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Introduction to Part One

“If there are ample books,” Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “everything else will
succeed. Practically our Society is built on books.” He often said books are
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the basis, and The Nectar of Book Distribution is dedicated to elaborating on
that point. Part One explains how books are the basis of preaching, ISKCON,
and a devotee’s spiritual life.
Chapter One reminds the reader that Śrīla Prabhupāda called book
distribution ISKCON’s “most important activity.” This chapter explains
that book distribution is intrinsically part of the saṅkīrtana-yajña, because
it engages the largest number of people in active devotional service and
thereby introduces the yuga-dharma on individual and global levels. Śrīla
Prabhupāda said, “Wherever our books are being distributed, our movement
is established on a firm basis. Therefore I came to your country with books.” 3
Chapter Two discusses book distribution philosophically: why it is a
transcendental activity, a direct manifestation of Lord Caitanya’s mercy
upon all conditioned souls, and why it is also called saṅkīrtana.
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books contain the words of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s pure
devotees, and therefore whoever comes in contact with them benefits
eternally. But the benefits are especially reaped by the devotees who
distribute these books. Chapter Three explains that by accepting book
distribution as the basis of their spiritual life, devotees become most dear to
guru and Kṛṣṇa and thus are blessed with spiritual realizations and qualities.

Editor’s note:
All the statements taken from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lectures, letters, and
conversations are footnoted. The excerpts from Bhaktivedanta purports are
labeled “p” after the text reference number.
Devotees are identified by country or city the first time they are quoted,
and information about them is given in a glossary. Sannyāsīs and gurus
aren’t identified like that because they are well known and are active
internationally.

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