Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami Srila Gurudev’s 77th holy appearance day ‘Vyasapuja’ is being observed by the disciples in various ISKCON centers all over the world. Bhubaneswar ISKCON is also observing the event with much pomp and ceremony.
Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami was a scientist, spiritualist, philosopher, Krishna conscious preacher. He was born on lord Jagannath’s “Odhan Sasthi Tithi” on Thursday in the year 1937 in Imphal. He belonged to a pure traditional Baishnab family. His childhood name was Todam Damodar Singh. He came with thousands of problems since his childhood. His father died when he was five years old. His elder sister Anhabi Devi got married and he became isolated. He was affected with epidemic when he was 14 years old. Due to mercy of lord Krishna he narrowly escaped. His primary teacher Todam Karen Singh took care of him and imparted him education. Every day he gave some examinations in social life. He got success in every examination.
He always stood first in the class throughout his academic career. He got the Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with first class distinction in 1964. Then he joined as Assistant Director (industries) of the Manipur Government. He got a scholarship for PhD at the California University which he completed in 1976. He joined in the mission of ISKCON during 1970. Srila Prabhupad, Founder of ISKCON, initiated him on June 13 1971 at los Angeles, New Dwarika ISKCON Temple and he was identified as “Swarup Damodar”. He was personal secretary of Srila Prabhupad from 1970-77. Srila Prabhupad imparted him higher education about deeper relation of Krishna consciousness with science and philosophy. He became director of Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), ISKCON in 1974. He was promoted to chief authority of Bl in 1976. He took Sannyas during the year 1979. He initiated in number of devotees around the world up to his disappearance day 2006, Bijaya Dashami.
He organised four international conferences on science and religion, first and second world Congress on Synthesis of Science and Religion Bombay (1986) and Calcutta (1997), first International Conference (1990 Sanfransisco, USA) and second International on the study of Consciousness Congress on life and its origin - Exploration for science and spiritual traditions (Rome, 2004). He preached Krishna consciousness philosophy throughout the world in the medium of science and research.
He became the GBC of ISKCON Bhubaneswar temple during the year 1996. He inaugurated Bhaktivedanta book trust unit at Chandrasekharpur. He laid the foundation stone of ISKCON Gundicha Mandir, Bhubaneswar and ISKCON units of Brahmapur, Bahanaga, Kamakshya Nagar, Burla and Sambalpur.
(The writer is ISKCON State PRO)