Prabhupāda Urges His Disciples to Constantly Increase Their Book Distribution Efforts
The distribution of transcendental literature is the driving force behind the global Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda considers his books and magazines to be the absolute backbone and greatest weapon of the society. He trains his disciples to understand that book distribution is their primary business; whenever distribution figures increase, it is the ultimate proof that all other temple programs are automatically successful. He continually pushes his followers to use their intelligence to place these literatures into universities, libraries, and the hands of the general public. While demanding this unlimited expansion, he strictly enforces the purity of the process—forbidding disciples from adopting improper dress or compromising the philosophy just to make a sale. By vigorously distributing authentic texts like Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, his disciples perform the highest welfare work, bringing immense auspiciousness to the world and earning the profound blessings of Lord Caitanya.
The Backbone of the Mission
Spiritual literature is the foundation upon which the entire movement stands. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly reminds his disciples that printing and distributing magazines like Back to Godhead is not a secondary activity; it is the primary business of the society. He views the book distribution scores as the ultimate barometer of spiritual health. When he sees the figures rising, he immediately concludes that all other aspects of temple life are functioning perfectly. Equipping his preachers with this transcendental knowledge provides them with the greatest weapon necessary to cut through the illusions of the modern age.
- I am very glad to note of how you are increasing the "Back To Godhead" distribution there in such a remote place. Our "Back To Godhead" is the backbone of our movement so we should always be thinking how to increase it increase it increase it.
- I am especially encouraged by your increasing the distribution of books. That is our primary business, to sell these transcendental literatures profusely all over the world.
- As soon as I see that there is such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other programs are successful as well.
- I am very glad to hear how the book distribution is increasing more and more. This is our greatest weapon.
Targeting Universities and Libraries
To permanently establish Kṛṣṇa consciousness within the fabric of human society, the movement must reach the intelligent class. Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly advocates for systematic programs aimed at placing literature in all major libraries, schools, and colleges. When universities purchase entire sets of his books, it brings immense prestige to the society and provides thoughtful students with the right information. He highly praises the preachers who take the initiative to speak at universities, noting that such venues are the absolute best platforms for expanding the distribution of transcendental knowledge.
- Please see that there is very strong program for placing our books and literatures in all the libraries and school-colleges of your country. That will be a great boon to the thoughtful men of your society.
- I am also pleased to note that they are going to purchase my books, 30-35 sets. That is a great boon for us. If we can introduce our books in these colleges and universities, it will be great prestige for the society and myself also personally.
- Please increase your program of distribution to the public as well as trying to place our books and magazines in the libraries. This is very successful in libraries in other centers.
- You are beginning to preach at the universities. That is a very good program, so increase it more and more. It is also a good opportunity for distributing our books.
Pleasing the Supreme Lord
The ultimate motivation for distributing books is not mundane profit, but the deep satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although all forms of devotional service are absolute, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a devotee who actively preaches and distributes the Lord's message becomes extremely dear to Kṛṣṇa. He emphasizes that while artistic endeavors like theatrical plays have their place, they must never supersede the essential work of book distribution. By assisting their spiritual master in this massive endeavor, the disciples directly serve the mission of Lord Caitanya, ensuring their own spiritual perfection.
- Krsna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution. Devotional service is absolute but one who preaches His message becomes very dear to Lord Krsna.
- My desire is that you increase your book distribution more and more and be blessed by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- I thank you very much for assisting me in this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. These reports are very encouraging to me, and I think our men will also be encouraged to increase the book distribution.
- At the present moment, the plays are not as important as our book distribution. So, my desire is that you increase your book distribution more and more and be blessed by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Maintaining Purity and Prestige
Because the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement represents the absolute truth, its representatives must maintain impeccable standards. The massive success of texts like the Bhagavad-gītā As It Is stems entirely from the fact that the philosophy is presented without any material adulteration. To protect the prestige of the society, Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbids his saṅkīrtana parties from dressing as hippies or using deceptive tactics to increase sales. Disciples are instructed to remain sober, enthusiastic, and visibly pure, allowing the public to judge the superiority of the movement by the undeniable results of happy devotees and massive, authoritative books.
- The report is that our Bhagavad-gita As It Is is increasing in sale; others are decreasing. The reason is that we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is, without any adulteration.
- Regarding our sankirtana party members dressing up as hippies in order to increase book distribution this is not a very good plan. I am instructing Bali Mardan Maharaja that this should be stopped, that we should not give anyone cause to call us hippies.
- Become very convinced of our Krishna philosophy and very enthusiastically and soberly maintain temple routine standards, increase book distribution, satisfy the devotees, and in every way become the perfect Krsna consciousness example of angel.
- I want that you distribute our books very widely, as many as possible, then people will get the right information. We show people by the results: so many centers, happy devotees, big books, strong conviction. Let people judge who is better by the results.
Unlimited Global Expansion
The ambition of the movement is completely unbounded. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that there is simply no historical precedent for religious philosophy being distributed on such a magnificent scale. He empowers his disciples to use their fertile, modern brains to push the limits of what is possible, reminding them that Kṛṣṇa has provided every facility for their success. By calculating the massive potential within individual cities and using the funds from current book sales to open new territories like Eastern Europe, the disciples ensure that this great mission reaches every corner of the globe.
- There is no instance of religious books of philosophy being distributed in such magnitude in history. Now go on enthusiastically and increase this book distribution unlimitedly.
- There are at least 25 important cities in your country, so in each city, if we distribute at least 1,000 copies, there is potency of distributing 25,000 copies in your country only, and what to speak of other countries, like England.
- From all the literatures you are distributing you spend this money for spreading Krsna consciousness in Poland, Checkoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany, and prepare men. Put all of our books into the local languages.
- I want that you all my students shall very vigorously try for this book distribution. Do not hesitate to use your American and European brains to increase, that is Krishna's special gift to you, now use it.
Conclusion
By establishing book distribution as the ultimate priority, Śrīla Prabhupāda provides his disciples with a clear, unstoppable method for saving the world. He proves that the success of the entire society is intrinsically linked to the amount of transcendental literature placed into the hands of the public. When his followers combine their modern intelligence with strict spiritual purity, they create a preaching force unmatched in human history. Operating without material motivation, these dedicated preachers experience the supreme joy of satisfying Lord Caitanya and guaranteeing the unstoppable expansion of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Increasing Our Book Distribution (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.