Many Moons recalls and celebrates the wonderful lives, qualities, and activities of remarkable devotees who have passed beyond the scope of our vision. "Excellent in every respect! Many Moons will be the most beloved book in ISKCON." -- Radhanath Swami, author of The Journey Home "As Srila Prabhupada was extraordinary, so too is the person who follows histeachings and example, and our own fledgling attempts at devotional service can benefit by understanding others' endeavors. Many Moons is an appreciation of nine devotees who heard from and were inspired by Srila Prabhupada and who dedicated themselves to his service. Their examples help increase our gratitude for those who have devoted themselves to the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga."--Visakha Dasi, author of Our Most Dear Friend , Bhagavad-gita: A Photographic Essay , and Harmony and the Bhagavad-gita All of us, as we endeavor to progress on the spiritual path, need the association--the knowledge, experience, and affection--of those more advanced than we. The association of such devotees is one of the most potent factors in the development of spiritual consciousness. In his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu , known as "the complete science of bhakti-yoga ," Srila Rupa Gosvami recommends, "One should associate with the devotees who are more advanced than oneself and who are endowed with a similar type of affection for the Lord."   How to find--or recognize--and appreciate and avail oneself of such association is often a question, and in Many Moons I present recollections of nine great souls no longer physically with us who have given me and many others strength and inspiration on our spiritual journeys.   The great souls described in these pages are bright, full moons of Srila Prabhupada's, Sri Chaitanya's, and Sri Krishna's mercy. Their lives are living instructions, their activities chandrikas --cooling, illuminating moonbeams of Vaisnava sharing, teaching, and realization. They all, in their own special and uniquely beautiful ways, were instruments of Vaishnava love, charity, faith, hope, and determination. Each assisted in easing the tribulations of many embodied souls. Thus they all performed the sacred mission requested by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and we are confident that the benediction moons of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Sri Krishna have bestowed their love and grace upon them. Alas, I am bereft of such mercy. Therefore I approach these Vaishnavas, who have it in their grasp. In gratitude and love I fall to the ground and call out: "Please, just once, cast your sidelong glance of Vaishnava compassion upon me. Please bless me to follow your examples so that my heart will change and I may become a useful tool in the service of my spiritual master. And please bless me that I may one day chant the name of God with purity and love." My sincere appreciation, thanks, and prayers for mercy go to my dear friend Giriraj Swami Maharaja for having undertaken the effort of compiling this touching memorial to these departed Vaishnavas. O Vaishnava, I beg your mercy. --Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami In prosecuting the Hare Krishna movement all over the world, Srila Prabhupada was looking for just one moon--one devotee to be trained and engaged in dissipating the darkness of the Age of Kali, the darkness in people's hearts--in accordance with the Sanskrit maxim "Innumerable stars cannot dissipate the darkness, but one moon can illuminate the night." In spite of a great many difficulties and disappointments, Srila Prabhupada persisted in his mission--to get one moon. That was his desire. But would it be fulfilled? And if he did get such a moon, would we even be able to recognize it? Only Srila Prabhupada himself could tell us definitively. He explained, "Our propaganda is to create one moon. But fortunately, by Krishna's grace, many moonlike boys and girls have come to me--many moons." Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton,   the only son of a respected Chicago lawyer who was later appointed judge. In March of 1969, while studying at Brandeis University in Boston, he met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder- acarya  of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), from whom, he felt, he learned more in one brief exchange than he had learned in his many years of academic education. After graduating from Brandeis  cum laude , he accepted formal initiation from Srila Prabhupada and received the spiritual name Giriraj das. Giriraj quickly became a leading member of the Boston center, and he was soon given the opportunity to go to India with Srila Prabhupada and helped establish Prabhupada's mission there.   In 1972 Giriraj was appointed by Prabhupada to be president of ISKCON Bombay and trustee of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Since then, he has made many significant contributions, most notably overseeing all aspects of the development of Hare Krishna Land in Juhu