Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami Srila Guru Maharaj of the Iskcon is a scientist, spiritualist, philosopher and Krishna consciousness preacher.
He was born in 1937 in the State of Manipur in a traditional Baishnab family. His childhood name was Thoudam Damodar Singh. He came with thousands of problems since his childhood. His father died when he was five years old. His elder sister Ahanbi Devi got married and he became isolated. He was affected with epidemic when he was 14 years old. His primary teacher Th Karen Singh took care of him and imparted him education.
He always stood first in the class throughout his academic career. He got Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with first class distinction in 1964. Then he joined as Assistant Director in Industries Department of Manipur after being selected by State public service commission. In the meanwhile, he was selected through overseas scholarship to continue research in California University. He got the PhD in physical organic chemistry in 1976. He joined the mission of Iskcon during the year of 1970.
He became identified as Swarup Damodar. He was personal secretary of Srila Prabhupad from 1970 to 77. Prabhupad imparted him higher education about deeper relation of Krishna consciousness with science and philosophy. He became director of Bhaktivedanta Institute, Iskcon in 1974. He was promoted to chief authority in 1976. He took Sannyas during the year 1979. In 1982 he become a Guru and initiated a number of devotees round the world till his death in 2006.
He organised four international conferences on science and religion and preached Krishna consciousness philosophy throughout the world. He established Youth Forum of Iskcon and imparted lectures at various colleges and universities. The books he authored are: (1) What is matter and what is life - 1977 2, (2) The biology -1979, (3) Thoughts and synthesis of science & religion-2001, (4) Vedanta science and series, (5) lie and origin of the universe-2004, (6) life and spiritual evaluation - 2005 and (7) Essays and science on religion- 2005.
He became GBC of the Iskcon temple Bhubaneswar in 1996 after the departure of Gurudev Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Goswami Guru Maharaj. He came to Bhubaneswar 3-4 times in a year. He inaugurated Bhaktivendanta Book Trust unit at Chandrasekharpur. He laid the foundation stone of Iskcon Gundicha Mandir, Bhubaneswar. He also laid foundation stone for the Isckon units at Brahmapur, Bahanaga, Kamakhyanagar and Sambalpur.
(The writer is State Public Relations Officer of Iskcon)