The U.S. House of Representatives Library in Washington D.C. recently purchased an entire set of Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, during the House’s Diwali celebration on October 31^st.

Meanwhile on December 14^th, the Indian Embassy stocked their library with eight copies of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

The books came from ISKCON Baltimore’s Jiva Daya Sankirtana Team, which is working hard during ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary to place Srila Prabhupada’s books at various prestigious locations such as government offices, libraries, and embassies in the Washington D.C. area. 

The books were delivered by Himmat Patel, who is president of the Gayatri Parivar Hindu group in the D.C. metro area, and is well connected with politicians and leaders. Mr. Patel regularly visits the ISKCON Baltimore temple, and shares Jiva Daya’s goal of spreading transcendental knowledge to bring about real peace and unity in the world.

“We met Mr. Patel at ISKCON Baltimore in October, and he immediately agreed to take a Bhagavatam set to the White House during its Diwali celebration,” says Jiva Daya’s Lokadhyaksha Das.

“However before going, he contacted Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer, the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 5^th Congressional District. Congressman Hoyer was the House majority leader from 2007-2011. He suggested to Mr. Patel to place the set in the House Library instead, as more people would have access to it there.”

On Oct 31st, Mr. Patel went with Congressman Hoyer to attend the Diwali function at the House of Representatives, and placed the Bhagavatam set and one copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is at the House Library along with a ceremonial puja.

During the Diwali event, Mr. Patel met with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who appreciated the puja and asked about the books. Mr. Patel explained that these books help one become free from the cycle of birth and death, and connect one to the Supreme Divinity. Congressman Ryan expressed interest in reading the books, and insisted on paying for them, even though a donation had not been expected.

In the House Library, the books will be read by congressmen and women, the leaders of society.

Meanwhile on December 14^th, Himmat Patel also placed eight copies of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is in the library at the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C.

Next, Mr. Patel is connecting with contacts at the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world and the main research arm of the U.S. Congress. He plans to place another full Srimad-Bhagavatam set there soon, installing it with a puja.

Beyond that, the Jiva Daya team hopes to place Prabhupada’s books in other government offices and embassies.

“This is an important effort for ISKCON 50, as Srila Prabhupada wanted his books to be in all prominent places where leaders of society could come in contact with them,” says Lokadhyaksha. “We are very excited to work with Himmat Patel on this, as he is also very enthusiastic in spreading this message.”

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To sponsor copies of Srila Prabhupada’s books to be placed at the Library of Congress, embassies and other government offices, please enter your chosen donation amount at: https://paypal.me/iskconbaltimore