Radha Damodar Das, One of the First Devotees in the Soviet Union passed away yesterday evening succumbing to cancer.
Radha Damodar Das has been following in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps since almost 40 years, and his path has not been an easy one. He first heard the Maha-mantra in 1979 and began chanting right away. He soon became one of the leaders of the ISKCON movement, which was then illegal in the Soviet Union. In May 1983, he was arrested and imprisoned for his faith. While in prison, he had to work in dangerous conditions, which included using a poisonous glue. He also suffered from malnutrition. Nevertheless, Radha Damodar continued to follow the principles of Krishna Consciousness and to preach. His health suffered, especially his lungs have been affected by a dangerous disease.
In 1987, the repressions against the devotees have ended, and since then, Radha Damodar das has become the leader of the Movement in the USSR and later in Russia. For many years, he has also been the leader of ISKCON Communications in Russia. Many important contacts have been established and many wonderful projects were carried out under his guidance. His latest project was a book, which is dedicated to ISKCON 50. All those who know him are impressed with his stability, goodwill and his never-changing good mood.
Radha Damodara Das back in the 80s
On August 20th, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami published an appeal to the Russian Vaishnavas with a request to pray for Radha Damodara Das’s health.
On August 27th, the Fund for Moscow Vaisnavas Support published an update on Radha Damodara’s health. It said that Radha Damodar das was receiving medical treatment in Moscow and that there was a team of devotees that was taking care of his needs and diet. Radha Damodar continued to associate with devotees and chanting japa up to the end.
On September 1st, there was a yajna in the Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Sacisuta temple in Moscow for Radha Damodara Das.
Russian devotees are asking the international devotee community for their kind blessings and prayers.
One of his last photos:
