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xx The Nectar of Book Distribution

is a limited, basic outline, not all of ISKCON’s authorities in the preaching
field could be quoted, and we apologize for that deficiency and trust it
won’t be misunderstood. Another reason for that deficiency is that the
book was compiled in the North European BBT zone, and that naturally
entailed quoting devotees from North Europe, one of the leading areas in
book distribution, and including excerpts from lectures given here. But this
is definitely not the last book about book distribution. More books will be
published under the new BBT imprint, BBT Sankirtan Books, and therefore
in the books to come, devotees not interviewed for this volume, or quoted
only briefly, can continue addressing the growing league of book distributors
world-wide.
Usually book distributors don’t like to talk about themselves because
they follow Kṛṣṇa’s motto: “Those who are actually heroes do not talk
much; they prove their prowess by a practical exhibition of chivalrous
activities.” But for this book they took the time to answer many questions,
and therefore this book is unique. It records in detail what they said about
their realizations, techniques, secret ecstasies on the street, and methods of
overcoming difficulties on the paths of preaching and spiritual progress.
I am grateful to all the devotees who helped with this book. I am
especially indebted to Śrīla Harikeśa Swami, my spiritual master, whose
initiative and organization brought the book about. Although I am most
unqualified and have only brief, direct experience of book distribution, he
mercifully engaged me in the purifying service of compiling The Nectar of
Book Distribution and continually inspired me and helped me to complete
it. I thank Śrīla Dāsa for preparing much of the interview material; Tattvavit
Dāsa, who put a lot of energy into editing the manuscript; Cetanārahita
Dāsa for reading the first draft and offering his advice; Ramākānta Dāsa for
proofreading the Sanskrit; and Raṇecara Dāsa and Bhakta Miro for their help
in the computer department. We hope that the words of Śrīla Prabhupāda,
who inaugurated the world-wide mission of book distribution, and the words
of the great souls dedicated to his mission will inspire all devotees to think
about book distribution and to continue distributing books if that is their
service, to distribute books as often as possible if they have other services, or
to join the mission wholeheartedly if they are newcomers and wish to taste
what’s described in this book — the nectar of book distribution.
Zurich Ātma-tattva Dāsa
1993