Damodara Swami passes away in Kolkata, Governor, others condole his death
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 2: Acharya Srila Bhaktisvarupa, Damodora Swami, Sripada Maharaja, the founder of Manipur branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, at Airport road, passed away early today at 2.10 am, at his residence quarter cum administrative building of BhaktiVedanta Institute Mission, BIM, Manshi building, Kolkata, after suffering a BP stroke.
The man of religion was among those injured in the bomb blast on Krishna Janmasthami, August 16, 2006, at the ISKCON complex.
The lifeless body of the Swami was scheduled to arrive at Imphal for onward journey to his birth place at Toubul village, Bishnupur by a special Zet Airways flight but deferred till tomorrow. ISKCON authority here have made all the necessary arrangement to recieve the body.
According to information received here, his death occured some days after his discharge from Apollo hospital where he was treated for injuries caused by the recent bomb blast at ISKCON complex.
It may be recalled that in the blast at least six people including minors lost their lives which also left around 50 people including Damodora Swami with splinters injuries.
ISKCON’s Swami Damodara passes away, condolences pour in Pall of gloom descends, mortal remains to arrive today from Kol
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02: Governing Body Commissioner of ISKCON and International Director His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Srila Sripada passed away at his Kolkata residence in the wee hours today sending shockwaves across the world.
He was 69. Announcing the passing away of the spiritual leader in a statement, temple president of ISKCON, Imphal, Ajit Das said Swami breathed his last at 2 pm today at his Kolkata residence Shree Ram Nagar, VIP Road, Kolkata-700059 due to the arrangement of the Lord, Sri Sri Radhakrishnachandra.
Fondly called Swami Maharaj, Damodara was undergoing treatment of the injuries suffered in the August 16 terror attack at Mani Mandir here.
Ajit Das, a close disciple, informed that Damodara complained of slight ache on his injured left hand before breathing his last at around 2 am today.
Though the ISKCON devotees at Imphal could not say the exact cause of Swami’s death, they speculated that it could be a result of the injuries suffered in the terror attack at ISKCON temple on Janmasthami Day.
They, however, informed that Swami was discharged from Apollo Hospital, Kolkata about ten days back.
As news of his death spread, a large number of mourning devotees and well wishers started pouring in at the ISKCON temple premises here even as a group of Bhaktas began performing Kritans since early morning amid tearful scene.
Damodara : Integrating Science and Religion
Source: The Sangai Express / K Sarojkumar
Imphal, October 02: To many Swami Damodara was a man associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, but to those who knew from close quarters he was a man who was driven by the philosophy of integrating Science with Religion to prove that God is the Supreme person.
Swami Prabhupada AC Bhaktivedanta, the spiritual leader and founder of ISKCON who groomed Swami Damodara once told him, “You are a scientist, write books, prove scientifically that God is the Supreme person.” The true disciple that he was, Swami Damodara took up the responsibility entrusted upon him and thus started his philosophical approach of synthesising Science with Religion to explain the existence of God.
Damodara who passed away early this morning at his Kolkata residence experienced a tough life during his early years in Manipur.
However his never say die approach to life and through his Guru’s teachings, he blended the Scientist in him with his Spiritual being.
In one of his press conferences held at ISKCON about seven years back (This reporter covered the conference), Swami explained the meaning of Science and Religion and the manner in which both go together in the briefest and most lucid terms.
Governor, political parties, civil society organisations condole
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02: The news of the death of ISKCON International Director Swami Damodara at Kolkata early morning today has plunged the peace loving people of Manipur in deep sorrow and have described it as a great loss not only for ISKCON but also for the entire humanity.
In his condolence message, Governor of Manipur Dr SS Sidhu said Damodara was an epitome of peace, love, friendship, forgiveness and understanding who stood by these principal till his last.
“Manipur is a pluralistic society and his call for peace and understanding was at the most appropriate time for the State, which is now in turmoil.
But it seems that the Supreme Being desires him to be at His side and the void left by his demise will be difficult to fill”, Dr Sidhu said, while sharing the grief and sorrow of all his near and dear ones.
Describing the death of one of the most illustrious sons of Manipur who attained international fame in the realm of humanism, Chairman of Bharat Sevak Samaj, Manipur State Branch H Kangjamba Singh said his death is an irreparable loss for the entire humanity.
Despite being a man of science, Damodara accepted the calling of Shri Krishna and devoted his entire life towards the cause of humanity, he added.
Mourning over the death of the spiritual leader, members of Manipur Peace Committee, SMMM, NYP and NYO prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed soul in its heavenly abode during a condolence meeting held at Shanti Bhavan here today.
A condolence meeting was also held at the office of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad to condole the death of Swami today.
Apart from acknowledging the contribution made by Swami for humanity during his lifetime, the meeting also observed a two minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul.