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| | Enviado Lunes, 02 de Octubre de 2006 - 11:30 am: |  |
Disappearance of Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami
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.
This is a brief report only and as more information becomes available it will be released via Pamho.net and Dandavats.com
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
If you want to send a KrishnaCard(tm) of HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Svami, please visit www.krishnacards.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?bhaktisvarupa |
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| | Enviado Lunes, 02 de Octubre de 2006 - 05:10 pm: | |
Dear Devotees,
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, Monday, October 2nd, 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 Swami
GBC Chairman 2006-2007 |
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| | Enviado Martes, 03 de Octubre de 2006 - 10:36 am: | |
HH Hridayananda dasa Gosvami remembrance of Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami
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. 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:- 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.
- 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 |
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