Following the successful Saṅkīrtana Marathon of December 2024, the devotees of Michigan once again undertook a month-long book distribution endeavor in December 2025 at Great Lakes Crossing Mall, one of the largest outlet malls in the state. Amid Michigan’s severe winter, marked by snow and freezing temperatures, the indoor shopping mall provided a practical and uninterrupted venue for continuing saṅkīrtana throughout the season. This time, however, the effort was not conceived as merely another marathon, but as a deliberate challenge—if not double the previous outcome, then certainly more.
The Challenge: Can 10,000 Books Be Distributed from a Shopping Mall?
The inspiration for this resolve arose directly from the repeated words of His Holiness Ācāryapāda Jayapataka Swami Mahārāja, who often expresses his heartfelt desire to repay his debt to Śrīla Prabhupāda by distributing 10,000 large books and 100,000 small books each month. Hearing this aspiration again and again deeply moved us. Gradually, a question formed within our hearts: “If not 10,000 large books, can we sincerely endeavor to distribute 10,000 books in total—here, within a shopping mall?”
People generally visit shopping malls in pursuit of material bargains and fleeting enjoyment. Yet we felt that this very setting was most suitable for offering something of far greater value—spiritual knowledge and an eternal connection between the book and the jīva. While shoppers searched for discounts, we endeavored to place Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books—endowed with the power to transform lives—into their hands.
Accepting the Responsibility
At this time, Santustha Vrajanatha Dāsa, Tulasī Sugopī Devī Dāsī, and Saccidānanda Giridhārī Dāsa stepped forward together, accepting the responsibility of carrying this challenge through to completion.
Preparation and the First Test: Black Friday
Preparations were undertaken well in advance. Five hundred Bhakta Sets, each consisting of four books, were assembled, along with eighty Saptha Sets of seven books, one hundred Spanish sets, and one hundred Arabic sets. The first day of distribution coincided with Black Friday, among the busiest shopping days of the year. The devotees arrived by 6:00 a.m., and within minutes the mall was filled with crowds. At first, approaching people seemed nearly impossible. Yet by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda, the very first day witnessed the distribution of approximately 150 Bhakta Sets, 45 to 50 Saptha Sets, and more than five Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets, all accompanied by favorable donations. Considering the substantial cost of mall rent, this result felt like Kṛṣṇa Himself assuring us, “Continue.”
Children Rising to the Challenge
One of the most unexpected and heartening developments was the manner in which children stepped forward to participate. Although initially discouraged, they sincerely sought guidance. With simple encouragement and practical instruction, they gradually advanced—from distributing ten Bhakta Sets per day, to twenty, thirty, and eventually, in some cases, as many as fifty Bhakta Sets in a single day. Observing children take shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Kṛṣṇa, and confront this challenge with sincerity and determination, was profoundly inspiring.
Families of Lokabandu Dasa and Bhakta Vamsi Krishna.
Santustha Vrajanath Dasa’s family.
Families of Jai Sacinanda Dasa and Bhakta Sairam.
Children participating in the Sankirtan Marathon.
Beyond the Book Marathon: Cows, Conversations, and New Connections
The challenge extended beyond the distribution of books alone. Many visitors paused to hear about cow protection, the unique qualities and personalities of cows, and life at Goloka Sanctuary. Serious seekers expressed appreciation for the principle of ahiṁsā and gladly supported cow care as an essential component of spiritual life. Alongside book distribution, the marathon thus became a catalyst for deeper discussions on bhakti and devotional culture.
A Collective Endeavor
This challenge was sustained through the combined efforts of more than thirty devotees, primarily from the Nitāi Gaura Dhāma (NGD) Bhakti Vṛkṣa, guided by Bhakti Vṛkṣa leader Jai Sacinandana Kṛṣṇa Dāsa, together with the dedicated support of Goloka Sanctuary – The Harmony Collective (THC), under the leadership of Deva Mādhava Dāsa and Siddhahari Dāsa. This same collaborative team—THC and NGD—also supports book distribution through Amazon, managing packing, labeling, inventory, and logistics, thereby ensuring that Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books reach thousands of additional homes online.
The Result of the 10,000-Book Challenge
After a full month of daily, all-day distribution, the results were as follows: 187 Saptha Sets of seven books were distributed; 1,690 Bhakta Sets of four books were placed; 53 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets, comprising both 44-volume and 18-volume editions, were distributed; 1,394 individual books were given; three Caitanya-caritāmṛta sets were placed; along with 150 Spanish four-book sets and 100 Arabic four-book sets. Altogether, a total of 11,631 books were distributed. The challenge was not merely met—it was exceeded.
Lessons Learned from the Challenge
The December 2025 Saṅkīrtana Marathon strongly reaffirmed our realization that book distribution is genuine sādhana. It requires complete dependence upon Kṛṣṇa and guru at every step. Despite long hours, physical fatigue, financial pressure, and functioning within a deeply materialistic atmosphere, Kṛṣṇa’s guidance and protection were unmistakably evident throughout the month. Full absorption in saṅkīrtana left no room for distraction, idle contemplation, or material indulgence. Even the exhaustion itself became mercy—there was simply no energy remaining for māyā. Rather than struggling separately against māyā, we experienced that when service is sincere and intense, māyā naturally withdraws.
Above all, witnessing the next generation—our children—embrace saṅkīrtana with sincerity and confidence filled us with great hope. Seeing them take shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Kṛṣṇa reaffirmed our faith that this movement will continue with strength and purity when nourished through proper care and example. We pray that this effort may please Śrīla Prabhupāda, guru, and Kṛṣṇa, and we humbly request the devotees’ blessings that many new souls may be drawn to the path of bhakti.
To learn more about the Harmony Collective and Goloka Sanctuary, visit their Facebook pages here and here.
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