Inspirational Quotes on Book Distribution from

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda

Founder-Äcärya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

“KINDLY HELP ME”

“So kindly help me. This is my request. Print as many books in as many languages and
distribute throughout the whole world. Then Kåñëa consciousness movement will
automatically increase.”
ARRIVAL ADDRESS, LOS ANGELES, JUNE 2 0 , 1 9 7 5

Introduction
This book is dedicated to those followers of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada who made the distribution of His books their goal and life. Meditating about
Srila Prabhupada's ecstasy when receiving His newly printed book and His joy when hearing
the latest book distribution results, these devotees are daily facing maya's illusions while
trying to deliver Srila Prabhupada 's antidote to slumbering, conditioned souls. As Srila
Prabhupada forever lives in His books, they also become eternal associates of Srila
Prabhupada while following in His footsteps. The glories of the distribution of
Srila Prabhupada 's books are endless. The benefit for their receivers is uncountable. The
lives of those dedicated book distributors are glorious and their place in Srila Prabhupada 's
transcendental heart is already reserved. As Srila Prabhupada enclosed all his personal
ecstasies and the transcendental revelations of His predecessors in His books, His book
distributors are breaking the storehouse of His ecstasies open, flooding the world with this
most precious gifts.

Everything can be found in Srila Prabhupada's books for those who want to see. Serving at
the essence of Srila Prabhupada's movement, these book distributors are the greatest
benefactors of the humanity. As Srila Prabhupada's movement is centered around publishing
and spreading His literature, these book distributors live at the very center and foundation of
the house Srila Prabhupada built, “in which everybody can live". The “sankirtan-sütras" as
quoted in this book for the inspiration of these distributors are the essence of Srila
Prabhupada's instructions just as Srila Prabhupada's books are the essence of Vedic wisdom.

As the material manifestation is in constant flux, Srila Prabhupada's books are the only
permanent shelter in this material world, bringing sanity and serenity into these Kali-yuga
days full of hypocrisy and quarrel.

When a spark of enthusiasm for distributing Srila Prabhupada's books can be generated in
the hearts of only a few dedicated souls, the publishers of this book would consider their
endeavor a success while falling at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.

As Srila Prabhupada said: "Distribute books, distribute books, distribute books."

Your servant, Manidhara Prabhu

The sufferings of humanity are due to forgetfulness of Kåñëa as the supreme enjoyer, the
supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend. Therefore, to act to revive this consciousness
within the entire human society is the highest welfare work.
BHAGAVAD - GÉTÄ AS IT IS 5.25, PURPORT

If there is any credit to my activities of translating, it is all due to His Divine Grace.
Certainly if His Divine Grace were personally present at this time, it would have been a great
occasion for jubiliation, but even though he is not physically present, I am confident that he
is very pleased by this work of translation. He was very fond of seeing many books
published to spread the Krishna consciousness movement. Therefore our society, the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness, has formed to execute the order of Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu and His Divine Grace Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhakura. [...]
CONCLUDING WORDS TO CAITANYA - CARITAMRITA

Following the footsteps

Çré Närada Muni plays on his instrument to glorify the transcendental activities of the Lord
and to give relief to all miserable living entities of the universe. No one is happy here within
the universe, and what is felt as happiness is mäyä’s illusion. The illusory energy of the Lord
is so strong that even the hog who lives on filthy stool feels happy. No one can be truly
happy within the material world. Çréla Närada Muni, in order to enlighten the miserable
inhabitants, wanders everywhere. His mission is to get them back home, back to Godhead.
That is the mission of all genuine devotees of the Lord following the footsteps of that great
sage.
SRIMAD - BHAGAVATAM 1.6.38, PURPORT

Everything within this material world will be destroyed, and therefore one should use
everything for good purposes. If one is advanced in knowledge, he must always be prepared
to sacrifice anything for a better cause. At the present moment the entire world is in a
dangerous position under the spell of a godless civilization. The Krishna consciousness
movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God
consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in
knowledge to join the Kåñëa consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the great
cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society.
SRIMAD - BHAGAVATAM 6.10.6, PURPORT

Now I am trying for printing arrangement and this book also can be nicely printed provided
you take charge of distribution. I am very much anxious for sale of my books. It has to be
organized; please think over this matter. If the books are not properly sold
how I can print so many books.
LETTER TO KIRTANANDA, 27 APRIL 1967
“Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I
wish that if I live or die you should take very serious care for my publications.”
LETTER TO HAYAGRÉVA, 10 JUNE 1967

“If I have one or two sincere souls like you and if we can make more publications, then our
mission will be a great success. I am prepared to sit down underneath a tree with one sincere
soul and in such activity, I shall be free from all diseases.”
LETTER TO BRAHMÄNANDA, 11 OCTOBER 1967

widespread sales of these books

When these books arrive to your Montreal temple, it will be great service if you can help
your god-brothers in arranging for widespread sales of these books. We are writing so
many literatures and this is very good, but also we must make arrangement for distribution to
the public at large. So jointly you may prepare for doing the needful in this matter.
LETTER TO JAYAPATÄKA, 1 DECEMBER 1968

Main business Sankirtana

You are trying for the new Temple, but our main business is Sankirtana and distribution of
literature. If Kåñëa gives us a better place, that is all-right. Otherwise, we can remain at any
place never mind hell or heaven; but we shall be only very cautious about propagating our
Sankirtan Movement.
Letter to Madhudvisa – 26 March, 1970

“And then we take the books and publish them in French and German languages. My Guru
Mahäräja liked the publication of books very nice. He liked publication of books more than
construction of temples.”
LETTER TO TAMAL KRISHNA, 15 MAY 1970

PEOPLE HEAR MORE ABOUT KRISHNA

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 Krishna Consciousness Movement, so distribution of our books and
literatures is our major propaganda program.
LETTER TO HAÀSADÜTA, 29 JUNE, 1970

So 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 Kåñëa 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.
LETTER TO BHAGAVAN, 22 SEPTEMBER 1970

Please also try to introduce our books in the colleges and schools as well as local libraries. I
have received word from other centers that our literatures are very well received and often
they are being used as course textbooks in the schools and colleges. You are already
preaching on the university campuses, so you add this book distribution to your program and
make it complete with preaching, chanting of Hare Krishna mahamantra, distribution of
prasadam and literatures. I know how well this program is received by the students because
they are very intelligent. You are also very intelligent and devotee of Krishna and Krishna
will give you even moreintelligence in proportion to your endeavor to serve Him faithfully.
LETTER TO NAYANABHIRAMA, 26 OCTOBER 1970

“I want that each and every one of my centers should be fully stocked with all of my books.”
LETTER TO SATSVARÜPA, 4 NOVEMBER 1970

Supreme absolute truth

Yes, we are fighting impersonalism and voidism with pure devotional service.
Impersonalism and voidism kills the natural aptitude of devotion which is lying dormant in
everyone’s heart. Therefore we are printing books like our KRISHNA book so that people
may know it that the supreme absolute truth is a person. The perfection of every living
creature is to render transcendental loving service to that Supreme Person and thereby go
back home, back to Godhead. Kåñëa has said in Bhagavad- gétä that whoever explains my
transcendental glories to others is most dear to me in this world and never will there be one
more dear to me than he’.
LETTER TO BHAGAVÄN, 24 NOVEMBER 1970

Use everything
So go on with your organization for distribution of my books through press and other
modern media and Kåñëa will certainly be pleased upon you. We can use everything—
television, radio, movies, or whatever there may be—to tell about Kåñëa and outside of
devotional service all these modern paraphernalia are just so much rubbish.
LETTER TO BHAGAVÄN, 24 NOVEMBER 1970

“My Guru Mahäräja used to say, “Don’t worry about money. Do something nice for Krishna
and money will come.” So we should always be thinking how to distribute the message of
Kåñëa, and surely he will give us facility. Even an ordinary man, if he wants publicity, then
he gives so much money for the propaganda work. Similarly, Krishna is not poor. He can
supply any amount for the devotees engaged in broadcasting his glories.”
LETTER TO KARÄNDHARA, 30 NOVEMBER, 1970

Our book distribution program is most important work. Anyone reading our KRISHNA
book, TLC, NOD, and Bhagavad-gétä As It Is, is sure to become a Krishna Conscious
person. Therefore somehow or other we must push on this literature distribution program,
either through schools, colleges, libraries, life membership program or ordinary sales.
LETTER TO JANANIVÄSA, 5 MARCH 1971

Yes, my order still stands. Please organize BTG distribution and do it nicely. Sankirtana
Party and distribution of our magazines and books is our real program. Other things are
secondary. So during the summer time you should utilize this program of Saìkértana and
book distribution vigorously.
LETTER TO SATSVARÜPA, 21 JUNE 1971
Again and again fresh
”The books sales are very encouraging, increasing, increasing. It is very good news. Thank
you, I want this [. . .] 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.”
LETTER TO HAÀSADÜTA, 8 OCTOBER 1971

Transcendental plot
“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.”
LETTER TO LALITA KUMAR, 15 NOVEMBER 1971

Many fanatic spiritual movements have come and gone, but without the flawless philosophy
of Krishna, they cannot stand. Therefore I want especially that my books and
literature should be distributed profusely. This is our substance, real philosophical
information, not some weak sentiments. So try for this, to give all men this Krishna
philosophy, and many real devotees will come with us back to Home, back to Godhead.”
LETTER TO LALITA KUMAR, 27 NOVEMBER 1971

I want that you all my students, shall very vigorously try for this book distribution.”
LETTER TO KIRTÉRÄJA, 27 NOVEMBER 1971

Pleasing to Krishna
Do not hesitate to use your American and European brains to increase, that
is Krishna’s special gift to you, now use it. Any activity, which will please Krishna should be
accepted favorably, this is our guiding principle. Now apply it in this way, by doing
everything and anything for spreading this Krishna Conscious literature, and this is really
pleasing to Krishna, know it for certain.
LETTER TO KIRTÉRÄJA, 27 NOVEMBER 1971
“Just maintain our strong position of purity of routine work and preach and distribute
literature. That is all."
LETTER TO GIRIRÄJA, DECEMBER 1971

Distribution of books and magazines is our most important activity. Without books, our
preaching has no solid basis.
LETTER TO CYAVANA, 26 DECEMBER 1971

Unique asset – our purity

“These books are the best advertising, they are better than advertising. If we simply present
Krishna consciousness in a serious and attractive way, without need to resort to fashionable
slogans or tricks, that is sufficient. Our unique asset is our purity.”
LETTER TO YOGEÇVARA, 28 DECEMBER 1971
The more such literatures are read and distributed, the more auspiciousness will be there in
the world.
LETTER TO Lilavati, 26 MARCH 1972

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.
LETTER TO BALI-MARDANA, 30 SEPTEMBER, 1972

“These books and magazines are our most important propaganda weapons to defeat the
ignorance of maya’s army, and the more we produce such literature and sell them profusely
all over the world, the more we shall deliver the world from the suicide course.”
LETTER TO JAYÄDVAITA, 18 NOVEMBER 1972

If we simply stick to this program as I have done it since the beginning, namely, kirtana,
preaching, distribution of prasadam – If you do like this only that will be sufficient.
LETTER TO SUDÄMÄ, 25 NOVEMBER, 1972

Those who are behind should eulogize those who are advanced. If you become envious, that
is material. Attachment, detachment—these things are natural. If you become attached to
something you become detached from other. So we can estimate our advancement in this
way. This is the test. In the Krishna Consciousness Movement there is no question of
enviousness, hatred, things like that. Material life means hatred for Krishna and desire for
matter. So we have to convert ourselves. When one becomes Krishna conscious actually, he
does not even hate material things because he becomes expert how to utilize everything for
Krishna. Krishna Consciousness is so nice. We do not hate anything material because we
have learned from our disciplic succession how to utilize material things for Krishna’s
service. Actually, bhakti means realization of the Supreme, and this means increasing
attachment for Him and reforming of detachment or hating of material name and fame.
LETTER TO ÇRÉ GOVINDA, 25 DECEMBER, 1972

Krishna Consciousness means attachment for Krishna and detachment for personal benefit,
that's all. But in any case, if there is fight amongst yourselves over these things, book
distribution, competition, you should not develop ill-feeling. That depends on the persons. If
ill-feeling is there, then stop it and all together chant Hare Krishna.
LETTER TO SHRI GOVINDA, 25 DECEMBER, 1972

“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 more mature stage of development of Krishna Consciousness.”
LETTER TO SHRI GOVINDA, 25 DECEMBER 1972

Enthusiastic
That is the business of a leader: He must be himself always enthusiastic and inspire others to
be always enthusiastic. Then he is real leader. And that enthusiastic mood is maintained
when everyone is always without fail chanting 16 rounds daily, rising early for maìgala
aratika, reading books, preaching – in this way, by observing strictly the regulative principles
of devotional life, that enthusiasm or great eagerness to have Kåñëa will come out.
LETTER TO TRAI, 27 DECEMBER 1972

That is advancement in Krishna Consciousness, to stick tightly to the desire or orders of the
spiritual master; because my Guru Maharaja ordered it, and I am also ordering it: Go on
preaching, spread this Krishna Consciousness all over the world.
LETTER TO TRAI, 27 DECEMBER 1972

”As soon as I see such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other
programs are successful.”
LETTER TO JAGADÉÇA, 5 JANUARY 1973

“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.”
LETTER TO KURUÇREÑÖHA, 23 JULY 1973

There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Shrimad-

Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of
the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the
book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one hand, he will be benefited. At
least he will see, “Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.” If he reads
one shloka, his life will be successful. If one shloka, one word. This is such nice things.
Therefore we are stressing so much, “Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute
book.” A greater mrudainga. We are chanting, playing our mrudanga. It is heard within this
room or little more. But this mrudanga will go home to home, country to country,
community to community, this mrudanga.
LECTURE ON SHRIMAD-BHÄGAVATAM 1.16.8, LOS ANGELES 5 JANUARY 1974

All blessings
“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.”
LETTER TO JAGADISHA, 8 JANUARY 1974

“I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 4/1/74, along with the new publication in
Swedish of my English work, “Krishna Consciousness the Topmost Yoga System”. Of
course I cannot read Swedish, but looking through this book has given me unlimited bliss.
After all, this is my prime duty, to publish books on Krishna consciousness. The printing of
the book appears excellent, and that you are ‘profusely distributing’ the book all over
Sweden is the crowning success of our movement. We will conquer Europe with these
books. I can only thank you again and again in sincere gratitude for producing this literature,
and pray to Krishna to bless you with all spiritual advancement.”
LETTER TO AJITA, 7 APRIL 1974

So far as I understand, our book business is sufficient to support our movement.

LETTER TO TAMAL KÅÑËA, 13 AUGUST 1974

You have Krishna’s blessings

“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 Krishna’s blessings.”
LETTER TO SATSVARUPA, 8 SEPTEMBER 1974

Progress
whatever progress we have made, it is simply due to distributing the books. So go on, and do
not divert your mind for a moment from this."
LETTER TO RAMESHVARA, 11 OCTOBER 1974

That is also chanting and hearing

“Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. Anyone
who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting
and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It
is spoken kirtans. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is
recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be
neglected.”
LETTER TO RÜPANUGA, 19 OCTOBER 1974

Print as many books as possible, this is my real pleasure. By printing these books of our
Krishna conscious philosophy in so many languages we can actually inject our movement
into the masses of persons all over the world, especially there in the Western countries and
we can literally turn whole nations into Krishna conscious nations."
LETTER TO HRIDAYANANDA, 21 DECEMBER 1974

We are printing so many books. For spreading this knowledge, that must be distributed.
Home to home, place to place, man to man, this literature must go there. If he... If one takes
one book, at least one day he’ll read it: “Let me see what is this book I have purchased the
other day.” And if he reads one line his life will be successful, if he reads one line only,
carefully. This is such literature. So therefore book distribution I am giving so much stress.
Somehow or other, small book or big book, if it is given to somebody he’ll read someday.
LECTURE ON BHAGAVAD-GÉTÄ AS IT IS 16.9, HAWAII, 5 FEBRUARY 1975

I have no personal qualification, but I simply tried to satisfy my guru. That’s all. My Guru
Maharaja asked me that “If you get some money, you print books.” So there was a private
meeting, talking, some of my important Godbrothers also there. It was in Radha-kunòa. So
Guru Maharaja was speaking to me that “Since we have got this Bagh Bazaar marble temple,
there has been so many dissensions, and everyone thinking who will occupy this room or
that room, that room. I wish, therefore, to sell this temple and the marble and print some
book.” Yes. So I took up this from his mouth, that he is very fond of books. And he told me
personally that “If you get some money, print books.” Therefore I am stressing on this point:
“Where is book? Where is book? Where is book?” So kindly help me. This is my request.
Print as many books in as many languages and distribute throughout the whole world. Then
Krishna consciousness movement will automatically increase.
ARRIVAL ADDRESS,
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 20, 1975

“We can send you unlimited number of books. You simply have to apply your brain how to
sell them. Then you will have plenty of money. This is my mission, you know it started
when I came alone to your country by selling my books, and still whatever money we are
getting it is coming from the book selling. So it is already proven how important the book-
selling is.”
LETTER TO GOPAL KÅÑËA, 21 JUNE 1975

Will be distributed
“In spite of war, Shrimad-Bhagavatam will be distributed. We don’t care about war, our
preaching business will go on.”
LETTER TO RADHABALLABHA, 21 AUGUST 1975

“Simply read my book and repeat what I have written then your preaching will be perfect.”
LETTER TO KSHIRODAKASHAYI, OCTOBER 1975

I think our books will never keep us in a poverty-stricken condition. This is the blessings of
His Divine Grace Shri Shrimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvaté Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada.
He is very pleased that you are distributing so many books.
LETTER TO BHAGAVÄN, NOVEMBER 1975

“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.”
LETTER TO GHANASHYAMA, 20 NOVEMBER, 1975

Europe and America are in great danger, this Hare Krishna movement is enveloping them.
The Sankirtana devotees are very very dear to Krishna. Because you are doing the field work
of book distribution, Krishna has immediately recognized them as true servants. Just like
during war time, a farm boy or ordinary clerk who goes to fight for his country on the front,
immediately becomes a national hero for his sincere effort. So Krishna immediately
recognizes a preacher of Krishna consciousness who takes all risks to deliver his message.”
LETTER TO UTTAMASHLOKA, DECEMBER 1975

Books are the basis of our Movement. Whatever appreciation we are getting on account of
our books, it is because we are following the path chalked out by exalted devotees. We are
not writing something whimsical.
LETTER TO TUSHTA-KRISHNA, JANUARY 1976

Book distribution
“But the prasadam and book distribution, very important line. If he's intelligent, by reading
books will help him."
EVENING DARSHANA, TEHERAN 9 AUGUST 1976

Preaching means book distribution.

ROOM CONVERSATION, BOMBAY 31 DECEMBER 1976

This, our book distribution is the most important task in our society. Therefore I am giving
so much stress and I am working so hard on this. Because this is my life and soul according
to the order of my Guru Maharaja. And by his grace it is to some extent successful. And I
took it seriously. I take it seriously still now. That is my life and soul.
I never tried in India to construct big temples or even in your country we didn’t. I never
tried. But I was selling personally books. That is the history.
ROOM CONVERSATION, BOMBAY 31 DECEMBER 1976

I want that every respectable person has a full set of Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita
in his home.
LETTER TO DRIDHAVRATA, JANUARY 1977

So I'm insisting you about this distribution of the book. That is a service. If you can do some
pushing on these books some way or other, you get material profit; at the same time, it is
service.
ROOM CONVERSATION, VRINDAVANA 6 JULY 1977