Disappearance of Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami

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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