Empowerment

Kaunteya Prabhu, a disciple of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami is the secretary of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry. In our recent conversation in San Diego, he told us that one of the aims of the Ministry is to encourage the empowerment of all the home based devotees, especially in the activities of giving spiritual knowledge to others. This is a very direct instruction, both of Lord Caitanya and of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada says that it is a duty of the householder to spread Krishna consciousness at home or in his neighborhood. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave the famous instruction that whomever you meet give him the instructions of Krishna and in this way become a guru. Srila Prabhupada says that this is the sublime mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

We are spreading Krishna consciousness according to the instructions which Lord Caitanya gave to the brahmana Kurma. One should stay at home, chant Hare Krishna, and teach the instructions of Krishna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Any publication by Srila Prabhupada, even if it is not the Bhagavad-gita or the Srimad Bhagavatam directly, is based and centered on those instructions. Threfore, distributing books in this way is one way to fulfill the instruction given by Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya.

At an opportune moment we took Kaunteya Prabhu around the Pacific Beach area, a beach town in San Diego. Rather then checking out the goods offered at the many stores, we went on a sort of pilgrimage to our book racks. After the tour, Kaunteya told us that, in his opinion, the Sastra Dana program should be spread all over the world as a standard way of distributing knowledge because it is an effective way of getting books to the people, as well as an effective way to engage devotees in missionary work.

Kaunteya Prabhu observed that there is something unique about the Sastra Dana program. It can reach people at times of the day when the book distributors may not be around. This method can reach all sections of society because everyone shops and the Sastra Dana racks can be placed in all kinds of stores, if they are not already there. If you place a book in a house, the book is potentially reaching out to it’s inhabitants 24 hours a day. The person in the house may wake up one day, due to insomnia, get up and take the book to read. Similarly through Sastra Dana, especially through these racks, the books are made available 24 hours a day in various locations to all sorts of people. This is a unique opportunity because it makes Krishna consciousness available very widely and in an easy format.

The Sastra Dana program is also a very versatile instrument because titles can be changed, the format of the literature can be changed, the proposals, the invitations can be changed, adapted to the local situation and circumstances. So it is both, an ongoing, constant reminder or constant link to the spiritual source, and a versatile instrument.

When it comes to opportunities for devotees we may note the following. First, giving charity is important in the life of a devotee. Sri Krishna, in the Bhagavad-gita, says that acts of charity, sacrifice, and austerity purify even the great souls and should never be given up. Giving a portion of one’s earned money in charity is an undeniably important principle in Krishna consciousness.

Giving knowledge in charity is probably the most valuable gift available to human kind. Other forms of charity may alleviate the pain of the body or the mind, but the gift of knowledge gives the instrument by which one can solve all problems at the root. Therefore, it is the most powerful, most effective, and most appreciated gift or form of charity.

Kaunteya also mentioned that the Sastra Dana program gives devotees an opportunity to become familiarized with the books. He said, “I am sure that those who take some commitment in distributing these books will want to know what they are distributing, what they are giving money for. So it is a chance for them to look at the product they are giving out. It is an inspiration for them to better understand the product and in this way learn the philosophy in the books.”

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Bhakta Larry (on left) and Bhakta Damodar (raised hands) placed a book rack in the Music Trader store in Pacific Beach. The Music Trader is an alternative music store frequented by alternative minded folks. The rack is placed just behind the two devotees, in the corner designated for promotional materials and free publications. The rack manager is Bhaktin Debbie Nieto.

Kaunteya Dasa

Controversial Bookstore, San Diego’s oldest metaphysical bookstore started out in 1963. The store has evolved to embrace books on healing and alternative medicine, magic and witchcraft, astrology, UFO studies, etc. It also stocks crystals, New Age music, incense, and jewelry. It is the most popular of it’s kind in San Diego.

Inside the Controversial Bookstore. The store now houses one of the Sastra Dana book racks. The rack is managed by Bhaktin Mandy, her third rack.

Bhakta Lary all blissed out upon installing the book rack in the Controversial Bookstore.

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Your Contributions

San Diego Sponsors:

Amala Kirtan Dasa $584.00
Vir & Urmila Nanda $150.00
Randy & Kripa Mayi $102.00
Yamunapati & Jayasri $51.00
Guru Krishna & Nimai $42.00
Debbie Nieto $40.00
Nivedan Tiwari $25.00
Jayram Shetty $25.00
Radha Bhakti $10.00
Marc Merchant $5.00
TOTAL: $1,034.00

Los Angeles Sponsors:

Esekiel Jaggernauth $400.00
Anastasia Khabenskaya $250.00
Vamsi Dasa’s family $120.00
Cesar O. Lopez $60.00
Justin Connor $31.00
Margarita Plotkina $25.50
Rafael A. Palma $20.00
Balai Devi Dasi $21.00
Anonymous $5.00
TOTAL: $932.50

GRAND TOTAL: $1,966.50

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*Your donations are tax deductible.
Contact us for receipts.

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Distribution

1,450 books!!! have been placed in the following institutions:

6184 / Radha Raman Vedic Temple / 1022 N. Bradford Ave / Placentia
6185 / Salon 909 / 1041 E. Yorba Linda Blvd / Placentia
6186 / Dr. Marino / 17021 Yorba Linda Blvd / Yorba Linda
6187 / Dr. Moore / 911 E. Yorba Linda Blvd / Placentia
6188 / Dr. Greene - Chiropractic Center / 910 E. Yorba Linda Blvd / Placentia
6189 / Fullerton Orthopaedic Surgery / 17021 Yorba Linda Blvd / Yorba Linda
6190 / Medicenter / 4900 Prospect Ave / Yorba Linda
6191 / Dr. Sue Wadkins / 4900 Prospect Ave / Yorba Linda
6192 / Yorba Linda Medical Froup / 4900 Prospect Ave / Yorba Linda
6193 / Caldwell Physical Therapy / 1075 Yorba Place / Placentia
6194 / S. Jude Heritage Laboratory / 4900 Prospect Ave / Yorba Linda
6195 / Fifth Ave Cleaners / 903 E. Yorba Linda Blvd / Placentia
6196 / Tri-city Auto Center / 2071 E. Lambert Road / La Habra
6197 / Dr. Shalesh Bhutala / 744 E. Holt Ave. Suita A / Pomona
6198 / Alpha Pharmacy / 515A S. Beach Blvd. / Anaheim
6199 / Corona Dental Plaza / 1222 Magnolia Ave. / Corona
6200 / Alpha Pharmacy / 1240 S. Magnolia / Anaheim
6201 / Snow White Cleaners / 1237 E. Yorba Linda Blvd. / Placentia
6202 / Cottage Art / 18619 S. Pioneer Blvd. / Artesia
6203 / Alternate Medical Center / 3242 Riverside Drive / Chino
6204 / ISKCON Laguna Beach Temple / 285 Legion Street / Laguna Beach
6205 / India Sweet & Snacks / 23371 Golden Springs Drive / Diamond Bar
6206 / Radha Raman Vedic Temple / 1022 N. Bradford Ave / Placentia
6207 / Perks Fine Gifts & Treats / 1380 S. Harbor Blvd. / La Habra
6208 / Cosmo Prof Beauty Systems / 1380 S. Harbor Blvd. / La Habra
6209 / Brea Dentistry / 782-784 North Brea Blvd. / Brea
6210 / Steven Richardson Dentistry / 235 South Flower Ave / Brea
6211 / Madhu’s Impressions / 255 E. Imperial Hwy. Suite A / Brea
6212 / Tagawa and Curtis Orthodontics / 230S. Orange / Brea
6213 / Curves / 750-B North Brea Blvd. / Brea
6214 / The Pain And Wellness Center / 235 E. Imperial Hwy. / Brea
6215 / California Chiropractic Offices / 159 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton
6216 / Laundromat / 135 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton
6217 / Accent On Flowers / 1314 E. Chapman Ave / Fullerton
6218 / Laundromat / 1324 E. Chapman Ave / Fullerton
6219 / Dr. Ken Kopper - Chiropractor / 162 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton
6220 / Albertson’s / 129 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton
6221 / Rotisserie / 1334 E. Chapman Ave. / Fullerton
6222 / Diva’s Beauty Salon / 1328 E. Chapman Ave. / Fullerton
6223 / Curstom Barbers / 121 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton
6224 / Town & Country Liquor / 163 N. Raymond Ave. / Fullerton