Hare Krishna!
Welcome to the ninth issue of "Waves of Sankirtana", the monthly newsletter of the
India Sankirtana Leaders Team! In this issue, we cover the following
highlights:
1. Srila Prabhupada Speaks: "This is our main program."
2. India Sankirtana Report Card - January 2015
3. Sankirtana Stories: Software engineer receives Srimad Bhagavatam
4. FAQ : How to address sensitive or controversial questions relating to current events when people ask us during book distribution?
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All glories to the wonderful service by devotees across India! The table below lists individual book distributors for January 2015 with world rank, name, book points, and temple affiliation.
Book Scores:
Srimad Bhagavatam Full Set : 4
Bhagavad-gita- Telugu: 330
Bhagavad Gita - English:185
Bhagaad gita Tamil - 43
Bhagavad gita Kannada - 2
Bhagavad gita Malayalam - 10
Krsna,The supreme personality of Godhead - 5
Civilization and Transcendence - 24
Krsna Resorvoir of Pleasure - 75
Message of God head- 110
Perfection of Yoga- 80
On the way to Krsna-60
Sri Isopanisad - 1
Science of Self Realization - 1
Software Engineer receives Srimad Bhagavatam Set:
Recently, we distributed one full set of Srimad Bhagavatam (English) to a software engineer in Bangalore. He had previously read the first two cantos during his college days... Just a few days back, he sent the below mail to me:
"I actually started reading Bhagawatham from my college time. I studied in Jain College, Basavangudi. So, I used to read in the Library then, and slowly I had finished reading two cantos. I wanted to read the etire Bhagavatham and had dreamt of owning all the cantos, and hence bought them. :) Also, I want to attend Srimad Bhagavatam class in a nearby area. Please let me know the place and time."
Its very inspiring and more blissful when we meet such people during book distribution. There are so many souls like him, waiting to read the Srimad Bhagavatam and they are eagerly waiting for us to take up the challenge and go out to distribute books! All glories to Sankirtana!!
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Srila Prabhupada Speaks
Prabhupāda: Anywhere, this is our main program. Print books as many as possible and distribute. This is our main program. All other programs are secondary. So with this aim in view, work all together. Our Caitanya-caritāmṛta is unique literature. For Caitanya-caritāmṛta, we are above any ācārya. There are four ācāryas: Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya, Viṣṇu Svāmī... But our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava, Caitanya Mahāprabhu's legacy, ācārya's, that is unique. Anarpita-cariṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇa kalau. Here the Supreme Personality of Godhead is personally teaching-ācārya. Anarpita-cariṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇa kalau samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam... [continued at following link]
India Sankirtana Report Card - January 2015
The graph and
chart below show the Indian temples that made it to the Top 50 list (or
close) as per the World Sankirtana Newsletter for January 2015.
All glories to the wonderful service by devotees across India! The table below lists individual book distributors for January 2015 with world rank, name, book points, and temple affiliation.
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Sankirtana News & Stories
Report from ISKCON Sri Jagannath Mandir, Seshdripuram, and Mathra BACE: HG Krishna Mitra Nitai DasaBook Scores:
Srimad Bhagavatam Full Set : 4
Bhagavad-gita- Telugu: 330
Bhagavad Gita - English:185
Bhagaad gita Tamil - 43
Bhagavad gita Kannada - 2
Bhagavad gita Malayalam - 10
Krsna,The supreme personality of Godhead - 5
Civilization and Transcendence - 24
Krsna Resorvoir of Pleasure - 75
Message of God head- 110
Perfection of Yoga- 80
On the way to Krsna-60
Sri Isopanisad - 1
Science of Self Realization - 1
Software Engineer receives Srimad Bhagavatam Set:
Recently, we distributed one full set of Srimad Bhagavatam (English) to a software engineer in Bangalore. He had previously read the first two cantos during his college days... Just a few days back, he sent the below mail to me:
"I actually started reading Bhagawatham from my college time. I studied in Jain College, Basavangudi. So, I used to read in the Library then, and slowly I had finished reading two cantos. I wanted to read the etire Bhagavatham and had dreamt of owning all the cantos, and hence bought them. :) Also, I want to attend Srimad Bhagavatam class in a nearby area. Please let me know the place and time."
Its very inspiring and more blissful when we meet such people during book distribution. There are so many souls like him, waiting to read the Srimad Bhagavatam and they are eagerly waiting for us to take up the challenge and go out to distribute books! All glories to Sankirtana!!
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FAQ: How to address sensitive or controversial questions relating to current events when people ask us during book distribution?
Answer: The best option is to avoid or circumvent the topic and focus on the book. If he/she gets the book, the answers are in there so we don't have to do much talking! However, if the situation does not mend this way, the first thing to do is to not panic or get defensive about a particular issue. Often, such questions offer us a unique opportunity, a "teachable moment" where we can teach ourselves the value of patience, humility, and empathy. We may not be always qualified or educated or knowledgeable to speak about various topics and successfully "convert" the person in front of us (which is not our aim actually), but we can always listen with an open mind and an honest heart. Can't we?
While it is rare on book distribution, people do ask us questions (sometimes in a challenging manner) about difficult topics such as abortion, or rape, or cow slaughter. How much do we actually know that we can speak with authority about such things? We can present the stance of the sampradaya on these matters in a genuine and composed manner to the best extent that we have heard from guru, sadhu, and sastra, without coming off as fanatical.
Ultimately, however, it is useful to empathize with the person and listen without interrupting before presenting our response in a non-judgemental manner. Simply shooting slokas at him/her or quoting from our knowledge to fight an opposing argument will neither distribute the book nor facilitate the person to take a book in the future. Instead, if we maintain an attitude of genuine and open-minded communication, it will leave a positive impression and diffuse the bomb-like situation safely.
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Tell us what you think!
We are eager to learn how to serve you better! Please write to us at indiasankirtana@gmail.com:
- Report your book distribution scores,
- Share your experiences, realizations, and stories,
- Ask (or answer) a question (FAQ) on book distribution,
- Suggest a book distributor who could share valuable insights,
- Give ideas for how to make this newsletter better and sweeter,
- Get involved with ISLT strategy and help develop this newsletter,
- Extend your support and encouragement with comments or letters.
For your convenience, we have also included a contact form on the right hand side bar of this page. Thank you very much for reading this month's newsletter!
Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam!
Your servants,
Sri Rama Dasa
Krishna Mitra Nitai Dasa
Vamsuli Dasa
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Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam!
Your servants,
Sri Rama Dasa
Krishna Mitra Nitai Dasa
Vamsuli Dasa
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