Frequently asked questions
Why are your books so expensive?
Here are some of the main reasons why our books are more expensive than most other devotional titles:
- Bespoke artwork – Every painting in these books is specially commissioned for the project. They are not stock images, but original works created to bring the philosophy and pastimes to life.
- Devotee-run team – Our small publishing team in Hungary is entirely made up of devotees. Most serve voluntarily, some are brahmacārīs, but a few are given basic maintenance. Artwork, editing, typesetting, proofreading, translations, and production oversight are all done within the family of devotees.
- Local, high-quality printing – We do not outsource to industrial overseas printers. Each book is produced under close supervision with a local family-run press. This allows us to personally oversee every detail and maintain the quality.
- Small print runs – Unlike mass-market publishers who print tens of thousands of copies at once, our print runs are often just a few hundred copies. This makes it possible to carefully oversee each batch, maintain the highest quality, and keep each edition more personal and special.
- Hand craftsmanship – Many steps of the production are done by hand: artwork is individually inserted, bindings and other finishing touches are done by hand. This labour is time-consuming but ensures a devotional quality standard.
- Premium materials – We source the best available materials, such as Italian art paper, gold leafing, and embossed covers. All these features make the books durable and beautiful.
- Longevity & offering – These books are not meant to be disposable paperbacks. They are intended as heirloom pieces — produced as books were 100 years ago. We hope you will treasure them for decades and that your children and grandchildren will also read them.
- Devotional mission – SRS Books is not a for-profit company. In the past, Mahārāja personally collected donations to help fund print runs. Now we have managed to move away from such dependency, but we are far from making a profit. Any Lakṣmī that is collected goes straight into publishing the latest titles and helping to support the devotees involved in the process. If something remains, it is used for the direct service of Rādhā-Śyāma, the beautiful Deities of Kṛṣṇa Valley in Hungary. Therefore, by purchasing these books, you are directly supporting our Book Distribution Mission and the devotional projects connected with Śivarāma Swami.
Who is qualified to read these books?
Śivarāma Swami always encourages devotees to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books first and foremost. They are our mainstay as ISKCON devotees and the foundation of our spiritual lives. The works published by SRS Books are meant to complement, not replace, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings.
Regarding qualification, Mahārāja has written introductory books such as Śuddha-bhakti-cintāmaṇi and Saṅkalpa-kaumudī to provide guidelines for practical devotional service and to help devotees understand their own level of qualification. Alongside this, in the introductions to almost every book in the Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana series, Mahārāja discusses in depth both the tattva behind the pastimes and the qualification of the reader.
Most of these titles do not go beyond the level of intimacy found in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Kṛṣṇa Book. They are written in an ISKCON-friendly style that makes advanced topics approachable without creating confusion. Rather than leading devotees away, these books provide nourishing insights — quoting Śrīla Prabhupāda extensively. In the past, many devotees searched elsewhere for such topics, which is another reason why Mahārāja felt obliged to present them in a way that aligns perfectly with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings.
Lord Caitanya came to give the world spontaneous devotion. If we are to cultivate that, at some point we must also hear about the goal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. These books aim to present that goal in a faithful, careful, and inspiring way, guiding devotees step by step while keeping Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings at the centre.
What are your shipping times and prices?
Our shipping times vary depending on where you are in the world. We aim to pack and ship your order within 2–3 days of purchase.
Our main stock locations are in Hungary, the UK, the USA, India, and Australia. If you live outside these countries, please allow extra time for international delivery.
If you have a specific inquiry about shipping to your location, feel free to contact us — we’ll be happy to provide more accurate information.
Shipping costs vary depending on your location and are automatically calculated at checkout once you enter your address. We do our best to minimise costs by keeping local stocks in different parts of the world. However, since we ship pallets from our printer in Hungary to those locations, some shipping charges are unavoidable. We always aim to keep them as low as possible.
Can I help with any services for SRS Books or Śivarāma Swami?
Yes! We are always grateful for volunteers. There are many ways to serve — from online services (such as editing, design, or media work) to practical help like storing or shipping books. If you’d like to offer your skills or time, please reach out to us — every bit of service helps the mission.
