He Turned 80

Bhaktimarga Swami

Sep 24

2 min read

Friday, September 25th, 2026

Ottawa, Ontario

He turned 80, the senior most resident of our ashram. Jai Sri hails from St. Thomas, Ontario,

joined the Krishna movement in Tennessee decades ago, and came back to Canada to spend

years in Toronto’s branch to serve our deities. Whenever a pujari (priest) couldn’t make it for

their scheduled service they would call Jai Sri, and in a very detached mode, would agree. “I’ll

take care of it,” was his surrendered attitude. He is a bit frail these days and can’t ride a bike

anymore. It would just be too risky. Thank you, Jai! Happy birthday! It’s good having you around despite the age gap in the ashram.

Most of the residents are in their late 20’s. Wishing well a devotee of age was the mood while receiving wishes of a good trip to Ottawa for Nityananda and I at a late morning hour. As usual the road trip by car had us take to my favourite route choice — Highway 7, a wing of the Trans Canada Highway. There we go through small towns, hit a speed of 80 or at most 90 km per hour and I get a chance to walk brief stretches while my driver gases up or naps.

In the town of Norwood I had that opportunity and hit the main street. A motorist rolled down his window and profusely offered his pranams, hands folded. A couple from nearby Havelock pulled over. She said, “I know you, from somewhere. A photo please with you.” Pedestrians too from the town had something favourable to remark. Why wouldn’t they? The sun’s bright.

Temperature’s right.

In Ottawa we reached in time for the regular kirtan chanting, but tonight we put emphasis on

dancing. Singing and dancing are like horse and carriage. One is not complete without the other.