Many Moons (Reflections on Departed Vaisnavas)

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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, illuminat- ing moonbeams of Vaishnava sharing. teaching, and realization.

They all, in their own special and unique- ly 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 be- stowed their love and grace upon them.

Alas, I am bereft of such mercy. Therefore I approach these Vaishnavas, who have it int 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 heartfelt appreciation, thanks, and prayers for mercy go to my dear friend Giriraj Swami for having undertaken the effort of compiling this touching memorial to these departed Vaishnavas. O Vaishnava, I beg your mercy.

As Srila Prabhupada was extraordinary. so too is the person who follows his teach- ings and example, and our own fledgling attempts at devotional service can benefit by understanding others' endeavors. Many Moons: Reflections on Departed Vaishnavas is an appreciation of nine devotees who heard from and were inspired by Srila Prabhupada and who dedicated themselves to his service. Their examples are conveyed to us by Giriraj Swami, who has long been a loyal follower of Srila Prabhupada, and help increase our gratitude for those who have devoted themselves to the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Giriraj Swami is a spiritual leader and initiating guru in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). After years of traveling, speaking, and developing projects, he is focusing on Srila Prabhupada's direct instruction to him to write.

A Vaisnava feels joy when he sees the Lord bestow His grace upon another devotee. We can see this in the meeting of Srila Rūpa Gosvāmi and Srila Sanatana Gosvāmi with Śri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The brothers opened their hearts, which were melting with love and humility, and were accepted by the Lord. Śri Caitanya requested the Vaisnavas present to bless the two so they would attain perfection in the execution of devotional service. And upon hearing this request and seeing the brothers' qualities, the devotees felt joy and blessed them abundantly.

Similarly, we experience great joy when in Many Moons we hear and recall-and celebrate-the wonderful lives, qualities, and activities of remarkable devotees who have passed beyond the scope of our vision. Their lives-both what they gave and what they accomplished-were themselves celebrations of the mission of Śrila Prabhupada, Śri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Śri Krsna, and we pray for their blessings, that hearing about them may inspire us with a mood of gratitude and obligation.

Sri Krsna informs us that we are His sac-cid-ananda parts and parcels. Due to our misidentification with the body and association with this material world, we continually undergo a hard struggle with our minds and senses. The same Śri Krsna, in His golden form of Śri Caitanya, gave us the process of spiritual awakening by cultivating a taste for topics of Śri Krsna and sin- cerely chanting His holy names. And beyond that, Śri Caitanya ordered that we share the philosophy, pastimes, and pure holy names with everyone we meet.

The great souls described in these pages are bright, full moons of Srila Prabhupada's, Sri Caitanya's, and Sri Krsna's mercy. Their lives are living instructions, their activities can- drikas-cooling, illuminating moonbeams of Vaisnava sharing, teaching, and realization.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages