1. Reading Srila Prabhupada Books

2. Why should we reform reading habit? We are aware by the austerities Srila Prabhupada performed in order to write. He although elderly and venerably, slept less than four hours each day. He continuously traveled and preached and met devotees and managed and advised. Yet despite all inconvenience, Srila Prabhupada continued writing.

3. Why should we reform reading habit? Through books, everyone can hear Srila Prabhupada without restriction and reap the benefits of associating with the topmost Paramahamsa and most confidential servant of Sri Krishna

4. Why should we reform reading habit? Now, more than twenty-five years after, Srila Prabhupada physically left us, his stress on both writing and distributing transcendental literature has become urgently clear. He once asked “why are we so interested in book distribution?” he himself answered, “Because it is distribution of knowledge” through his books. Srila Prabhupada is the eternal Siksa guru of the Krishna Consciousness movement.

5. Why should we reform reading habit? As Srila Prabhupada implored in his letter of June 13, 1972: “So I am requesting all of my students to read my books seriously every day without fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the transcendental subject of Srimad Bhagavatam… then very easily you will make advancement in Krishna consciousness

6. Why should we reform reading habit? 1.“All must read all my books, otherwise after some times they will eat sleep and fall down from position and miss opportunity to attain eternal blissful life of transcendental pleasure”

7. Why should we reform reading habit? 2. Krishna consciousness is a science and we can’t succeed if we fail in its canons and procedures. One can manage without eating for some time and eventually health will lapse. So also one may be enthusiastic but if one (no regular reading) does not act according to scriptural direction ultimately he will create a disturbance in society

8. Why should we reform reading habit? 3. Help become fixed in Krishna consciousness (spiritually strong) convinced and free of doubt. 4. To remember Krishna always, be absorbed in Krishna Consciousness.

9. Why should we reform reading habit? 5. Or else. Lose taste and become sentimental 6. Helps understand thing from different angles and points of views (thus a deeper understanding and realization!) 7. Sharpens our intelligent daily by reading, discussing and preaching.

10. Why should we reform reading habit? 8. Books are foundation stone of our movement (Krishna consciousness movement and all its activities are based on it). Therefore reading and distributing books be should be our only motto. 9. They are Krishna’s words (and even SP would enjoy listening from them)

11. Why should we reform reading habit? 10. “The words (in my books) are ambrosial nectar, because they are not my personal words but are instruction of predecessors and I am administer to the best of my knowledge 11. They are SP’s personal instructions

12. Why should we reform reading habit? 12. “These books are written specifically for my students” 13. SP wanted examinations, to make sure we read and understand thoroughly (“sannyasis and Brahmans are falling because of lack of knowledge and realization of books)

13. Why should we reform reading habit? 14. Brahmana must ideally be Pandits. 15. Especially leaders should read so that they can guide properly. 16. Leader has to set a good example (yad yad acarati..) in reading also.

14. Why should we reform reading habit? 17. Helps to become good preachers 18. Will know basic Siddhanta and will not be mislead by deviant and concocted philosophies.

15. Reading Srila Prabhupada’s Books  Too many devotees don’t read SP’s book regularly but it is kept secret or admitted reluctantly

16. Reasons given for not reading: 1. “Difficult to read attentively”, “When we open a book mind reels with millions of distracting thoughts.” 2. “Too boring”, Fell sleepy”, “Too repetitive repeating same basic philosophy”

17. Reasons given for not reading: 3. “No Time” 4. “At least I’, helping others By distributing By helping to maintain movement

18. Reasons given for not reading: 5. Complacency  Unaware of the importance of regular reading

19. Thank You!!!