Now that “our scientist,” Sripada Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja, has departed from our worldly vision, we have lost a unique and beloved member of the spiritual world in which we grew up and lived, the world of Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes on earth, and the world in which the disciples he personally instructed have carried on the special missions he gave them.
From the very beginning of Maharaja’s spiritual life in ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada chose to show him special attention and favor. Seeing Maharaja’s dual qualifications as a Vaishnava scientist and a Manipuri Vaishnava, Srila Prabhupada personally trained him in “spiritual science” and gave great importance to his scientific work, and also instructed him to strengthen Krishna consciousness in Manipur.
Maharaja carried out his service to Srila Prabhupada in both these fields with great dedication and distinction.
He was dear to the devotees for his saintly qualities and his powerful sankirtana, and for his disciples he served as their spiritual father and eternal friend.
“Life comes from life,” and life is eternal. As Srila Prabhupada enlivened him, he has enlivened others. And both he and his legacy will live on.
Hare Krishna.
