HH Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami left body
cos...@gmail.com
Please accept my humble obeisance . All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
With great regret I would like to inform devotees around the world that
our most beloved HH. Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Swami maharaj has left his
body last night in Kolkata at his BI office.
After mid night Maharaja felt pain then very soon he left his body.
There were four of his disciples with him. Every thing was OK .
Maharaja was normal . This incident happened all at sudden.
This has not been decided where Maharaja's body will be given samadhi.
Maharaja will be in Kolkata until after noon .
Kolkata Vice president Barada Krishna along with other devotees are
with Maharaja by now.
Thank you very much.
Your humble servant
Bhakti Purusottama Swami
cos...@gmail.com
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is with deep regret that we inform you of the disappearance of
Sripad Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja due to a massive cardiac
arrest. He passed away around 12:15 am today in Calcutta, Srila
Prabhupada's place of birth.
We the members and servants of the Governing Body Commission of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness, express our profound
bereavement on the passing of our dear Godbrother and fellow Governing
Body Commissioner Sri Srimad Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja, the
beloved disciple of ISKCON Founder/Acarya His Divine Grace A. C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada gave special attention to Sripada Maharaja, even up to
his last days in Vrindavana in November of 1977. He would sometimes
refer to Sripada Maharaja affectionately as, "Our Dr. Svarupa
Damodara" and "our scientist, Svarupa Damaodara", and there were
hours of conversations between Prabhupada and Sripada Maharaja.
Sri Srimad Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja dedicated his life to
fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's order to spread Krishna consciousness
throughout the world especially through the medium of the Bhaktivedanta
Institute. Maharaja tirelessly worked to publish literature, develop
relationships with leading scientists and organize elaborate
conferences that brought the scientific community together to hear the
message of Krishna Consciousness in a language they could appreciate.
While doing that, he simultaneously established Krishna Consciousness
in his native State of Manipur. He spread the glories of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada throughout that area. He was always a
gentle, humble soul who worked tirelessly in Srila Prabhupada's
service. Even at his advanced age, he was traveling the globe attending
conferences, meeting top scientists, preaching at ISKCON temples and
program. In this time of their great grief, we pledge ourselves to the
service of his disciples and followers who are determined to carry on
his great service to the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Signed (on behalf of the GBC Body),
AC Bhaktivaibhava Swa\mi
Chairman ISKCON GBC
cos...@gmail.com
Dear Assembled Vaisnavas,
Please accept my humble obeisances _/\ò_. All glories to Srila
Prabhupada!
It is with great regret and lamentation that we announce the sudden
departure of Sripad Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami at approximately 12:15
AM Kolkata time, October 2nd, 2006, in Kolkata India. Sripad Maharaja,
as he was affectionately known by his followers, was sixty-nine years
old.
Sripad Maharaja was staying in the Bhaktivedanta Institute flat in
Kolkata with four assistants, Brajendra Kumar, Brajapati, Brihaspati
and Gunam Canda Singh. He had been receiving treatment for the injury
he sustained in the grenade attack at Janmastami in ISKCON's Manipur
temple.
Just before midnight Maharaja called for Brajendra Kumar prabhu
complaining of severe pain in his shoulder. Over the next few minutes
he became breathless, and before a doctor could be called, he departed
this mortal world for the transcendental realm.
Because of the time, a doctor could only be called later this morning.
He confirmed the cause of death as ventricular fibulation leading to
cardiac arrest.
At the time of writing, 9 AM October 2 2006, the intention is to take
the body of Sripada Maharaja first to Imphal, Manipur on an 11 AM
flight, and thence to New Delhi this evening, and then on to
Radha-kunda. It was Maharaja's wish that he be put into samadhi in
Radha-kunda.
However because of the necessary preparations that have to be made for
transporting his body, clearance of airline regulations etc. it may not
be possible to go to Imphal. In this case his body will be flown
directly to New Delhi most likely this afternoon.
The devotees of ISKCON Mayapur wish to express their shock and grief at
the departure of Sripad Maharaja, and offer their most heartfelt
condolences and prayers to the disciples and associates of Sripad
Maharaja whose hearts must surely be burning in the fire of separation
at the loss of their beloved spiritual master.
We will keep the devotee community advised via the internet as further
information becomes available. Anyone wishing to ring may contact the
Kolkata Vice President, Sriman Varada Krishna prabhu on +09331260760.
On behalf of ISKCON Mayapur
Your humble servant,
Hari-sauri dasa
Note from Mayapur.com : To learn about Sripad Bhaktiswarup Damodar
Maharaja's contribution to scientific preaching, visit the official
website of his Bhaktivedanta Institute group at http://binstitute.org
cos...@gmail.com
The following is a letter read to the devotees at ISKCON Atlanta's
memorial service for HH Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Swami's from our GBC,
HH Hridayananda das Goswami.
HDG letter captures the mood of the devotees in Atlanta ISKCON. Atlanta
was particularly dear to Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Swami because he began
the Bhaktivedanta Institute here.
I first met His Holiness Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Swami in the early
70's when he began to visit the Los Angeles temple. I would
especially see him whenever Srila Prabhupada came to New Dvaraka.
Thoudam Singh, as we first knew him, was a very sincere, devoted,
humble young man who was earning his PhD at the University of
Calfiornia at Irvine, which is about one hour south of Los Angeles.
He would always come when Srila Prabhupada came, and he was a
well-known fixture at Srila Prabhupada's morning walks. Srila
Prabhupada was delighted to see that a young, faithful scientist was
becoming his disciple. In fact, it was really the presence of Swarupa
Damodar, as he was known after his first initiation, that inspired
Srila Prabhupada to begin the "Life Comes from Life discussions. If
you look up Los Angeles in the Vedabase, you will find that often when
Srila Prabhupada spoke of Los Angeles, it was in reference to Swarupa
Damodar. Srila Prabhupada used to brag all over the world that this
very nice young scientist has joined him. So Swarupa Damodar's coming
to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet really was a catalyst in Srila
Prabhupada's own preaching.
Then Srila Prabhupada ordered Swarupa Damodar and others to form the
Bhaktivedanta Institute which exists to this day. In the field of
science preaching, Bhakti Swarupa Damodar was really ISKCON's
greatest ambassador.
His modest, charming approach won the heart of great scientists all
over the world. And having won their hearts, it became possible to
improve their heads with Krishna consciousness.
Bhakti Swarupa Damodar is also the great pioneer of Krishna
consciousness in the Indian state of Manipur. Not only did he establish
Srila Prabhupada's mission as a major spiritual force in Manipur, but
he brought traditional Manipuri Vaishnava culture all over the world.
Personally, Bhakti Swarupa Damodar was a beloved brother and friend. I
knew him since he first came to Srila Prabhupada. Whenever we met there
would always be affectionate, joking exchanges.
In fact, whenever he saw me, he would always take my arm and say to me,
"Your pastimes are inconceivable." He would then laugh heartily. I
recall his last visit to Atlanta, at least the last one where I was
present. I especially remember that he led a magnificent mangal arotik.
Bhakti Swarupa Damodar was not only a promoter of Vaishnava culture, he
was himself a great Vaishnava singer, who sang like a Gandharva for the
Deity's pleasure.
On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all of his
disciples, followers and friends, and to the members of his personal
family.
We may take comfort in two obvious facts:
1. Bhakti Swarupa Damodar will always be remembered as one of the great
pioneers of the Krishna consciousness movement, and as one of the most
beloved and prominent of the Srila Prabhupada's disciples.
2. Through his disciples, wellwishers and friends, his outstanding
service to Srila Prabhupada will continue to bless the world.
All glories to Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Maharaj!
His Godbrother and servant,
Hridayananda das Goswami
Website: http://www.atlantaharekrishnas.org/
cos...@gmail.com
Part One: The Greatest Sorrow
By Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja
Edited by Madhavananda Das
In Caitanya-caritāmṛta, madhya 8.248, it is mentioned how once
Mahaprabhu asked Ray Ramananda, duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya
gurutara?— “Which sorrow is the most intense?” Ray Ramananda
answered, kṛṣṇa-bhakta viraha-vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para —
“Being separated from a kṛṣṇa-bhakta, a dear devotee of
Krishna, is the most grievous sorrow and unhappiness.” If someone
becomes separated from a dear devotee of Krishna, he will experience
acute pain. No other kind of sorrow can be compared to this. This is
like kṛṣṇa-viraha-duhkha, the pain of separation from Krishna.
This is what Uddhava is feeling after the Krishna sun has set, after
Krishna has disappeared. Uddhava has been put into such painful grief,
a most sorrowful condition. And similar to this is
kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha, separation from a dear devotee of Krishna,
who is always with Krishna. If someone is separated from such a dear
devotee, that is like being separated from Krishna. There is no other
sorrow like that.
Mahaprabhu said this when Haridas Thakur disappeared. Haridas Thakur,
who is known as nāmācārya, was day and night, twenty-four hours,
engaged in chanting the holy name. Not sleeping, not eating. That means
he was always with Krishna. When he disappeared, Mahaprabhu cried
piteously, because such a dear devotee, who was always with Krishna,
has left. That is the most acute pain. Mahaprabhu cried and said:
kṛpā kari’ kṛṣṇa more diyāchilā saṅga
svatantra kṛṣṇera icchā, — kailā saṅga-bhaṅga
haridāsera icchā yabe ha-ila calite
āmāra śakati tāṅre nārila rākhite
icchā-mātre kailā nija-prāṇa niṣkrāmaṇa
pūrve yena śuniyāchi bhīṣmera maraṇa
Krishna was so merciful to Me that He gave Me the association of such
an elevated devotee, paramahaṁsa, such a dear devotee of Krishna, who
was always with Krishna. Getting His association, I felt that I was
with Krishna. Now Haridas Thakur has disappeared. And the pain in My
heart is most grievous.
The disappearance of such a dear devotee is very inauspicious.
Therefore, Mahaprabhu cried. So one must cry because it is the most
grievous pain, the most grievous distress one can feel. But us, foolish
conditioned souls, we cannot cry for it. We have only developed
attachment for this body and bodily relations. If we lose some of our
near and dear ones, we cry and feel sorrow. “Oh, my dear friend
died.” “My wife died.” “My father died.” “My mother
died.” He feels sorrow and cries. Such a foolish person. But who is
crying when a dear devotee disappears? Who cries for that? Only the
vaiṣṇavas cry. They never cry for material separation — if they
lose their materially near and dear ones.
If you want to cry, cry for Krishna. Krishna is our nearest and dearest
one. Krishna is our object of love. Krishna is the sole life. Krishna
says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.9), jīvanaṁ sarva-bhūteṣu — “I am
the life of all living entities.” And Mahaprabhu was crying, hā
kṛṣṇa prāṇa mora — “Krishna is My life. Now My life has
gone out. I cannot see Krishna, I cannot find Krishna.” He cried
piteously when Haridas Thakur disappeared. “Krishna is so merciful.
He gave Me the association of such a dear devotee who was always with
Krishna. But now he disappeared, so I cannot feel the presence of
Krishna who is My life. I am without life, I am without life.” That
is how one should cry.
Krishna is svatantra. His will is supreme. Similarly, whatever a dear
devotee of Krishna wants, Krishna grants. And Haridas Thakur wanted
that, “I’ll leave this planet.” And Krishna granted that to him.
Although Mahaprabhu is Krishna, He said, “Haridas Thakur is such a
dear devotee of Krishna, I have no power to check him. “Don’t go,
don’t go. Stay with us.” When such a dear devotee develops the
desire that, “O Krishna, please take me. I don’t want to live
here.” Krishna grants it, and he leaves this planet. Such was the
case with Haridas Thakur. Mahaprabhu cried and picked up the
transcendental body of Haridas Thakur. Chanting, “ hare
kṛṣṇa”, while shedding tears, He danced. This is what
Mahaprabhu has taught us.
Cry for the Sun
A dear devotee of Krishna, who is an ācārya, comes here to give us
Krishna. kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāra, tomāra
śakati āche — “O vaiṣṇava Thakur! Krishna belongs to you
because you have bound up Krishna in your heart with the rope of love.
Only you can give me Krishna.” Ācāryas like my revered spiritual
master, Srila Prabhupada, come here to give us Krishna, to spread
Krishna consciousness throughout the world. He did such good to us.
When such an ācārya disappears, such a dear devotee of Krishna, we
should cry because this is the most acute pain for us. When the
ācārya leaves, a dark period comes. The sun sets and darkness comes.
Here, Uddhava says that the Krishna sun has set, so darkness is
prevailing. We are in darkness. What auspiciousness is there for us?
Similarly, when such a dear devotee of Krishna, an ācārya,
disappears, there is a dark period, a most inauspicious period. We are
in such a most inauspicious dark period. Groping in the darkness. Now
that such a dear devotee, ācārya, has gone. As the effulgent sun may
be covered by a patch of black cloud, similarly such a dark period has
come. After the disappearance of my revered spiritual master, a dear
devotee of Krishna, Gaura, such a dark period has come. Definitely we
are in a dark period. We are suffering and crying, groping in the
darkness. What auspiciousness is there? So, we must cry for that
effulgent sun to again rise. Let that patch of dark cloud disappear! We
must cry for it.
We are spending the dark night in a motel. But we should not just sleep
and snore. We should cry and cry, anxiously waiting for the rising of
the effulgent sun. Let the darkness disappear and the effulgent sun
rise, so that I can catch up the road to Purushottam Dham. I am just a
traveler spending the dark night in this motel. This illusory material
world is like a motel. The illusory energy of the Lord is like
darkness, whereas Krishna is like the sun — kṛṣṇa sūrya-sama;
māyā haya andhakara. Those who are covered by this illusory energy
are in darkness. We must cry for the effulgent sun to rise. Don’t
forget this. This is such severe grief for us. We have to cry and then
pray for the effulgent sun to rise. Then all happiness, auspiciousness,
and enlightenment will come. Then we will catch up the road leading to
Purushottam Dham, the abode of Lord Jagannath. I am just a traveler
going there. Otherwise, where is there any auspiciousness for us if we
are bereft of devotion, Krishna, and such a dear devotee?
– Excerpted from the booklet After the Disappearance of Sri Guru.
Published by Gopal Jiu Publications. Bhubaneswar Orissa.
www.gopaljiu.org
cos...@gmail.com
Meditations on Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Swami
By Kṛṣṇābhiṣeka Dāsa
My Dear Mahārāja,
Danḍavat. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Although I have met your several times until March 2006, I have never
written any letter to you. I hope and pray that you will accept this
posthumous offering at your lotus feet.
As I sat for my work today one e-mail popped from my dear god-brother
in Calcutta, Shyāmāramaṇa dāsa. The news of your passing away came
a bit untimely and unexpectedly. For a long moment I cast away all the
work that I was doing and meditated on the lesson that you were
teaching me : we have to be Kṛṣṇa conscious every moment. It
might be my turn next. Who knows ? You are an Ācārya in your glorious
passing as much as you were while you walked this planet.
Mahārāja, faint memories come flooding back as I meditate on your
glorious passing. It is so wonderful that despite not being our body we
take such pleasure in the philosophy of personalism through intimate
association Vaiṣṇavas. Your life was a living lesson. Although I
didn’t get your association the way some of your disciples, friends
or well wishers did, I salute you from a distance with a pained heart.
You are, in more than many ways, my hero. You are an Ācārya in your
glorious passing as much as you were while you walked this planet.
I don’t remember the first time I met you: it was probably in the
Māyāpura Candrodaya temple, probably back in the early 90s. I have
seen you many times since then. I, however, remember you the last time
I saw you. You had walked out of the Bhaktivedānta Institute bus that
stood on one of the parks of the Candrodaya temple. Although I had been
re-introduced to you by Shyāmāramaṇa prabhu, your disciple
Shyāmārāni’s brother, I had not been able to talk to you at that
moment. I took the opportunity to talk to you when I saw you coming out
of the bus. I never thought that it would be my last meeting with you.
You had asked me about my service and I remember you hearing, thinking
and responding back when I said that HH Tamāl Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī,
my spiritual master, had encouraged me to “follow up” his academic
work and preaching. I remember your encouragement and am thankful for
your blessings for being able to do this service at Oxford University
right now. I look up to you as one of the first academic preachers in
ISKCON, and understand through your example how much Śrīla
Prabhupāda wanted some devotees to talk to atheistic professors,
scholars and scientists presenting them pure Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
in their own language. You are an Ācārya in your glorious passing as
much as you were while you walked this planet.
Beyond all that, Mahārāja, I know your heart is always with
Kṛṣṇa and his dear devotees, especially Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Please bless me that no matter how much I falter in my attempts to be
steady devotee, one day I can follow your footsteps and make my life
successful by remembering Kṛṣṇa intensely with loving devotion
when I leave my body.
You have set an example for everybody in your passing : like your own
spiritual master you were in the battlefield till the last moment. Like
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Prabhupāda you left your body in
Calcutta while preaching. I admire you as my ṣiksā guru and look up
to you with awe and reverence. You are an Ācārya in your glorious
passing as much as you were while you walked this planet.
The next time I see you on this planet, you would be situated in
samādhi in your well deserved and rightful place : on the banks of
Rādhā Kunḍa. The next time I shall perform circumambulation of the
holy dhāma of Vṛndāvana, I shall surely come and pray for your
inspiration that I may never be diverted from my service or be diverted
from Kṛṣṇa by making my service a material affair. Please bless
me so that one day I can become perfect one day and join you and your
other godbrothers in nitya-līlā as a subservient assistant. For you
are an Ācārya in your glorious passing as much as you were while you
walked this planet.
Your spiritual nephew
Kṛṣṇābhiṣeka dāsa
cos...@gmail.com
By Lal Krishna dasa
His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Maharaja, a disciple of
ISKCON’s founder, Srila Prabhupada, has passed away at 12:15am, 2
October 2006, in Kolkata, India.
He had been receiving treatment for an injury he sustained in a grenade
attack at Janmastami in ISKCON’s Manipur temple. Just before midnight
on 1 October, Maharaja called for assistance complaining of severe pain
in his shoulder. Over the next few minutes he became breathless, and
before a doctor could be called, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (Dr. T. D. Singh) was born into a Vaisnava
family in Manipur, India, in 1937. His main services were developing
ISKCON in Manipur and developing dialogue between scientists and
religionists.
He received his B.S. with honors from Gauhati University in 1961, his
Master of Technology degree with honors from Calcutta University in
1964, his M.S. in chemistry from Canisius College in Buffalo in 1969,
and in 1974 completed his Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry at the
University of California at Irvine.
His research interests include molecular biology, chemical evolution
and the origins of life, the nature of consciousness, biomedical
ethics, and the philosophy of science. He was a member of the American
Chemical Society, the International Society for the Study of the Origin
of Life, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
and a director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, which promotes the study
of the relationship between science and Vedanta.
He organised the first World Conference for Synthesis of Science and
Religion in 1986, a gathering of religious leaders and scientists
including George Wald (Nobel Laureate, Medicine,
1967), The Dalai Lama, and Harvey Cox (School of Divinity, Harvard
University).
Although born into a Vaisnava family in a predominantly Vaisnava
region, it was during his studies in the USA that he met his spiritual
guide, Srila Prabhupada.
He relates: “One evening in June, 1970, Dr. Rao and I went to Laguna
Beach and saw four or five disciples of His Divine Grace Srila
Prabhupada doing sankirtana [chanting] along the street. I was
extremely surprised to see this in the United States. A few days later,
under Dr. Rao’s strong influence, I went with him to see Srila
Prabhupada in Los Angeles. This was toward the end of June 1970, when
Dr. Rao was initiated [as Ramananda Dasa].”
“When I saw the devotees in the Los Angeles Temple, I suddenly felt
that I should be living like them. I vividly remember the beautiful
loving exchange of flowers between His Divine Grace and the disciples
early in the morning in front of the temple. I was quite amazed to see
the beautiful Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Los Angeles for the first
time. Later on after his initiation ceremony, Ramananda Prabhu took me
upstairs to see Srila Prabhupada. When we went upstairs, I received the
most affectionate and compassionate glance from Srila Prabhupada, and
immediately I felt: ‘Here is my spiritual father.’ Srila Prabhupada
asked me some questions, and I replied with my broken Bengali
sentences. I was extremely glad that I had come to see Srila
Prabhupada. I was formally initiated in the Sri Sri Radha Krishna
Temple, Los Angeles, on 30 June 1971.” He took sannyasa
(the renounced order of life) shortly after.
His 1975 talks with Srila Prabhupada on topics of science and religion
were recorded and released as a book: Life Comes from Life.
cos...@gmail.com
Damodara Swami passes away in Kolkata, Governor, others condole his
death
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 2: Acharya Srila Bhaktisvarupa, Damodora Swami, Sripada
Maharaja, the founder of Manipur branch of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, at Airport road, passed away early
today at 2.10 am, at his residence quarter cum administrative building
of BhaktiVedanta Institute Mission, BIM, Manshi building, Kolkata,
after suffering a BP stroke.
The man of religion was among those injured in the bomb blast on
Krishna Janmasthami, August 16, 2006, at the ISKCON complex.
The lifeless body of the Swami was scheduled to arrive at Imphal for
onward journey to his birth place at Toubul village, Bishnupur by a
special Zet Airways flight but deferred till tomorrow. ISKCON authority
here have made all the necessary arrangement to recieve the body.
According to information received here, his death occured some days
after his discharge from Apollo hospital where he was treated for
injuries caused by the recent bomb blast at ISKCON complex.
It may be recalled that in the blast at least six people including
minors lost their lives which also left around 50 people including
Damodora Swami with splinters injuries.
more
ISKCON's Swami Damodara passes away, condolences pour in Pall of
gloom descends, mortal remains to arrive today from Kol
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02: Governing Body Commissioner of ISKCON and
International Director His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Srila
Sripada passed away at his Kolkata residence in the wee hours today
sending shockwaves across the world.
He was 69. Announcing the passing away of the spiritual leader in a
statement, temple president of ISKCON, Imphal, Ajit Das said Swami
breathed his last at 2 pm today at his Kolkata residence Shree Ram
Nagar, VIP Road, Kolkata-700059 due to the arrangement of the Lord, Sri
Sri Radhakrishnachandra.
Fondly called Swami Maharaj, Damodara was undergoing treatment of the
injuries suffered in the August 16 terror attack at Mani Mandir here.
Ajit Das, a close disciple, informed that Damodara complained of slight
ache on his injured left hand before breathing his last at around 2 am
today.
Though the ISKCON devotees at Imphal could not say the exact cause of
Swami's death, they speculated that it could be a result of the
injuries suffered in the terror attack at ISKCON temple on Janmasthami
Day.
They, however, informed that Swami was discharged from Apollo Hospital,
Kolkata about ten days back.
As news of his death spread, a large number of mourning devotees and
well wishers started pouring in at the ISKCON temple premises here even
as a group of Bhaktas began performing Kritans since early morning amid
tearful scene.
more
Damodara : Integrating Science and Religion
Source: The Sangai Express / K Sarojkumar
Imphal, October 02: To many Swami Damodara was a man associated with
the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, but to those who
knew from close quarters he was a man who was driven by the philosophy
of integrating Science with Religion to prove that God is the Supreme
person.
Swami Prabhupada AC Bhaktivedanta, the spiritual leader and founder of
ISKCON who groomed Swami Damodara once told him, "You are a
scientist, write books, prove scientifically that God is the Supreme
person." The true disciple that he was, Swami Damodara took up the
responsibility entrusted upon him and thus started his philosophical
approach of synthesising Science with Religion to explain the existence
of God.
Damodara who passed away early this morning at his Kolkata residence
experienced a tough life during his early years in Manipur.
However his never say die approach to life and through his Guru's
teachings, he blended the Scientist in him with his Spiritual being.
In one of his press conferences held at ISKCON about seven years back
(This reporter covered the conference), Swami explained the meaning of
Science and Religion and the manner in which both go together in the
briefest and most lucid terms.
more
Governor, political parties, civil society organisations condole
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02: The news of the death of ISKCON International
Director Swami Damodara at Kolkata early morning today has plunged the
peace loving people of Manipur in deep sorrow and have described it as
a great loss not only for ISKCON but also for the entire humanity.
In his condolence message, Governor of Manipur Dr SS Sidhu said
Damodara was an epitome of peace, love, friendship, forgiveness and
understanding who stood by these principal till his last.
"Manipur is a pluralistic society and his call for peace and
understanding was at the most appropriate time for the State, which is
now in turmoil.
But it seems that the Supreme Being desires him to be at His side and
the void left by his demise will be difficult to fill", Dr Sidhu
said, while sharing the grief and sorrow of all his near and dear ones.
Describing the death of one of the most illustrious sons of Manipur who
attained international fame in the realm of humanism, Chairman of
Bharat Sevak Samaj, Manipur State Branch H Kangjamba Singh said his
death is an irreparable loss for the entire humanity.
Despite being a man of science, Damodara accepted the calling of Shri
Krishna and devoted his entire life towards the cause of humanity, he
added.
Mourning over the death of the spiritual leader, members of Manipur
Peace Committee, SMMM, NYP and NYO prayed for the peaceful repose of
the departed soul in its heavenly abode during a condolence meeting
held at Shanti Bhavan here today.
A condolence meeting was also held at the office of Manipuri Sahitya
Parishad to condole the death of Swami today.
Apart from acknowledging the contribution made by Swami for humanity
during his lifetime, the meeting also observed a two minute silence as
a mark of respect to the departed soul.