STOPPING FOR LIFE

Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

Etobicoke, Ontario

At the Lotus Funeral our small weekend travelling party, with Nityananda, Sarthak and myself came to honour one of our senior members who passed away. Falgu Das Gupta AKA Padmavati, 86, was a true active member of our Toronto community for a long time as pujari (priest), music teacher of voice and harmonium. Her husband, Sri Pati Pandit, also a regular pujari, left us when he was in the midst of serving the deity, when his clothes caught on fire. Ten days later he passed as the degree burns were too much.

Their daughter, Keka, was the convener of the funeral event. Along with her brother, Rinku, they observed a pundit conducting the last rites. Our party and three of the Hannah boys, led the kirtan. This was very appealing to the attendees. During the time for the eulogies speakers kept mentioning the name “Krishna” and as it is just one day away from Krishna’s birthday, Janmasthami, we all considered it an auspicious time for Padmavati to be sent off to higher regions.

When it came my turn to speak I quoted from the Bhagavad-gita 2.20. Please look this verse up and encounter the truth of it. Many who were present saw this as a Celebration of Life, but naturally there were mixed emotions. God bless.

After the cremation our party of three left for Huntsville capturing Krishna’s beautiful scenery along the way. In Huntsville everyone was preparing for the birthday of the king, Krishna at the temple on Main Street.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

11,359 FOOTSTEPS