My sincere obeisances to all. Srila Prabhupada ki jai.

It appears this COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly conducive to Lord Caitanya's mission. For the first time in modern history, our entire planet has been humbled and brought to its knees. Everyone is looking for shelter, but there is none in sight. People are scared and genuinely searching for guidance and answers. They are painfully aware that life as we know it may never be the same. Even if the pandemic rights itself for now, when will it rear its head again? Perhaps it might be more virulent and pernicious then before.

The current atmosphere is very ripe for preaching. Most of our essential scriptures were spoken when death was looming. Krsna spoke the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield, just before 640 warriors were slain. Sukadeva Goswami spoke the Bhagavatam just before Maharaja Parikit was fatally bitten by the snake-bird. Grandfather Bisma spoke eloquently on a bed of arrows, just before leaving his body. And our own Srila Prabhupada, when his body was by material vision completely infirm, just skin and bones, be told us emphatically, “Don’t think this won’t happen to you.”

In my 48-rears of experience, preaching has never been better. While speaking with many groups on Zoom, the audiences have never been more receptive. I’ve been getting more engagements than ever speaking on; “The Silver Lining of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I’d like to share a sweet story:

The other day I went food shopping but was turned away because of not having a face mask. After trying to purchase a mask at many stores on our relatively small island, I gave up and headed home. Driving back into my one-horse-town, Waimanalo, I noticed a little stand set up on the side of the road with a sign, “Homemade Hawaiian-print Face Masks. Immediately I pulled over and saw a young high school girl selling her wares. As I approach the table, with a big smile, she called out, ”Hare Krishna”. She then said, “Don’t you remember me, I’m Lani? I came to a spiritual program at your house. It was really inspiring,”. When I asked her how much it would cost to purchase a mask, she refused to take any money. I agreed but said, let me give you some books to hand out. In my truck, there were about eighteen copies of Beyond Birth and Death. I told Lani to tell people, these books are the "Ultimate Pandemic Survival Manual.”

To my surprise, less than an hour later, Lani called and asked for more books. I then delivered a full case of Beyond Birth and Death's and told her to call me when they ran out. Hopefully, we'll hear from Lani before too long.

Praying you are all well and joyfully engaged,

Your servant,
Narahari dasa