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Today was the penultimate Ekadasi of 2025. I felt I should begin differently. Book distribution is always a gift. Meeting people, learning from them, offering Srila Prabhupada’s wisdom, there is so much nectar there. But there is also rejection. Confrontation. Sometimes outright rudeness.
It can feel like a child running toward Santa Claus, full of excitement, only to be turned away. That is honestly how it feels at times. You approach someone with sincerity, with hope, and they say no. Sometimes they curse you. You feel small. You feel humbled. And then you go again.
This morning I decided to slow down. I chanted my sixteen rounds before sunrise. I worshipped my Lord. I prayed to Srila Prabhupada and to my Guru Maharaj for strength to continue. I was listening to Srila Prabhupada speaking about Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami. He kept calling them the commanders in chief of the sankirtan movement. That stayed with me. I found myself praying to the commanders in chief, asking for courage and steadiness.
Time was running. It was Ekadasi, so I thought I would cook something simple. Not indulgence, just sustenance. In between cooking, a message came through. A devotee needed a Bhagavad Gita and Science of Self Realization.
I replied immediately. Yes. Send me your address. I will Uber it right away. Stay on your phone.
I got the address, ordered the Uber, switched off the stove, grabbed the books and a courier bag, and rushed to the security gate. Years ago, when I was managing the Pretoria temple and later Durban, I used to say we are on the front lines. The call can come at any time from Lord Caitanya or from our commanders. You must be ready. But in our temples, No fuel! The last driver had decided it was too much work and the next person could fill it up. I remember thinking, how will we ever take over the world like this.
I did not want to miss the moment. The Uber was already waiting. Books in one hand, courier bag in the other, I hurried forward.
The driver looked at me and asked, what is that.
I said, it is about life’s purpose. About what happens when you
die. I handed him Beyond Birth and Death.
He accepted it quietly and smiled.
Later, after cooking and offering my food, I packed my bag and went out again. Another day of walking malls. Another day of waiting for someone to make eye contact, for someone to ask, do you like to read.
Before leaving, I thought of the security guard at the gate. It was Ekadasi. I had some red, juicy grapes that had just been offered to my Deities. I decided to share some prasadam.
I called him over and offered the fruit. He smiled and said yes. Then he said, but I also want the bubool.
Bubool? I thought I misheard him.
He said, you gave the driver a Bible earlier. I was watching from behind the tinted glass.
A car pulled up behind me wanting to exit. I asked him for one minute, gave way to the car, then reached into my sankirtan bag and took out Science of Self Realization.
Here is my Bible, I told him. This book has changed my life and the lives of many souls.
He asked me to write a message inside. I wrote, May you find real joy. I asked his name. He said, Isaac. Isaac from the Bible.
He held the book with such care. Then he said quietly, I have no friends.
I replied, everything you are looking for is here. Including God, your eternal friend.
He told me he wants to come to the temple. He wants to pray.
Today reminded me of something essential. We may feel rejected a hundred times, but one sincere soul changes everything. Sankirtan is not about numbers alone. It is about presence. It is about availability. It is about being ready when mercy wants to move through you.
I pray I never forget that.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Vibhu Caitanya Das
