International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society Prison Program

Vasudeva Krsna appeared in prison. After great suffering by Devaki and Vasudeva, He appeared in his four-armed form, to ease the suffering of the misguided jivas and to give them the highest path of love to direct them back home, back to Godhead. So the prison preaching program was inaugurated 5000 years ago by Lord Vasudeva Krsna Himself, in His kindness to the downtrodden jiva's of this world.

5000 years later:  The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society Prison Program began in 2010 to freely distribute the transcendental writings of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja to those individuals who do not have easy access to his writings.

The prison program has developed a lot over this past year, and we are very enthused to give you an update on it.   Gopika dasi and Lalita dasi from the Bay Area have started publishing a newsletter for inmates. It contains a personal letter and a print-out of one lecture of Srila Gurudeva’s, which they send every month.

Recently, Mahabuddhi prabhu, who has extensive  experience with prison programs, has been offering his guidance and assistance. He has made contact with the Florida Prison System of fifty prisons, and they have requested books for all of their libraries. We have therefore sent each prison a selection of Srila Gurudeva’s books (Jaiva Dharma, Secret Truths of the Bhagavatam, Essence of Bhagavad Gita, Gopi Gita, Journey of the Soul, and Pinnacle of Devotion).

We also received a letter from the psychologist in the Maryland prison system who saw a description of our society in the Colorado “Books Through Bars” program. She asked how the inmates in Maryland could also take advantage of our program and receive our literature. After sending her our address, she replied, "Thank you very much for your reply. I have given this address out already, and you have made quite a few people smile today. As far as the donation to the prison library, I have passed this information along to the librarian. Thank you for your time and consideration."  Katalin Gardner, MS Psychology Associate, CMHC-J

The response has been very positive and heart-warming.  The prisoners expression of appreciation upon receiving these books and their correspondence with us is so genuine and so moving that it speaks louder than anything we can describe. Below are some excerpts from their letters. 

This is a blooming project full of opportunity for anyone who wants to help. We started with just a few prisoners, and now we have almost thirty contacts who are eagerly awaiting correspondence and more information about Bhakti Yoga. You can contribute by becoming a pen-pal, by sending out newsletters, or by making a donation http://gvpbookdistribution.com/get-involved/sponsor-books/.

Please write to gvpfreebooks@gmail.com if you want to help.