Founder Acharya His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Book Distribution in the Heart of Johannesburg
By Atma Tattva Das, ISKCON News Staff Writer   |  Apr 21, 2023
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Loka Manohara Giridhari Das sharing Krishna consciousness 

Meet Loka Manohara Giridhari Das, a devotee who finds great joy in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books a few years after discovering them with his family. Today, he is a seasoned book distributor working in Johannesburg’s central business district, an area often associated with high crime rates.

When asked what motivates him to distribute Srila Prabhupadas’ books, Loka Manohara Giridhari Das speaks from the heart, “There’s no other feeling like it, you know…the thrill of distributing Srila Prabhupadas’ books. I feel closer to Srila Prabhupada when distributing his books, and that’s what keeps me going.” For him, distributing books is the most effective way of bringing people to Krishna consciousness, as Srila Prabhupada had instructed.

Despite the challenges of distributing books in a city that is often perceived as unsafe, Loka Manohara Giridhari Das approaches everyone he meets with an open heart, “Everybody is Krishna’s part and parcel, so why should we limit the mercy? My approach is that everybody is a candidate for receiving Lord Caitanyas’ mercy. So we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover because we don’t really know who the persons we get to meet are.”

Happy recipients of Srila Prabhupada’s books

His approach to book distribution is simple yet effective. He engages people in conversation, speaks to them with humility, and offers them a book. As a result, he has learned that when he approaches people with sincerity, they are likelier to listen to him and even take a book. And he has seen the impact of Srila Prabhupadas’ books on people’s lives. “Prabhupada’s books have changed the lives of so many people, and I have seen this firsthand. The books have the power to transform lives.”

As a seasoned book distributor, Loka Manohara Giridhari Das also addresses common misconceptions about Krishna Consciousness. “A lot of people have misconceptions about what Krishna Consciousness is. For example, some people think it’s just another religion or only for Hindus. But Krishna consciousness is a universal spiritual practice that anyone can practice, regardless of their religion or background.”

In conclusion, Loka Manohara Giridhari’s dedication to distributing Srila Prabhupadas’ books inspires many. His simple yet effective approach, coupled with his sincerity and humility, has helped him reach out to people from all walks of life. As he continues distributing books in Johannesburg’s central business district, he remains hopeful that he can help spread the message of Krishna Consciousness to more people.

 

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