Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting by Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja

Birth and Early Life: Born on December 9, 1937, in the village of Toubul, Manipur, India, into a devout Vaishnava family. His parents, Sri Yogendra Singh (a devotional singer in the Nata Sankirtana tradition) and Srimati Keinahanbi Devi, named him Damodara after Lord Krishna, immersing him in spiritual sounds from infancy.

Educational Background: He excelled academically, earning a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Calcutta, where he studied under renowned scientists. This made him a qualified chemist before fully dedicating his life to spirituality.

Spiritual Initiation: In 1971, he received diksha (spiritual initiation) from ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in Los Angeles, receiving the name Svarupa Damodara Dasa. Prabhupada personally trained him, recognizing his unique blend of scientific expertise and Vaishnava heritage.

Sannyasa and Honorific: In 1982, he took sannyasa (renounced order of life), adding the prefix “Bhakti” to his name, becoming Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami. He is affectionately known as Sripada Maharaja or Srila Sripad Maharaja.

Role in ISKCON: A prominent ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner and international director, he founded the Manipur branch of ISKCON in Imphal in 1977 to revitalize Vaishnava culture in his homeland, as per Prabhupada’s instructions.

Scientific Contributions: As director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute for over 30 years, he pioneered dialogues on science and spirituality, authoring books, editing publications, and organizing international conferences to present Vedic knowledge to scientists.

Cultural Preservation: In 1989, he founded the Ranganiketan Manipuri Cultural Arts Troupe, featuring over 20 artists in dance, music, martial arts, and crafts. The group performed ~600 shows in 300+ venues across 15+ countries, earning acclaim for promoting Manipuri rasa-lila traditions.

Educational Initiatives: He established a network of schools in Northeastern India, educating over 4,000 students with a curriculum centered on Vaishnava values, blending spiritual and modern education.

University Founding: In 2000, he established the University of Bhagavata Culture in Imphal, Manipur, to promote the scientific and philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Vedanta for global welfare.

Interfaith and Global Roles: Co-founder and regional director of the United Religions Initiative; member of the Metanexus Institute; founding member of the World Vaisnava Association. He initiated over 1,000 disciples worldwide, guiding them in spiritual practice.

Departure: He passed away on October 2, 2006 (Vijaya Dasami), in Kolkata at age 68, following a cardiac arrest after injuries from a grenade attack on ISKCON’s Manipur temple during Janmashtami. His samadhi is at Sri Radha-kunda, Vrindavan.