His Holiness Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami Srila Guru Maharaj of Iskcon was a scientist, spiritualist, philosopher, Krishna consciousness preacher.
Gurudev Sripad Maharaj was born on Lord Jagannath’s “Odhan Sasthi Tithi” on Thursday in the year 1937 in the Touble village of Bishnupur district closer to Imphal State capital of Manipure. He belongs 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 5 years old. His elder sister Anhabi Devi got married and he became isolated. He was affected with epidemic when he was 14 years old.
He joined in the mission of Iskcon during the year of 1970. Srila Prabhupad, Founder of Iskcon initiated him on June 13, 1971 at Los Angeles, New Dwarika ISKCON Temple (United State of America) and he became 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 took Sannyas during the year 1979. He became a Guru in 1982 and initiated a number of devotees around the world up to his disappearance day in 2006, Bijaya Dashami. He undertook Baishnab Vedanta studies and higher research under his divine grace Srila Prabhupad during the year of 1970-76. He organised four international conferences on science and religion. First and second world Congress on Synthesis of Science and Religion in Bombay (1986) and Calcutta (1997), first International Conference (1990 Sanfransisco, USA) and second international meet 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 established “Youth Forum” organization of Iskcon through which medium he taught the philosophy of Krishna consciousness and religion to the students of various universities of the world. He established Bhaktivedanta Institute at Manipur.
He also established Ranga Niketan cultural unit at Manipur. Through this unit actors are performing Krishna consciousness dance and drama throughout the world. He is very fond of Kirtan. All devotees praised for his nice Kirtan. He published many books relating to science, philosophy religion and Krishna consciousness. Besides, he was chief Editor of journal of Bhaktivedanta Institute. His method of preaching of Krishna consciousness was unique.
He became the GBC of Iskcon, Bhubaneswar temple during the year 1996 after the departure of our beloved Gurudev Srimad Gour Govinda Goswami Guru Maharaj. He came to Bhubaneswar temple 3-4 times in a year for preaching. He inaugurated Bhaktivedanta Book Trust unit at Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar. He laid the foundation stone of Iskcon Gundicha Mandir, Bhubaneswar. He also laid the foundation stone Iskcon centres at Brahmapur, Bahanaga, Kamakshya Nagar, Burla and Sambalpur.
(The writer is State PRO, Iskcon, Bhubaneswar, Mob:9132090199 / 8847875959)