is good service. So far irritation is concerned, a child is also irritated when he is given instructions, but that does not mean that we should stop. Invite them to our feast, that is a better indication. So if the *sankirtana* parties in Satsvarupa's zone are irritating the public for selling so many books, that is one thing, but by their selling books they are doing the greatest service. What your one hour of preaching will do, they will hear and go away, but if they have one book at home they will read, their friends will read, and something solid work is done. So the art is to sell many, many books and not to irritate the public, so you may instruct all the others how to do this successfully. That is *sannyasa.* That is GBC. There are so many places to go, so why there should be business competition *sankirtana* parties in New York? This problem should be adjusted between the GBC men. ==”== (SPL to Bali Mardan, 30th September,* 1972) 72-12 ==“== So far this making some false story for collecting money or selling book, of course we may do anything for Krsna, but that is supposed to be reserved for very advanced experts in Krsna consciousnessthey know how to catch the big fish without themselves getting wet. So it is not very much advisable to make lies just to sell books. If we simply stick to describing how wonderful is Krsna, then whatever we may lie or exaggerate that will not be lie! But other things, lies, they will not help us to train ourselves in truthfulness. Lie to some, not to others, that is not a good philosophy. Rather the *brahmanas* are always truthful, even to their enemies. ==There is sufficient merit in our books that if you simply describe them sincerely to anyone, they will buy. That art you must develop, not art of lying. Convince them to give by your preaching the Absolute Truth, not by tricking, that is the more mature stage== * * of * * development of Krsna consciousness. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721225_sri_govinda|Sri Govinda, 25 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 ==“== Yes, if it is enhancing our distribution of books to wear warm clothes like coat-pants in winter, I have no objection, you may wear them. ==Of course we may take money for Krsna using any method of beg, borrow and steal, but more advanced understanding of Krsna consciousness process is that by telling the truth in a very palatable way-that is the most successful system.== **Your mentioning Bangladesh feeding of refugees, of course we are feeding sometimes the local inhabitants, up to 1,000 persons on some occasions, but there is no organized program of feeding the refugees at Mayapur. In fact, so far I have seen, all the refugees from Nadia district have gone back to Bangladesh, there are no more refugee camps. So it will not be the truth to say to people like that, but I have no objection if they give more hearing such thing. Let them say, who will check us? We may tell any damn thing to induce people to give us money on Krsna's behalf, that is not the point. The point is that by saying lies, the less advanced neophyte devotees may become entangled or disturbed in their minds by it. Of course by their collecting more money and giving to Krsna, He will relieve them of all anxiety of telling lies. But not everyone is able to catch the big fish without themselves becoming wet. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721231_bali-mardana|Bali Mardan, 31 December, 1972]]) ==72-12 “I am convinced that if you simply glorify Krsna and our books in the best descriptive manner, that anyone and everyone, no matter even atheist or otherwise, they can be convinced to purchase== *.* Of course, that is a great art and not everyone can do it, but gradually by practice of preaching in this way, striving to so much present a wonderful picture of our books to the people, gradually you will master the trick how to do it. Being the senior devotee there, you may give the younger students all good instruction and advice how to do this, but not for any reason shall we decrease the book sales and collection monthly over some small lying about Bangladesh or other things. ==”== ([[letters/1972/721231_bali-mardana|Bali Mardan, 31 December, 1972]]) ==73-07 “Regarding book distribution, everyone, including book distributors, must follow the standard regulations. Book distribution is preaching, it should not be thought of as done for money. It is executed as a preaching purpose. With these guidelines in mind, try to distribute as many books as possible.”== ([[letters/1973/730723_kurusrestha|Kurusrestha, 23 July, 1973]]) *** 73-09 ==“== I am especially encouraged by your increasing the distribution of books. That is our primary business, to sell these transcendental literatures profusely all over the world. And your methods which you have introduced for distributing the books are very much liked by me and approved fully. ==Whatever we have to do to induce people to take a book, that is nice. We shall judge the thing by its result, not by its means. But at the same time, we must avoid irritating anyone or disappointing anyone== **later by cheating them or telling big lies which become detected. Your program for approaching the businessmen in their offices is especially liked by me. Now tax your brain to create programs for engaging the wider and wider classes of population in Krsna consciousness. ==”== (SPL to Damodara, September 1st, 1973) 74-04 ==“== I am very keen on the distribution of my books and I am very indebted to all of you for your untiring efforts to see that every man and woman in America get one of my books. If they simply read one page, even if they do nothing else, they can become perfect. I have read the plans of Ramesvara and Tripurari to attend the fair and distribute to the thousands of people who are coming. ==Whatever transcendental tactics you leaders think best for distributing the books you can employ.== Please keep me informed of your progress as the Fair develops. ==”== ([[letters/1974/740420_bhavananda_jayapataka|Bhavananda and Jayapataka, 20 April, 1974]]) ==75-01 “If we simply speak nicely to a person and try sincerely to get him to take the book he'll take it. Why should we adopt unfair means? We should not do anything which will create a bad impression or make us unpopular. People are after these books, they are hankering for them. We don't need to take cheating method.== I * * never had to use any cheating method when I first began. I simply presented the real thing. Basically and practically speaking everything that is done sincerely for Krsna's satisfaction is perfect. But we have to be very, very careful in our dealings with others so that they will not take the wrong view. Just like the * gopis. * They left their homes in the dead of night to go and meet this young boy Krsna for kissing and embracing. To the ordinary person, this is sinful, but to the devotee, it is worship able and it is considered the highest form of devotion even by Lord Caitanya who was himself a very strict * sannyasi. * Therefore we are very careful not to discuss this * rasa-lila* in the presence of ordinary men because they will only misunderstand and commit offence. While dealing with the ordinary men, we must spread this movement in such a way that they will not misunderstand us and take offense. Try to sell as many of my books as possible to your best ability. ==”== ([[letters/1975/750101_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 1 January, 1975]]) ==75-01 “I have considered this matter of record distribution and have decided that it should be immediately stopped. It has simply caused havoc. It should be stopped everywhere. The stress must be on books, nothing else needs to be sold.== If someone hears a record, he will not understand anything of our philosophy. He will simply enjoy it as sense gratification. But if he gets a book and reads even one page, then he may very likely be induced to take part in our movement. These records are not important. My books are important. You should make arrangement to distribute them in as much quantity as possible. ==”== ([[letters/1975/750106_pancadravida|Hamsaduta dasa, 6 January, 1975]]) ==75-01 “Regarding dishonest means being used I have never advised or taught anyone like that. That is not my idea. This record distribution has caused havoc== . It should be stopped immediately. I have also asked Hamsaduta to stop it. Book distribution is our real business. If we give them a record, they simply hear some magical sounds and take it for sense gratification, but if they receive one of our books and read even one page, they get eternally benefited. Therefore I am stressing this book distribution, not other things. ==Stop record selling completely. This is my order== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1975/750106_pancadravida|SPL* to Ajita dasa, 6 January, 1975]]) *** 75-01 ==“== See what the actual situation there is in London. Study it very carefully and let me know how things are going. ==Hamsaduta was giving stress to selling records using all tricks, by any means. The incident in Germany has caused havoc all over the world. It is hampering our reputation everywhere. I do not want this record distribution to continue. It must be stopped immediately== *.* I have already informed Hamsaduta. Distributing books is our real business, not these records. Has anyone ever become convinced in Krsna consciousness by listening to this record? No. He will simply think it is nice magical sounds, that's all. But, if he reads one book, he will be convinced about spiritual life. That is our success. So, stop this record distribution immediately everywhere. And stress book distribution more and more. Enclosed is one letter from Ajita dasa who is the Stockholm temple president. He is expressing the typical type of anxiety and confusion which arises from this record selling business. ==”== (SPL to Brahmananda Swami, Bombay 7th January, 1975) ==75-01 “== Regarding the controversy about book distribution techniques, you are right. ==Our occupation must be honest. Everyone should adore our members as honest== *.* If we do something which is deteriorating to the popular sentiments of the public in favor of our movement, that is not good. Somehow or other, we should not become unpopular in the public eye. ==These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world== *.* Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under the name 'ISKCON Food Relief.’ Not any other name. And every farthing of that money must be sent to India, or better yet, buy food grains there and ship them here and we will distribute. But every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose. I have already sent one letter to Ramesvara explaining these points. ==”== ([[letters/1975/750109_rupanuga|Rupanuga dasa, 9 January, 1975]]) ==75-03 “Regarding the question about selling records there, I have already told Hamsaduta that it may continue temporarily until the stock is finished, but you must give a book with each record.”== ([[letters/1975/750203_radhey_syam_kripalu|Prabhavisnu dasa, 3 February, 1975]]) *** 75-05 ==“== Thank you for sending the book reviews. They are very encouraging to me. As much as possible, we want our books to be accepted by all learned circles of men. Regarding sending books freely to any library. The system that you can adopt is to send the books and tell them to read them over for one week's time. If they do not like the book, they should send it back at our cost. If they like it and want it, then they can send the amount of money to us (whatever the book sells for). But, ==we cannot give books away free to anyone. They must be paid for== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1975/750528_anangamanjari|Kirtiraja dasa, 28 May, 1975]]) *** 75-07 * * ==“Regarding the problem of how to be aggressive on sankirtana and submissive in the temple, my request to you is that you should go on being aggressive on sankirtana== * .* I myself was aggressive in coming to your country. No one invited me. Even you boys and girls did not invite me. But, I came and I preached aggressively, and therefore you are now my disciples. So now you well know you have to approach the men and women of your country, and it may appear that superficially that you have to disturb them. They are doing their business peacefully, and you come and disturb them, 'Please take this * Krsna* book.’ Of course it is good that you are concerned about being chaste, shy and submissive amongst your Godbrothers. Canakya Pandit said that every man should see all other women as mother, and similarly a woman should see all men as son. So what is your difficulty? If you are completely aggressive on *sankirtana,* there should be no material aggressiveness and pride remaining. You have to distinguish between devotees and non-devotees. Aggression for the cause of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is pure. If you become completely absorbed in such aggression to spread the *sankirtana* movement, there will be no question of wanting to lord it over in the temple. Preaching purifies us of these material tendencies for sense gratification. It is simply a matter of time that you will see this. Do not worry. Krsna will help you. ==”== (SPL to Srimati Jagaddhatri, Pasupati, Sailogata, and Pamela devi dasi's, 30th July, 1975) 75-08 * * ==“Regarding the free distribution of books, there is no need in this country. They have sufficient money and sometimes they pay more than the price. Here in this country if literature is given free of charge, they throw it away.== * * In most cases we offer our books and ask for a contribution. And, sometimes they pay three times or four times the requested price. So about money matters they are very liberal. Krsna has given them money, and they spend it very liberally. ==”== ([[letters/1975/750807_dr._y.g._naik|Dr. Naik, 7 August, 1975]]) ==75-09 “Regarding the libraries taking the books, they can be given up to 25% discount. We shall take a standing order from them and supply whatever we can, and the balance by and by== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1975/750909_hansadutta|Mahamsa Swami, 9 September, 1975]]) ==75-11 “I have read the clipping and you have also mentioned of the women wearing karmi clothes and going into sex movies and bars late at night for collecting. So this kind of canvassing should be immediately stopped.”== ([[letters/1975/751121_dr._w.h._wolf-rottkay|Nalinikanta dasa, 21 November, 1975]]) *** 76-01 ==“== The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books are qualified to be distributed un1imitedly. We are not fiction writers. It is a fact that no expert book salesmen can compete with our men. ==The librarian has noted the difference between our men and other publisher's men. We are working for heart and soul, not for money== *.* Such expert salesmen would have to be paid at least $1,000 per month. That means if they had as many men as our Library Party they would have to pay at least $15,000 per month. ==”== ([[letters/1976/760118_ramesvara|Ramesvara, 18 January, 1976]]) *** 76-01 ==“== Regarding the donation of $6,000 for distribution of books, you can send one or two copies to very distinguished men. You can address them: ’Sir, kindly have a glance over these books. If you like you can keep them and send the price or if not you can return them at our cost.’ In this way you can write them. But ==don't give them freely. There should be either the option to pay or return. Neither you should give the books to the Librarians of public and hospital libraries, it will not be fruitful== *.* They have their managing committees, so approach these men individually to purchase books for the libraries. ==”== ([[letters/1976/760122_jayatirtha|Jayatirtha, 22 January, 1976]]) ==76-02 “Regarding distribution of my books, somebody may say something, but that doesn't matter. Somehow or other they are taking our Krsna book. However it should be done so there is not legal implication. And aggressiveness is not good. That should be checked== *.* ==”== ([[letters/1976/760216_satadhanya|Gadi dasa, 16 February, 1976]]) *** 76-10 ==“== A film showing illegal techniques of distributing my books (Money shuffle) were never authorized by me. If it is actually a fact what you say, then stop it immediately. In all our dealings we should be above suspicion. They say 'First impressions are lasting.' ==If someone feels cheated by our men because they are using dubious methods of distribution and collecting money, our purity may be doubted and reputation spoiled== *.* So please do not allow such film showing to take place until I have seen the film personally. ==”== ([[letters/1976/761015_dr._r.m._dave|Kīrtanānanda, 15 October, 1976]]) ## Door to Door 71-02 ==“I am so glad to hear that you are beginning door to door sankirtana. This door to door sankirtana is the mission of Lord Caitanya. Even there is language barrier, this door to door sankirtana will fulfill your mission and you can introduce our literatures to the higher circles as you have done by presenting Krsna book to the Prime Minister. I have news from Bali Mardan that Krsna book is in great demand in that part of the world. I do not know if in Fiji it is the same.”== (SPL to Upendra, February 16th, 1971) ==71-03 “Also continue your program of door to door sankirtana. That is certainly Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's movement and he will bestow upon you all blessings.”== (SPL to Rsabhadeva, March 25th, 1971) 71-04 “ ==Tour program of door to door sankirtana is very encouraging. The more men understand the importance of our movement, the more they will invite us to their homes and clubs because Krsna consciousness is the life giving ambrosia. So increase this program more and more and we shall be able to distribute all our books, which is even more important than membership. Of course, if he can do both at the same time, that is best.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, April 11th, 1971) 71-09 ** ==“You have got complete capacity to spread this Krsna consciousness movement. That is a fact. So work enthusiastically and with patience and your attempt will be successful by the grace of Krsna. And continue this door to door program. It is very nice. Lord Nityananda used to do that; Haridasa Thakura used to do that; all of Lord Caitanya's close associates used to do that. So we must follow in their footprints.”== (SPL to Jagadisa, September 2nd, 1971) 77-01 ==“== I have also heard that ==you are making plans for a very large order of my books from the BBT to be sold on a door to door basis on the style of the encyclopedia sales.== * * If you can do this it will revolutionize our book distribution and afford greater spreading of Krsna consciousness than any book distribution thus far. I want that every respectable person has a full set of * Bhagavatam * and * Caitanya-caritamrta * in his home. I have given some suggestions how this book distribution in the homes can be done to one of my secretaries, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami and you can consult further with him as well as with Ramesvara and Tamala Krsna Maharajas. ==”== (SPL to* Prasadam Distributing International, Newport Beach, California USA, Alex, Bob, Drdha-vrata, Gupta, Rsabhadeva and Stan, 24th January, 1977)