A MONK GETS INVOLVED

Monday, August 31st, 2026

Downtown Toronto

A drizzly day from start to finish is what the gods had to offer for those of us near the shores of Lake Ontario. It is still called “Lake Ontario.” But let’s not go there.

Where I live, I’m about 4 kilometres from that beach line, but I did decide to get closer from my residence at the temple ashram. I decided to go on a mission for our deities, Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha. They need tables for the front of the altar where donors will place their beautiful offerings of flowers, fruits, grains etc. as they wish for darshan. I figured if I go to the import store, “Home Sense,” I’m likely to find what’s needed. That meant a walk south on Yonge St. But NO! I could not find two matching marble top tables.

I went back north to the Bloor Street branch of the department store and there I found what I was looking for — two smart looking, handcrafted, made-in-India tables.

“That will do the job!” I thought. They were delivered within the hour of my spotting. Now, that was smooth operating. The timing for this little addition is set just before Krishna’s birthday which is on the 4th of September.

Though I am a sannyasi, a full-time monk, I do take interest in what the temple’s interior looks like. I also arranged something I thought our resident devotees would like — a bagel fest. That went well. Hosts Vallabha Hari and Kati took on the first annual. It was more like a private party but it worked. The bagels were top of the line. We chanted, shared jokes and behaved very positive. A monk gets involved in creative ways. 

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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