Many Moons

Many Moons: Reflections on Departed Vaishnavas is an appreciation of nine devotees (Jayananda das, Gour Govinda Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Sridhar Swami, BhaktaTirtha Swami, Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami, Arca-Vigraha dasi, AbhiramaThakura das, and Kirtida dasi) who heard from or were inspired by Srila Prabhupada and who dedicated themselves to his service. Their examples will help increase our gratitude for those who have devoted themselves to the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.

In prosecuting the Hare krishna movement all over the world, Srila Prabhupada was looking for just a single 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 starts cannot dissipate the darkness, but one moon can illuminate the whole sky.”

In spite of many difficulties and disappointments, Srila Prabhupada persisted in his mission – to get one moon. That was his great desire. After some years in America teaching his new students the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, instructing them in the pure chanting of the holy name, and training them in the loving service of Sri Krishna, Srila Prabhupada disclosed his heart. 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.”

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 Vaishnava 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.