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.

A file photo of Swami Damodara

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.

Damodara put it, "You see Science comforts human body while religion comforts human minds.

We need both these comforts and as such these two should integrate." Thoudam Damodara was born on December 9, 1937 to Yogendra Singh and Kanyahanbi Devi, a poverty stricken family in the remote Toubul village in Bishnupur district.

His father passed away while he was still a child and the young Damodara had to till the fields left by his father to support himself and his elder sister.

At 12 his sister got married and conditions had come to such a stage that he even decided to quit his studies so that he could concentrate full time in the field.

However fate had something in store as his primary school teacher Yadav Singh got him adopted by a gentleman Kerani Singh and he was able to continue his studies.

In 1957 Damodara passed his matriculation examination in the first division and joined DM college from where he obtained his Intermediate Science degree in 1959. In 1961 he graduated with first class honours in Chemistry.

Damodara acquired his BSc degree in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology in 1963 and passed his Master of Technology with first class in Pharmaceutical Science from Calcutta University in 1964. Receiving an overseas scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, Damodara enrolled at the University of California from where he did his PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry.

A meeting with Swami Prabhupada was a major turning point in the life of the young Damodara and he soon emerged as one of his most trusted disciples and proceeded to devote his life to Lord Krishna.

On the advice of his guru, Damodara authored various books-Fundamental Principles of Reincarnation, "What is Matter, What is Life ?" "The Scientific Basis of Krishna Consciousness" etc.

Damodara was an international figure delivering speeches at different places across the world and addressed a number of peace, spiritual and Science and Religion conferences.

The Swami, affectionately called Maharaj by his disciples was contemplating to hold a world peace meet with Nobel laureate in Imphal next year, said ISKCON members and added that they would strive to fulfil the aspirations of their late Guru.