Background
Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton, the only son of a respected Chicago lawyer who was later appointed judge.
Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton, the only son of a respected Chicago lawyer who was later appointed judge.
After graduating from Brandeis cum laude, he accepted formal initiation from Srila Prabhupada and received the spiritual name Giriraj das. He was instrumental in the acquisition and development of Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Govardhan and led the development of the Kirtan Ashram for women, the Bhaktivedanta Hospice, and the Vrindavan Institute of Palliative Care, all in Vrindavan. Giriraj Swami has also taught at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education and continues to lecture and to give presentations at retreats and workshops around the world.
Presently based in Carpinteria, California, Giriraj Swami is now focusing on one of the main instructions he received from Srila Prabhupada—to write.
He is the author of Watering the Seed, Many Moons and Life"s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective and is working on several publications, including books about his search for a spiritual master and his early days in the Boston temple, his travels with Srila Prabhupada in India and Srila Prabhupada"s monumental efforts in Bombay, and Vaishnava holy days.
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. Through his efforts, Giriraj Swami has become renowned for the austerities he has accepted, his loyalty and dedication to Srila Prabhupada"s mission, his ability to raise funds and cultivate important members of society, and his care for devotees around the world.