disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja

[Guest guest]

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