Dear Devotees,
Hare Krishna!
Please kindly accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I pray that you are all well and in good health and spirits.
By your blessings I can join in this Hare Krishna movement, despite my disqualifications. Thank you!
Since I carefully started tracking my Sankirtan outings in 2017, I have completed over 950 outings! I started distributing books in 2009 though. By Krishna’s mercy, with some conservative estimates, I have been fortunate to be out on 1,144+ outings since 2009!
General Update:
What an ecstatic marathon this has been! At the beginning of November, I was 40 outings short of my annual target of 108. And there were so many challenges. My other services, commitments, and not the least, the frigid Toronto weather! But I’m happy to say that by your blessings, I have made it. I went out there 40+ times and also opened up my 2026 Sankirtan outings account!
In general, December is a cold month in Toronto. But usually the really cold weather only starts at the end of December. We got used to warm Decembers for many years. But this year, the polar vortex brought very extreme temperatures much earlier in the month. It also brought freezing rain, snow, and strong winds. The coldest temperature, with the windchill, that I went out in was -21C. I lasted about 30 minutes outside. I wore all possible winter gear. Then, I quickly sought warmth to continue.
Gratitude to my family for supporting my Sankirtan activities. Special thanks to my son Vitthal Bhakta who came out with me often. During the last few days of the marathon, it got extra cold, and I was out for longer. That extra support helped a lot.
Note: Photos are less, because, taking the hand out of the glove/mitten can mean an early break!
Cold Weather Sankirtan
How to keep going in the cold? Well, set a target, easy one, like, say, I will be out for 10 minutes. Then, once the 10 minutes are up and your mind reminds you? Say “I will ask those 3 people”, then “That one lady”, then “those 2 boys”, and then “that man”… and in this way, before you know it you have been out for an hour and never noticed the cold! But that is once you actually are well prepared for the cold.
If you are well prepared for the cold, then it is manageable. If it is not too cold, and it is only -3C or even Zero, you feel like Krishna is back. It seems like Spring has arrived. You have a spring in your step.
For aspiring cold weather Sankirtan warriors who don’t have a Canadian body, or a youthful body… Enduring extreme cold is challenging. Here is my clothing outline for the coldest of days. The trick is to dress in layers, many layers. The better dressed we are for the weather, the better we can serve.
- Torso: Long Sleeved Cotton T-shirt + 2 Warm Acrylic/Wool Sweaters + Hoodie + Inner Coat (3 layers + insulation) + Outer Long Winter Coat (4 layers + insulation) (rated -30C)
- Legs: Thermal Pants + Thick Jeans + Wind/Snow Pants
- Head: Winter Hat + Winter Pilot’s Hat (rated -30C)
- Hands: 1 Pair of Woollen Gloves, 1 Pair of Mittens (rated -30C)
- Feet: 1 Pair Cotton Socks + 1 Pair Woollen Socks + Winter Boots (rated -30C)
All that clothing weighs you down with it’s sheer weight. It’s not too different from the warriors putting on armor! 🙂 Gives a special meaning to the phrase “Sankirtan Warrior”.
As some smart Nordic person said… there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only poor clothing.
Of course, you need to be properly fueled up with Prasadam before heading out. Being out in the cold on an empty stomach is the worst thing.
Also, you need to make sure your books are properly accessible. Make sure it is possible to pull them out without having to take your mittens off. Once the fingers freeze, it’s time out!
It’s best to stay close to a place which is warmer, like a subway station, shopping mall, etc. Productivity is higher if we can slip in for a few minutes, get warm and then head back out again.
Of course, in that type of cold, it is not always possible to have long conversations! I know that the weather is harsh. I am there for a particular purpose. This purpose gives me the strength to tolerate the weather. But not my customers. They don’t know why I am stopping them. They don’t know what advantage they will get by speaking with me. I am just another pesky fellow in their way! I have to stay alert. I must keep it short. Somehow, I must try to make it so that they leave with a book or a mantra or goodwill.
Freezing rain is breathtakingly beautifu. However, it is quite deadly when the trees overloaded with ice crash down onto houses, roads, cars, people, etc.
Rewarding Nevertheless
But it is a most rewarding experience. Trying to convince someone to take something spiritual can be exhausting, but always exhilarating. It is said that for someone who endeavors in this way, they build their spiritual body. This happens one interaction at a time. One learns more in a few hours or days than one can in an entire lifetime! One learns about oneself so much. When I see some negative quality or trait, it is so easy to spot that very trait in myself! Would I stop? Would I speak to a stranger? Would I take something from them? Would I encourage?
Above all, there is great appreciation for someone who took something spiritual. It is such a blessing that I can play a role in their spiritual journey. And it is almost 100% sure that the specifics of this interactions will be forgotten. I will be forgotten in the sands of time. I will be just one of the anonymous servitors of that soul. Just like I have so many anonymous benefactors. I have benefited from their service. Now I can pay it onward.
New Audiences
In this marathon, there were the usual mix of people, rich, poor, simple, sophisticated, etc. There were Indians, Caucasians and more. But there were a few observations on new audiences who otherwise don’t resonate with our message…
Filipinos: Mostly simple working class people, they don’t resonate with a philosophical approach. They are simple people. But they are fluent with English. The message needs to be simple. The books need to be simple. Most of the books with high philosophy don’t resonate with them. They loved to read about Reincarnation (Coming Back, Beyond Birth and Death). Food (Higher Taste) also interests them. They also enjoy reading about Meditation (Chant and Be Happy). And they will open up the book right there and start to read. Most of the time, I started with “Do you like to read?” and showed them a book.
Muslim Afghans: These are mostly displaced persons, new to Canada. They are also simple people, but wary of losing their Islamic connection. So, I place emphasis on the brotherly affection between those from India and Afghanistan. I tell them that knowledge is knowledge, no matter which language it comes from. I reassure them that I don’t intend to take them away from Islam. It is true, Pure Bhakti is the highest form of Islam. I show them Sri Ishopanishad, and ask them if the verses don’t remind them of Allah. That approach resonated with many Bangladeshi Muslims also.
Africans: There are so many African people in Canada. I don’t mean just the descendents of those who escaped slavery in America. These Africans are younger, well educated and curious. Many of them are very fluent with English and they love to read. They are also simple and open. All I had to do was ask them if they like to read. I was respectful in answering their questions. Then, the book was theirs.
Chinese: This is most interesting. For years, I have tried to distribute Chinese Books and it was always very difficult. I live in an area that is full of Chinese people. But I think I have found a technique that works. Do not say anything. Just hold out the book. Make sure the title is clearly visible. Use both hands so they can read the title. When they take the book, one little nod a light bow, and the book is in their bag. Most of the Chinese people I met, even those who spoke English fluently, preferred to read Chinese books. But I saw that they were intimidated by the size of the Chinese Bhagavad Gita. The small books I had this time (all donated by devotees) were perfect. They would read the title and say to me “Magic of yuga? yes, good?”.
Christians: Considering that I distribute right next to a Baptist Church, people would ask me if this was about Jesus. I said yes, this book explained Jesus’ way. I said that this book helps them go deeper into the Bible because it is about God the Father. Of course, some Christians asked things like “spirituality, which spirituality”. Some seemed freaked out. It was as if they’d seen a ghost and quickly got away. I blame the dishonest or evil preachers for that reaction. “Chant and Be Happy” and “Higher Taste” are especially good because of the copious references to the Bible there. But when there was no chance – I reminded them of the commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill”. I repeated Srila Prabhupada’s instruction. He said that anyone who claimed to be a Christian but consumed the flesh of animals is not a Christian. He stated that consuming the flesh of animals contradicts Christian values. That made an impression. Hopefully “Higher Taste” next! 🙂
Arabic: Arabic people are so much like Indian people. Most of them are not overly concerned about spiritual topics. But they love the cookbooks and books in Arabic. I just had to hold out the title to make it visible as they passed. They would break out into a BIG smile and stop to chat. Even the ladies with face coverings pushing strollers and managing so many kids.
Nepalis: I have never met so many Nepali boys in such a short time before! It was practically like distributing books in India. They needed no convincing. I just had to ask them “Do you want a Gita?” They would check with me “Are you selling or distributing?”. Of course I was not selling. And then they would send me a donation by eTransfer after. If I didn’t have a Gita, then I would say “based on the Bhagavat”. They would take a book like Second Chance. Very pious souls.
Outings Outline:
| 2025.69 – 15 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.70 – 16 Nov 2025 – ISKCON Brampton Class & Shastra Daan Collections |
| 2025.71 – 16 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.72 – 17 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & FInch Books |
| 2025.73 – 19 Nov 2025 – Old City Hall Books |
| 2025.74 – 22 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.75 – 23 Nov 2025 – Anglican Church + ISKCON Toronto Sunday Feast Distribution Incl. SD |
| 2025.76 – 24 Nov 2025 – Queens Park Station Books |
| 2025.77 – 25 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & FInch Books |
| 2025.78 – 29 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.79 – 29 Nov 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.80 – 30 Nov 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Sunday Feast Distribution |
| 2025.81 – 1 Dec 2025 – LinkedIn Distribution + Temple Distribution |
| 2025.82 – 2 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.83 – 3 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Temple Corridor Books |
| 2025.84 – 4-6 Dec 2025 – Montreal + Vermont Travel Distribution |
| 2025.85 – 7 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Sunday Feast Distribution |
| 2025.86 – 12 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & FInch Books |
| 2025.87 – 13 Dec 2025 – 65 Forest Manor Door to Door Books |
| 2025.88 – 14 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Books |
| 2025.89 – 15 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.90 – 16 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.91 – 18 Dec 2025 – Don MIlls & Finch Books |
| 2025.92 – 19 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.93 – 20 Dec 2025 – 25 Forest Manor Door to Door Books |
| 2025.94 – 21 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Sunday Feast Books |
| 2025.95 – 22 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.96 – 23 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.97 – 24 Dec 2025 – Finch Bus Station Books |
| 2025.98 – 24 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Books |
| 2025.99 – 25 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.100 – 26 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.101 – 27 Dec 2025 – 25 Forest Manor Door to Door Books |
| 2025.102 – 28 Dec 2025 – ISKCON Toronto Sunday Feast Books |
| 2025.103 – 29 Dec 2025 – Yonge & Edward + YD Square with VB |
| 2025.104 – 29 Dec 2025 – Nathan Phillips Square + Old City Hall with VB |
| 2025.105 – 29 Dec 2025 – Finch Bus Station with VB |
| 2025.106 – 30 Dec 2025 – Don Mills & Finch |
| 2025.107 – LinkedIn + WhatsApp Friends & Family Campaign – counted when distributed/donated out |
| 2025.108 – Don Mills & Finch Books |
| 2025.109 – ISKCON Toronto Corridor distribution |
| 2025.110 – Old City Hall Harinam + Books with VB, BMS and temple devotees |
| 2026.1 – Old City Hall Harinam + Books with VB, BMS and temple devotees |
New 42 2025 Outings
Total 110/108 outings in 2025, and 1/108 outings in 2026!
With the family at the St. John’s Anglican Church, after the Ordination of Reverend Dr. James Leatch, also seen Bishop Right Rev Kevin Robertson.
Diverse Interactions
Here are just a few of interactions that stood out… Note that I have had thousands of interactions, and noted a one-liner after each outing about those that stood out… Some of these are short. They show how little time one has to get a book out in the extreme cold!
The most common reaction that a book distributor faces is to be ignored. People pretend we don’t exist at all… either they are uncomfortable, in a hurry, or genuinely disinterested. So that is the most common reaction, and doesn’t count as an interaction. I counted hundreds or thousands of those in each outing.
A Sikh boy didn’t want to take anything because he said we worship stones and wood. He hadn’t heard of Guru Nanak visiting the temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri!
An Afghan man named Suleiman chanted names of Lord Ram very beautifully. We had a very sweet conversation on an unusually warm evening. He took 2 books.
A big part of book distribution in marathon is to collect donations from the congregations members. A lot of people each doing a little bit. I have no way to track these because the collection was centralized. Unless a transaction happens right in front of you, no way to see what actually happened. I was very conservative about counting these in my scores. But the congregation was very generous overall, they gave well over a quarter of a million dollars. Many different temples, including Toronto, Brampton, and other places. This is despite donor fatigue from being asked each year, year after year.
A running girl passing by said “I don’t need it but will take it” and ran off with a book!
A boy named Kamal, of Turkish heritage, he came to Canada about 4 years ago. Now he studies Computer Science and the more he studies the more disgested he gets. “What is the world coming to, what are we spending our lives on” he was thinking! He took books and promised to read and reach out.
A Muslim girl from Bangladesh was initially hesitant, but took an Ishopanishad when I showed her some of the verses. She bought the argument “Knowledge is knowledge”.
Ginger from Ukraine spoke of war, death, suffering, and so on. She said she didn’t know what can be done about all that. She did take books when presented as the only solution to all the problems. She liked that those who read will either stop such nonsense, or will not be affected by such nonsense.
I met Karthik, from Andhra Pradesh in a crosswalk, walking in opposite directions. I handed him a book and said he could donate if he wanted to, email inside. He’s a student and sent $40 by eTransfer! I was touched by his generosity.
This Dentist from Mumbai, Anil presently works at a Tim Hortons Coffee shop. I told him about my cousin who had to do the same things. He said he had many questions so took a Perfect Questions Perfect Answers.
Steve, who is from Gujarat, surprised me by taking a book when he heard “hey, knowledge is knowledge”. Usually Indian Christians rarely take books, in my experience.
Akshay took a book without a word, and said he wanted to join classes. He gave me $20 right away without hesitation.
Arash is from Afghanistan. He is not a quick reader. He knew about Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, and the goddesses. I met him so many times during marathon. Always had a warm smile and a kind word for me. And even though he can’t read well, he took a book.
Enny born in Nigeria, now from Houston came here to study Computer Engineering. He was asking about the market for new graduates. I said not too good, thanks to AI. But he took a book. Franklin, his friend from Jamaica, also a student in the same class, actually took a SB 7.1! That was rare, to distribute a Bhagavatam on the street.
One boy asked me when I came to Canada, I said 2003. He said he was born that year, then he asked me how old I was. When I replied he said I was as old as his father. He then said he would never refuse anything his father told him to do. So he dutifully took a book.
Shane is a Seventh Day Adventist. He first apologized for the cans of beer in his hand. Then he told me he was giving it all up in the New Year. And he shared that he no longer goes to Church because he can worship any day of the week. I said reading this book as as good as going to church. So he took it.
Mohammed from Bahrain loves going to the Gym. I said this was not that kind of exercisy yoga. I said this was more internal. He said, yes, he is scared of that internal deep part. But since the book is in Arabic, he took it. And then he said “I will read, Inshalla”, and crossed… All this in about 10 seconds!
Every time we went door-to-door, the people overwhelmed us with their generosity. There was the lady who handed over all her week’s worth of groceries. The boys from India asked me to place the Gita in their altar. They hadn’t yet had a bath! Najib from Somalia donated generously. Sara from Ethiopia gave $50, and she is married to Christopher from Chennai who said “This is Gita. This is the best book!”.
One Chinese girl, said “I like to read, depends on the topic”. She was hooked in the Science of Self Realization, love at first sight. Took the book and immediately started reading. She kept reading as she stepped into the bus. She continued reading while she found a seat. When the bus took off, she was still reading with rapt attention. Wow! Srila Prabhupada ki kaya!
There was this Russian man who was attracted when I said “mystic secret knowledge.” However, he was disappointed when the book couldn’t teach him to fly. I couldn’t convince him that flying back home was better than flying like a bird in this world. But he knew that this was important, because all his arguments were quite inconsistent and he was laughing. But anyways, the bus came and he left.
Simple Spanish speaking lady took the book and said “nothing bad, right?” and started reading the book while crossing the street in the dark. I called out “careful!” but she was too engrossed in the book, though she made it safely across the street. Like anyone who can live in Srila Prabhupada’s vani is always safe in all situations, she was in safe hands.
Shivam and Krishnaa, a couple asked me what I was doing, and then Krishnaa took a BG Compact edition. She was an atheist before, just like me, and Shivam’s Mom is an ISKCON devotee in Nashik.
This man who looked like a ghost, white pasty skin, BIG eyes, half bald, open coat in the sub-zero weather… Lumbering gait, limping along… Reminded me of Frankenstein. He made his way straight at me, open mouthed, breathing hard, fixing his gaze on me without blinking! I must admit I was a little nervous. Then he took a book, smiled, and got on the bus. That man turned out to be a saint!
I asked an Indian girl alone at a bus stop where she was from. She looked exasperated as if I was some fellow trying to ask her out or buy her a drink. She said I am from this world. I knew she was from Gujarat from her accent. I replied that these books are from another world. She immediately replied “Let me take it then!”.
In my 40+ outings and meeting hundreds of Christians, I met only one Christian lady who eats no meat! I congratulated her. She was happy to know she was among the very few following the “Thou Shalt Not Kill” commandment.
Along the same lines, in an elevator between floors, I asked one Muslim boy what he thought of all the people claiming to be Muslim and then killing people to go to heaven. He said “They are not Muslim”. There is still hope for this world!
I did meet some people regularly. Like this man who was very short with me “I read books on my own terms”… after a few meeting he became very nice to me. Still didn’t take a book, but I will work on him the next time I see him! 🙂
One man I met at the Finch Bus Station carefully looked through each book I had in my hands… Some of the pictures freaked him out. He was especially disturbed by the Changing Bodies picture. The various species coming out of material nature endlessly picture also unsettled him. He loved Srila Prabhupada’s picture and he loved the picture of Mahaprabhu leading the devotees in Harinam Sankirtan. He took a CBH with tremendous gratitude, and thanked me for approaching him on that day!
One curious man near a bookstore asked me, “Why are you doing this?” I replied, “Because these books help anyone who reads them.” He took a small one and said, “To increase my chances of actually reading it.”
Stuti from Haridwar passed us by. Then came back, took a book, and promised to write to me and send me an eTransfer.
Two young girls at a bus stop were cautious, almost nervous when I approached them. One was in a white body, one in a black body. No one else was around, it was late and dark. Cold and windy. But as soon as I showed them the books, they immediately gravitated towards the books on reincarnation. Coming Back, Beyond Birth and Death, Second Chance… etc. You get the picture. They behaved very differently after, like they would with an old friend.
Salman from Kerala took a book, saying he only knows English and Malayalam. He didn’t respond to my Muslim greetings.
A father and son from Syria saw the books in my hands. They asked for them and took one book each. The father excitedly recommended a particular one to his son!
Anas from Mauritius wore no gloves! I asked him and he said he’s very new, still getting used to it all. He loved the example of how his Mom or Grandma can cook something special. No one else can ever replicate that same taste. He was intrigued with the ingredient beyond the ingredients. “Higher Taste” calling!
Hrithik from Bangladesh took the Bhagavad Gita and Krishna. He took beads too, which Brahma Prabhu offered to the deities. He promised to chant 2 rounds daily to start with.
This boy from Haryana couldn’t speak a sentence without using an expletive. He tried really hard controlling himself, seeing that I was with a child. Fortunately Vitthal Bhakta doesn’t understand any of that. But he was very open about his atheism. He said he didn’t believe all this. He said he did what the elders told him to do back home, but here he did whatever he liked. I tried to interest him in the difference between an animal. say a dog, and a human. He insisted there was no difference. I asked him so many questions about why no one wants to die, etc… Then he said he wouldn’t mind being a dog. They didn’t have to struggle so much. Their lives were so uncomplicated. At this point I remembered what Srila Prabhupada said to a boy who said he wanted to be a dog. So I touched him and blessed him that in his next life, he would be a dog. He seemed to be very happy with the blessing! Vitthal Bhakta was shocked I did that. But later I prayed for him. I hoped he would be born as a dog in the home of a Vaishnava. There, he would become purified by the dust of the Vaishnava’s lotus feet. I prayed that he would get Krishna Prasadam before and in his next human life. That’s the best I could do for him!
These are only a few of the many interactions… something about these stood out to me even now and I wrote them down for your pleasure. Please pray for everyone else who reciprocated with any devotee who was out on Sankirtan. They deserve your blessings. A few pictures attached.
Would you like to help? I can’t hit my targets alone. But you can help. You can donate for distribution in any region of the world. I will work to get your donation to book distributors in that part of the world. This way, we can make it easier for someone to get Srila Prabhupada’s books. Will you help?
All this is possible only by your encouragement and blessings! Thank you!
Do you want to be notified when I go out? Anyone you know? When I’m going out on Harinam, book distribution, or giving a class, I send out a notification. Please let me know… let us together flood this world with Harinam Sankirtan, Krishna Katha, and Srila Prabhupada’s books!
My 2025 goals summary is
- 110 Sankirtan outings – target exceeded
- 83 classes delivered – target exceeded, and
- 1662+ Bhagavad Gita or equivalent distributed (below target of 2330).
My lifetime goal of being an instrument in distributing 1 Lakh Gitas tracking is at 10,620+/100,000 (10.6% of goal).
My 2026 goals are, - 108 Sankirtan outings
- 100 classes, and being an instrument in the
- distribution of 3319 Bhagavad Gitas or equivalent!
I can only set goals and pray for mercy, then try my best. But the Vaishnavas and Krishna can help fulfill the prayer, enable the effort and make the target possible to achieve. Please bless me, because your blessings are certainly potent!
107 outings to go in 2026! Please bless me, please pray for me.
Please engage in acts of Harinam Sankirtan wherever you are!
This is written for your pleasure.
your servant,
Mahabhagavat Das
dasadas.com
P.S: If you wish to help me distribute Bhagavad Gitas, please let me know. Distribution can be arranged in a country of your choice. You can start with as little as 1 Bhagavad Gita. There are no upper limits! 🙂
P.P.S: Please forward to as many souls as you can with your personal note, where attention goes energy flows, so more and more souls may take up Harinam Sankirtan and Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution all over the world…
Freedom through Genuine Spiritual Progress 