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. Some serve on a voluntary basis, some are brahmacārīs, whilst others are given a 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, minimise the inventory of our relatively small operation, and to keep each edition exclusive.
- Hand craftsmanship – Many steps of the production process, such as binding, gold leafing and other finishing touches are done by hand, and artwork is individually inserted into the book. This is rather labour intensive but the personal touch ensures for a high quality end product.
- Premium materials – We source the best available materials, such as Italian art paper, gold leafing, and embossed covers. All these features make the books very beautiful and long lasting.
- 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. They are a long term investment
- Devotional mission – SRS Books is a not-for-profit organisation. In the past, Mahārāja personally collected donations to help fund print runs. Whilst we have moved away from such dependency, we are far from making a profit. Any lakṣmī that is collected goes straight back into the process of publishing, warehousing, transporting and distributing the latest titles. If something remains, it is used for the direct service of Rādhā-Śyāma, the beautiful Deities of New Vraja Dhāma in Hungary. Therefore, by purchasing these books you are directly supporting our mission to share Vṛndāvana with the world.
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 international shipping charges are unavoidable in addition to local fees. 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.
