Today I met two people who, upon seeing Srila Prabhupada's books, disclosed that they had had some exposure 20 years ago! Sankirtan book distribution is purifying for the distributor - and these two experiences made me realize how deeply penetrating Srila Prabhupada's Krishna Consciousness movement is.
We were exploring a new area today, and there wasn't much foot traffic. Shivering in the cold I decided to walk a few feet away from the table to stand in some sunlight. From the restaurant behind me out came a gentleman in his 40's carrying take-out pizza and in a rush. I asked him if he had ever tried meditation and, to my surprise, he said he had! He listened intently as I described Gurudev's book, and resonated with how in our search for happiness we are basically trying to avoid unhappiness, but where is the real happiness? When I taught him the Maha-Mantra, he said that he had heard this mantra more than 20 years ago in Argentina! He didn't remember the details, but the mantra was clearly stored away somewhere in his subconscious, doing it's work, and now connecting him with a transcendental book to continue his journey...
Similarly, I stopped a young couple, and the man was interested in meditation and said he practices regularly, a silent/zen-stlye meditation he called it. He was very favorable and gave a $10 for a Bhagavad-Gita so I decided to give him a Perfection of Yoga as well. Upon seeing the POY he exclaimed, "Wait a minute, I got this book 20 years ago!"
What is the power of Srila Prabhupad's books that they leave such a deep impression on people's hearts? So much so that 20 YEARS LATER they are still feeling the effects? I developed deeper faith through this in understanding the the books are definitely not material, they are ACTUALLY the literary incarnation of Krishna. Once you keep Krishna with you (in the mantra, or in the book), you are on the path of devotion - no matter how long it takes! What's 20 years in the span of multiple millions of lifetimes, anyway?
"śrī-caitanya mālākāra pṛthivīte āni’
bhakti-kalpataru ropilā siñci’ icchā-pāni""Thus the Lord brought the desire tree of devotional service to this earth and became its gardener. He sowed the seed and sprinkled upon it the water of His will." CC Adi 9.9
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