ANANTA-SESHA – THE SUPPORT OF THE EARTH
Ananta, or Śeṣa, is the source of the power which sustains all the planets in their different positions. Materially this sustaining power is known as the ‘law of gravitation’, but actually it is a display of the potency of Saṅkarṣaṇa. The entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.
FROM THE MAHABHARATA – Ananta-Sesha bears the Earth
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Astika Parva: Section XXXVI
“Lord Brahma said, ‘O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady. Hold on your head stationary this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities.’ “
“Sesha said, ‘O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lord of the Earth, lord of every created thing, lord of the universe, I will, even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all creatures, place her on my head.’ “
“Brahman said, ‘O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will herself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding the Earth, thou shalt certainly do what is prized by me very greatly.’ “
“Sauti continued, ‘Then the elder brother of the king of the snakes, entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and holding her, supported with his head that goddess with her belt of seas passing all round.’ “
“Brahman said, ‘O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma, because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth with everything on her, even as I myself, or Valavit (Indra), can.’ “Sauti continued, ‘The snake, Sesha, the lord Ananta, of great prowess, lives underneath the Earth, alone supporting the world at the command of Brahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, then gave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, for Ananta’s help.’ “
So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva, Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
THE SUPPORT IS ANANTA
According to Srimad Bhagavatam the planets and other luminaries rotate in the sky by the force of karma and the manipulation of vayu, the air (not gravity), then what about the Earth; is the Earth also held up by air? The answer is no. The Earth as always is in her own separate and unique category. The Earth is an exception from the other planets and is held by Ananta-Sesha, not by air or gravity. The great Earth circle (Bhu-mandala) is held up by Ananta-sesha, who bears the earth on his head.
Prabhupada: What is known as law of gravitation, that is mentioned in the Vedic scriptures as sankarasa, who is supposed to be supporting all these planets in the air. ‘Bhu-dhāraṇa’-śakti. ‘Bhu-dhāraṇa’-śakti means all the planets are supported by Śeṣaśāyī. Anante ‘bhū-dhāraṇa’. Ananta, Śeṣaśāyī – It is described in the Vedic literature that He has got many hoods, just like serpent has got hood. And each hood, each planet, all these planets are resting.
Prabhupada: The planets are floating; that is known to everyone. We can see, actually, that such a big, gigantic mass… Even the sun, which is fourteen hundred thousand times bigger than this earth, that is also floating in the outer space. The support is ananta. They say “law of gravitation”; we say Saṅkarṣaṇa. Saṅkarṣaṇa. So He is holding every planet, and it is said that all these universes are resting on the hood of Śeṣa-nāga just like a small grain of mustard. Lecture on SB 1.3.7 LA, Sep 13, 1972
Lord Śeṣa holds all the universes on His hoods
Lord Śiva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. Although the Lord in His incarnation as Śeṣa holds all the universes on His hoods, each universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed to Him. Therefore, what person desiring perfection will not worship the Lord? (sb/5/17/21)
PURPORT: The incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Śeṣa or Ananta has unlimited strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation. As described in this verse, Ananta’s strength is so great that the innumerable universes rest on His hoods. He has the bodily features of a snake with thousands of hoods, and since His strength is unlimited, all the universes resting on His hoods feel no heavier than mustard seeds. We can just imagine how insignificant a mustard seed is on the hood of a serpent. In this connection, the reader is referred to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Five, verses 117–125. There it is stated that Lord Viṣṇu’s incarnation as the serpentine Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports all the universes on His hoods. By our calculation, a universe may be very, very heavy, but because the Lord is ananta (unlimited), He feels the weight to be no heavier than a mustard seed.
“That same Lord Viṣṇu, in the form of Lord Śeṣa, holds the planets upon His heads, although He does not know where they are, for He cannot feel their existence upon His heads. His thousands of extended hoods are adorned with dazzling jewels surpassing the sun. The universe, which measures five hundred million yojanas in diameter, rests on one of His hoods like a mustard seed. That Ananta Śeṣa is the devotee incarnation of Godhead. He knows nothing but service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. With His thousands of mouths He sings the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa, but although He always sings in that way, He does not find an end to the qualities of the Lord. He serves Lord Kṛṣṇa, assuming all the following forms: umbrella, slippers, bedding, pillow, garments, resting chair, residence, sacred thread and throne. He is thus called Lord Śeṣa, for He has attained the ultimate end of servitude to Kṛṣṇa. He takes many forms for the service of Kṛṣṇa, and thus He serves the Lord.” (cc/adi/5/117-124)
Accompanied by Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna saw a large palace within the water. There were many thousands of pillars and columns made of valuable jewels, and the glaring effulgence of those columns was so beautiful that Arjuna was charmed by it. Within that palace, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa saw the gigantic form of Anantadeva, who is also known as Śeṣa. Lord Anantadeva, or Śeṣa Nāga, was in the form of a great serpent with thousands of hoods, each one decorated with valuable, effulgent jewels, beautifully dazzling. Each of Anantadeva’s hoods had two eyes, which appeared very fearful. His body was as white as the mountaintop of Kailāsa, which is always covered with snow. His necks were bluish, as were His tongues. Thus Arjuna saw the Śeṣa Nāga form, and he also saw that on the very soft, white body of Śeṣa Nāga, Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu was lying very comfortably. (Krsna Book 89) Lord Ananta’s arms are attractively long, beautifully decorated with bangles and completely spiritual. They are white, and so they appear like silver columns.
Since the clouds in the sky were mildly thundering and showering, Ananta-nāga, an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, followed Vasudeva, beginning from the door, with hoods expanded to protect Vasudeva and the transcendental child. (SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13)
(1.2) THE EARTH IS HELD BY ANANTA-SESHA, NOT BY AIR OR GRAVITY
It should be noted first of all that the Earth (Bhu-mandala) is in its own separate category from the nine planets (grahas) and other luminaries in the sky. In both Vedic and ancient Greek and Roman cosmology, the Earth is not considered a planet like the others. We have discussed the point briefly in the introduction to the previous paper.
Sukadeva Goswami states that the grahas and other luminaries are held up and rotate by the control of wind. The Earth by contrast is not floating, but is held aloft from beneath by Ananta-sesha. We shall now look at the relevant verses that describe the difference:
There are many verses in Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrta that describes Ananta-sesha holding the Earth; we shall discuss seven of these verses. To put these verses in context, let us bear in mind that Sukadeva Goswami begins his description of the universe in chapter 16 of the fifth canto. We are soon to learn that the Earth (Mahi—the great one) is actually the largest feature in the universe, and thus most of the description about the universe is actually centered on the Earth. Chapters 16-19 describe the features on the external surface of the Earth such as the seven islands and oceans; chapters 24 and chapter 26 describe what is within the depths of the Earth—the seven subterranean realms and the hells; chapters 21-23 describe what is above the Earth such as the planets and stars; and chapter 25 describes how the Earth is held up. Chapter 25 is a continuation of all that has been spoken about the Earth so far, and now Srila Sukadeva explains how the Earth is held in place:
Lord Ananta, whose body is completely spiritual, resides at the root of the planet Pātāla. He always lives in the core of Lord Śiva’s heart, and He helps him destroy the universe. Ananta instructs Lord Śiva how to destroy the cosmos, and thus He is sometimes called tāmasī, or “one who is in the mode of darkness.” He is the original Deity of material consciousness, and because He attracts all living entities, He is sometimes known as Saṅkarṣaṇa. The entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. (sb/5/25/25_summary)
VERSE ONE
“yasyedam ksiti-mandalam bhagavato ‘nanta-murteh
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: This great universe, situated on one of Lord Anantadeva’s thousands of hoods, appears just like a white mustard seed. It is infinitesimal compared to the hood of Lord Ananta.” (SB 5.25.2)
Here Srila Prabhupada translates ksiti-mandalam as universe, but both context, as well as the name itself (ksiti—earth), tells us that it is a reference to Ananta-sesha holding the Earth. The context is that Sukadeva Goswami is in the course of describing the features above and below Bhu-mandala. Here he informs us that Bhu-mandala is held from below by Ananata-sesha who resides on the surface of the Garbhodaka Ocean. The Garbhodaka Ocean is within the universe; thus Ananta-sesha is holding the Earth, not the universe itself.
The acharyas in their purports to these verses also confirm that Sesha is holding the Earth (Bhu-mandala), not the universe itself:
“Even the name of Ananta is fully justified in Him because of His infinite strength. Ananta means boundless which is evident since He bears the entire Earth effortlessly on His head like a mustard seed.” (Commentary to SB 5.24.2 by Bhagavatprasadacarya)
“He is called Ananta because of His infinite strength indicated by His bearing the Earth on His head like a mustard seed.” (Commentary to SB 5.24.2 by Yadavarya)
“The entire Earth rests on one of his thousand hoods like a mustard seed. Thus because of His infinite strength, He is called Ananta.” (Commentary to SB 5.24.2 by Viraraghava)
In translations, Srila Prabhupada often wants to convey more than the particular verse is literally saying, and here Srila Prabhupada is once again emphasizing the supreme might of Krishna who supports the entire universe. However, the verse specifically informs us that it is the Earth circle (ksiti-mandalam), not the universe itself that is held by Ananta-sesha. Ksiti means Earth and mandala means circle, thus ksiti-mandala is just another way of saying Bhu-mandala or Bhu-gola. Srila Prabhupada even translates it as such in a different verse:
“caradbhih ksiti-mandalam—while travelling on the surface of the Earth” (SB 1.13.9)
Ksiti is a common Sanskrit name for the Earth and Srila Prabhupada consistently translates it as such throughout Srimad Bhagavatam, for example:
“Lord Brahma said: When the unlimitedly powerful Lord assumed the form of a boar as a pastime, just to lift the planet earth (ksiti-tala)” (SB 2.7.1)
That the name ksiti means the Earth is confirmed in all Sanskrit dictionaries. Thus the names ksiti-mandala or ksiti-tala is just another way of saying Bhu-mandala or Bhu-gola. The Earth (ksiti-tala) that was lifted by Varahadeva as mentioned in the above verse (SB 2.7.1) was, in fact, the entire Bhu-mandala which became submerged in the Garbhodaka Ocean. Again, it requires that we understand what is meant by the Earth when we come to understanding whether Varaha lifted the Earth circle, or a so-called Earth globe. So what was the size and shape of the Earth that Varaha-deva lifted from the Garbhodaka Ocean—was it a great circle, or a small globe? And what does Ananta-sesha hold—an Earth circle, an Earth globe, or as Srila Prabhupada translates—even the universe itself? In order for us to avoid endless speculation on these types of question, we should follow Hridayananda Goswami’s common-sense and humorous advice “When all else fails, read the instructions!” The method to understand the Earth is simply by following Sukadeva Goswami’s description.
VERSE TWO
Both Bhu-mandala and Bhu-gola are names used at the very beginning of Sukadeva Goswami’s description of the Earth starting at chapter 16 of the fifth canto; and these two names are again used in chapter 25 to inform us that Ananta-sesha is holding that self-same Earth. So let’s go through that sequence: At the beginning of chapter 16, King Pariksit states:
“uktas tvaya bhu-mandalayama-viseso yavad
O brahmana, you have already informed me that the radius of Bhu-mandala extends as far as…” (SB 5.16.1)
Here the name Bhu-mandala is invoked, and Pariksit Maharaja goes on to ask further details about the nature of this Bhu-mandala. Sukadeva Goswami had previously mentioned (at the beginning of canto five) about the formation of the seven islands and oceans on Bhu-mandala by King Priyavrata. Now King Pariksit wishes to know in detail about these islands and other features of Bhu-mandala. In response to his inquiry, Sukadeva Goswami says:
“bhu-golaka-visesam nama-rupa-mana-laksanato vyakhyasyamah”(SB 5.16.4)
Here Sukadeva Goswami says that he will explain about the principal features of the Bhu-gola with the names, measurements, and characteristics of the various places upon and below the Earth. In both these verses the names Bhu-gola and Bhu-mandala are invoked as names of the Earth. The acharays confirm in their commentaries to this verse that Bhu-gola is a reference to the Earth, not the universe itself, as some try to misconstrue. Sukadeva Goswami then begins his description of the Earth (bhu-golaka) which covers many chapters, and when we come to chapter 25 he confirms that this Bhu-mandala/Bhu-gola is held by Ananta-sesha. Here it says:
“murdhany arpitam anuvat sahasra-murdhno bhu-golam sagiri-sarit-samudra-sattvam
TRANSLATION: Because the Lord is unlimited, no one can estimate His power. This entire universe, filled with its many great mountains, rivers, oceans, trees and living entities, is resting just like an atom on one of His many thousands of hoods. Is there anyone, even with thousands of tongues, who can describe His glories?” (SB 5.25.12)
Again for reasons already stated, Srila Prabhupada has translated Bhu-gola as ‘universe,’ but Bhu-gola is a specific reference to the Earth as Srila Prabhupada himself has translated on other occasions, and as confirmed by the acharyas in their commentaries to the above verse:
“The Earthen sphere along with mountains.” (Commentary by Sridhara Swami to SB 5.25.12)
“Even a man endowed with a thousand faces canot describe the greatness of Sesha who bears on His head the Earth like a mustard seed.” (Commentary by Viraraghava to SB 5.25.12)
“Even Sesha’s bearing of the Earth on His head is due to Hari’s presence in Him.”(Commentary by Vijayadhvaja Tirtha)
“The Earth rests like an atom on only one head” (Commentary by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Since the diameter of Bhu-gola is calculated as 4 billion miles (see SB 5.20.38), Ananta-sesha is certainly not holding a globe of 24,900 miles circumference. Thus, we have yet another example of why the name Bhu-gola cannot possibly be used in connection with such an assumed creation as an Earth globe floating in space. The Bhu-gola is 4 billion miles in diameter and is held by Ananta-sesha.
VERSE THREE
The next verse invokes the name Bhu-mandala and states again that Ananta-sesha holds this Bhu-mandala on His hood:
“bhu-mandalam murdha-sahasra-dhamasu
Lord Siva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. Although the Lord in His incarnation as Sesha holds all the universes on His hoods, each universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed to Him. Therefore, what person desiring perfection will not worship the Lord?” (SB 5.17.21)
Although in all three verses Srila Prabhupada has translated names for the Earth as the universe itself, both context of what is being described, as well as the name itself tells us that Ananta-Sesha is holding the Earth.
Here the name for Earth (Bhu-mandala) immediately tells us that Ananta-sesha is holding the Earth itself which Sukadeva Goswami has been describing in the course of chapters 16-26 of the fifth canto. Ananta-sesha is not holding the universe itself, nor the assumed Earth globe of 24,900-mile circumference. Although the Earth’s diameter is usually given as 4 billion miles (SB 5.20.38), it is actually just short of that figure. In Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura’s commentary to SB 5.20.38, he says that the Earth sphere (Bhu-mandala) is just short of 4 billion miles in diameter which allows for some space between the end of the Earth plane and the shell of the universe.
“The celestial sphere and the terrestrial sphere [vertical and horizontal spheres are both 500,000,000 yojanas [4 billion miles]…The diameter of the Earth is 3,400,000 yojanas [27,200,000 miles] short of 500,000,000 yojanas [4 billion miles]…This facilitates the serpent Sesa to hold the Earth aloft and the elephants to hold the Earth in position”(Commentary by Visvanatha Cakravarti to SB 5.20.38)
The diameter of the Earth is therefore just short of 4 billion miles across which is the overall size of the universe. If the Earth plane was touching the shell of the universe there would be no need for Ananta to hold it. Ananta-sesha wishes to hold the Earth as his sport or pastime—not out of necessity, but because it is His own pleasure or lila to do so: yo lilaya ksmam sthitaye bibharti (SB 5.25.13). We shall discuss this verse in detail later.
This gap between the end of the Earth and the shell of the universe also allows for the Earth to be submerged in the Grabhodaka Ocean. The entire Bhu-mandala is then raised by Lord Varaha which is another of the Lord’s extraordinary pastimes beyond the comprehension of the mundane mind.
There are further verses in Srimad Bhagavatam that describe the same pastime of Ananta-sesha holding the Earth, but again we need to understand the translation in context:
VERSE FOUR
Citraketu says:
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead holds all the universes on His heads like seeds of mustard. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, that Supreme Personality, who has thousands of hoods.” (SB 6.16.48)
bhu-mandalam—the huge universe; sarshapayati—become like seeds of mustard; yasya—of whom; murdhni—on the head; tasmai—unto Him; namah—obeisances; bhagavate—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full with six opulences; astu—may there be; sahasra-murdhne—who has thousands of hoods.”
Here the word Bhu-mandala has again been translated as universe, but as previously explained it is a name and reference to the Earth itself. We presently look at a brief description of Bhu-mandala as described by Sukadeva Goswami.
VERSE FIVE
Again the Kauravas say:
“O unlimited one of a thousand heads, as Your pastime You carry this earthly globe (bhu-mandala) upon one of Your heads. At the time of annihilation You withdraw the entire universe within Your body and, remaining all alone, lie down to rest.” (SB 10.68.46)
“tvam—You; eva—alone; murdhni—on Your head; idam—this; ananta—O unlimited one; lilaya—easily, as a pastime; bhu—of the earth; mandalam—the globe; bibharshi—(You) carry; sahasra-murdhan—O thousand-headed Lord”
The above verse was not translated by Srila Prabhupada, but the same conception of the Earth as a globe has been continued by his disciples. Here Bhu-mandala has been correctly identified as the Earth, but Bhu-mandala is not an ‘Earthly globe’ as has been translated; it is a great ‘Earthly circle.’
In all the above verses related to Ananta-sesha, Srila Prabhupada has translated names for the Earth to mean the universe itself, and thus some confusion may incur regarding the situation of the Earth itself. The translation can affect our understanding of whether the Earth is a small globe floating in space or whether it is a great circle held by Ananta-sesha. Srila Prabhupada instructed us to study the details of the fifth canto in order to make a working model of the universe and that is what we are doing here. Such a study requires defining names and terms. Names mean something; and we should understand the meaning of the names invoked. If in conversation, we refer to events in America, our shared understanding of what America means, tells us that the event is happening in America, not China. America is America, and China is China. They are two distinct places with different size land mass, populations, etc. We cannot start simply calling China by the name of America and hope that everyone will understand what we mean. Similarly, the names Bhu-mandala, Bhu-gola, ksiti-mandala, etc., are names for the Earth. The description accompanying these names informs us about the size, characteristics, and other features of this particular part of the universe. We should understand the meaning from the description given by Sukadeva Goswami in Chapters 16-20 of the fifth canto, and not confuse the term by relating it to some other feature of the universe such as the imagined Earth globe, or even the universe itself. It was perhaps due to Srila Prabhupada’s simple desire to glorify Krishna that he went beyond the specific and literal meaning of the above verses describing Ananta-sesha holding the Earth specifically, and not the entire universe per se. However, it is only by studying the details of such verses in order to understand their specific meaning that we will be able to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s wish of being able to make a working model of the universe. Again, we need to explain the point that the translation can affect our understanding of whether the Earth is a small globe floating in space or whether it is a great circle held by Ananta-sesha. Clearly the verses are describing that Ananta-sesha does indeed hold the Earth circle (bhu-mandala) and not the universe.
If devotees want to continue to quibble that Bhu-mandala or Bhu-gola or Ksiti-mandala may refer to the universe and not the Earth, then we may as well abandon all meaning for names, and start referring to the sun as the moon, or America as China, or Adolf Hitler as Mahatma Gandhi. Names exist for a reason—so that we can identify one thing from another.
VERSE SIX
One has to watch out for numerous examples where Srila Prabhupada translates Sanskrit names for the Earth in ways that although always glorifying the Lord, are not always contextually accurate; for example:
“prthivi dharena yei sesa-sankarsana
Sesa Sankarsana, who holds all the planets on His heads” (CC Adi 6.95)
prthivi—planets; dharena—holds; yei—that one who; sesa-sankarsana—Lord Sesa Sankarsana
Clearly, Srila Prabhupada in his translation wants merely to emphasize the supreme might of Sankarshan who does indeed sustain and support everything by His integrating power. However, when we look at the literal translation of the verse, the name used is prthivi which is a reference to Earth in the singular (there is only one prthivi (Earth). Srila Prabhupada consistently translates prthivi as the Earth through-out his Srimad Bhagavatam translation. Among the many Sanskrit names for the Earth, the name prthivi describes her as ‘the vast one,’ ‘the broad or extended one,’ and ‘she who is spacious with abundance of wealth for living beings,’ etc. Again, this particular name for the Earth indicates vastness which indeed is the nature of the Earth disc being of colossal proportions. It is this one huge Earth that Ananta Sesa holds on his head.
Srila Prabhupada was certainly not wrong in conveying the idea that Ananta-sesha is supporting all the planets. Certainly it is by Sankarshana’s energy that all the universe is supported (see Cc. Madhya-lila 20.259-260). However, for us to get an exact understanding of what is going on regarding the situation of the Earth, it’s necessary to point out that Ananta-sesha specifically holds the Earth alone on His head, whilst the other planets (grahas) and luminaries are held and move by air, as we have previously discussed. The Earth is thus stationary and does not move in an orbit around the sun, as scientism presents. Unlike the modern presentation of Earth as a small globe-shaped planet going around a massive sun, the Srimad Bhagavatam describes that the sun is tiny in comparison to the massive Earth plane below it. The Earth does not go around the sun; rather, the sun orbits in a circle above the great Earth circle at a distance of 800,000 miles [the sun is about 120 million miles away from our position on the Earth plane, but it orbits 800,000 miles above the Earth’s surface].
WHAT SRILA PRABHUPADA CALLED THE ‘EARTHLY PLANETARY SYSTEMS’ ARE JUST PART OF THE ONE EARTH CIRCLE
When Srila Prabhupada talks about Ananta-sesha holding all the planets on His head, or when he talks about ‘the Earthly planetary system,’ what is most likely intended by Srila Prabhupada’s conception of ‘the Earthly planets,’ is simply the seven islands of Jambudwipa which form part of the huge Bhu-mandala landscape and which are the abode of the human beings. The bhu-lokasya are not different Earth globes that float in space, but are just part of the great Earth itself.
There is only one Earth; but the Earth is so massive and fantastic that the description of its other areas may well seem like a description of other planets. To appreciate this explanation of Srila Prabhupada’s terminology, let us look at the following examples wherein Srila Prabhupada used this term ‘earthly planets’
“Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds“ (Bg 14.18)
Again:
“O son of Mitra, kindly describe how the planets are situated above the earth as well as underneath it, and also please mention their measurement as well as that of the earthly planets.” (SB 3.7.26)
The Sanskrit and synonyms are: “tesam samstham pramanam ca bhur-lokasya ca varnaya“ please mention their situation (samstham) and measurement (pramamam ca) as well as that of the earthly planets (bhur-lokasya).”(SB 3.7.26
One may be wondering what these ‘Earthly planets’ are. From the terminology, one may be under the impression that there are other globe-like Earth planets floating in dark space such as one those seen in a Star Wars movie with Jedi knights flying in a space ship from one to the other. However, the word bhuh-lokasya which Srila Prabhupada translates as ‘earthly planets,’ are nothing other than the Earth’s seven great islands which cover over 200 million miles and contain innumerable regions like our own Earth area. There is, otherwise, nothing conforming to the idea of ‘the Earthly planetary system.’ The sapta-dwipa (seven islands) are massive circular islands on the surface of Bhu-mandala, and are neither islands in space, nor the continents of our own Earth as Srila Prabhupada suggested. In previous papers we have presented the evidence for this understanding of Bhu-mandala as one vast continual landscape. For example, see the section: Planets as Globes in Space by Sadaputa dasa which can be found here.
Sukadeva Goswami begins his description of the Earth with Jambudwipa the central island of Bhu-mandala. Jambudwipa is circular in shape and has a diameter of 800,000 miles in breadth. Mount Meru stands in the center of Jambudwipa. The island itself is surrounded by a salt water ocean that is also 800,000 miles in breadth. Bharata-varsha is one of the nine regions of this super-sized continent. Our own area of the Earth is situated somewhere in the vast region of Bharata-varsha:
The Srimad Bhagavatam describes seven lands and oceans on the surface of Bhu-mandala and Bharata-varsha is clearly described as being part of Jambudwipa.
Surrounding Jambudwipa in the form of concentric circles are six other islands with their surrounding oceans expanding to a distance of over 200 million miles. The word dwipa (island) is used, but these are obviously not ordinary islands. They are gigantic beyond our imagination and each island is filled with varieties of lands, kingdoms, and people.
The Earth’s seven islands and seven oceans are described as having a very unique shape taking the form of concentric circles. Concentric circles means one circle inside the other like the ripple formation on water when you throw a stone.
The pictures below shows a detail of the seven islands and oceans (sapta-dwipa) expanding out across part of the Bhu-mandala landscape for a distance of 208,000,000 miles. The islands and oceans are surrounded by the massive Lokaloka Mountain standing 1 billion miles high:
These wonderful images were created for us by Shyama dasa living at ISKCON’s temple in Dublin along with Irish artist and designer Emily Dawson. The islands on the surface of the Bhu-mandala as well as the lokas beneath the surface are not other planetary systems as we may think of that term, but are actually just parts of the Earth itself. We have discussed the Earth’s subterranean realms (bila-svarga) in this paper.
The sapta-dwipa (seven islands and oceans) are upon the surface of the Earth are all part of one continual Earth landscape and is not some substance-less circles in space as it has been misrepresented in the official TOVP animation depicting Bhu-mandala:
What can I say?! Since the Srimad Bhagavatam describes seven lands and oceans on the surface of Bhu-mandala, what else but the spirit of impersonalism can depict them as empty circles in space? And since Bharata-varsha is clearly described as being part of Jambudwipa, why is our own area of the Earth being presented as a globe in space within the TOVP? It’s almost criminal that the Srimad Bhagavatam’s description of the Earth’s reality will be mis-represented and undermined in the very place where it is meant to be presented and broadcast to the world.
I appreciate that all the above names and descriptions may be bewildering to devotees who are not familiar with them, and that the whole thing is hard to visualize or even conceptualize, but bear with me as it will certainly become clearer in the months and years to come as the TOVP nears completion and the names and descriptions of places on the Bhu-mandala become more familiar. Krishna will gradually make this clear to His devotees. Through the medium of the TOVP Krishna wishes to give darshan of His own universal form (virat-rupa).
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- “To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.” (Bg 10.11)
As the devotee community gradually becomes aware of the detailed description of the Earth given by Sukadeva Goswami, those who are now loudly broadcasting and promulgating the Earth globe concept within ISKCON will only find themselves embarrassed by their lack of understanding of the subject. May I humbly suggest that whatever case is make on behalf of the Earth globe concept, may it be presented with the spirit of genuine desire to know the truth about the Earth, and not in a spirit of absolute certainty that the Earth is indeed a globe (which is simply the spirit of arrogance instilled by scientism through it’s western education system). The truth is that no one member of ISKCON has personally seen the true shape and extent of the Earth with their own eyes; and so the choice is to either see the Earth through the propaganda images of NASA, or through the eyes of shastra (Srimad Bhagavatam).
TOVP – [Temple Of Vedic Planetariom] Model
The question asked by Vidura to Mitreya (SB 3.7.26) regarding the nature and measurements of the bhu-lokasya (which Srila Prabhupada translates as ‘earthly planets’) is answered later by the description provided by Sukadeva Goswami to Pariksit Maharaja—who like Vidura, also wanted to know about the Earth with its various places and their measurements. Sukadeva Goswami begins with a description of Jambudwipa—the central island of Bhu-mandala where Bharata-varsha is located. The wonderful landscape and people of the other eight varshas (regions) of Jambudwipa are then described. Following that is a description of the awesome dimensions of the other six islands and oceans of Bhu-mandala along with a brief account of the people and spiritual practice of each island. Sukadeva Goswami then describes the distance of the planets above the Earth. He then describes the seven subterranean realms, as well as the hells that are underground or within the depths of the Great Earth circle. Srila Prabhupada refers to these as ‘the seven lower planetary systems’ and ‘hellish planetary systems,’ although they are, in fact, descriptions of places within the depths of the great Earth itself.
Srila Prabhupada’s main preaching point was to impress upon us the idea that there is life and purpose through-out the universe, including what he referred to as other ‘Earth planets’ or ‘hellish planets’ where other living beings like ourselves reside. The detail of how these other places are situated in relation to the Earth was not something that had been entirely worked out by the time of Srila Prabhupada’s departure. There is no fault in Srila Prabhupada who otherwise gave us this most vital information about the nature of our Earth and the universe in the form of Srimad Bhagavatam:
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- “On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.
Purport: Our presenting this matter in adequate language, especially a foreign language, will certainly fail, and there will be so many literary discrepancies despite our honest attempt to present it in the proper way. But we are sure that with all our faults in this connection the seriousness of the subject matter will be taken into consideration, and the leaders of society will still accept this due to its being an honest attempt to glorify the Almighty God. When there is fire in a house, the inmates of the house go out to get help from the neighbors who may be foreigners, and yet without knowing the language the victims of the fire express themselves, and the neighbors understand the need, even though not expressed in the same language. The same spirit of cooperation is needed to broadcast this transcendental message of the Srimad-Bhagavatam throughout the polluted atmosphere of the world. After all, it is a technical science of spiritual values, and thus we are concerned with the techniques and not with the language. If the techniques of this great literature are understood by the people of the world, there will be success… We are sure, therefore, that everyone in human society will welcome Srimad-Bhagavatam, even though it is now presented with so many faults, for it is recommended by Sri Narada, who has very kindly appeared in this chapter.” (SB 1.5.11)
We certainly do not consider Srila Prabhupada’s terminology of ‘earthly planets’ as a fault, although its usage does require that we come to a clear understanding of what these ‘earthly planets’ are actually referring to. Srila Prabhupada invariably translated the Sanskrit word loka as ‘planet,’ but loka can simply refer to an area where people live without specifying its particular nature. The word loka, therefore, generally refers to a place, an area, a district, a tract, a region, a country, a world, a people, etc. There are multi-various meanings to the word. See here.
Srila Prabhupada’s terminology of ‘earthly planets’ may throw a person accustomed to thinking of planets as globes in space, but we must appreciate that the word ‘planet’ was simply Srila Prabhupada’s default term for naming any area of the universe. The name Chandra-loka refers to the moon and is thus rightly understood as a different planet from the Earth. However, the words bhuh-lokasya refers not to separate ‘Earth planets,’ but rather to different places on the Earth itself! It just so happens that the Earth is the largest feature in the Vedic universe with innumerable and fantastic features upon it’s massive surface. In order to understand this, one has to become familiar with the description of the Earth provided in chapters 16-26 of Srimad Bhagavatam’s fifth canto. This is our reference point. We must insist that any discussion among the devotees about the nature of the Earth must be made with knowledge of, and reference to, the original description given by Sukadeva Goswami in these chapters.
In all verses of Srimad Bhagavatam where the names of the Earth have been translated by Srila Prabhupada as ‘earth planet’ or ‘earth globe,’ we have to understand what is meant by the Earth in the original description given by Sukadeva Goswami in chapters 16-26 of the fifth canto. This is an obvious requirement that supporters of the globe conveniently ignore. They instead merely present Srila Prabhupada’s usage of terms such as ‘Earth globe’ or ‘Earth planet’ as evidence that such an entity actually exists, when all evidence from the Srimad Bhagavatam itself speaks to the contrary conclusion—that the Earth is a great circular sphere held by Ananta-sesha, not a small Earth globe held up by gravity. Although Srila Prabhupada uses the conventional language of globe and planet, there is actually nothing corresponding to this concept in the Srimad Bhagavatam’s description of the Earth. If anyone still believes there is such a conception in Srimad Bhagavatam, then I challenge you to find the description of such an entity with its ‘name,’ ‘measurement,’ and ‘characteristics’ as Sukadeva Goswami has otherwise provided for the Bhu-mandala itself:
“bhu-golaka-visesam—the particular description of Bhuloka; nama-rupa—names and forms; mana—measurements; lakshanatah—according to symptoms; vyakhyasyamah—I shall try to explain.” (SB 5.16.4)
For a reader un-accustomed to this description of the Earth, the various measurements and landscapes described by Sukadeva Goswami may well read like a description of other planets; but as clearly named by Sukadeva Goswami, he is presenting a description of the principal regions of the great Earth itself (bhu-goloka) with the names, forms, measurements, and characteristics of the principal regions:
“bhu-golaka-visesam nama-rupa-mana-laksanato vyakhyasyamah” (SB 5.16.4)
Bharata-varsha is described by Sukadeva Goswami as a varsha or region of Jambudwipa the central island of the great Earth circle. Bharata-varsha is not described as a separate planet in space. Although Srila Prabhupada associated the name Bharata-varsha with the ‘Earth planet,’ there is actually is no description of Bharata-varsha that corresponds to such a conception. If one wishes to continue arguing that Bharata-varsha is the so-called Earth globe, then we have only to point out that Bharata-varsha is 72,000 miles from north to south and hundreds of thousands of miles from east to west.
The guru will only present something as truth if it can be established by shastric evidence. Because Srila Prabhupada did not feel that he had sufficient knowledge of the details of Vedic cosmology he left it to his disciples to study the fifth canto and find out how the universe is arranged. Since we are to follow three sources of authority (guru, sadhu, and shastra), we must recognize in this instance, the guru (Srila Prabhupada) directly instructed his disciples (sadhu) to make a study of Srimad Bhagavatam’s fifth canto (shastra) in order to make a working model of the universe. In accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s instruction it can clearly be established that the shastra is describing an Earth circle, not an Earth globe. As yet, no one has been able to refute this presentation. Srila Prabhupada’s desire will be fulfilled by presenting the Earth as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam, not by making some wishy-washy half-baked compromise with speculating scientists and bogus space agencies. I wish no disrespect to the scientific community—whatever they get right we can accept and appreciate—but their presentation of the Earth as a globe, is a construct of reality that is now rapidly being demolished.
The only problem that devotees face with this understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s terminology is whether they can come to accept or believe that the Earth is as Srila Sukadeva Goswami describes it—a massive circular plane; and therefore, not a small globe floating in space as we have been led to believe. One has to enter a massive paradigm shift regarding the nature of the Earth as it is described by Sukadeva Goswami.
This conception of the Earth as a great circular plane was clearly not apparent at the time of Srila Prabhupada’s preaching (see section 1.3), and so Srila Prabhupada just referred to bhuh-lokasya as ‘earthly planets.’
For those members of ISKCON attempting to merge the modern concept of the Earth with the concept of the Earth presented by Srimad Bhagavatam, we ask you to bear in mind that Copernicus, Galelio, Kepler, and Newton knew absolutely nothing about Srimad Bhagavatam and the Bhu-mandala. It simply amazes me that this Earth globe concept is continually presented in ISKCON as ‘Vedic cosmology’ when it is nothing but a product of Western speculators who knew nothing about the Vedas, and whose description of the Earth has nothing whatsoever to do with the original descriptions found in the Vedas (the essence of which is Srimad Bhagavatam). Their understanding of the Earth is based on theory only. They present the Earth as a small globe rotating around the sun, when Srimad Bhagavatam describes the Earth as a massive circular landscape crossing the center of the universe with the sun and moon rotating in orbit from above. The two models are completely opposed, and only one of them can true. So take your pick! Because the members of ISKCON are working from the common assumption that the Earth really is a globe, and because they are presently overawed by the grandeur of ‘the scientists,’ the Krishna bhaktas are unable to develop a spiritual science that would empower them to both refute the speculation of Western cosmology and expose the cheating of NASA and co. in their presentation of so-called astronauts circling a so-called Earth-globe.
Even more disturbing is that the Earth globe model will be presented as ‘Vedic cosmology’ in the TOVP —the very place that is meant to establish Sukadeva Goswami teachings that we live on an Earth plane, not an Earth globe. By adding an Earth globe into the TOVP presentation, Sukadeva Goswami’s description of reality (that Earth is a continual plane) will be misrepresented. Despite the depiction of the Bhu-mandala in the main exhibition of the TOVP, the concept will be undermined by the presentation that only our part of the Earth manifests as a globe in space, whilst the rest of the Earth is in another dimension. Everyone can take a sigh of relief that the Earth is a globe after all; that we are not mad religionists with whacky ideas about the universe; and that we will gain acceptance from the scientific community for having discovered a Vedic Earth globe just like our clever Western counterparts. Meanwhile NASA’s deception regarding the true nature of the Earth is allowed to go on. Are we part of ‘the great sinister movement,’ or are we the counteracting force?
VERSE SEVEN
One verse I particularly like in relation to Ananta-sesha is a verse already mentioned that describes how He is holding the Earth as His pastime.
“yo lilaya ksmam sthitaye bibharti
There is no end to the great and glorious qualities of that powerful Lord Anantadeva. Indeed, His prowess is unlimited. Though self-sufficient, He Himself is the support of everything. He resides beneath the lower planetary systems and easily sustains the entire universe.” (5.25.13)
Again, the word ksmam, is a name for the Earth, not the universe, and Srila Prabhupada has consistently translated ksmam as ‘the Earth’ throughout his other Srimad Bhagavatam purports. One can see, for example, in the translation to SB 3.13.33 that Varaha lifts the Earth (ksmam). Again, in (SB 3.3.18) that King Yudhisthira along with his brothers protected the Earth (ksmam). The above verse verse yo lilaya ksmam sthitaye bibharti (SB 5.25.13) thus informs us that the unlimited Lord in the form of Ananta-sesha holds the Earth (ksmam) as a pastime (lila):
“Does he bear this Earth being subject to His karma? “No,” is the reply. His strength is infinite, His virtues endless, thus, it is only a pastime. He is not subject to any karma. He bears out of kindness only.” (Commentary to SB 5.25.13 by Viraraghava)
In other words, it is fun for Krishna to do so. Unlike the planets and luminaries that are held up by air and karma, The Earth is in its own category and is held up by Ananta-sesha who bears its weight not under the burden of karma, but because it pleases Him to do so. Thus there is no question that Srimad Bhagavatam presents the idea of Earth as a small globe planet floating in space. On the contrary, the verses just quoted should serve as inspiration for our devotees to find all evidence and experiments that defeat the bogus idea of an Earth globe held up by gravity. Things fall not because of gravity, but because they are heavier than air; and things float because they are either lighter than air, or because of manipulation of air such as that used in an airplane. Gravity is as Srila Prabhupada called it ‘a bogus theory.’
Prabhupada: That law of gravity is a bogus theory. (Morning Walk, May 19, 1975, Melbourne)
VISUALIZING ANANTA-SESHA IN RELATION TO THE EARTH
To try and visualize the context of Ananta-sesha holding the Earth, let us re-cap on how the universe itself is a round shape like a basketball, and is 4 billion miles across, and from top to bottom. The bottom half of the universe is filled to a depth of 2 billion miles by the Garbhodhaka Ocean.
So imagine the universe is like the inside of the basket-ball. The inside of the ball represents the shell of the universe that keeps everyone confined. The ball like universe is half-filled with water. On the surface of the water called Garbhodaka Ocean rests Ananta-sesha who holds the great Earth circle above Him on one of His hoods. The distance between the surface of the Garbhodaka Ocean the bottom of the Earth and is 240,000 miles. Since Ananta-sesha is floating on the surface of the Ocean and holding the Earth which is above Him, then Ananta-sesha must obviously be of the same height (240,000 miles). Since the great circle is above the head of Ananta-sesha, all of this area between the bottom of the Earth and the surface of the Garbhodaka Ocean would presumably be dark (the vast land-scape of the Earth blocks the light of the sun from going beneath its surface area). Other than the Lord’s own illumination, there is no description of sunlight here. The following images and diagrams were created for us by devotee artist and designer Emily Dawson:
Ananta-sesha holding the Bhu-mandala from below
The image above shows Ananta-sesha floating on the Garbhodaka Ocean and holding the great Earth circle on one of His hoods. Ananta-sesha is actually very small in comparison to the overall diameter of the Earth circle that He holds above Him. The image shows just the immediate area that is directly above His head. The seven subterranean heavens and hells are within the depths of the Earth itself. We have already presented the evidence for the situation of the seven subterranean heavens in a previous paper which can be found here.
[A future paper will present evidence that the hells are also within the core of the Earth circle].
A cross section of the Earth showing Ananta-sesha’s position below the Earth would look like this:
Try as one will, the Earth-globe concept simply does not fit into the Srimad Bhagavatam’s conception of the reality which otherwise describes that Bharata-varsha is part of the landscape of Bhu-mandala, and that Bhu-mandala is being held by Ananta-sesha. What has the idea of a globe floating in space have to do with anything described thus far? The idea of an Earth globe in Vedic cosmology is pure concoction. As yet, the lack of understanding of this subject of Ananta-sesha holding the Earth is apparent in the fact that we do not have one BBT picture of Ananta-sesha holding the Bhu-mandala; nor (with the exception of one image by Danavir Goswami) could we find any other image of Ananta-sesha holding the Earth. Maybe the TOVP can help sponsor a painting or computer animation program that would enliven the devotee artists to paint this pastime of Ananta-sesha. I otherwise appeal to our artists and computer animators in ISKCON to study the details of Srimad Bhagavatam and paint wonderful pictures of the world that we as yet can only see through the eyes of shastra. Have faith in Srimad Bhagavatam!
In the absence of adequate visual images, let us all for the moment try and understand this much—that the Earth according to Srimad Bhagavatam is a great circular plane and not a planet as we understand it; and our known Earth area is just a small part of other lands surrounding our own on the great circular plane that is called Bhu-mandala (Earth circle). The image below of Mount Meru in the center of Jambudwipa will become the new icon of the 21 century. It will gradually replace the fake Earth globe image and establish the truth of the Earth to the people in Bharata-varsha.
CONCLUSION
To conclude this section of the reply to Sadhusanga dasa; it is hopefully clear that the planets and other luminaries are floating and are carried by the power of Vayu in the form of cosmic winds (not by gravity as is presented by scientism). The Earth, however, is in a separate and unique category being held by Ananta-sesha.
The introduction of the Earth globe model into Vedic cosmology is a superimposition of a foreign idea onto the Vedic conception which is otherwise clear as day. When disparities between the Vedic and modern conceptions were pointed out to Srila Prabhupada during the discussions on Bhu-mandala in June/July 1977, Srila Prabhupada’s repeated and emphatic instruction was to take the version of Srimad Bhagavatam:
“Prabhupada: But we have to accept shastra…
…We are not lying to you.
(Discussion about Bhu-mandala, 5 July, 1977, Vrindavana)
As one begins to look at the details of the size and shape of the Earth, and how the Earth is not held in space by gravity, but by the extraordinary power of Ananta-sesha, it becomes clear why Srila Prabhupada’s instruction ‘to study the details of the fifth canto and make a working model of the universe’ must carry more weight as evidence about the Earth’s true nature, than simply taking Srila Prabhupada’s use of words such as ‘Earth globe’ or ‘Earth planet.’ as evidence that it ‘must be so.’ In the next paper we will look at why Srila Prabhupada used words like ‘Earth globe’ and ‘Earth planet’ when Srimad Bhagavatam obviously describes something very different. The simple answer is that Srila Prabhupada was trying to revive knowledge and understanding of Vedic cosmology that had been buried for centuries, and that even he was not familiar with. Thus, Srila Prabhupada spoke of the Earth in conventional terms as ‘a globe,’ whilst at the same time instructing his disciples to research the fifth canto in order to present the Earth’s true feature as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam via the Mayapur Temple of Vedic Planetarium.
As part of the reply to Sadhusanga dasa, we will also address the question of whether Srila Prabhupada actually rejected the flat Earth concept. There are certainly statements in conversations and lectures wherein Srila Prabhupada laughs at and rejects the flat-Earth idea; but the question that needs to be asked is an obvious one: what concept of the flat-Earth did Srila Prabhupada reject? Before we can say that Srila Prabhupada rejected the flat Earth concept, we need to know what concept of flat-Earth did Srila Prabhupada have in mind? Did his teachers at school, or his professors at Scottish Church College in Calcutta, teach young Abhaya Charan to laugh at the idea of the flat Earth—as every other child throughout the world is taught to do? Until recently, discussion of the Bhu-mandala in relation to the so-called Earth globe has not been a topic of interest among the Vaishnava community. Indeed, the Vedic teachings about the Earth being a great circular plane was an idea that had been buried and left for dead. By his own admission, Srila Prabhupada was not familiar with the cosmological descriptions contained in Srimad Bhagavatam. Since neither Srila Prabhupada nor his disciples were altogether clear on our Earth’s relation to the rest of Bhu-mandala (see Bhu-mandala discussions), can it be said that Srila Prabhupada actually rejected the flat-Earth conception since that is indeed how Srimad Bhagavatam describes the Earth—a huge circular plane with seven cosmic-sized islands and oceans expanding across it’s horizontal surface! It’s very interesting that despite a few earlier statements where Srila Prabhupada outright rejected the idea of the flat-Earth, by the time of the Bhu-mandala discussions of 1977 when the nature of the Earth was finally being explored, his answer to questions about the Earth being globe-shaped or flat were rhetorical and cryptic, rather than a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ In a paper to follow we will look at the few statements made by Srila Prabhupada in relation to the term ‘flat-Earth.’ The point we wish to impress upon the devotee community is that before anyone comes out guns blazing with Srila Prabhupada quotes talking about the Earth as a globe, or Srila Prabhupada quotes seemingly rejecting the flat-earth concept, we must all first follow Srila Prabhupada’s own instruction to study the details of the fifth canto in order to determine the nature of the Earth as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam. Above all other considerations, the Earth as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam is how Srila Prabhupada wants us to understand the truth of the Earth’s nature. Srila Prabhupada wants us to understand the universe by following the description of the great yogi, Sukadeva Goswami:
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- Prabhupada: And I say they have not gone to moon, that is my point…I am speaking from the very beginning. Yes, I wrote that Easy Journey to Other Planets in 1958, and you’ll find this statement in my book. It is all childish.
Dr. Patel: You have to be yogi for that.
Prabhupada: I am yogi because I am taking lessons from the yogis…
Dr. Patel: Yoga dharana.
Prabhupada: Yes. Yogi, I am taking lesson from Sukadeva Gosvami. I may be fool, but I am taking lesson from the yogi. Yes. So yatra yogesvarah krishnah tatra srir vijayo bhutir [Bg. 18.78]. I don’t require to be a yogi. I take shelter of the yogesvara.” – (Morning Walk, December 20 1975, Bombay
We see in Srila Prabhupada’s preaching he didn’t believe in gravity or the spinning propaganda of the small NASA “ball” globe which modern science uses to substantiate it, this shows he didn’t have much faith in that concept at all , rather, he had faith in the model of Bhu Gola described in the Bhagavatam . From the conclusions he discussed in 1977 at the Bhumandala discussions , it shows he ultimately championed the correct model yet was preoccupied with clearing the jungles of mayavadism and gross materialism all around the lotus globe of bhumandala in bharata varsha . He had not yet elucidated the finer details of the Srimad Bhagavatam 5th canto chapters 16 to 26 previous to that date. This was by Krsna’s arrangement because no one had the stomach to digest such sweet and sour lugloo candies at that stage (sweet for devotees, sour for those suffering cognitive dissonance).
Srila Prabhupada instructed his own disciples to try and understand Sukadevas Goswami’s description. In other words, Srila Prabhupada is not presenting his own understanding or pronouncements on this topic as final. He is requesting his disciples and followers to present the version of Srimad Bhagavatam.
“Now our Ph.D’s must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium…So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
I am sending this letter to you, and you can make photocopies of it and send to our other Ph.D.’s and begin serious research into the matter in detail.” (Letter to Svarupa Damodar, 27 April 1976)
So here we have a very direct instruction from Srila Prabhupada to study the Srimad Bhagavatam’s Fifth Canto and present it scientifically. It is significant that Srila Prabhupada himself did not provide ‘a working model of the universe’; rather, he requested his disciples to do so, with the emphasis that it must be according to the Srimal Bhagavatam.
Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to investigate this disparity and a conclusion was not reached. In September 1977 Srila Prabhupada entered Samadhi. The discussion continues…
Srimad-Bhagavatam – Fifth Canto – Chapter 25: The Glories of Lord Ananta (Summary)
“Ananta instructs Lord Śiva how to destroy the cosmos, and thus He is sometimes called tāmasī, or “one who is in the mode of darkness.” He is the original Deity of material consciousness, and because He attracts all living entities, He is sometimes known as Saṅkarṣaṇa. The entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.”
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Here Srila Prabhupada says that “the entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa”, not just the earth.
Hare Krsna. All gories to Srila Prabhupada
“The acharyas in their purports to these verses also confirm that Sesha is holding the Earth (Bhu-mandala), not the universe itself”
Srila Prabhupada in SB 5.25.9p explains specifically:
ananta pṛthivī-giri samudra-sahite
ye-prabhu dharena gire pālana karite
“On His head, Anantadeva sustains the entire universe, with its millions of planets containing enormous oceans and mountains.”
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
FROM THE MAHABHARATA – Ananta-Sesha bears the Earth
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Astika Parva: Section XXXVI
“Lord Brahma said, ‘O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady. Hold on your head STATIONARY this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities.’ “
(….)
So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva, TRANSLATED BY by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Note: sooooooo WHO says the earth is STATIONARY? It is Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Is Kisari Mohan Ganguli our authority? No!
Our AUTHORITY is: Srila Prabhupada:
THIS PLANET OF EARTH, MOVING AS IT IS, IS JUST LIKE THE MOVING RAILWAY COMPARTMENT AND WE ARE PLACED HERE AS FIRST SECOND OR THIRD CLASS PASSENGER ACCORDING TO OUR PAYING CAPACITY. The paying capacity of each and every passenger is the results of his own work or karma. In accordance with our own karma we have become here different classes of passengers for which neither God or anyone else is responsible. But it should not be our aim of travelling life to become a first class passenger from the position of this (indistinct) life. It shall ways be the aim of all passengers to reach the destination by all means. All the passengers in whatever class or compartment they may be put into according as the payment is made, can at the same time simultaneously reach the destination if they are not misled by some others that the railway compartments are their permanent abode. The same passenger is always cognizant of the fact that the railway compartments are never meant for their permanent home but they are meant for carrying the passenger to a desired destination equally available by all classes of passengers.
But the modern trend of civilization as mentioned before is misguided (indistinct) much as the leaders of the present age have misguided their followers that this earth which is compared with the railway compartment is the permanent abode of the living being. The leaders of human society have forgotten that the passengers are meant for a definite destination and they are carried by a temporary moving carriage. The leaders on the other hand misguide the passengers that they will have to travel by the moving carriage perpetually and as such they must all become first class passengers although some of them have no paying capacity. This misguidance of the leaders of society, has played a havoc in the progress of human knowledge and that is considered by the sane man as the ignorance of night.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/articles/13
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In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that THIS PLANET OR any other planet UP TO the planet known as “Brahmaloka” or the topmost planet of this universe are ALL TEMPORARY MOVING COMPARTMENTS LIKE THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE drawn by a machine under the influence of Maya or external energy of Godhead. They are all different carriages or changing abodes of living being. None of them are the perpetual abode of the human being. They are placed in those MOVING PLANETS temporarily according to their different ‘Karma’ but they are perpetually life after life in a changing habit. The permanent abode of living entities is the Kingdom of God. When the living entity is placed in that permanent abode of God, he has no more to travel in the railway compartment of machines made by māyā or the External Energy of Godhead.
The Kingdom of God is therefore the destination of living being may it be encaged in any form of embodiment. The aquatic, the plants, the reptiles, the birds, the beasts or the man all are essentially spiritual entities and parts and parcels of Godhead but they have been differently encaged in different forms of embodiment and placed in different compartments of the MOVING PLANETS according to different karmas. But in spite of this all the different embodied living entities are entitled to enter into the Kingdom of God by a transcendental process described in the Bhagavad-gītā as practically demonstrated by Lord Caitanya. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Gosvāmī Mahārāja inaugurated the transcendental movement spiritual progress for the benefit of all living being.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/articles/13
Note: ORBIT: JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING.
750128BG.TOK
Bhagavad-gītā 16.8
—
Tokyo, January 28, 1975
Nitāi: “They say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control. It is produced of sex desire, and has no cause other than lust.”
Prabhupāda:
asatyam apratiṣṭhaṁ te
jagad āhur anīśvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ
kim anyat kāma-haitukam
[Bg. 16.8]
This is the atheistic theory, asatyam. They say that this material world is false. Brahma satyaṁ jagan mithyā. Jagat, jagat means this cosmic manifestation which is gacchati, going. In the material world, everything is going. Just like in your city you see the cars, motor cars. They are going here and there, gacchati, very busy. Every man is going here and there. SIMILARLY, THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM ALSO, BEGINNING FROM ITS BIRTH UP TO THE ANNIHILATION IT IS GOING, MOVING, ORBIT. IT IS GOING. EVERYTHING IS GOING, MOVING. EVEN THE SUN, IT HAS GOT ITS ORBIT. YAC-CAKṢUR EṢA SAVITĀ SAKALA-GRAHĀṆĀṀ RĀJĀ SAMASTA…, AŚEṢA-TEJĀḤ, YASYĀJÑAYĀ BHRAMATI SAMBHṚTA-KĀLA-CAKRAḤ. THE… JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING. THE SUN IS ALSO ROTATING. And so far I calculate, it is sixteen thousand miles per minute or second. I calculated once. The sun is rotating sixteen thousand miles either per minute or per second. I forget now.
Note: ORBIT: WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH.
Auckland
27 April, 1976
76-04-27
Atlanta
My dear Svarupa Damodara Das,
Please accept my blessings. Now our Ph.D’s must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium. My final decision is that the universe is just like a tree, with root upwards. Just as a tree has branches and leaves so the universe is also composed of planets which are fixed up in the tree like the leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. of the tree. THE PIVOT IS THE POLE STAR, AND THE WHOLE TREE IS ROTATING ON THIS PIVOT. Mount Sumeru is the center, trunk, and is like a steep hill, like the alps mountains which also have very high peaks. I have seen in Switzerland one mountain peak which was so high that is penetrated through the clouds. THE TREE IS TURNING AND THEREFORE, ALL THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES TURN WITH THE TREE. THE PLANETS HAVE THEIR FIXED ORBITS, BUT STILL THEY ARE TURNING WITH THE TURNING OF THE GREAT TREE. There are pathways leading from one planet to another made of gold, copper, etc., and these are like the branches. Distances are also described in the 5th Canto just how far one planet is from another.
WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH. IT IS NOT THAT WE SHALL ACCEPT THE THEORY THAT THE SUN IS FIXED UP AND THE OTHERS ARE ALL GOING AROUND THE SUN. THAT IS NOT CORRECT. EVEN THE 7TH STAR IS ROTATING ONCE AROUND THE POLE STAR IN EACH 24 HOURS. The whole universe is just like a big tree, that is a fact. I do not think that the modern astronomers have any such idea that the whole universe is like a big tree. The planets which are full of living entities are one after another, one above the other. The relative positions of the planets is fixed up but the whole thing is turning. The sun is going north and south, it has its own orbit below the moon. So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
I am sending this letter to you, and you can make photocopies of it and send to our other Ph.D.’s and begin serious research into the matter in detail. But one thing, I am convinced that the universe is just like a great tree as described therein.
I hope that this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/pks
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Note: ORBIT: The asura Hiraṇyākṣa had dislocated the earth from its ORBIT and thrown it beneath the waters of the Garbhodaka Ocean.
SB 4.17.34
My dear Lord, You are always unborn. Once, in the form of the original boar, You rescued me from the waters in the bottom of the universe. Through Your own energy You created all the physical elements, the senses and the heart, for the maintenance of the world.
PURPORT
This refers to the time when Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared as the supreme boar, Varāha, and rescued the earth, which had been merged in water. The asura Hiraṇyākṣa had dislocated the earth from its ORBIT and thrown it beneath the waters of the Garbhodaka Ocean. Then the Lord, in the shape of the original boar, rescued the earth.
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Note: Here is what Srila Prabhupada says:
Mayapura, February 4, 1976
Bhavananda: Earth planet is also moving?
Prabhupada: ALONG WITH ALL OTHER STARS. That YOU CAN SEE AT NIGHT.
Tamala Krsna: They are all moving around the polestar.
Prabhupada: YES.
Hrdayananda: So that means that the more we learn material education, (we’re) just becoming more and more foolish.
Prabhupada: Yes. Material education means mudha. This is also material education, the movement of the sun. But they are not perfect.
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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.7
—
Los Angeles, September 13, 1972
Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)
dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya
rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm
uddhariṣyann upādatta
yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ
[SB 1.3.7]
Translation: “The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar, the second incarnation, and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth up from the nether regions of the universe.”
Prabhupāda: So this universe, this universe is filled up with water, half. Whatever we are seeing, this is only half, like this. The other half we cannot see. So within this water, sometimes that Hiraṇyākṣa demon drowned this whole earth within this water. So at the present moment we cannot find such demons, but there were demons like that. The whole planetary system is FLOATING, but there may be some demon who can take one of them and put within the water. The planets are FLOATING; that is known to everyone. We can see, actually, that such a big, gigantic mass… Even the sun, which is fourteen hundred thousand times bigger than this earth, that is also floating in the outer space. The support is ananta. They say “law of gravitation”; we say Saṅkarṣaṇa. Saṅkarṣaṇa. So He is holding EVERY PLANET, and it is said that ALL these UNIVERSES are resting on the hood of Śeṣa-nāga just like a small grain of mustard.
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TEXT 21
yam āhur asya sthiti-janma-saṁyamaṁ
tribhir vihīnaṁ yam anantam ṛṣayaḥ
na veda siddhārtham iva kvacit sthitaṁ
bhū-maṇḍalaṁ mūrdha-sahasra-dhāmasu
SYNONYMS
yam—whom; āhuḥ—they said; asya—of the material world; sthiti—the maintenance; janma—creation; saṁyamam—annihilation; tribhiḥ—these three; vihīnam—without; yam—which; anantam—unlimited; ṛṣayaḥ—all the great sages; na—not; veda—feels; siddha-artham—a mustard seed; iva—like; kvacit—where; sthitam—situated; bhū-maṇḍalam—the universe; mūrdha-sahasra-dhāmasu—on the hundreds and thousands of hoods of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. Although the Lord in His incarnation as Śeṣa holds ALL THE UNIVERSES on His hoods, each universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed to Him. Therefore, what person desiring perfection will not worship the Lord?
PURPORT
The incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Śeṣa or Ananta has unlimited strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation. As described in this verse, Ananta’s strength is so great that the innumerable universes rest on His hoods. He has the bodily features of a snake with thousands of hoods, and since His strength is unlimited, all the universes resting on His hoods feel no heavier than mustard seeds. We can just imagine how insignificant a mustard seed is on the hood of a serpent. In this connection, the reader is referred to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Five, verses 117–125. There it is stated that Lord Viṣṇu’s incarnation as the serpentine Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports ALL the UNIVERSES on His hoods. By our calculation, a universe may be very, very heavy, but because the Lord is ananta (unlimited), He feels the weight to be no heavier than a mustard seed.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/5/17/21
The Mahabharata translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli of the Astika Parva, talks about Ananta Sesha bearing the Earth on his head. THAT’S THE MAIN POINT!
Mahesh, why are you confusing the readers with your out of context quotes? The word “stationary” in this particular translation means “supported or balanced”. Ananta Sesha was requested by Lord Brahma to SUPPORT the earth BECAUSE this Earth was so unsteady with her heavy mountains, forests, seas and towns AND BECAUSE of the earth shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities, Ananta Sesha was requested to hold the Earth steady.
The exact quote was: “Hold on your head STATIONARY this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities. “ — MEANING: HOLD HER STEADY! Because it is shaking. – Don’t misinterpret more than it is.
And Ananta Sesha replied: “I will, even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all creatures, place her on my head. “
Mahesh says: Note: sooooooo WHO says the earth is STATIONARY? It is Kisari Mohan Ganguli. Is Kisari Mohan Ganguli our authority? No! Our AUTHORITY is: Srila Prabhupada
Mahesh please stop your insinuations. This particular Mahabharata quote does NOT talk about “absolute stationary earth”, it talks about Ananta Sesha holding the earth steady on his hoods. YOU MISSED THE MAIN POINT.
It is NOT Kisari Mohan Ganguli who says the earth is “stationary” – it is Lord Brahma who says to Ananta Sesha to hold the earth steady by bearing her on his head. Thatis the main point.
AND YES – we do accept Lord Brahmas statements, BECAUSE it is the same what Srila Prabhupada says, concerning the support of the earth:
Srila Prabhupada: The entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.” — “On His head, Anantadeva sustains the entire universe, with its millions of planets containing enormous oceans and mountains.”
Of course, the earth is NOT really totally stationary (as an unmovable mountain) but it surely “moves”, because if Ananta Sesha moves his head, naturally the earth will move also
Mahesh can you at least accept Srila Prabhupada’s statement, which in this case is the same statement of lord Brahma, and the same statement of Kisari Mohan Gangulis translation – namely: the earth is supported and held on the head of Ananta Sesha ???
Pariksit Das:
Pariksit Das:Of course, the earth is NOT really totally stationary (as an unmovable mountain) but it surely “moves”, because if Ananta Sesha moves his head, naturally the earth will move also
Mahesh:… ” because if Ananta Sesha moves his head, naturally the earth will move also” is that really all???? This is just over-simplification a case of discarding the issue of earth being NOT STATIONARY
Why do you reject the evidence as above FROM Srila Prabhupada:
JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING.
750128BG.TOK
The word stationary may also mean inert. In the physics of motion an inert body is defined as a powerless matter, which does not change its state unless acted upon by a force. Or, in a higher sense, unless a spirit soul touches the body it will remain still. This is the meaning of stationary in physics. It is a lifeless body, with no sign of any living force acting upon it. When the body dies, we can say it is stationary, or motionless. Although, even a dead body moves sometimes, so it is not motionless in a strict sense.
Actually, the word stationary has multiple, but similar, meanings. It can be understood by a context.
Since the earth was shaking, the stationary may be interpreted as holding it still or holding it steady. Not, holding it motionless or nonmoving.
It is also interesting to note that the particular quote: “Hold on your head STATIONARY this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities”, is not found in Ganguli’s original Mahabharata. It is possibly inserted by someone later on. And the same word was also used in the previous article called, “THE STATIONARY EARTH”, which talks about earth “not spinning or moving in any way.” We have to see things from a higher perspective to understand the whole picture.
Dear Gauranga Das
Thank you very much for your very nice explanation and specifically for the quoted Ganguli text, which you say might have been changed and inserted by someone later on.
Actually I was able to get hold of the original printed book (Ganguli’s original Mahabharata) and checked out the translation in question.
And you are right on: the text is indeed changed. The internet online version is different from the printed book!
In the printed book there is NO “stationary earth”. Instead it says: “properly and well”
Here is the original quote from the printed book:
“Brahman said, ‘O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady.’
Thank you so much Prabhu for clarifying this issue. The Ganguli online edition might be something similar what the BBT is doing to Srila Prabhupadas original books.
Mahesh wrote: “Why do you reject the evidence as above FROM Srila Prabhupada:
JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING.
Mahesh why do you reject Srila Prabhupadas clear statement: „THE ENTIRE MATERIAL WORLD IS SITUATED ON THE HOODS OF LORD SAṄKARṢAṆA.” — “On His head, Anantadeva sustains the entire universe, with its millions of planets containing enormous oceans and mountains.”
The whole Article is About Ananta Sehsha holding the earth on his head and NOT about “stationary earth”. The relevant quotes have been given. Your counter quotes maybe applicable for another article, specifically dealing with this subject, but it is really misplaced in the subject of Ananta Sesha bearing the earth, the main theme of the article.
The nice Mahabharata story of Ananta Sesha was just a small INTRO to the main theme of HOW THE EARTH IS SUPPORTED, nothing more. And you are using just this to criticise the whole article, although it is completely based on Srila Prabhupadas Bhagavatam.
You always do this, just searching for one wrong word and than criticising the whole article, ignoring the theme and quotes cited from Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada. You should stop this bad practice. And you should also know that not everyone shares your opinion.
Do you believe that the earth is supported and held on Ananta Seshas head or not?
This is an importand ascertainment, because it defeats all those nonsense theories of a round ball spinning in outer space, rotating upside-down. (if this is what you believe?)
Or perhaps that so-called NASA spinning earth ball has Ananta Sesha attached to its tail, like a Kite-String attached to a flying Kite ???
If Ananta Sesha has the earth on his head, than it is NOT spinning AS A BALL in outer space. Period.
Prabhupada: „THE ENTIRE MATERIAL WORLD IS SITUATED ON THE HOODS OF LORD SAṄKARṢAṆA.”
Pariksit Das: If Ananta Sesha has the earth on his head, than it is NOT spinning AS A BALL in outer space. Period.
Prabhupada: „THE ENTIRE MATERIAL WORLD IS SITUATED ON THE HOODS OF LORD SAṄKARṢAṆA.”
Mahesh: First of all, earth is NOT “SPINNING” – BUT the earth IS ROTATING in ORBIT as Srila Prabhupada states. So do not make-up strawman arguments on the word “spinning”. USE the ACTUAL words Srila Prabhupada describes. Do not concoct. Secondly, the ENTIRE material world is ALL the UNIVERSES WITH THE – PLANETS IN ORBIT- INSIDE THOSE UNIVERSES:
TEXT 21
yam āhur asya sthiti-janma-saṁyamaṁ
tribhir vihīnaṁ yam anantam ṛṣayaḥ
na veda siddhārtham iva kvacit sthitaṁ
bhū-maṇḍalaṁ mūrdha-sahasra-dhāmasu
SYNONYMS
yam—whom; āhuḥ—they said; asya—of the material world; sthiti—the maintenance; janma—creation; saṁyamam—annihilation; tribhiḥ—these three; vihīnam—without; yam—which; anantam—unlimited; ṛṣayaḥ—all the great sages; na—not; veda—feels; siddha-artham—a mustard seed; iva—like; kvacit—where; sthitam—situated; bhū-maṇḍalam—the universe; mūrdha-sahasra-dhāmasu—on the hundreds and thousands of hoods of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. Although the Lord in His incarnation as Śeṣa holds ALL THE UNIVERSES on His hoods, each universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed to Him. Therefore, what person desiring perfection will not worship the Lord?
PURPORT
The incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Śeṣa or Ananta has unlimited strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation. As described in this verse, Ananta’s strength is so great that the innumerable universes rest on His hoods. He has the bodily features of a snake with thousands of hoods, and since His strength is unlimited, ALL THE UNIVERSES ARE RESTING ON HIS HOODS feel no heavier than mustard seeds. We can just imagine how insignificant a mustard seed is on the hood of a serpent. In this connection, the reader is referred to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Five, verses 117–125. There it is stated that Lord Viṣṇu’s incarnation as the serpentine Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports ALL the UNIVERSES on His hoods. By our calculation, a universe may be very, very heavy, but because the Lord is ananta (unlimited), He feels the weight to be no heavier than a mustard seed.
Note: ORBIT: JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING.
750128BG.TOK
Bhagavad-gītā 16.8
—
Tokyo, January 28, 1975
Nitāi: “They say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control. It is produced of sex desire, and has no cause other than lust.”
Prabhupāda:
asatyam apratiṣṭhaṁ te
jagad āhur anīśvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ
kim anyat kāma-haitukam
[Bg. 16.8]
This is the atheistic theory, asatyam. They say that this material world is false. Brahma satyaṁ jagan mithyā. Jagat, jagat means this cosmic manifestation which is gacchati, going. In the material world, everything is going. Just like in your city you see the cars, motor cars. They are going here and there, gacchati, very busy. Every man is going here and there. SIMILARLY, THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM ALSO, BEGINNING FROM ITS BIRTH UP TO THE ANNIHILATION IT IS GOING, MOVING, ORBIT. IT IS GOING. EVERYTHING IS GOING, MOVING. EVEN THE SUN, IT HAS GOT ITS ORBIT. YAC-CAKṢUR EṢA SAVITĀ SAKALA-GRAHĀṆĀṀ RĀJĀ SAMASTA…, AŚEṢA-TEJĀḤ, YASYĀJÑAYĀ BHRAMATI SAMBHṚTA-KĀLA-CAKRAḤ. THE… JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING. THE SUN IS ALSO ROTATING. And so far I calculate, it is sixteen thousand miles per minute or second. I calculated once. The sun is rotating sixteen thousand miles either per minute or per second. I forget now.
Note: ORBIT: WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH.
Auckland
27 April, 1976
76-04-27
Atlanta
My dear Svarupa Damodara Das,
Please accept my blessings. Now our Ph.D’s must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium. My final decision is that the universe is just like a tree, with root upwards. Just as a tree has branches and leaves so the universe is also composed of planets which are fixed up in the tree like the leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. of the tree. THE PIVOT IS THE POLE STAR, AND THE WHOLE TREE IS ROTATING ON THIS PIVOT. Mount Sumeru is the center, trunk, and is like a steep hill, like the alps mountains which also have very high peaks. I have seen in Switzerland one mountain peak which was so high that is penetrated through the clouds. THE TREE IS TURNING AND THEREFORE, ALL THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES TURN WITH THE TREE. THE PLANETS HAVE THEIR FIXED ORBITS, BUT STILL THEY ARE TURNING WITH THE TURNING OF THE GREAT TREE. There are pathways leading from one planet to another made of gold, copper, etc., and these are like the branches. Distances are also described in the 5th Canto just how far one planet is from another.
WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH. IT IS NOT THAT WE SHALL ACCEPT THE THEORY THAT THE SUN IS FIXED UP AND THE OTHERS ARE ALL GOING AROUND THE SUN. THAT IS NOT CORRECT. EVEN THE 7TH STAR IS ROTATING ONCE AROUND THE POLE STAR IN EACH 24 HOURS. The whole universe is just like a big tree, that is a fact. I do not think that the modern astronomers have any such idea that the whole universe is like a big tree. The planets which are full of living entities are one after another, one above the other. The relative positions of the planets is fixed up but the whole thing is turning. The sun is going north and south, it has its own orbit below the moon. So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
I am sending this letter to you, and you can make photocopies of it and send to our other Ph.D.’s and begin serious research into the matter in detail. But one thing, I am convinced that the universe is just like a great tree as described therein.
I hope that this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/pks
Note: Further more, please note that Srila Prabhupada describes:
ALL THE PLANETS AND THE UNIVERSES, THEY ARE EGG SHAPED
730930BG.BOM Lectures
That point is missing. Real enjoyer or proprietor is Krsna. Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram. He’s the proprietor. Sarva loka, not only of this loka, earthly planet, but there are innumerable planets within this universe and there are innumerable universes also, not one universe. Yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti. Jagad-anda means universe. It is just like EGG SHAPE. ANDA. You can see this universe, the sky is…, horizon. So it is just like egg shape. ALL THE PLANETS AND THE UNIVERSES, THEY ARE EGG SHAPED. THEREFORE they are called ANDA, jagad-ANDA, brahmANDA. So this jagad-ANDA.
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=48520
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THIS PLANET OF EARTH, MOVING AS IT IS, IS JUST LIKE THE MOVING RAILWAY COMPARTMENT AND WE ARE PLACED HERE AS FIRST SECOND OR THIRD CLASS PASSENGER ACCORDING TO OUR PAYING CAPACITY. The paying capacity of each and every passenger is the results of his own work or karma. In accordance with our own karma we have become here different classes of passengers for which neither God or anyone else is responsible. But it should not be our aim of travelling life to become a first class passenger from the position of this (indistinct) life. It shall ways be the aim of all passengers to reach the destination by all means. All the passengers in whatever class or compartment they may be put into according as the payment is made, can at the same time simultaneously reach the destination if they are not misled by some others that the railway compartments are their permanent abode. The same passenger is always cognizant of the fact that the railway compartments are never meant for their permanent home but they are meant for carrying the passenger to a desired destination equally available by all classes of passengers.
But the modern trend of civilization as mentioned before is misguided (indistinct) much as the leaders of the present age have misguided their followers that this earth which is compared with the railway compartment is the permanent abode of the living being. The leaders of human society have forgotten that the passengers are meant for a definite destination and they are carried by a temporary moving carriage. The leaders on the other hand misguide the passengers that they will have to travel by the moving carriage perpetually and as such they must all become first class passengers although some of them have no paying capacity. This misguidance of the leaders of society, has played a havoc in the progress of human knowledge and that is considered by the sane man as the ignorance of night.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/articles/13
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In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that THIS PLANET OR any other planet UP TO the planet known as “Brahmaloka” or the topmost planet of this universe are ALL TEMPORARY MOVING COMPARTMENTS LIKE THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE drawn by a machine under the influence of Maya or external energy of Godhead. They are all different carriages or changing abodes of living being. None of them are the perpetual abode of the human being. They are placed in those MOVING PLANETS temporarily according to their different ‘Karma’ but they are perpetually life after life in a changing habit. The permanent abode of living entities is the Kingdom of God. When the living entity is placed in that permanent abode of God, he has no more to travel in the railway compartment of machines made by māyā or the External Energy of Godhead.
The Kingdom of God is therefore the destination of living being may it be encaged in any form of embodiment. The aquatic, the plants, the reptiles, the birds, the beasts or the man all are essentially spiritual entities and parts and parcels of Godhead but they have been differently encaged in different forms of embodiment and placed in different compartments of the MOVING PLANETS according to different karmas. But in spite of this all the different embodied living entities are entitled to enter into the Kingdom of God by a transcendental process described in the Bhagavad-gītā as practically demonstrated by Lord Caitanya. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Gosvāmī Mahārāja inaugurated the transcendental movement spiritual progress for the benefit of all living being.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/articles/13
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According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, ALL THE UNIVERSES ARE CLUSTERED TOGETHER up and down, and each and every one of them is separately sevenfold-covered. The watery portion is beyond the sevenfold coverings, and each covering is ten times more expansive than the previous covering. The Personality of Godhead who creates all such universes by His breathing period lies above the cluster of the universes. The water of the Causal Ocean is differently situated than the covering water of the universe. The water that serves as covering for the universe is material, whereas the water of the Causal Ocean is spiritual. As such, the watery covering mentioned herein is considered to be the false egoistic covering of all living entities, and the gradual process of liberation from the material coverings, one after another, as mentioned herein, is the gradual process of being liberated from false egoistic conceptions of the material gross body, and then being absorbed in the identification of the subtle body till the attainment of the pure spiritual body in the absolute realm of the kingdom of God.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī confirms that a part of the material nature, after being initiated by the Lord, is known as the mahat-tattva. A fractional portion of the mahat-tattva is called the false ego. A portion of the ego is the vibration of sound, and a portion of sound is atmospheric air. A portion of the airy atmosphere is turned into forms, and the forms constitute the power of electricity or heat. Heat produces the smell of the aroma of the earth, and the gross earth is produced by such aroma. And all these combined together constitute the cosmic phenomenon. The extent of the cosmic phenomenon is calculated to be diametrically (both ways) four billion miles. Then the coverings of the universe begin. The first stratum of the covering is calculated to extend eighty million miles, and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of fire, effulgence, air and ether, one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous. The fearless devotee of the Lord penetrates each one of them and ultimately reaches the absolute atmosphere where everything is of one and the same spiritual identity. Then the devotee enters one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where he assumes exactly the same form as the Lord and engages in the loving transcendental service of the Lord. That is the highest perfection of devotional life. Beyond this there is nothing to be desired or achieved by the perfect yogī.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/2/2/28
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THERE ARE MANY MATERIAL UNIVERSES CLUSTERED TOGETHER, AND ALL THESE UNIVERSES CONSTITUTE THE MATERIAL CREATION. Beyond these clusters of countless material universes is the spiritual sky, which is also mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā.
na tad bhāsayate sūryo
na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ
yad gatvā na nivartante
tad dhāma paramaṁ mama
“That abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by electricity. And anyone who reaches it never comes back to this material world.” (Bg. 15.6)
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/etkc/1
Concerning the support of the earth, we like to quote Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: The entire material world is situated on the hoods of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.”
Concerning all of you other points, we like to refer you to Mayesvara Prabhu:
Does the Earth Float in Space?
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/11-17/editorials15570.htm
Why Did Srila Prabhupada Call the Earth a Globe?
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/01-18/editorials15675.htm
The Earth is Not a Globe
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/03-16/editorials13718.htm
Note: Not only three times BUT: There are MANY HUNDREDS of such statements were Srila Prabhupada refers to the Earth as ‘a planet,’ or as ‘a globe,’ or as ‘round.’
MAYESVARA DASA : It is A FACT that in MOST instances when Srila Prabhupada translates Sanskrit names for the Earth, it is in a manner that suggests we are living on an Earth globe or an Earth planet. For example, he refers to King Prithu’s travels around ‘the globe,’ (bhuvo mandalam (SB 4.16.20), or Svayambhuva Manu ‘leading a huge army whose trampling feet cause the globe of the earth (mandalam bhuvah) to tremble.’ (SB 3.21.52-54) Srila Prabhupada constantly used terms such as ‘Earth planet’ or ‘planet Earth’, ‘Earthly planets’, ‘Earthly planetary systems’, and ‘Earth globe’. There are MANY HUNDREDS of such statements were Srila Prabhupada refers to the Earth as ‘a planet,’ or as ‘a globe,’ or as ‘round.’ For example:
“Just like this universe is a jagad-anda, is a big round ball, anda. Anda means egglike, just like egg is round. Therefore it is called brahmanda. It is a round ball. Every planet is round, and the universe is also round, and the Vaikunthas are also round, all round.” (Madya-lila 20: 146-151, New York, December 3, 1966)
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/01-18/editorials15675.htm
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TEXT 20
nemaṁ viriñco na bhavo
na śrīr apy aṅga-saṁśrayā
prasādaṁ lebhire gopī
yat tat prāpa vimuktidāt
SYNONYMS
na—not; imam—this exalted position; viriñcaḥ—Lord Brahmā; na—nor; bhavaḥ—Lord Śiva; na—nor; śrīḥ—the goddess of fortune; api—indeed; aṅga-saṁśrayā—although she is always the better half of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prasādam—mercy; lebhire—obtained; gopī—mother Yaśodā; yat tat—as that which; prāpa—obtained; vimukti-dāt—from Kṛṣṇa, who gives deliverance from this material world.
TRANSLATION
Neither Lord Brahmā, nor Lord Śiva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as received by mother Yaśodā.
PURPORT
This is a comparative study between mother Yaśodā and other devotees of the Lord. As stated in Caitanya caritāmṛta (Ādi 5.142), ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya: the only supreme master is Kṛṣṇa, and all others are His servants. Kṛṣṇa has the transcendental quality of bhṛtya-vaśyatā, becoming subordinate to His bhṛtya, or servant. Now, although everyone is bhṛtya and although Kṛṣṇa has the quality of becoming subordinate to His bhṛtya, the position of mother Yaśodā is the greatest. Lord Brahmā is bhṛtya, a servant of Kṛṣṇa, and he is ādi-kavi, the original creator of this universe (tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye). Nonetheless, even he could not obtain such mercy as mother Yaśodā. As for Lord Śiva, he is the topmost Vaiṣṇava (vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ). What to speak of Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is the Lord’s constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. But even she could not get such mercy. Therefore Mahārāja Parīkṣit was surprised, thinking, “What did mother Yaśodā and Nanda Mahārāja do in their previous lives by which they got such a great opportunity, the opportunity to be the affectionate father and mother of Kṛṣṇa?”
IN THIS VERSE THERE ARE THREE NEGATIVE PRONOUNCEMENTS—NA, NA, NA. WHEN ANYTHING IS UTTERED THREE TIMES—“DO IT, DO IT, DO IT”—ONE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS MEANT TO INDICATE GREAT STRESS ON A FACT. In this verse, we find na lebhire, na lebhire, na lebhire. Yet mother Yaśodā is in the supermost exalted position, and thus Kṛṣṇa has become completely subordinate to her.
The word vimuktidāt is also significant. There are different types of liberation, such as sāyujya, sālokya, sārūpya, sārṣṭi and sāmīpya, but vimukti means “special mukti.” When after liberation one is situated on the platform of prema-bhakti, one is said to have achieved vimukti, “special mukti.” Therefore the word na is mentioned. That exalted platform of premā is described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as premā pum-artho mahān, and mother Yaśodā naturally acts in such an exalted position in loving affairs. She is therefore a nitya-siddha devotee, an expansion of Kṛṣṇa’s hlādinī potency, His potency to enjoy transcendental bliss through expansions who are special devotees (ānanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhāvitābhiḥ). Such devotees are not sādhana-siddha.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/10/9/20
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TEXT 23
dārḍhya lāgi’ ‘harer nāma’-ukti tina-vāra
jaḍa loka bujhāite punaḥ ‘eva’-kāra
SYNONYMS
dārḍhya lāgi’-in the matter of emphasizing; harer nāma—of the holy name of Lord Hari; ukti—there is utterance; tina-vāra—three times; jaḍa loka—ordinary common people; bujhāite—just to make them understand; punaḥ—again; eva-kāra—the word eva, or “certainly.”
TRANSLATION
“THIS VERSE REPEATS THE WORD ‘EVA’ [‘CERTAINLY’] THREE TIMES FOR EMPHASIS, AND IT ALSO THREE TIMES REPEATS ‘HARER NĀMA’ [‘THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD’], JUST TO MAKE COMMON PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.
PURPORT
TO EMPHASIZE SOMETHING TO AN ORDINARY PERSON, ONE MAY REPEAT IT THREE TIMES, JUST AS ONE MIGHT SAY, “YOU MUST DO THIS! YOU MUST DO THIS! YOU MUST DO THIS!” THUS THE BṚHAN-NĀRADĪYA PURĀṆA REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZES THE CHANTING OF THE HOLY NAME SO THAT PEOPLE MAY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND THUS FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE CLUTCHES OF MĀYĀ. It is our practical experience in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world that many millions of people are factually coming to the spiritual stage of life simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra regularly, according to the prescribed principles. Therefore our request to all our students is that they daily chant at least sixteen rounds of this harer nāma mahā-mantra offenselessly, following the regulative principles. Thus their success will be assured without a doubt.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/17/23
Note: Since when was Tamal Krsna Goswami an AUTHORITY????
Please note the BIG difference in DVIPAS (Islands) that Srila Prabhupada considers as PLANETS and Tamal Krishna’s thinking:
MAYESVARA DASA: However, the translation to the description of the Bhu-mandala (Earth circle) is also part of Srila Prabhupada’s books! Srila Prabhupada’s many instructions to exactly present the fifth canto cosmology are also part of Prabhupada’s books! SRILA PRABHUPADA’S DISCUSSIONS ON THE ISSUE WITH TAMALA KRISHNA GOSWAMI ARE ALSO PART OF PRABHUPADA’S BOOKS!
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/01-18/editorials15675.htm
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MAYESVARA DASA: The excitement and revolutionary spirit is also clearly discernible: Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, are the planets shaped liked balls or more like plates? Because it’s, it’s hard to understand, ’cause they’re called dvipas, “islands.” Their roundness is the roundness of a plate or like a ball?
Prabhupada: Which one?
Satsvarupa: The earth planet?
Prabhupada: IF IT IS LIKE A TREE, THEN THESE THINGS CAN BE AS DVIPA, ISLAND.
Tamala Krishna: Wow. You know…
Prabhupada: Eh?
Tamala Krishna: The scientists are getting smashed to bits by your statements, Srila Prabhupada. This destroys their whole theory. Orbs, round spheres. I think that this Mayapura building, we must build a big planetarium in it.
Prabhupada: Yes. That, that I am going to do, Vedic planetarium.
Tamala Krishna: Oh, boy. You’re going to bring a lot of…. A lot of scientists will come here just to dispute this.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Pushta Krishna: Wonderful attraction.
Prabhupada: World people will come to see the way the planetary systems…
Tamala Krishna: We should advertise it very widely that this is the actual, factual explanation of the universe.
Prabhupada: This will be automatically advertised. As soon as the temple is finished, people will come like anything.
Hari-sauri: They’re going to need somebody to…
Prabhupada: The thing is, on principle, we shall only go against them.
Hamsaduta: Contrary.
Prabhupada: On principle. Whatever they say “Yes,” we say “No.” (laughter)
(Morning Walk, March 18 1976, Mayapur)
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/01-18/editorials15707.htm
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TEXT 19
māṁ vacobhiḥ samārādhya
lokānām ekam īśvaram
pada-trayaṁ vṛṇīte yo
’buddhimān dvīpa-dāśuṣam
SYNONYMS
mām—me; vacobhiḥ—by sweet words; samārādhya—after sufficiently pleasing; lokānām—of all the planets in this universe; ekam—the one and only; īśvaram—master, controller; pada-trayam—three feet; vṛṇīte—is asking for; yaḥ—He who; abuddhimān—not very intelligent; dvīpa-dāśuṣam—because I can give You an entire island.
TRANSLATION
I am able to give You an entire island because I am the proprietor of the three divisions of the universe. You have come to take something from me and have pleased me by Your sweet words, but You are asking only three paces of land. Therefore You are not very intelligent.
PURPORT
ACCORDING TO VEDIC UNDERSTANDING, THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS REGARDED AS AN OCEAN OF SPACE. IN THAT OCEAN THERE ARE INNUMERABLE PLANETS, AND EACH PLANET IS CALLED A DVĪPA, OR ISLAND. When approached by Lord Vāmanadeva, Bali Mahārāja was actually in possession of all the dvīpas, or islands in space. Bali Mahārāja was very pleased to see the features of Vāmanadeva and was ready to give Him as much land as He could ask, but because Lord Vāmanadeva asked only three paces of land, Bali Mahārāja considered Him not very intelligent.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/8/19/19
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TEXT 218
ei-mata brahmāṇḍa-madhye sabāra ‘parakāśa’
sapta-dvīpe nava-khaṇḍe yāṅhāra vilāsa
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; brahmāṇḍa-madhye—within this universe; sabāra—of all of Them; parakāśa—manifestations; sapta-dvīpe—on seven islands; nava-khaṇḍe—in different sections, nine in number; yāṅhāra vilāsa—the pastimes of whom.
TRANSLATION
“Within the universe the Lord is situated in different spiritual manifestations. These are situated on SEVEN ISLANDS in nine sections. Thus Their pastimes are going on.
PURPORT
The seven islands are mentioned in the Siddhānta-śiromaṇi:
bhūmer ardhaṁ kṣīra-sindhor udaka-sthaṁ
jambu-dvīpaṁ prāhur ācārya-varyāḥ
ardhe ‘nyasmin dvīpa-ṣaṭkasya yāmye
kṣāra-kṣīrādy-ambudhīnāṁ niveśaḥ
śākaṁ tataḥ śālmala-matra kauśaṁ
krauñcaṁ ca go-medaka-puṣkare ca
dvayor dvayor antaram ekam ekaṁ
samudrayor dvīpam udāharanti
The SEVEN ISLANDS (DVĪPAS) are known as (1) Jambu, (2) Śāka, (3) Śālmalī, (4) Kuśa, (5) Krauñca, (6) Gomeda, or Plakṣa, and (7) Puṣkara. THE PLANETS ARE CALLED DVĪPA. OUTER SPACE IS LIKE AN OCEAN OF AIR. JUST AS THERE ARE ISLANDS IN THE WATERY OCEAN, THESE PLANETS IN THE OCEAN OF SPACE ARE CALLED DVĪPAS, OR ISLANDS IN OUTER SPACE. There are nine khaṇḍas, known as (1) Bhārata, (2) Kinnara, (3) Hari, (4) Kuru, (5) Hiraṇmaya, (6) Ramyaka, (7) Ilāvṛta, (8) Bhadrāśva and (9) Ketumāla. These are different parts of the Jambūdvīpa. A valley between two mountains is called a khaṇḍa or varṣa.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/20/218
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Brief History of Guru Hoax in ISKCON
Tamal Krsna and company went on to imitate Uttama Adhikari PRETENDING to give Diksa. Tamal Krishna “Goswami threatens in his “Servant of the Servant”, 1984 Printing, Part Two, Chapter 11 – Le Sankirtana Parisien:
P361 — “Though they leveled their remarks against the successor gurus, in reality their criticism was aimed at Srila Prabhupada himself.”
P363 — Referring to Srila Prabhupada: “Thus he considered them to be Uttama-adhikari, highly advanced devotees worthy to be accepted as spiritual masters.”[..]
“Critics may doubt whether our ISKCON acaryas are actually liberated. Do they know their rasa (liberated relationship) with Krsna, and will they be able to instruct their disciples similarly? But such questions bring one dangerously near precipice of spiritual calamity.”
P365 “Ultimately, however the greatest proof of bonafidity of Srila Prabhupada’s successor acaryas is their disciples.”
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-07/editorials2302.htm
Note: Tamal Krishna “Gosvami” was one of the MAIN suspects INVOLVED in Srila Prabhupada’s been given poison his voice is also VERY clearly heard:
Srila Prabhupada poisoned:
The following sites has whispers of the poison givers:
To hear the whole CD of the Nov 10 1977 Conversations from beginning to end, please click
http://www.mediafire.com/?ppvh77orok1r7vh
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Srila Prabhupada Given Poison:
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=42549#comment-29598
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43821
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=42564#more-42564
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46843#more-46843
http://www.iskcon-truth.com/poison/poison-whispers.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIBqNBMbPvY&t=316s
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=47921
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=47931
How to understand the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada’s body and his disappearance?
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=47943
Note: this is an Interesting conversation – first of all we can see how Srila Prabhupada INGNORED the puffed up Indian man who wanted to lecture him about the land of Africa being joined together with India. We do not find such thing mentioned in Vedic sastra. Next – we are also told how the whole world was known as Bhāratavarṣa, this planet.
Bhagavān: Just a few months out of the year, January, February.
Prabhupāda: Otherwise how we have gone there? (laughter) Africa was part of India.
Brahmānanda: The land was together?
Prabhupāda: No, there…
Indian man: Geological information it was. It was together. And Australia was fitting in the Bay of Bengal. This is the theory. I learned from my lecturer, Dr. Willinghurst. He told me in my class.
Prabhupāda: Because from Bhāgavata we understand that the black man who was born out of the body of King Vena, he was thief. So he was sent to the African jungle. Yes. And they are still thief. (laughter) They cannot give up their… Although they have got independence, they cannot give up this habit. (Dog barking) “Best friend.”
Brahmānanda: Mahārāja Pṛthu also came from the body of King Vena.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Brahmānanda: So he stayed in India, and the other, he went to Africa.
Prabhupāda: No, he was the emperor of the whole world. But the jungle part… Somebody… The whole world was known as Bhāratavarṣa, this planet, nine varṣas: Bhārata-varṣa, Ketumāla-varṣa, Ilāvṛta-varṣa… the whole universal situation is mentioned, where different lands are there. [break]
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1975/mar/morning_walk/london/march/11/1975
Note: this is showing us the ENTIRE material world:Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports ALL the UNIVERSES on His hoods:
The bundle of NUMBERLESS universes is a FOAMLIKE crystalisation and not each and every one of them is surrounded by the causal ocean water.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/articles/4
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When the Brahmā of this particular universe was invited by Kṛṣṇa to Dvārakā, he thought that he was the only Brahmā. Therefore when Kṛṣṇa inquired from His servant which Brahmā was at the door to visit, Lord Brahmā was surprised. He replied that of course Lord Brahmā, the father of the four Kumāras, was waiting at the door. Later, Lord Brahmā asked Kṛṣṇa why He had inquired which Brahmā had come. He was then informed that there are millions of other Brahmās because there are MILLIONS OF UNIVERSES. Kṛṣṇa then called all the Brahmās, who immediately came to visit Him. The catur-mukha Brahmā, the four-headed Brahmā of this universe, thought himself a very insignificant creature in the presence of so many Brahmās with so many heads. Thus although there is a Brahmā who is the engineer of each universe, Kṛṣṇa is the original source of all of them.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/7/3/28
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TEXT 79
kṛṣṇa-saha dvārakā-vaibhava anubhava haila
ekatra milane keha kāho nā dekhila
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-saha—with Kṛṣṇa; dvārakā-vaibhava—the opulence of Dvārakā; anubhava haila—there was perception; ekatra milane—although they came together; keha—someone; kāho—anyone else; nā dekhila—did not see.
TRANSLATION
“Thus the opulence of Dvārakā was perceived by each and every one of them. Although they were all assembled together, no one could see anyone but himself.
PURPORT
The four-headed Brahmā perceived the opulence of Dvārakā-dhāma where Kṛṣṇa was staying, and although there were Brahmās present HAVING TEN TO TEN MILLION HEADS, and also many Lord Śivas were also assembled, only the four-headed Brahmā of this universe could see all of them. By the inconceivable potency of Kṛṣṇa, the others could not see one another. Although all the Brahmās and Śivas were assembled together, due to Kṛṣṇa’s energy, they could not meet or talk among themselves individually.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/21/79
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The POWER of Srila Prabhupada’s books:
73-12-25.Letter: Gurukrpa , Yasodanandana
Whatever is to be learned of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura can be learned from our books. THERE IS NO NEED WHATSOEVER FOR ANY OUTSIDE INSTRUCTION.
731208SB.LA Lectures
So if you want to understand Bhagavad-gita, then we must understand in the same way as the person who directly heard from. This is called parampara system. Suppose I have heard something from my spiritual master, so I speak to you the same thing. So this is parampara system. You cannot imagine what my spiritual master said. OR EVEN IF YOU READ SOME BOOKS, YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND IT FROM ME. THIS IS CALLED PARAMPARA SYSTEM. YOU CANNOT JUMP OVER TO THE SUPERIOR GURU, NEGLECTING THE NEXT ACARYA, IMMEDIATE NEXT ACARYA. Just like our, this Gau…, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s cult; we cannot understand Caitanya Mahaprabhu directly. It is not possible. We have to understand through the Gosvamis. Therefore you’ll find in the Caitanya-caritamrta and at the end of every chapter, the writer says,
sri-rupa-ragunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsna-dasa
This is the process. He does not say that “I’ve understood Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu directly.” No. That is not understanding. That is foolishness. You cannot understand what is Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore repeatedly he says, rupa-ragunatha-pade… “I am that Krsna dasa, Kaviraja, who is always under the subordination of the Gosvamis.” This is parampara system. Similarly, Narottama dasa Thakura also says, ei chay gosai jar mui tar das, “I am servant of that person who has accepted this six Gosvamis as his master. I am not going to be servant of any other person who does not accept the way and means of…” Therefore we say or we offer our prayer to our spiritual master, rupanuga-varaya te, rupanuga-varaya te, because he follows Rupa Gosvami, therefore we accept, spiritual master. Not that one has become more than Rupa Gosvami or more than… No. Tandera carana-sebi-bhakta-sane vas. This is the parampara system.
74-11-22. Letter: Bahurupa
I am pleased to hear that you are chanting 16 rounds daily and reading my books regularly and following the four rules. IN MY BOOKS THE PHILOSOPHY OF KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS EXPLAINED FULLY SO IF THERE IS ANYTHING WHICH YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, THEN YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO READ AGAIN AND AGAIN. BY READING DAILY THE KNOWLEDGE WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU AND BY THIS PROCESS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE WILL DEVELOP.
75-09-18. Letter: Babhru, Satyaki
PLEASE CONTINUE READING MY BOOKS SERIOUSLY AND EVERYTHING WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU.
74-11-22. Letter: Hugo Salemon
So far your worship of Lord Jagannatha in your home and your becoming initiated. It is alright provided you have the recommendation of the temple president. I am very glad to see that such a young boy as yourself you are taking serious interest in this Krishna Consciousness Movement. Please continue in this way Our process is something universal. It cannot be checked by any means. Anyone in any place, in any country can chant Hare Krishna. If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS READ MY BOOKS DAILY AND ALL YOUR QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED AND YOU WILL HAVE A FIRM BASIS OF KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS. IN THIS WAY YOUR LIFE WILL BE PERFECT.
730513mw.la Conversations
Paramahamsa: Srila Prabhupada, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Prabhupada: Well, the questions… ANSWERS ARE THERE IN MY BOOKS.
Paramahamsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in…
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: DO YOU DIRECT US ALSO THROUGH THE HEART? BESIDES THE PARAMATMA?
Prabhupada: IF YOUR HEART IS PURE. EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON PURITY.
75-11-15. Letter: Janajanmadhih
So, if you are strong enough to preach Krsna consciousness there, that is very good; that as long as you chant your 16 rounds and follow the four regulative principles, then you will get the strength. THE PROCESS IS THAT YOU SHOULD MEMORIZE THE PURPORTS OF MY BOOKS AND THEN SPEAK THEM IN YOUR OWN WORDS. DO NOT ADULTERATE OR CHANGE ANYTHING. THEN YOU WILL BE THE PERFECT PREACHER. You should also distribute our books as far as possible. If you do this sincerely, then you will be successful.
750807mw.tor Conversations
Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. BUT STILL, YOU CAN ASSOCIATE WITH ME BY READING MY BOOKS.
721020ND.VRN Lectures
But in this life, if we develop Krsna consciousness by association of devotees… As Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. One’s aim of life should be to serve the acaryas. Acarya upasanam. So our acarya in the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, the sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha, the Six Gosvamins, and if we associate with them… THIS BOOK, NECTAR OF DEVOTION, BHAKTI-RASAMRTA-SINDHU, IF YOU READ REGULARLY, TRY TO UNDERSTAND, THIS MEANS YOU ARE ASSOCIATING WITH SRILA RUPA GOSVAMI DIRECTLY. AND IF YOU ACT ACCORDINGLY, THEN YOU ARE SERVING THEIR LOTUS FEET. TANDERA CARANA-SEVI-BHAKTA-SANE VASA.
75-02-02. Letter: Puranjana
Whatever money is owed to the BBT, that should be paid. As far as record distribution is concerned, if you have no big books, you may temporarily continue, but give a book with each record. With record distribution alone, the result is temporary. They will hear it for some time and throw away. Book distribution is solid. EVEN IF THEY DO NOT READ, SIMPLY BY TOUCHING THEY ARE BENEFITED. IT IS SO MUCH POWERFUL.
72-09-30. Letter: Bali-mardana
Regarding the question you have raised about traveling sankirtana parties and selling of books, yes, we want money. So that is the real preaching, selling books. Who can speak better than the books? At least whoever buys, he will look over. If you have to sell books, do it by hook or by crook. THE REAL PREACHING IS SELLING BOOKS. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE TACTIC HOW TO SELL WITHOUT IRRITATING. WHAT YOUR LECTURE WILL DO FOR THREE MINUTES, BUT IF HE READS ONE PAGE HIS LIFE MAY BE TURNED. We don’t want to irritate anyone, however. If he goes away by your agressive tactics, then you are nonsense and it is your failure. Neither you could sell a book, neither he would remain. BUT IF HE BUYS A BOOK THAT IS THE REAL SUCCESSFUL PREACHING. That is the certificate of my Guru Maharaja, if someone, brahmacari, would sell a one paise magazine, if one of our brahmacaris would go and sell a few copies, he would be very very glad and say “Oh, you are so nice!” So distribution of literature is our real preaching. Now if you cannot handle the matter nicely, that is your fault. But the success of your preaching will be substantiated by how many books are sold. Anything you want to sell, you have to a little canvass, so he gives some money for the service of Krsna. That is his good luck and he gets the chance to read some transcendental knowledge. But if you only irritate and he goes away, that is your less intelligence.
The fact is that we have to adopt the same tactics as ordinary salesmen adopt, but the difference is we do it for the satisfaction of Krsna, they do it for sense gratification. Actually we have experienced that sometimes out of sentiment someone gives to ISKCON and then laments and wants it back, but that does not mean we should give it back. Our policy is that his money which would have been used for purchasing cigarettes, liquor, sex literature, meat, will give him the opportunity to gradually become purified. So if by tactics we save that money from being spent on cigarette packets, that is good. If we can take some money and give some literature, that is a good service. So far irritation is concerned, a child is also irritated when he is given instructions, but that does not mean that we should stop. Invite them in our feast, that is a better indication.
So if the sankirtana parties in Satsvarupa’s zone are irritating the public for selling so many books, that is one thing, but by their selling books they are doing the greatest service. What your one hour of preaching will do, they will hear and go away, but if they have one book at home, they will read, their friends will read, and something solid work is done. So the art is to sell many many books and not to irritate the public, so you may instruct all the others how to do this successfully. That is sannyasa. That is GBC. There are so many places to go, so why there should be business competition sankirtana parties in New York? This problem should be adjusted between the GBC men.
72-11-03. Letter: Brahmananda
Yes, that is a good proposal, print many many books in African language and distribute widely, that is real preaching work. If you sell a book to someone, that is better than your speaking to them–WHAT WILL YOUR THREE MINUTES’ PREACHING DO? BUT IF THEY READ A BOOK IT MAY TURN THEIR LIFE. Go on preaching, that is the highest perfection of activity, and do not worry for anything, Krishna is so much appreciative of this preaching work that He will give you every facility, as much as you have ambition
One thing is, if that printer is so cheap, why not print all our European books there? ANYWAY, PRINT BOOKS, DISTRIBUTE PROFUSELY, AND THAT WILL BE THE BEST PREACHING WORK. WHAT WILL YOUR THREE MINUTES’ PREACHING DO?–BUT IF THEY BUY ONE BOOK, IT MAY TURN THEIR LIFE. SO MAKE THIS YOUR IMPORTANT TASK, TO PRINT OUR BOOKS IN FRENCH LANGUAGE AND OTHER LANGUAGES, AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY, AND THAT WILL PLEASE MY GURU MAHARAJA. NEVER MIND IT TAKES LITTLE TIME TO MAKE PROGRESS, OUR PROCESS IS SLOW BUT SURE, AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT IF WE CONTINUE IN THIS WAY WE SHALL GO ONE DAY BACK TO HOME, BACK TO GOD HEAD.
KB 90 Summary Description of Lord Krsna’s Pastimes
Following in the holy footsteps of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, we have tried to present this book Krsna for being read and heard by the conditioned souls of this age. BY HEARING THE PASTIMES OF LORD KRSNA, ONE IS SURE AND CERTAIN TO GET SALVATION AND BE TRANSFERRED BACK HOME, BACK TO GODHEAD. It is recommended by Sukadeva Gosvami that as we hear the transcendental pastimes and activities of the Lord, we gradually cut the knots of material contamination. Therefore, regardless of what one is, if one wants the association of Lord Krsna in the transcendental kingdom of God for eternity in blissful existence, one must hear about the pastimes of Lord Krsna and chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
THE TRANSCENDENTAL PASTIMES OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD KRSNA ARE SO POWERFUL THAT SIMPLY BY HEARING, READING AND MEMORIZING THIS BOOK KRSNA, ONE IS SURE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, WHICH IS ORDINARILY VERY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE. The description of the pastimes of Lord Krsna is so attractive that automatically it gives us an impetus to study repeatedly, and THE MORE WE STUDY THE PASTIMES OF THE LORD, THE MORE WE BECOME ATTACHED TO HIM. THIS VERY ATTACHMENT TO KRSNA MAKES ONE ELIGIBLE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO HIS ABODE, GOLOKA VRNDAVANA.
750509mw.per
BOOKS
Amogha: Srila Prabhupada . When people in the street hear Krsna’s name, the chanting, or they get some literature, does that mean they will not take birth as an animal?
Prabhupada: No. They’ll get birth in a good family.sucinam srimatam gehe [Bg. 6.41]. IF THEY SIMPLY APPRECIATE “IT IS VERY NICE,” THEN IN THE NEXT LIFE, HUMAN LIFE IS GUARANTEED. In a very nice family. Simply if he appreciates, “Yes, it is very nice”—that’s all. Then he’ll get another chance.
Amogha: Many people think the pictures are very nice.
Prabhupada: Anything they say nice, that means it is guaranteed, next life. Or even in this life it will definitely help. As soon as he reads some pages, then it is guaranteed. Those who are enquiring, that means they are liking. Their life is guaranteed.
Amogha: One man who joined us about Rathayatra time last year was a solicitor. He used to buy our books but he never read them. But he would keep them on his bookshelf. And he used to always think, “Those are such beautiful books.” He used to think like that.
Prabhupada: This is appreciation.
Amogha: He never got time to read it.
Prabhupada: It doesn’t matter. If he keeps the books with appreciation, that makes his life sure, insured. He immediately becomes in touch with God. Who keeps the book with reverence and love, immediately he becomes in touch with God. Because these books are representative of God.
SO WE HAVE TO BECOME VERY STRONG PREACHER. THEN THIS MOVEMENT WILL STAY. IF YOU SIMPLY TAKE THE TEMPLE WORSHIP, IT WILL NOT STAY VERY LONG
740709mw.la Conversations
Prabhupada: Now if they say that the killing means murdering, that means the people amongst whom Christ was preaching, they were accustomed to kill men. So what class of men they were? What was the society? A society of murderers. So what they will understand about religion, a murderer? (pause) So go further or return?
Jayatirtha: We should probably turn around now, Srila Prabhupada. (pause) If you’re preaching honesty to a thief, you have to be careful that he’s not stealing your watch in the meantime.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Jayatirtha: If you’re preaching honesty to a thief, he may steal your watch. So Jesus was trying to teach religion to murderers, so they murdered him.
Prabhupada: (laughs) Yes. Murkhayopadeso hi prakopaya na santaye. (aside:) Don’t come very near. If you advise rascals, they’ll be angry. No good result. Murkhayopadeso hi prakopaya na santaye, payah-panam bhujanganam kevalam visa-vardhanam. SO WE HAVE TO BECOME VERY STRONG PREACHER. THEN THIS MOVEMENT WILL STAY. IF YOU SIMPLY TAKE THE TEMPLE WORSHIP, IT WILL NOT STAY VERY LONG. Just like…
Hrdayananda: Especially the leaders must preach.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Hrdayananda: Especially the leaders must preach.
Prabhupada: And leaders means… If the leaders are good, then it will continue.
Bali Mardana: If they are not preaching, they are not leaders. They are bogus. (pause)
Prabhupada: LEADERS MEANS THEY SHOULD BEHAVE IN SUCH A WAY SO THAT BY FOLLOWING THEM, OTHERS WILL BE BENEFITTED. THAT IS LEADER.
Jayatirtha: That’s a perfect definition, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Jayatirtha: That’s a perfect definition. That should be in the dictionary, like that.
Prabhupada: Yes. What is that for definition?
Jayatirtha: The… A leader means one that if someone follows him, he’s benefitted.
Prabhupada: That is leader.
73-11-08. Letter: Hamsaduta:
Yes, I want that you give me the facility to write my books, but I can attend some meetings of important people and elites. You have taken the right view of the importance of my books. Books will always remain. That was the view of my Guru Maharaja, and I also have taken it. Therefore I started my movement with my books. And we shall be able to maintain everything with the sales of the books. The temples will be maintained by the book sales, AND IF THERE ARE NO MORE TEMPLES, THEN THE BOOKS SHALL REMAIN.
70-08-25. Letter: Bali-mardana
There are two verses in the Canakya Sloka how a family or an institution can be glorified or burned into ashes by one person. The Canakya Pandit says that if there is one tree in the forest producing nice aromatic flower, that one tree can glorify the whole forest by the flavor of its flower. Similarly if there is one tree in whose cavity there is a little fire, that one tree can burn into ashes the whole forest. SO THIS SIMILE IS APPLICABLE ANYWHERE. In a family if there is one good boy, he can glorify the whole family and similarly if there is bad boy he can turn the whole family into ashes. SIMILARLY IN THIS INSTITUTION IF THERE IS A BAD DISCIPLE HE CAN BURN THE WHOLE INSTITUTION INTO ASHES. The Governing Body Commission’s duty is therefore to see that every member is following the rules and regulations and chanting sixteen round regularly on the beads. I hope the GBC in cooperation with the Sannyasis in their touring program will be able to keep vigilance systematically in order to keep the Society as pure as possible.
But one who is pure devotee,
his business cannot be stopped.
It cannot be checked. There may be so many hindrances. But one who is pure devotee, his business cannot be stopped.
(S.B. Lecture 1.2.6. Calcutta. Feb 26th, 1974)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It will never stop. At least for
ten thousand years it will go on.
But you cannot expect that cent percent people will come; that is not possible. But even, even one-fourth percent people come to this, then it will be successful. Compared to the American population, what percentage we have got? Still they have made some impression, the Hare Krsna movement. Literatures are selling, they are appreciating, learned circle. Takes some time, but if we stick to our principles and do not make any compromise and push on–in this way, I have given you instruction, it will never stop; it will go on. It will never stop. At least for ten thousand years it will go on.
[S.P. Conversation in Airport and Car June 21, 1976, Toronto]
74-10-19.Rup Letter: Rupanuga:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 22, 1974 and have noted the contents. Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. ANYONE WHO READS THE BOOKS THAT IS ALSO CHANTING AND HEARING. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. THESE ARE NOT ORDINARY BOOKS. IT IS RECORDED CHANTING. ANYONE WHO READS, HE IS HEARING. Book distribution must not be neglected. If things deteriorate that is another thing, but it is not the fault of book distribution.
Dear Readers,
It looks like Mayesvara Das is the author of the article and Pariksit Das is his spoke person.
The Author writes the following in his article which reads ;
” ……… when Srimad Bhagavatam describes the Earth as a massive circular landscape crossing the center of the universe with the sun and moon rotating in orbit from above. … ”
My humble question to the Author or Pariksit Das is ;
WHERE in the Srimad Bhagavatam does it describe the Earth as a massive circular landscape crossing the centre of the universe with the Sun and Moon rotating in Orbit from above ???????
Please pay attention to this SB 2.7.1, Purport:
Since the beginning of creation, the demons and the demigods, or the Vaiṣṇavas, are always the two classes of living beings to dominate the planets of the universes. Lord Brahmā is the first demigod, and Hiraṇyākṣa is the first demon in this universe. Only under certain conditions do the planets float as weightless balls in the air, and as soon as these conditions are disturbed, the planets may fall down in the Garbhodaka Ocean, which covers half the universe. The other half is the spherical dome within which the innumerable planetary systems exist. The floating of the planets in the weightless air is due to the inner constitution of the globes, and the modernized drilling of the earth to exploit oil from within is a sort of disturbance by the modern demons and can result in a greatly harmful reaction to the floating condition of the earth. A similar disturbance was created formerly by the demons headed by Hiraṇyākṣa (the great exploiter of the gold rush), and the earth was detached from its weightless condition and fell down into the Garbhodaka Ocean. The Lord, as maintainer of the whole creation of the material world, therefore assumed the gigantic form of a boar with a proportionate snout and picked up the earth from within the water of Garbhodaka.
JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING.
750128BG.TOK
It is accepted and understood that Earth is Globe Shaped with the understanding of the following definition of Globe as follows ;
” Definition of globe. : something spherical or rounded: such as. a : a spherical representation of the earth, a celestial body, or the heavens.”
Is the Earth FLAT ? NO. Because it appears FLAT where one observes it, no doubt, but the entire shape of earth is the Leaf like shaped.
As some portion of the Leaf is FLAT, it does not make the Shape of the Leaf as FLAT.
To support the above, I have written my comments on another article title THE STATIONARY EARTH here on this web site which I reproduce here below again ;
Amar Puri says:
19. July 2018 at 12:53 am
Pariksit Das is MISLEADING again when he writes the following ;
” In the above two verses, the name Bhu-gola is used interchangeable with the name Bhu-mandala to refer to the same place – the Earth circle. We know the name Bhu-gola is used synonymously with Bhu-mandala because, as requested, Sukadeva Goswami then goes on to explain the measurements and characteristics of the seven islands of Bhu-mandala up to the point of Lokaloka Mountain. The very name Bhu-gola indicates the Earth, and not the universe itself which is referred to using a whole different set of names such as anda, vishva, jagat, etc. ”
It looks like he is copy pasting from MAYESVARA DASA MISDIRECTED writing.
In the Srimad Bhagavatama 5.16.4 reads as follows ;
TRANSLATION
The great ṛṣi Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, there is no limit to the expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s material energy. This material world is a transformation of the material qualities [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], yet no one could possibly explain it perfectly, even in a lifetime as long as that of Brahmā No one in the material world is perfect, and an imperfect person could not describe this material universe accurately, even after continued speculation. O King, I shall nevertheless try to explain to you the principal regions, such as Bhū-goloka [Bhūloka], with their names, forms, measurements and various symptoms.
Also, Amar Puri commented saying on this web site at the Article THE STATIONARY EARTH on :
19. July 2018 at 7:15 pm
Pariksit Das: In the above two verses, the name Bhu-gola is used interchangeable with the name Bhu-mandala to refer to the same place – the Earth circle.
Mahesh: My point is : the term “Bhu mandala” Bhu(earth) mandala(circle) CAN also refer to “CIRCLE OF EARTHLY planets”.
My concern is that the definition of Bhu Mandala and Bhu Goloka ( Bhu- Loka ) is clearly described with the clear distinction which does not interchange the word Bhu Mandala with Bhu- Loka. That is my Important Point.
Accepting as ” interchangeable ” misleads totally to the Flat Earth followers who create smoke screen with their manufactured word ” INTERCHANGEABLE ” which totally MISLEADS so that they can promote their agenda.
Whereas when we read and understand CAREFULLY in the following description in the Srimad Bhagavatam 5.16.5 shows difference between the meaning of the Bhu Mandala and the Bhuloka or Bhu-gola which reads as ;
TRANSLATION
” The planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala resembles a lotus flower, and its seven islands resemble the whorl of that flower. The length and breadth of the island known as Jambūdvīpa, which is situated in the middle of the whorl, are one million yojanas [eight million miles]. Jambūdvīpa is round like the leaf of a lotus flower. ”
Kindly allow me to walk you through how we should understand Bhu Mandala as per SB 5.16.5 Translation ;
” The planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala resembles a lotus flower, and its seven islands resemble the whorl of that flower. ”
That is the exact DESCRIPTION of the Bhu- Mandala which refers to the area of several islands known as Mandala.
Is it NOT a FACT ?
Further we read and understand clearly from the same translation as follows ;
” The length and breadth of the island known as Jambūdvīpa, which is situated in the middle of the whorl, are one million yojanas [eight million miles]. Jambūdvīpa is round like the leaf of a lotus flower. ”
Since, Jambudvipa is one of the Island ( of the Seven Islands resemble the whorl of that flower is called and known as Bhu Mandala ) in which one of the Tract of the land of the further Nine Division of Jambudvipa is known as the land of Illaverta later known as Bharat versa in the Jambudvipa which is called and understood as Bhu-Goloka or Bhu-Loka as described in the SB. 5.16.4 translation reading Bhu-Loka as follows ;
” …….. O King, I shall nevertheless try to explain to you the principal regions, such as Bhū-goloka [Bhūloka], with their names, forms, measurements and various symptoms.”
Therefore, Jambudvipa is considered and referred to as one of the Principal regions such as Bhu-goloka (Bhu Loka ).
That is the difference between the Bhu-Manadala and the Bhu-Loka or Goloka.
As described in the SB. 5.16.5, Jambūdvīpa is round like the LEAF of a lotus flower.
Thus, the Earth ( Bhu-Loka ) is also like the Leaf of a lotus flower.
As we see the Tree, the Leaves are layer after layer with the stems which are connected with the Branch and the Branches are layer after layer further up which are all connected with the main Trunk of the Tree, therefore, the Instructions given in Srila Prabhupada letter dated 76-04-27 are so very perfect to all the Followers – Devotees of Srila Prabhupada to prepare a working model in this regard.
I wonder why NO BODY ever refers and follows through the Instructions of Srila Prabhupada letter dated 76-04-27 in their presentation ???
We read from the following such Letter Instructions of our Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada to Svarupa Damodara Das,
Auckland
27 April, 1976
76-04-27
Atlanta
My dear Svarupa Damodara Das,
Please accept my blessings. Now our Ph.D’s must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium. My final decision is that the universe is just like a tree, with root upwards. Just as a tree has branches and leaves so the universe is also composed of planets which are fixed up in the tree like the leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. of the tree. THE PIVOT IS THE POLE STAR, AND THE WHOLE TREE IS ROTATING ON THIS PIVOT. Mount Sumeru is the center, trunk, and is like a steep hill, like the alps mountains which also have very high peaks. I have seen in Switzerland one mountain peak which was so high that is penetrated through the clouds. THE TREE IS TURNING AND THEREFORE, ALL THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES TURN WITH THE TREE. THE PLANETS HAVE THEIR FIXED ORBITS, BUT STILL THEY ARE TURNING WITH THE TURNING OF THE GREAT TREE. There are pathways leading from one planet to another made of gold, copper, etc., and these are like the branches. Distances are also described in the 5th Canto just how far one planet is from another.
WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH. IT IS NOT THAT WE SHALL ACCEPT THE THEORY THAT THE SUN IS FIXED UP AND THE OTHERS ARE ALL GOING AROUND THE SUN. THAT IS NOT CORRECT. EVEN THE 7TH STAR IS ROTATING ONCE AROUND THE POLE STAR IN EACH 24 HOURS. The whole universe is just like a big tree, that is a fact. I do not think that the modern astronomers have any such idea that the whole universe is like a big tree. The planets which are full of living entities are one after another, one above the other. The relative positions of the planets is fixed up but the whole thing is turning. The sun is going north and south, it has its own orbit below the moon. So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
I am sending this letter to you, and you can make photocopies of it and send to our other Ph.D.’s and begin serious research into the matter in detail. But one thing, I am convinced that the universe is just like a great tree as described therein.
I hope that this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/pks
NOTE ; THE EMPHASIS IS ADDED IN BLOCK LETTER.
we learn from the above said letter that this Universe ( Brahmanda ) resembles as THE WHOLE TREE which IS ROTATING ON THE PIVOT of the Pole Star aka as the Spiritual Planet ruled by the Maharaja Dhruva as per SB. description.
THE TREE IS TURNING AND THEREFORE, ALL THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES TURN WITH THE TREE. The Branches signify as the the different Division ( Spheres aka LOKA in the Universe ) and the Leaves represent as the Planets in this Brahmanda or Jagadanda.
Therefore, THE PLANETS HAVE THEIR FIXED ORBITS, BUT STILL THEY ARE TURNING WITH THE TURNING OF THE GREAT TREE which is shape like an ANDA means Egg shape, aka Brahmanda or Jagadanda.
No doubt, as the Branches (different Lokas in the Spheres of the Universe ) and its Leaves ( Planets ) are situated with the main Trunk of the Tree , therefore, in the same manners, we can understand that the Mount Sumeru being in the Centre of the Universe serves the purpose as the Trunk in this Universe.
Is my inference correct, Dear Readers ?
Further, we read from Srila Prabhupada letter that ” There are pathways leading from one planet to another made of gold, copper, etc., and these are like the branches.”
It means that each and every Planets are connected. But we have no ACCESS to such Path way which connects to the other Planets because we are not qualified as it appears.
Distances are also described in the 5th Canto just how far one planet is from another.
WE CAN SEE THAT AT NIGHT, HOW THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS TURNING AROUND, THE POLE STAR BEING THE PIVOT. EACH PLANET HAS ITS ORBIT FIXED BUT THE SUN IS MOVING UP AND DOWN, NORTH AND SOUTH. IT IS NOT THAT WE SHALL ACCEPT THE THEORY THAT THE SUN IS FIXED UP AND THE OTHERS ARE ALL GOING AROUND THE SUN. THAT IS NOT CORRECT. EVEN THE 7TH STAR IS ROTATING ONCE AROUND THE POLE STAR IN EACH 24 HOURS. The whole universe is just like a big tree, that is a fact. I do not think that the modern astronomers have any such idea that the whole universe is like a big tree. The planets which are full of living entities are one after another, one above the other. The relative positions of the planets is fixed up but the whole thing is turning. The sun is going north and south, it has its own orbit below the moon.
So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
UNFORTUNATELY, these presenters – followers or devotees of Srila Prabhupada, whatever they write by adding or deleting as they wish as per their motive in this regard we read from their Self Interested Interpretations in the writing becomes subject to the four defects and thus, as a matter of fact, they can not work together to solve their differences on account of their personal motivated agenda with their misrepresentation which mislead creating confusions and contradictions by adding and deleting in the Instructions of Srila Prabhupada VANI.
I humbly ask to all these concerned people who are involved in their respective presentation such as MAYESVARA DASA and this particular Swami ( sorry, I do not recall his name at this moment ) he is involved in the TOVP project and others to work together on this project to make a workable model as Srila Prabhupada has given necessary instructions in His VANI.
OM TAT SAT.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Dear Learned Readers,
We read from the Article as follows ;
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Astika Parva: Section XXXVI
“Lord Brahma said, ‘O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady. Hold on your head stationary this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans, and cities.’ “
” Hold on your head stationary this earth which is shaking with the weight of great mountains, valleys, oceans and cities. ”
The above description seems very different than the following quotations from Caitanya-bhāgavata (Ādi-khaṇḍa, 1.48–52 and 1.58–69) tell of the glories of Lord Ananta:
ananta pṛthivī-giri samudra-sahite
ye-prabhu dharena gire pālana karite
“On His head, Anantadeva sustains the entire universe, with its millions of planets containing enormous oceans and mountains.
NOTE ; ananta prthivi means endless prthivi referring to as Universe NOT the Earth as the writer of this Article misleads the Readers. Further, the same mention of the UNIVERSE not the Earth is also confirmed from the following verse ;
sahasra phaṇāra eka-phaṇe ‘bindu’ yena
ananta vikrama, nā jānena, ‘āche’ hena
“He is so large and powerful that this universe rests on one of His hoods just like a drop of water. He does not know where it is.”
So, misleading with the tainted translation does not establish the TRUTH.
OR
Does It ?
OM TAT SAT.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare Krsna, Pariksit Prabhu,
I have read some Mayesvara Prabhu’s articles. Unfortunatelly I had to broken my saddhana (this is not allowed) because his articles are very-very long. But this theme was interesting and his explanations about Bhu-mandala and so on were so understandable. And I tried to understand other things too. For example I see that Mayesvara Prabhu (AND HIS GROUP?) appreciates and accepts very much Tamal Krsna Goswami. There are many quotes from him. While there were appointed three members in that group- TOPV by Srila Prabhupada. So I have got more problems.
Only one example .
This article says:
“There are certainly statements in conversations and lectures wherein Srila Prabhupada laughs at and rejects the flat-Earth idea; but the question that needs to be asked is an obvious one: what concept of the flat-Earth did Srila Prabhupada reject? Before we can say that Srila Prabhupada rejected the flat Earth concept, we need to know what concept of flat-Earth did Srila Prabhupada have in mind? Did his teachers at school, or his professors at Scottish Church College in Calcutta, teach young Abhaya Charan to laugh at the idea of the flat Earth—as every other child throughout the world is taught to do? Until recently, discussion of the Bhu-mandala in relation to the so-called Earth globe has not been a topic of interest among the Vaishnava community”
Mayesvara Prabhu says ( Why did Srila Prabhupada Call the Earth a Globe?):
„…We can surmise that in the absence of any general discussion among the Gaudiya Vaishnavas regarding the true feature of the Earth, as a school-boy Abhay Caran de (Srila Prabhupada) was educated like everyone else in the modern world that the Earth is a globe floating in space. Since no one else in the Vaishnava community appeared to be speaking against this concept, there would be little reason for Abhaya Caran to think otherwise. Srila Prabhupada obviously began his Srimad Bhagavatam translation with this conception of the Earth as can be seen by his many references to the ‘Earth globe’ and ‘Earth planet’. The story does not stop there,…”
Srila Prabhupada says:
„Yes, Lord Jesus was jiva tattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called sakty-avesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of sakty-avesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; THEY CAME TO TEACH HERE.”
(Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Aniruddha—Los Angeles 14 November, 1968)
I speak about Jesus Christ now: Srila Prabhupada said Jesus Christ is our Guru. Jesus Christ is a pure devotee. Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee. Yes, a pure devotee is not God. But he is God’s Representative, nitya-mukta. Otherwise he can not give the transcendental knowledge ( process ) diksa.
So I think it is not right way to explain Srila Prabhupada’ words and his translations.This is my humble opinion.
Hare Krsna
It is worth sharing one interesting article from Sitalatma Das, Hare Krishna (Quora) on “What does Veda say about the Earth being flat or round?” It has many great points and the knowledge of Sankhya philosophy (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3rd Canto, Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahuti) is required to understand the topic.
Please not, however, that this not either pro-stationary-flat-earth (Medieval) or pro-moving-globe (NASA), but a rather unique approach in understanding the Srimad-Bhagavatam descriptions of the Universe.
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Every Purana includes a description of the universe and, invariably, they talk about Bhu Mandala as a huge round disc with concentric islands and oceans, leaving no space for the “Earth globe”.
It isn’t clear what our “Earth” would even be in these Puranic descriptions. Bharata/India can be identified with the southern part of the central island of Jambudwipa but that’s about it. Attempts to identify other known continents with other sections of Jambudwipa do not look very convincing.
And yet our Earth is a globe and “gola” in “Bhu Gola” generally means a sphere, so there’s an obvious contradiction.
The answer lies not in finding the true shape of the Earth but in realizing that “is” means very different things to us and to Vedic sages who gave us these descriptions.
For us reality means sensually perceptible objects and that’s how we describe the universe and the Earth. For Vedic sages and yogis, however, empirical objects are not the primary reality but the last step in universal evolution. For them the universe consists of ego, intelligence, mind, senses, and sensations first, and sense objects last. These elements evolve one out of another consecutively and for each of them there’s a corresponding “loka” in the universe, the last one being our Bhu Mandala.
Modeling Vedic universe (and so Jambudwipa) spatially is as useful as spatially describing ideas in one’s mind – as if they were in a different corners of one’s room, or locating one’s feeling of happiness in neuron clusters in the brain.
If you WERE to model space of ideas or emotions then “flat” would mean being in the same category, like a range of excuses a kid gives for not doing his homework, and then accepting responsibility and taking corrective action would be placed relatively higher.
In the same way, since we all consider only empirical objects as real we exist in a flat reality of equally deluded beings.
In other words, Vedic description of Bhu Mandala is that it’s conceptually flat, without going into details of our empirical experiences which, however variable, are on the same level, same kind of reality – below sensations (Bhuvar) and desires/mind (Svarga).
Where would you place the world of sensations in our modern model of the universe? There’s no answer to this question because it makes no sense – our model rules out existence of sensations as reality on its own. According to modern science sensations are only by-products of life, which is a by-product of chemical reactions.
According to Vedic science, Sankhya in this case, it’s the opposite – sense objects are products of sensations, ie sensations are primary reality and so are placed higher in the Vedic model of the universe, which is better be described as conceptual in our language.
Different areas of Bhu Mandala produce sense objects of the same kind but in slightly different ways – not that different varshas (of Jambudwipa) are located on different continents, like in Europe or in Africa.
Several Puranas describe NINE different sections of Bharata Varsha, each stretching from Himalayas in the north to the ocean in the south (directions also means different things in this model). These sections, however, are mutually inaccessible, like maps in computer games which provide full gaming experience but if you want to play in another map you have to go back to the portal.
Once you enter a particular map you have Himalayas as the door behind you and the land in front of you stretching to the ocean, which is one way to describe our Earth globe, and you can run over every square inch of your map without ever getting into the parallel one. Since you don’t see those other maps there’s no observable boundary between your world and theirs. The way to model this experience – a limited surface without boundaries – is a globe, but there are also eight other similar “globes”, each going from the Himalayas to the sea.
So Earth globe exists, but it’s not what Vedic scriptures choose to talk about because it’s too small compared to all the other stuff that’s there in the universe. Puranas barely give the names of these nine sections of Bharata varsha.
PS. Since our idea of stars and planets is that they are empirical objects they are not out there in the Vedic universe but parts of the same old Bhu Mandala. They are projections of Vedic planets/lokas into our realm the same way mailbox outside the house is a projection of the entire postal service into your property.
Let me share another interesting reference on Vedic science (Sankhya philosophy) to have deeper or better understanding of the concepts like space and time, Earth, Moon, planets, stars, universes, etc.
Mr. Ashish Dalela has developed some good ideas in understanding the differences between Western and Vedic sciences. He has a web page and wrote many books which explain those topics in detail. I found his explanations very valuable. Especially they are good recommendation for anyone (including myself) who still believes that Western science offers the best explanation of the world we are living in. Here is an excerpt from his web site:
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The Meaning of the Earth Planet
We normally think that the earth planet is just the land and water surface of a globe. But in fractal geometry, the earth is much bigger; apart from the surface of the globe that we can perceive, it includes every other planet, galaxy, and star that we can see from the earthly viewpoint. If earth is a trunk of the tree, then all these planets from earthly perception are branches, twigs, and leaves of earth.
The real planets and stars are different; we have no access to them through our sense perception. However, if we correlate and understand everything in the sky then we can understand that the earthly moon is actually a representation of the real moon, like an external apple is represented in the brain. Thus, by ‘earth’ we don’t mean the surface of land and water. We rather mean everything that can be experienced using this body and all the instruments that we can build on this planet. In short, ‘earth’ is to be defined as a collection of possible experiences, of which land and water are parts.
Hare Krsna
Gauranga Prabhu ,
In the presence of the Instructions given by our Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada in His VANI particularly the Letter of Srila Prabhupada to Svarupa Damodara Das dated 27 April, 1976 and various other references from the revealed scriptures brought out in their respective comments during discussion on the subject matter by Mahesh Prabhu and others, the writings you shared here do not come any closer at all to the descriptions by Srila Prabhupada due to the fact of influence of the Nature with regard to their understanding on the subject matter with the faulty sense perceptions of the knowledge of those writers without any valid supportive references from the authoritative scripture and thus, it deems very much speculative which is subject to four defects.
However, thanks for sharing it.
OM TAT SAT.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You are welcome, Amar Puri prabhu.
However you have mistakenly supposed that the authors did not use supportive references from the authoritative scriptures like Srimad-Bhagavatam and others.
I would like to inform you that the writers are also Srila Prabhupada disciples, and devotees of Krsna.
Please check their website before coming to any unbiased conclusions like the above.
Thank you!
Hare Krsna.
That is very nice, Prabhu, that the writers are Srila Prabhupada disciples and devotees of Krsna, but, I do not see any references from Srila Prabhupada’s VANI in their writings.
There is no any link to their web site to check out provided in the writings, either.
So, it does not form any conclusions besides what the writers write which seem speculative subject to four defects due to the absences of the authoritative references in their writing. That is what it is.
So where is my mistake, Prabhu ?
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There are those, mostly among scientific-minded people, who are doubtful about Srila Prabhupada’s integrity regarding the subject of earth, sun and moon, their positions, sizes and movements. This may be caused by their different mindset or intelligence which they have developed during their education, and which does not agree or match with one presented by Srila Prabhupada.
Trying to preach to them by only giving them references from Srila Prabhupada’s VANI would probably not produce any successful results. I guess we all have experience on this kind of preaching which in some cases produced counter-results.
For example, if a modern-educated person jumps immediately to the 5th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, but he is not a devotee, he may reject everything and never come back again.
Somehow, these people need to be convinced about their flaws and make them to re-question about their present position, which they are so much proud of.
Whether this kind of presentation is subject to four defects or not, depends on the person who is presenting.
But, yes, prabhu, you are right. It all depends on our purity. If we are pure, and present or distribute Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and follow the instructions of our spiritual master, without deviations, than all the results we can just leave it to Krsna. And, we can peacefully chant Hare Krsna.
Thank you for your remarks.
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Educated person means open for the knowledge. Srila Prabhupada distributes KNOWLEDGE to each and everyone who so ever wishes to take up to the Knowledge regardless of which field one may come from.
Only those who feel threatened by such real Knowledge of Srila Prabhupada may doubt the integrity of such Knowledge because they can not protect and promote their own agenda if they follow through such knowledge. It is that simple, Prabhu.
Isn’t It ?
No matter how you try to convince such people about their flaws and present them with the real Knowledge with the proper references of understanding, they will doubt always because they are so much proud of what they know and as a result of it, they want to protect it by creating doubts.
Is that NOT a FACT, Prabhu ?
Is this NOT, what it is going on amongst the devotees – followers of Srila Prabhupada regarding the subject matter under discussion in which Srila Prabhupada has given very clear Instructions in His VANI to follow through and yet, every one of them the Presenters do stick with their own agenda instead of working together in following Srila Prabhupada VANI and His Instructions ?
OM TAT SAT.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Here, Amar Puri prabhu, as you asked, I would like to provide a link with many references from Srila Prabhupada’s VANI, so you may judge if is it worth of consideration.
http://www.vrindavana.net/academy/srila-prabhupada-moon-landings-4
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Gauranga Prabhu,
IMHO. there are varieties of people – the Presenters who present their motives under the smoke screen using in quoting Srila Prabhupada VANI in their respective presentation in writings whatever way it best suits for their agenda, and as a result of it, they create doubts / disagreement or controversies of some sort on its particular subject in the mind of the innocent Readers instead of following through Srila Prabhupada VANI and working with His Instructions As It Is.
That is what I see from the link you provided.
Not only this particular writer, but many others self interested interpreters also write on such topics having personal agenda of some sort in their presentation as we have known it.
Any way, I always appreciate your sharing resources.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
in your link http://www.vrindavana.net/academy/srila-prabhupada-moon-landings-4
Sitalatma Das is explaining some of Srila Prabhupada’s reasons for believing that the Moon landing was a hoax and goes on further to explain that this idea (1) “was debunked by Google and Wikipedia” and (2) “was to culminate in another mission (in 2015) with funding and support by the “Bush Administration”
Like I have said many times, if you can gain an understanding of the ‘material dynamic’ at play here then you can “join the dots” (otherwise one remains bewildered!).
The Bush’s have a long association with the Nazi’s, Satanism and war profiteering. Prescott Bush did business with the Nazi’s right up until 1943 through Harrimans Bank. Hitler was a member of the Satanic Thule Society. George H W Bush’s Satanic “initiated” name is Magog and his recently deceased wife Barbara Bush is the daughter of OTO Satanist Aleister Crowley (The Beast).
George Bush (a homosexual) has a close relationship with the many Nazi war criminals that created NASA and their “missions” such as Apollo (another word for Satan) and Columbia (Derived from Columbe’ Semiramis) part of the Demonic Trinity together with Nimrod and Tammuz.
Bush is a vassal of The (Frankish) Queen of England (and is of the same Illuminati, ”Merovingian bloodline”) and paid homage to her, upon being chosen (not elected) as President.
Wikipedia is just another ”Misinformation Apparatus” and is also owned and funded by the Satanic inspired Freemasons as is “Fact Check” (owned by the Annenbergs a very powerful (Ashkenazi Jew) Satanic Illuminati family. Google are also a ‘connected’ part of this Satanic agenda, gathering information from the dumb masses to benefit their slave masters the Satanic Illuminati. Google Chrome’s logo is 666…………..again “Hidden in plain sight”
Dear Gauranga Prabhu, how is the information In this book ‘Mystic Universe’ by Rsiraga Das (Ashisha Dalela) an article posted on Dandavats (another FISKCON misinformation site), relevant to aspiring Krishna Bhaktas? Why has he used the word “Mystic”. Vedic culture does not mean that ”everyone is a devotee” most are fruitive workers (karmis) and spiritualists are made up of jnanis, yogis and bhaktas.
Mysticism is associated with the occult. Devotees have no interest in the occult. This is the business of the yogis and demons, who want to harness Lord Krishnas power for themselves and as we see as the age of Kali descends into madness these occultists, are negatively impacting our devotee community and this creates an offence to the Vaisnavas (which Lord Krishna will not tolerate!) and which will ultimately destroy them and their mundane ambitions.
Material “education means mudhu”, this is what Srila Prabhupada has said many times. They are ‘pseudo science’ that’s all. All colleges and universities are founded, financed and controlled be Freemasons, who’s origins go back to the Knights Templar, the occult, Babylonian, Egyptian and Judaic mysticism. They are demons, that is why we cannot associate with them as they just want to destroy Dharma. Why does “Bhaktivedanta Institute” have an “association” with The University of Chester? This is INSANITY! The logo of Chester University is the Templar Red Cross. Don’t they know that this represents The Knights Templar? Don’t they know that the Templars are Satanists? Don’t they know that the Templars created the 33Degree Scottish Rite Illuminati? Don’t they know that the Chester University was founded by William Gladstone who was a high ranking Freemason and fmr Prime Minister of England? Don’t they know that Freemasons are Crypto Jews who have infiltrated EVERY religion? Don’t they know that Freemason Hierarchy are homosexuals, pedophiles and liars and theives?
“Modern material science” is all based on mysticism, alchemy, the occult, Satanism, depravity, duplicity, envy and slavery. This is not really scientific but which ‘cooks the books’, falsifies data, and “creates research” which is also funded by “Foundations” which are tax free entities (also controlled by the Illuminati elites) to arrive at false conclusions so that they can manipulate government policies to further their demonic agenda to install those same politicians (also Illuminati flunky’s) to continue their materialistic agenda.
THIS IS CALLED THE ASCENDING PROCESS!
The “Bhaktivedanta Institute” are themselves a bunch of mudhas and fools as they have been fooled by these materialists and occultists, who are using their ‘energy’ to promote and validate occultism and mysticism (in this ascending process).
THE ASCENDING PROCESS AND THE DESCENDING PROCESS ARE INCOMPATIBLE!
We don’t preach Srila Prabhupada’s Vani to Demons. WE AVOID THEM! WE DON”T GET INTO BED WITH THEM. THEIR GOAL IS TO DESTROY DHARMA! THAT’S ALL!
The point was about about preaching to the innocent (even devotees) who may still have some doubts, not to demons, satanists and occultists behind the scenes. And if giving them 5th class lessons, without undergoing preparation process, would produce any desired result or counter-results.
Please don’t forget that doubt is one of the important functions of intelligence, and blind acceptance of something does not give evidence of intelligence.
Srila Prabhupada did not want to create blind followers, disciples, who should switch-off their intelligence completely, and just blindly accept everything they may hear from the spiritual master (or the author of the above article, who’s name is not even mentioned). It does not mean that spiritual master may say something wrong, but if the disciple has understood properly what he has heard from him. This is a quality of intelligence.
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”
We are not discussing here if Srila Prabhupada was right or wrong. But if we have understood properly what Srila Prabhupada has told us.
Since we are talking about earth planet, and whether it is round or flat, from our perspective or demigod’s perspective, many among us may still not be convinced what is the actual shape of earth. Some of us may still have doubts, and this is a good sign that we have intelligence, we are not blind followers.
I have given my opinion on this subject. And how I understood the points being made on the subject of earth. They just brought more doubts and more confusion in the mind. So many theories, opinions, arguments, counter-arguments, etc. Srila Prabhupada has given, for example, different reasons why they didn’t go to the Moon. We accept them, although the sastric statement was already given, that earthly man can never go to the Moon. That is a fact. So, why then we are asking for the reasons? Srila Prabhupada has given them, to satisfy our inquisitiveness. But we should know that the reasons themselves do not establish the Absolute Truth, and they may be relative also (like in the weekdays Sunday comes first, then Monday, etc, is this the proof that Sun is closer than the Moon? In my country Monday comes first, and Sunday is the last, so the Moon is closer according to this argument?) What if someone is still not satisfied with them. Should we say he is a demon because he still has doubts which are not answered by Srila Prabhupada? The Maya has progressed a lot since the time of Srila Prabhupada manifest pasttimes, and we have new challenges in front of us. We cannot be satisfied only with answers about Apollo landings (when discussing about earth, planets, stars and universe). Today we are hearing about many space missions, landing and finding water on other planets, etc. We cannot just say it is all a hoax and close the chapter with that. This is not proper reasoning. It is just like saying he is always wrong and I am always right. He always lies and I always speak the truth. Because he is conditioned and I am not. This is not convincing either. It is a blind reasoning. And why would I believe both of you? Both of you may be wrong and subject to four defects. Hoax theories are also subject to four defects, aren’t they. Because they are not taken from Vedic sources, but from a mundane books and articles.
Don’t get me wrong. I am speaking from intelligence point of view. From the self-questioning or doubting point of view.
So, please don’t give me further answers to those questions. I already have the answers in Srila Prabhupada books, which are sufficient in themselves.
These points are just made for the sake of clarifying other points given in my previous comments, and which I think were misunderstood, or taken as an inducement for attack because of differences in opinion.
But, anyway. Thank you all for bringing your viewpoints into this subject. I appreciate them all. Since they are showing the maturity of all the participants in this discussion. Thank you again.
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
“We don’t preach Srila Prabhupada’s Vani to Demons. WE AVOID THEM!”
Sudarsana Prabhu, I am certain that you are very much aware that Srila Prabhupada’s books are available to everyone, both demons and devotees. The demons know very well about the knowledge and instructions given in Srila Prabhupada’s books. And some of them are using the same knowledge to destroy everything related to Srila Prabhupada’s Hare Krsna Movement.
My question to you is.. If we don’t preach Srila Prabhupada’s Vani to demons, who will deliver the demons from maya? Or, if I don’t preach to demons, will they preach to me then?
Myself was also a great demon before getting Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the beginning I was against Hare Krsna movement in the West, and their “indian or hindu” lifestyle which looked weird from the standpoint of Christian culture. Later I shaved my head and wear dhoti, and became a celibate monk in ISKCON, preaching and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Only when I became aware that those books were actually not written or approved by Srila Prabhupada, I left a celibate life, because I did not want to be a part of this conspiracy against Srila Prabhupada’s mission, even if this means I have to return back to my previous life. Currently I am living a household life, working with family and mundane people.
I may be called a demon, since I live with demons. But I am not with them. I do not participate in their worldview. You may accuse me why I do not preach to them? Well, I do not preach to them directly. Sometimes I bring the points on proper behavior, since they are atheists and very sinful. At least I try to behave properly, and follow the rules at least from a Christian moral standards. I was not like them even before becoming a devotee, so they may appear more fallen than me.
But I do not preach to them, as I know this would disturb them a lot. They are materialists, interested with money and sense-enjoyments only.
So I am not completely avoiding them as I work with them. But I also do not preach to them. Also, I cannot recommend anyone else to preach to them, because there are no Srila Prabhupada devotees around, only false so-called gurus and pretenders in ISKCON.
So it appears at the moment I share my life with demons (“they are sleeping in maya, and I am staying close to them, participating in their dreams”). They are destroying dharma. And I am silent. Blame me. Where are the real devotees? Hare Krsna
Demons are “preaching to you every day” from the time you draw breath, go to ”school”, through the media, billboards, books, magazines radio, newspapers, bogus ”documentaries” rubbish on TV all 100% lies. We avoid them because the Sastra says so!, because the Acharya says so! That’s all!
Demons can ONLY be purified by pain! It is their choice! This was the reason for battle of Kurusetra. They can chose redemption we will not object. The vast majority of demons are beyond redemption, mass murderers, pedophiles, psychopaths, pathological liars……most will kill you if they can get away with it. (They poisoned Srila Prabhupada!) FISKCON is full of these poisoners and hypocrites……didn’t they also read Srila Prabhupada’s books?
Srila Pabhupada has given various reasons why they didn’t go to the Moon. One of them is also:
—
The Nectar of Devotion — Vrndavana, October 20, 1972:
Devotee: …scientists who are going to the moon by some artificial process that even though mechanically, on the gross level, they may reach the moon planet, because they cannot enter into the actual activity on the moon planet, technically, according to Bhāgavata, they have not reached there?
Prabhupāda: Yes. If you go… Suppose if somebody comes on this Earthly planet and goes to the Arabian desert, then what he’ll find? He must go back again.
Devotee: So he can say he has been there grossly, but actually he has not been there because he cannot enter into the activity there.
Prabhupāda: Yes. He, they have not gone to the proper place. They have gone to the Arabian desert. That’s all. (laughter)
Devotee: Don’t think it is wrong. (end)
Srila Prabhupadas statements about the moon landing
http://www.harekrsna.org/moon-landing.htm
A new Freemason Lodge (USA) was named ‘Sea of Tranquility Lodge’ after one of the hoax “Moon Missions”. The head of the NASA 1969 hoax “Moon landing” was made Grand Master Freemason of the Southern Jurisdiction. Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins are ALL HIGH LEVEL FREEMASONS as are most of the other persons involved in the highest levels of NASA. NASA has a “Snakes Tongue” in it’s logo. NASA ‘speaks with a fork tongue’ this means “hidden in plain sight” everyone is seeing but they don’t see.
“Hidden in plain sight” is one of the Illuminati’s key sayings. Just like Stanley Kubrick’s movie “Eyes Wide Shut”, this is Illuminati Double-Speak. Kubrick was a high ranking member of the “Three Eyes” Freemason Illuminati Superlodge (Ur Lodge), together with Henry Kissinger, David Rockerfeller (dec), George Bush Snr, Bill Clinton, Maurice Oldfield (Director MI6), William Colby (Director CIA), Christine Lagarde (World Bank), Neil Armstrong, Osama Bin Laden (moved to Geburah and Hathor Pentalpha), Condoleeza Rice, Michael Hanley (Director MI5), Zbigniew Brezinski etc etc…..
Stanley Kubrick (Three Eyes Ur Lodge) filmed the hoax ”Moon Landing” in the desert.
Neil Armstrong is also a member of Janus Freemason Ur Lodge (as was Lyndon B Johnson and Cyrus Vance). “Material Scientists” are just vassals of the institutions, colleges and “foundations” which are under the control of the Freemason Illuminati who have complete control of the Trilateral Commission and CFR (USA), both of which are secret and none of their activities are accountable to the public. “Material Scientists” do what they are told (or they don’t get funded) by the “foundations” which are tax dodges for the Elite Corporations who (in part) represent the Illuminati (and their demonic world view).
Universities, Colleges, Fraternity lodges etc are simply minions, sycophants and pee-ons of the demonic establishment that OWNS THEM, and not the free thinking, dynamic , forward and progressive organizations they try to pretend to be. They are simply drunkards and whore-mongers who are prepared to sell out to the highest bidder to advance their careers. The more corrupt they are the more they are rewarded with prizes, awards, positions of power and authority. This is the reality! I am not talking about “conspiracy theory”, I am talking about facts. If you don’t understand the material dynamic, then how is it possible to understand WHY they FAKED the Moon Landing. This is why there is “confusion” between “devotees!” Why confusion? I am not confused, what is confusing about it? Confusion means ignorance that’s all! The whole world is in ignorance, because they want to be slaves. People are cheated because they want to be cheated that’s all! Vitrified wood from the Moon, “hidden in plain sight!”
Prabhupada: „THE ENTIRE MATERIAL WORLD IS SITUATED ON THE HOODS OF LORD SAṄKARṢAṆA.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gauranga das says:
31. July 2018 at 12:48 pm
“The acharyas in their purports to these verses also confirm that Sesha is holding the Earth (Bhu-mandala), not the universe itself”
Srila Prabhupada in SB 5.25.9p explains specifically:
ananta pṛthivī-giri samudra-sahite
ye-prabhu dharena gire pālana karite
“On His head, Anantadeva sustains the entire universe, with its millions of planets containing enormous oceans and mountains.”
Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mahesh:Gauranga das Prabhu, it was good for you to point out that it is not just the earth planet alone but the ENTIRE UNIVERSE with its millions of planets is on the head of Anantadeva. There is more on this:
The Lord of the creative energy is called Ananta-śayana. The material energy is impregnated by the glance of this feature of the Lord and is then able to give birth to all organic and inorganic matter. Ananta-śayana sleeps on the bed of Śeṣa Nāga, who has a form like a serpent but is identical with the Lord. Because He sleeps on a serpent bed, the Lord is also known as Nāga-śayana. BY HIS SPIRITUAL ENERGY ŚEṢA NĀGA SUSTAINS ALL THE PLANETARY GLOBES UPON HIS INVISIBLE HOODS. ŚEṢA NĀGA IS POPULARLY KNOWN AS SAṄKARṢAṆA, OR “THAT WHICH KEEPS BALANCE BY THE LAW OF MAGNETISM.” IN THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD THIS FEATURE OF THE LORD IS REFERRED TO AS THE LAW OF GRAVITATION, BUT FACTUALLY THIS LAW, WHICH KEEPS ALL THE PLANETS FLOATING IN SPACE, IS ONE OF THE ENERGIES OF THE LORD. ALL THE UNIVERSES ARE BORN WITH THE EXHALATION OF THE LORD AS HE LIES ON ŚEṢA NĀGA, AND ALL OF THEM ARE ANNIHILATED WITH HIS INHALATION. DUE TO THESE FUNCTIONS OF CREATION, MAINTENANCE, AND ANNIHILATION, THE LORD IS CELEBRATED BY THE NAME JAGAN-NIVĀSA, INDICATING THAT HE IS THE SUPREME RESORT OF ALL THE UNIVERSES.
There are hundreds of thousands of other names of Lord Viṣṇu, and each one of them is as powerful as the Lord Himself. One can constantly chant any name of the Lord and thereby constantly associate with Him. There are no hard and fast rules for chanting His names. At any time and any stage of life one can freely chant them, but we are so unfortunate that we are too misled even to adopt this simple process. This is the way of Māyā, the Lord’s misleading energy. However, one can avoid her ways simply by always remembering the lotus feet of the Lord. King Kulaśekhara prays for this facility from Mukunda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/mms/mm_1
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720913SB.LA
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.7
—
Los Angeles, September 13, 1972
Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)
dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya
rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm
uddhariṣyann upādatta
yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ
[SB 1.3.7]
Translation: “The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar, the second incarnation, and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth up from the nether regions of the universe.”
Prabhupāda: So this universe, this universe is filled up with water, half. Whatever we are seeing, this is only half, like this. The other half we cannot see. So within this water, sometimes that Hiraṇyākṣa demon drowned this whole earth within this water. So at the present moment we cannot find such demons, but there were demons like that. THE WHOLE PLANETARY SYSTEM IS FLOATING, BUT THERE MAY BE SOME DEMON WHO CAN TAKE ONE OF THEM AND PUT WITHIN THE WATER. THE PLANETS ARE FLOATING; THAT IS KNOWN TO EVERYONE. WE CAN SEE, ACTUALLY, THAT SUCH A BIG, GIGANTIC MASS… EVEN THE SUN, WHICH IS FOURTEEN HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES BIGGER THAN THIS EARTH, THAT IS ALSO FLOATING IN THE OUTER SPACE. THE SUPPORT IS ANANTA. THEY SAY “LAW OF GRAVITATION”; WE SAY SAṄKARṢAṆA. SAṄKARṢAṆA.*SO HE IS HOLDING EVERY PLANET*, AND IT IS SAID THAT ALL THESE UNIVERSES ARE RESTING ON THE HOOD OF ŚEṢA-NĀGA JUST LIKE A SMALL GRAIN OF MUSTARD.
So when we speak of “God is great,” we cannot imagine how great He is. We apply frog philosophy, Dr. Frog’s philosophy. Dr. Frog thinks, because he is in the well of three feet, if he is given the information, “Oh, there is a big mass of water, Atlantic Ocean,” he cannot believe it. He will think in terms of the well. The well is three feet. So he may think, “All right, Atlantic Ocean may be four feet. All right, five feet. Come on. All right, six feet.” So this Dr. Frog’s philosophy. The so-called rascal philosophers and scientists, they are calculating God’s creation. One of the universes is resting on Anantadeva’s hood just like a mustard seed. Not only that…
yasyaika-niśvasita-kālam athāvalambya
jīvanti loma-vilajā jagad-aṇḍa-nāthāḥ…
[Bs. 5.48]
Every universe has got a predominating deity, president. We can understand. In every country, there is a president to rule over the country. Similarly, to rule over this universe, there is a president. That is Brahmā, Lord Brahmā. Lord Brahmā’s duration of life, span of life, you cannot calculate. You can calculate, but it is something like beyond our imagination. His one day is four hundred…, forty-three crores of years, one day. Similarly, one month, thirty days, one month; then twelve months, year. Such hundred years. So he lives such hundred years. So that Brahmā lives hundred years in his calculation; that is also a breathing period of Viṣṇu.
yasyaika-niśvasita-kālam athāvalambya
jīvanti loma-vilajā jagad-aṇḍa-nāthāḥ…
[Bs. 5.48]
THESE GIGANTIC UNIVERSES, THEY ARE COMING OUT FROM THE HAIR HOLES OF THE BODY OF MAHĀ-VIṢṆU OR FROM HIS… JUST LIKE SOMETIMES INFECTED PERSONS, THEY DISTRIBUTE GERMS FROM BREATHING, FROM PERSPIRATION. THAT IS SCIENTIFIC. SIMILARLY, MAHĀ-VIṢṆU’S BREATHING AND PERSPIRATION WITHIN THE CAUSAL OCEAN, BRINGING FORTH SO MANY UNIVERSES. AND EACH AND EVERY UNIVERSE, *THERE ARE SO MANY PLANETS, AND ONE OF THE PLANETS IS THIS, EARTH, EARTHLY PLANET*.
SO SOMETIMES THIS EARTHLY PLANET WAS THROWN INTO THE WATER, GARBHODAKA-SAMUDRA, GARBHODAKA SEA, AND GOD TOOK THE FORM OF A BOAR, HAVING TWO TUSKS—BECAUSE IT WAS EASIER. JUST LIKE SHOVEL, YOU TAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO HE TOOK THE EARTH. So that is described: kṣitir iha vipulatare tiṣṭhati tava… No. What is that? Daśana-śikhare? The, this is described in Jayadeva’s prayer. Vasati daśana-śikhare dharaṇī tava lagnā. Vasati, “is resting”; vasati daśana-śikhare, “on the top of the tusk.” Keśava dhṛta-śūkara-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare. SO HE’S YAJÑEŚA. IT IS NOT THAT HE’S… IS SHAPE WAS JUST LIKE HOG, BUT HE’S NOT HOG. DON’T MISUNDERSTAND. HIS SHAPE WAS A GIGANTIC HOG. YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF HOG HE WAS. THE SHAPE WAS LIKE HOG, BUT HE WAS RESTING THE *WHOLE PLANET, EARTHLY PLANET*, ON THE TUSK. Vasati daśana-śikhare dharaṇī tava lagnā śaśini kalaṅka, keśava dhṛta-śūkara-rūpa. Here it is stated, saukaram. Saukaram means like hog. Not that He’s hog. He’s yajñeśa. He can take any shape. Just like here is, God has assumed the shape of a lion, half-lion, half-man. So He’s all powerful, He can take any shape, any form, but He is not that form. That is for the time being. For the time being, He assumes so many forms. The real form is Kṛṣṇa, the original form. Keśava dhṛta-śūkara, sūkara-rūpa or śūkara-rūpa. “My Lord Keśava, You have assumed this form.”
So there are many millions and millions of forms of God. According to time, necessity, circumstances, He assumes different forms. Because it is His business:
yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham
[Bg. 4.7]
He appears as soon as there is discrepancies in the methodical way. Another place, indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokam [SB 1.3.28]. Indra. Indra means the heavenly god, and ari means enemy. So indrāri, the enemy of the king of heaven. That means demons. There are two classes of beings, human being, in the human state: the devatā and asura. So devatā means God conscious, Kṛṣṇa conscious. Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, he is devatā, demigod. And anyone who is not Kṛṣṇa conscious, he’s demon. This is the difference. So that demon may be very big or small, it doesn’t matter, but… Asuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Viparyayaḥ means “just the opposite.” The devotees, they are demigods, and asura means just the opposite number of devotee; that means nondevotees. Those who are nondevotees, those who are not devotees of the Lord, they are all demons.
So demons are always disturbing. They’ll create disturbance. That is… Their business is to create disturbance in the creation of the Supreme Lord. So this Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, two brothers, they were creating so much disturbances. The whole world is disturbed only for the existence of the demons, asuri. At the present moment also, the world is full of demons. The devotees, their number is very, very small. Just like our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We can count within the finger how many we have got, Kṛṣṇa conscious; but demons, non-Kṛṣṇa conscious, nondevotees, there is no limit. Innumerable. So when demons are too much prominent, then Kṛṣṇa comes. So in the Kali-yuga He has appeared… Just like previously He appeared in the form of hog, similarly, Kṛṣṇa has appeared in this Kali-yuga in the form of His name. There is no difference between the form and name of God. God is absolute. Nāma-rūpe, in the form of name. So those who are disturbed by the demons may take shelter of this form of God, Hare Kṛṣṇa. Then you’ll be saved. Otherwise, the demon will put you within the Pacific Ocean water. Just like this demon. But Kṛṣṇa will save you. As Prahlāda Mahārāja was put into the water by his father.
So to become Kṛṣṇa conscious means there will be so many enemies. Even father, what to speak of others? They will criticize, they will attack. I have recently received letter from Germany. Our devotees were attacked by a gang. So this is the way. As soon as you become God conscious, the demons will create disturbance. Just like Lord Jesus Christ. He was crucified by the demons. The only fault was that he was God conscious. Just see; such innocent person. The world is like that. So these dangers are there, but don’t be afraid of. Kṛṣṇa will save you. And tolerate. If there are disturbances… Because it is the nature of this material world, as soon as there will be devotee, God conscious person, there will be so many enemies from the side of the demons. So we have to tolerate.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore has recommended:
tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
[Cc. Ādi 17.31]
You have to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra against the demons. Just like in Australia, the demons have instituted a case against us, a big case by the city authorities. So what can be done? They wanted to appoint big, big lawyers. I have advised, “Don’t appoint lawyers. You go on chanting. They may put you in the jail. So you go on chanting.” What is that? You chant on the street or chant on the jail, they’re the same thing. So don’t be afraid. They’ll take you in the jail, “Go on, Hare Kṛṣṇa.” We have got one means. Nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati: [SB 6.17.28] “Those who are devotees, they are not afraid of anything.” Svargāpavarga-narakeṣv api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ: “Either they’re sent in the heavenly planet or in the hell planet, it doesn’t matter.” We want simply to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and remember Kṛṣṇa. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It doesn’t matter whether it is in the hell or heaven.
So saukaraṁ vapuḥ. Dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm, rasātala. We do not know what are the down planets. This is called… Bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ. This is bhūr-loka. Above this, there is bhuvar-loka, svarga-loka; above that, there is jana-loka; above that, there is mahar-loka; above that, there is siddha-loka. In this way, seven upper planetary system, and similarly, there are seven downwards. That is called tala, atala, talātala, rasātala, like that. Tala, atala, vitala, talātala, rasātala. So rasātala, the lowest, that means down the water, rasātala-gatām. Just like this morning we were calculating the depth of the Pacific Ocean. They are sometimes seven miles. So similarly, that Garbhodakaśāyī, Garbhodaka-samudra. Just imagine how deep it is. So within that deep water, the earth was put, and Kṛṣṇa in the shape of Varāha saved it. So Kṛṣṇa will save you. Others may disturb you, put you into the difficulty, but Kṛṣṇa will save you. Be assured. Don’t be disappointed.
Kṛṣṇa says, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati [Bg. 9.31]. “My dear Kaunteya, you can declare to the world that anyone who is My devotee…” Devotee means pure devotee, anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Brs. 1.1.11], without any other desires. Devotee means he wants to serve Kṛṣṇa, that’s all. Not that in return he wants something. He is devotee. Devotion is not business: “Sir, I have come to Your temple. I am offering my obeisances. Now, my salary is five hundred dollars. Kindly make it two thousand.” That is also devotion… Not devotion. That is appreciation of God, that “God can give me.” That is also good. But those who are not coming to the temple, they are miscreants. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ [Bg. 7.15]. Those who are lowest of the mankind, miscreants, mūḍhas, rascals, they do not come even to God for asking something. They think that “We shall create our own…” But those who are pious, even though asking something from God, they are pious, because they have come to God.
So these people, those who are coming to the temple for some material amelioration, they are pious. But those who are not coming, they are duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ, narādhamāḥ. That is the description. But devotee means he does not ask anything from God. He simply wants to give, that is devotee. Just like gopīs. They never asked anything from Kṛṣṇa. (long pause)
Hmm. Now chant. (end)
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/sb/1/3/7/los_angeles/september/13/1972
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The whole planetary system, the modern science says, the law of gravitation. But that is not very perfectly explained. We can question. There are so many things. But from the Vedic literature we understand that Kṛṣṇa in His ananta feature, Anantadeva, or Śeṣaśāyī Nāga… THE HOODS ARE EXPANDED, AND ALL THE PLANETS ARE RESTING ON HIS HOOD. *IT IS SO SMALL, AND THE HOOD IS VERY BIG*. IN THE CAITANYA-CARITĀMṚTA… SO THEREFORE THE PLANETS ARE RESTING NOT ON THE LAW OF GRAVITATION BUT ON THE HEAD OF KṚṢṆA IN HIS FORM OF ŚEṢA. THIS IS OUR VEDIC CONCLUSION.
SO ANY WAY YOU TAKE WHAT KṚṢṆA SAYS, MAYI SARVAM IDAṀ PROTAM, “EVERYTHING RESTING ON ME…” SIMILARLY, IN THE NINTH CHAPTER KṚṢṆA SAID, MAYĀ TATAM IDAṀ SARVAṀ JAGAD AVYAKTA-MŪRTINĀ. THE ENERGIES ARE AVYAKTA. ENERGY. JUST LIKE THERE IS LIGHT, BUT IT IS IMPERSONAL, BUT THE LAMP IS PERSONAL, OR LOCALIZED, SIMILARLY, KṚṢṆA’S ENERGIES… OR TAKE ANOTHER EXAMPLE. THE SUNSHINE IS IMPERSONAL, BUT THE SUN IS PERSONAL. SUN IS NOT IMPERSON. WHEREFROM THE SUNSHINE IS COMING? IT IS COMING FROM THE SUN GLOBE. AND WITHIN THE SUN GLOBE THERE IS THE SUN-GOD. HIS NAME IS THERE ALSO—VIVASVĀN. NAME MEANS PERSON. As the sun is person and we worship the sun, Savitā… Oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyam… So this is the worship of the sun-god, the morning sunrise. So the sun-god is also person.
So we can study what is the nature of the Absolute Person by studying the sun. The sun globe is localized. The sunshine is spread all over the universe, and within the sun globe there is the sun-god, Vivasvān. Similarly, the original planet is Goloka Vṛndāvana. Cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam [Bs. 5.29]. Vaikuṇṭhaloka. Original, the Goloka Vṛndāvana, the abode of Kṛṣṇa. So take it… Just like sun globe. And within the Goloka Vṛndāvana planet there is the Supreme Person, Kṛṣṇa, just like exactly within the sun the person, sun-god, his name is Vivasvān. And from that globe, Goloka Vṛndāvana, there is rays. Yasya prabhā prabhavato jagad-aṇḍa-koṭi-koṭiṣv aśeṣa-vasudhādi-vibhūti-bhinnam [Bs. 5.40]. On account of that effulgence from the Goloka Vṛndāvana, there are innumerable spiritual and material planets. The spiritual planets are called Vaikuṇṭhalokas, and in the material sphere there are so many planets—Sun, Moon, Venus, Earth, so many, millions and millions… They are all resting on that effulgence, Brahman effulgence. Yasya prabhā. Yasya prabhā prabhavato jagad-aṇḍa-koṭi [Bs. 5.40]. Tad brahma niṣkalam anantam aśeṣa-bhūtaṁ govindam. The brahmajyoti is the rays of, the bodily rays of Kṛṣṇa. So everything is resting… WE HAVE GOT EXPERIENCE THAT THESE MATERIAL PLANETARY SYSTEMS, THEY ARE RESTING ON THE SUNSHINE. THE SCIENTIST KNOWS IT. ON ACCOUNT OF THE HEAT OF THE SUNSHINE, ALL THE PLANETARY SYSTEMS OR THE GLOBES, THEY ARE MOVING, GOING AROUND. IT IS NOT STOPPED. THERE IS A SMALL APPARATUS—I HAVE SEEN IN AMERICA—THAT AS SOON AS YOU GIVE HEAT, WITHIN THAT, I MEAN TO SAY, GLASS, THE ONE IS GLOW, IT IS ROTATING… (end)
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/bg/7/7/vrndavana/august/13/1974
Ananta Śeṣa Nāga supports ALL the UNIVERSES on His hoods. By our calculation, a universe may be very, very heavy, but because the Lord is ananta (unlimited), He feels the weight to be no heavier than a mustard seed.
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/5/17/21
Note: The word UNLIMITED is what ANANTA means and since He is Lord Krsna’s incarnation He can be ANYWHERE that He chooses. Lord Ananta is NOT limited to time place or circumstances. His hoods are UNLIMITED. He can be visible OR invisible. UNLIMITED potencies. Remember this is Lord Krsna’s INCARNATION.