Discouragement In Selling Books in India 

February 16, 1966

Prabhupada wrote to the proprietors of the Universal Book House of Bombay, giving some hints for selling his Srimad-Bhagavatam in the Bombay area.  He explained that he was trying to establish a Radha-Krishna temple and that a “big industrialist of India has promised to pay for the cost.”  Since it seemed that he might stay in the United States “for many more days,” he wanted the Book House to take increased charge of selling his books throughout India.  They were his agents for selling his books in Maharashtra, but now he recommended that they take the responsibility in all provinces, and introduce his books in colleges and universities throughout India.  He also requested that they credit his bank account there for the books sold so far.  

February 26, 1966

Mr. A.P. Dharwadkar of the Universal Book House replied:

I cannot give you very happy news on the progress of the sale of Srimad-Bhagavatam, because the subject is religious and only a small section of society may personally be interested in the books … We try to push them through some book sellers in Nagpur Ahmedabad, Pune, etc., but regret to inform you that after some time these booksellers return the books for want of response.  As such, we are not only unenthusiastic to agree to your proposal of taking up sales for all India, but we were just thinking of requesting you to nominate some other people in our place to represent your sale program in Maharashtra. 

So far, they had sold only six sets of books, for which they were about to transfer Rs 172 to his account.  This was hardly encouraging to the author.  Again, India was not interested.  Even in “the land of religion,” religious subjects were only for “a small section of society.”