Here is one little anegdote I want to share with you.
Today is Vamana dvadasi and devotees are fasting till noon. Regreatably, I could not be at home on this day, but went to job. Today's shift I worked with my boss and we had a really busy morning. It was so intense that there was no time for a break, or breakfast either. So, I came up to an idea: "Why don't trick my boss to fast the whole morning?" So, when people stopped coming to our shop, my boss wanted to go out and buy something to eat. I said: "Hey, don't go out for breakfast now. It is actually a very favorable day for fasting today. You will gain a great benefit if you fast till noon today."
My boos looked at me distrustfully as I said again: "Don't buy for eat now, it is really good to fast until noon. Look at me, I'm fasting. Have you ever see me not eating in the morning?" (My coworkers know me as a person who likes to eat and never miss a chance to bite something)
"It is very auspicious to fast today, your body will eliminate toxins" - I continued. Then she asked about loosing weight as well, and I told her not to bother about that, it's silly anyway, all that thing with diet knowing her to be a strict meat eater.
I told her: "Give me your bag! Give it now! (her wallet was inside, so if she gives the bag - no breakfast
) She gave the bag and I put it aside. I told her: " It will help if you just drink some water. You'll see, it will do you good."
Then I said to myself: "OK, it is not enough just to fast, even animals are fasting sometimes, she should hear the story about Lord Vamanadeva. But how to tell it with all these people around and so much work?"
As we worked, she said to me several times about the hunger and started to be suspicious again: "Don't tell me it's some mumbo-jumbo Hare Krishna thing, this fast?"
I replied as a joke: "Hey, no need to become shovinistic now! But since, you mentioned Hare Krishna, I will tell you a nice story that will calm your hunger..." Suddenly, there was only one old man wandering around the shop and I had enough time to tell about Lord Vamanadeva. I told her a story about how Ganga descended to Earth, the story about Lord Vamana taking three steps from Maharaja Bali, and a story how Siva prevented Ganga to rush and destroy planet Earth by taking Her on His head.
After that I asked: "Do you feel relieved after this nice story?"
She replied: "NO!!! I'm still hungry as hell and still no time to go out and eat!"
Then I told her: "Don't give up now! There is only 45 minutes left till noon.
Be a man once in your life!"
So, no matter where, when and with whom we are talking to, we can always give Krishna to others. And even a hungry boss will fast till noon for Vamana dvadasi!
Lord Vamanadeva ki-jay!!!
Your servant, Satyavati-suta das.
