Books Are the Basis

“One Krishna book sold means we go forward one step in our Krishna consciousness. We should always remember this.”

Through the distribution of this literature, we can completely annihilate all the bogus yogi groups in the world. Of this fact I am sure. Therefore there is no need for us to directly attack these charlatans but simply by this distribution of books the sunlight of Krishna consciousness will prevail. (to Ramesvara 14 February, 1973)

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.(to Mandali Badra 20 January, 1972)

The best news is that you are increasing nicely the distribution of my books and literature. This is the best activity, to distribute solid information about Krishna. Our preaching stands solid on these books. No other movement or cult has such a vast background of authority. So we are not afraid to challenge anyone and everyone to defeat their philosophy on the basis of that authority. Krishna appreciates such strong preachers as His dearmost servants, so let us work very enthusiastically to drive away rascal philosophy and establish the real religion of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. (to Upendra 8 December, 1971)

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 Kund he told me that since constructing the big marble temple at Bhag Bazaar, there have been so many difficulties. Our men are envious over who will live in each room. I think it would be better to take off all the marble 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. (to Srutadev 24 Oct, 1974)

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 the railway is going nicely. Similarly all of us should see that our literatures are profusely distributed. That means our missionary work is going on nicely. Otherwise we are simply sleeping and eating. The literature we have already designated as “brhat mrdunga.” So distribution of literature means great Sankirtana. (to Karandhara 9 Oct, 1971)

Opening temples should not be encouraged at this time. Subal did the same thing in Santa fee years ago, why again is he doing the same thing? Hansadutta in Germany instead of increasing the temples and Deity worship he has increased the Sankirtana parties. He is running on 8 new buses and distributing large quantities of literature, this is more important. Neglectful Deity worship means offense. So make propaganda in this way, but in the bus there should not be Deity worship, simply the picture of Guru Gurunga. (to Jagadish 15 Aug, 1973)

So now Krishna has sent you a nice bus, and you also have a good field for preaching. Chant, dance, distribute books and Prasadam and everything will increase automatically. (Satsvarupa 8 Aug, 1973)

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. (to Karandhar 2 May, 1972)

It has been brought to my attention that some of my students are not studying. I do not know if this applies to you or the devotees under your care, but I must stress again that we must have our classes one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and the devotees must also chant regularly their sixteen rounds and follow the principles. The rest of the time they may go on distribution of my books. So I hope you will do the needful in this regard. (to Ramesvara 14 Feb, 1973)

You state that you will be the largest distributor of Back To Godhead in the world. That 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 the largest distributor! (to Sridama 17 Nov, 1971)

Book distribution must not be neglected. If things deteriorate that is another thing, but it is not the fault of book distribution. (Rupanuga 19 Oct, 1974)

Householders can earn their livelihood by distributing our books also. This is one of the points of our new book distribution program and you can get more details from Karandhar or Rupanuga. (to Sri Govinda 13 Jul, 1971)

It is much more important that you utilize your valuable time and energy to distribute our magazines and books. That is real propaganda work. (to Sri Govinda 13 Jul, 1971)

Book distribution is a very important program and you should give much attention to developing it. If anyone simply reads our KRSNA Book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar Of Devotion, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, he is sure to become a Krishna conscious person. So somehow or other, either through the schools or 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 Krishna. (to Vamanadev 5 Mar, 1971)

I am glad to hear from you how the distribution of literatures is improving. That is the real meaning of improvement. (to Balavanta 22 Dec, 1971)

Again I am feeling overjoyed at hearing of your increased distribution program and I request you to increase more and more. There can be no limit to our distribution because Krishna is unlimited, so you may instruct the devotees there about this. (to Nityananda 18 Feb, 1973)

I am very pleased to hear from you that book sales are increasing very fast. I am hearing such good news from all over the society, and this pleases me more than anything. (to Bhakta 16 Jan, 1972)

I am most pleased that you are distributing many books. Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure. (to Giriraj 28 Dec, 1971)

I am very much pleased to hear of your increased book distribution and it gives me great pleasure to hear of your increased eagerness to distribute my literature. (to Ramesvara 14 Feb 1973)

I am very pleased that your literature sales are increasing. I want this especially, that my books be sold everywhere, as many as possible. Kindly do this and I shall be very pleased. (to Bhakta 20 Nov, 1971)

Just try to give this Krishna philosophy to the intelligent class of men, and distribute our books as many as possible, and all your efforts will come out successful. (to Krishna devi 20 Nov, 1971)

Practically our society means books, so if there are no books how can we preach? (to Bali Mardan 28 Dec, 1971)

It is very good that you are also going on Sankirtana [Street Chanting] and distributing books. Others will be enthused to distribute by your example. That is our life: anandambudhi-vardhanam. (to Ramesvara 14 Nov, 1974)

It is so very nice to hear how the book distribution is going on. This is our main business, distributing these books all over the world and thus turning the minds of the fallen souls towards Krishna. (to Sri Govinda 31 Jan, 1973)

Yes, you are correct that by distributing books, the income will be sufficient for all programs. (to Tripurari 12 Nov, 1974)

These books are so potent that anyone who reads them is sure to become Krishna conscious. They are so nice. So we want to make propaganda in that way. And if you are enthusiastic & sincere in your efforts, then Krishna will give you all facility. (to Prahladananda 17 Jun, 1971)

Regarding book distribution, this is my foremost desire, to have my books circulated profusely. (to Prabhu Vishnu 4 Jan, 1975)

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. (to Kurusrestha 23 Jul, 1973)

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 we could distribute them. But now in your temple alone you are distributing so many, so this is 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 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. (to Vamandev 3 Dec, 1972)

This book selling is the real preaching of our cult. Especially when you sell Caitanya-caritamrta and Srimad Bhagavatam. They will understand what we mean by reading these books. (to Tripurari 12 Nov, 1974)

I am encouraged to see your report of books sold, because it proves that you consider it your responsibility to see that more and more people are reading our literature. Actually, this is the solid base for our preaching, and if someone reads our Krishna philosophy he becomes convinced. So try to increase the effect of preaching by distributing many books and magazines, and this is the basis of all your success. (to Jagadish 17 Dec, 1971)

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. (to Makanlal 11 Dec, 1973)

Your report of book distribution is very encouraging. Make a 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. (to Ramesvara 4 Jan, 1975)

This book distribution program is our real propaganda work and Krishna is giving you intelligence how to do it nicely. Thank you very much. (to Madhucara 25 Sep, 1971)

We stand on our Krishna philosophy, and because it has the full potency of Krishna Himself, there is no limit to the effect it will have upon the world if we remain sincere and convinced for spreading this philosophy purely. (to Bahlasva 30 Nov, 1971)

I’m especially 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 Krishna 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. (to Damodara 3 Dec, 1971)

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. (to Locan 24 Nov, 1971)

As more students become involved in our philosophical discussions, you will be able to sell them our books. I want that my books and literatures should be very widely distributed, as many as possible. (to Galim 20 Nov, 1971)

Especially you must always be eager to supply all our branches all over the world with whatever literature they require, not that they must pay and then get books like ordinary mundane business. It is not that they shall not pay for books, but that payment must come gradually and in regular installments. (to Kirtiraja 27 Nov, 1971)

Your book distribution, that is very nice. Our books are unique, and all this distribution means that they are being appreciated. There is no such literature throughout the whole world. (to Bhakta 4 Mar, 1973)

So far as the woman 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 Kirtananda Maharaja is encouraging our woman devotees not to go out on Sankirtana for book distribution. Everyone should go out. (to Karandhar 6 Oct, 1973)

 Transcendental
Book Distribution
Ki Jaya!All Glories to
Srila Prabhupada!!! 

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