Gargamuni: We were printing 500 to 1,000. We started at 500 then to 1,000.
Prabhupāda: Then when Brahmānanda proposed that, "We can get it printed from Japan, but they want order for 20,000 minimum." So I said yes. Five hundred, 1,000 we were selling, and he proposed 20,000. "Yes. You order." (laughs) Now, two million?
Hari-śauri: The biggest one, I think, was that centennial, bicentennial issue. What was that? It is increasing, anyway, every year.
Prabhupāda: Brahmānanda was hesitating how 20,000 per month we shall consume.
Gargamuni: Yes, we were all afraid.
Prabhupāda: (laughs) I said: "Yes. You order. We shall consume." Then this Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, he helped.
Hari-śauri: He was in book distribution from the start.
Gargamuni: Yes. From Los Angeles.
Prabhupāda: That's right.
Gargamuni: From their sales they were sending.
Prabhupāda: Yes. He gave impetus for distribution. Then we got encouragement—other party, another party. Where those mimeograph machine gone?
Gargamuni: I don't know. After I went to San Francisco . . . they should be preserved. That was beginning. We could still use them.
Prabhupāda: Yes. I paid $150 I had collected. They wanted hundred dollars each or $125 each. So I went there, that I want two machines, but I have got $150 dollars only. So he wanted to throw away the machine. "All right, you take two machines." So I gave $150 and took away two machines. I think it is more costly. Eh?
Gargamuni: Yes, oh, yes. Those are heavy-duty machines. They were old, but they were good.
Prabhupāda: No, they were working nicely. And the printer was that boy?
Gargamuni: Yeah, Ranchor.
Prabhupāda: Ranchor. Spoiling so much paper.
Gargamuni: Yes, so much.
Prabhupāda: He brought $500 from his grandfather.
Gargamuni: Yes, he donated.
Prabhupāda: His father and mother divorced. So he used to visit sometimes his grandfather, father's father. So naturally grandfather, when he used to visit, he gave him some money.
Hari-śauri: And he'd give it to you. Then he gave it to you.
Prabhupāda: Once he gave me. Anyway, Kṛṣṇa is giving us encouragement. Religious, philosophical book, as soon as they hear of it they immediately say: "No, no, we . . ." That is the natural tendency.
Prabhāviṣṇu: But here in India, when they see that a white man has taken to the Vaiṣṇava religion . . .
Prabhupāda: That influences.
Prabhāviṣṇu: . . . they are so much respectful.
Prabhupāda: Yes. Naturally. That chief minister said.
Gargamuni: Yes. He mentioned. "It is a reversal of history."
Prabhupāda: So that was my policy, that I shall go America, and if the Americans become devotees then these rascals will be automatically . . . here they could not appreciate. When I started, wanted to start this movement, they refused to give their son.
Hari-śauri: They always say a preacher is never appreciated in his home town.
Prabhupāda: "Swāmījī, what benefit there will be by becoming Brāhmiṇ, by devotee? They have to earn their livelihood." Spiritual culture is in India practically rejected. They are convinced with the idea that for spiritual culture we are so much . . .
Gargamuni: Poverty-stricken.
Prabhupāda: . . . behind this material. That is their full conviction.