I have just learned that Sriman Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja has left this world. He was my Godbrother and friend, and it is hard to imagine my life without him, even though we rarely came together.

I met him in 1973 when he was a student in Southern California. Srila Prabhupada was in Los Angeles at the time, and he would call for Svarupa Damodara dasa brahmacari at the beginning of Srimad Bhagavatam class almost every day. "Where is our scientist?" Srila Prabhupada would ask.

We would meet every few years. And of course, it was always a pleasure to hear him sing at the Mayapur Festival. I would look forward to meeting him again and seeing the cheerful face and bright smile. I never saw him in any other mood.

Well I know where he has gone. I can only hope he will put in a good word for me.

© Umapati Swami
October 6, 2006