Planets

Note: In my previous article compilation:

THIS EARTHY PLANET IS CALLED VASUDHĀ.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “VASUDHĀ MEANS PLANETS OR GLOBES. THIS EARTHY PLANET IS CALLED VASUDHĀ”.

Now, In this article, we will go deep in UNDERSTANDING the PLANETS that are in the PLANETARY SYSTEMS.

The questions often raised are:

How BIG is sun compared to this earth planet? Is the moon bigger then the sun? In rotation, what is the speed of the sun? What is the speed of moon? Which is faster? What is the relationship of different DAYS NAMED AFTER those PLANETS—- and—- their auspicious or inauspicious effects on us?

Lets have a study:

TEXT 14

grahān puṇyatamān anye
bhagaṇāṁś cāpi dīpitāḥ
aticerur vakra-gatyā
yuyudhuś ca parasparam

SYNONYMS
grahān—planets; puṇya-tamān—most auspicious; anye—others (the ominous planets); bha-gaṇān—luminaries; ca—and; api—also; dīpitāḥ—illuminating; aticeruḥ—overlapped; vakra-gatyā—taking retrograde courses; yuyudhuḥ—came into conflict; ca—and; paraḥ-param—with one another.

TRANSLATION
OMINOUS PLANETS SUCH AS MARS AND SATURN SHONE BRIGHTER AND SURPASSED THE AUSPICIOUS ONES SUCH AS MERCURY, JUPITER AND VENUS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF LUNAR MANSIONS. Taking seemingly retrograde courses, the planets came in conflict with one another.

PURPORT

The entire universe is moving under the three modes of material nature. Those living entities who are in goodness are called the pious species—pious lands, pious trees, etc. It is similar with the planets also; many planets are considered pious, and others are considered impious. SATURN AND MARS ARE CONSIDERED IMPIOUS. WHEN THE PIOUS PLANETS SHINE VERY BRIGHTLY, IT IS AN AUSPICIOUS SIGN, BUT WHEN THE INAUSPICIOUS PLANETS SHINE VERY BRIGHTLY, THIS IS NOT A VERY GOOD SIGN.

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In this chapter the orbits of the planets are described. According to the movements of the moon and other planets, all the inhabitants of the universe are prone to auspicious and inauspicious situations. This is referred to as the influence of the stars.

The sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire universe, especially in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes and so on, is considered an expansion of Nārāyaṇa. He represents the three Vedas—Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma—and therefore he is known as Trayīmaya, the form of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Sometimes the sun-god is also called Sūrya Nārāyaṇa. The sun-god has expanded himself in twelve divisions, and thus he controls the six seasonal changes and causes winter, summer, rain and so on. Yogīs and karmīs following the varṇāśrama institution, who practice haṭha or aṣṭāṅga-yoga or who perform agnihotra sacrifices, worship Sūrya Nārāyaṇa for their own benefit. The demigod Sūrya is always in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. Residing in outer space, which is in the middle of the universe, between Bhūloka and Bhuvarloka, the sun rotates through the time circle of the zodiac, represented by twelve rāśis, or signs, and assumes different names according to the sign he is in. For the moon, every month is divided into two fortnights. Similarly, according to solar calculations, a month is equal to the time the sun spends in one constellation; two months constitute one season, and there are twelve months in a year. The entire area of the sky is divided into two halves, each representing an ayana, the course traversed by the sun within a period of six months. THE SUN TRAVELS SOMETIMES SLOWLY, SOMETIMES SWIFTLY AND SOMETIMES AT A MODERATE SPEED. IN THIS WAY IT TRAVELS WITHIN THE THREE WORLDS, CONSISTING OF THE HEAVENLY PLANETS, THE EARTHLY PLANETS AND OUTER SPACE. These orbits are referred to by great learned scholars by the names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.

The moon is situated 100,000 yojanas above the rays of the sunshine. Day and night on the heavenly planets and Pitṛloka are calculated according to its waning and waxing. ABOVE THE MOON BY A DISTANCE OF 200,000 YOJANAS ARE SOME STARS, AND ABOVE THESE STARS IS ŚUKRA-GRAHA (VENUS), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS ALWAYS AUSPICIOUS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. ABOVE ŚUKRA-GRAHA BY 200,000 YOJANAS IS BUDHA-GRAHA (MERCURY), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS SOMETIMES AUSPICIOUS AND SOMETIMES INAUSPICIOUS. NEXT, ABOVE BUDHA-GRAHA BY 200,000 YOJANAS, IS AṄGĀRAKA (MARS), WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS HAS AN UNFAVORABLE INFLUENCE. ABOVE AṄGĀRAKA BY ANOTHER 200,000 YOJANAS IS THE PLANET CALLED BṚHASPATI-GRAHA (JUPITER), WHICH IS ALWAYS VERY FAVORABLE FOR QUALIFIED BRĀHMAṆAS. ABOVE BṚHASPATI-GRAHA IS THE PLANET ŚANAIŚCARA (SATURN), WHICH IS VERY INAUSPICIOUS, AND ABOVE SATURN IS A GROUP OF SEVEN STARS OCCUPIED BY GREAT SAINTLY PERSONS WHO ARE ALWAYS THINKING OF THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. These seven stars circumambulate Dhruvaloka, which is the residence of Lord Viṣṇu within this universe.

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Note: The DAYS of the week NAMED AFTER THE PLANETS along with the ruler planet in the brackets are :

• Sunday (Sun) Ravi
• Monday (Moon) Soma
• Tuesday (Mars) Mangala – AṄGĀRAKA (MARS), WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS HAS AN UNFAVORABLE INFLUENCE
• Wednesday (Mercury) Budha – BUDHA-GRAHA (MERCURY), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS SOMETIMES AUSPICIOUS AND SOMETIMES INAUSPICIOUS.
• Thursday (Jupiter) Guru – BṚHASPATI-GRAHA (JUPITER), WHICH IS ALWAYS VERY FAVORABLE FOR QUALIFIED BRĀHMAṆAS
• Friday (Venus) Sukra – ŚUKRA-GRAHA (VENUS), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS ALWAYS AUSPICIOUS
• Saturday (Saturn) Sani – SATURN AND MARS ARE CONSIDERED IMPIOUS.

 

In this chapter the orbits of the planets are described. ACCORDING TO THE MOVEMENTS OF THE MOON AND OTHER PLANETS, ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE UNIVERSE ARE PRONE TO AUSPICIOUS AND INAUSPICIOUS SITUATIONS. THIS IS REFERRED TO AS THE INFLUENCE OF THE STARS.

The sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire universe, especially in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes and so on, is considered an expansion of Nārāyaṇa. He represents the three Vedas—Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma—and therefore he is known as Trayīmaya, the form of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Sometimes the sun-god is also called Sūrya Nārāyaṇa. The sun-god has expanded himself in twelve divisions, and thus he controls the six seasonal changes and causes winter, summer, rain and so on. Yogīs and karmīs following the varṇāśrama institution, who practice haṭha or aṣṭāṅga-yoga or who perform agnihotra sacrifices, worship Sūrya Nārāyaṇa for their own benefit. The demigod Sūrya is always in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. RESIDING IN OUTER SPACE, WHICH IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UNIVERSE, BETWEEN BHŪLOKA AND BHUVARLOKA, THE SUN ROTATES THROUGH THE TIME CIRCLE OF THE ZODIAC, REPRESENTED BY TWELVE RĀŚIS, OR SIGNS, AND ASSUMES DIFFERENT NAMES ACCORDING TO THE SIGN HE IS IN. For the moon, every month is divided into two fortnights. Similarly, according to solar calculations, a month is equal to the time the sun spends in one constellation; two months constitute one season, and there are twelve months in a year. The entire area of the sky is divided into two halves, each representing an ayana, the course traversed by the sun within a period of six months. THE SUN TRAVELS SOMETIMES SLOWLY, SOMETIMES SWIFTLY AND SOMETIMES AT A MODERATE SPEED. IN THIS WAY IT TRAVELS WITHIN THE THREE WORLDS, CONSISTING OF THE HEAVENLY PLANETS, THE EARTHLY PLANETS AND OUTER SPACE. These orbits are referred to by great learned scholars by the names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.

THE MOON IS SITUATED 100,000 YOJANAS ABOVE THE RAYS OF THE SUNSHINE. DAY AND NIGHT ON THE HEAVENLY PLANETS AND PITṚLOKA ARE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO ITS WANING AND WAXING. ABOVE THE MOON BY A DISTANCE OF 200,000 YOJANAS ARE SOME STARS, AND ABOVE THESE STARS IS ŚUKRA-GRAHA (VENUS), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS ALWAYS AUSPICIOUS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. ABOVE ŚUKRA-GRAHA BY 200,000 YOJANAS IS BUDHA-GRAHA (MERCURY), WHOSE INFLUENCE IS SOMETIMES AUSPICIOUS AND SOMETIMES INAUSPICIOUS. NEXT, ABOVE BUDHA-GRAHA BY 200,000 YOJANAS, IS AṄGĀRAKA (MARS), WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS HAS AN UNFAVORABLE INFLUENCE. ABOVE AṄGĀRAKA BY ANOTHER 200,000 YOJANAS IS THE PLANET CALLED BṚHASPATI-GRAHA (JUPITER), WHICH IS ALWAYS VERY FAVORABLE FOR QUALIFIED BRĀHMAṆAS. ABOVE BṚHASPATI-GRAHA IS THE PLANET ŚANAIŚCARA (SATURN), WHICH IS VERY INAUSPICIOUS, AND ABOVE SATURN IS A GROUP OF SEVEN STARS OCCUPIED BY GREAT SAINTLY PERSONS WHO ARE ALWAYS THINKING OF THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. THESE SEVEN STARS CIRCUMAMBULATE DHRUVALOKA, WHICH IS THE RESIDENCE OF LORD VIṢṆU WITHIN THIS UNIVERSE.

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IT IS SOMETIMES SAID THAT WHEN ONE IS INFLUENCED BY EVIL STARS LIKE SATURN, RĀHU OR KETU, HE CANNOT MAKE ADVANCEMENT IN ANY PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY. In just the opposite way, Prahlāda Mahārāja was influenced by Kṛṣṇa, the supreme planet, and thus he could not think of the material world and live without Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the sign of a mahā-bhāgavata. Even if one is an enemy of Kṛṣṇa, a mahā-bhāgavata sees him to be also engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service. Another crude example is that everything appears yellow to the jaundiced eye. Similarly, to a mahā-bhāgavata, everyone but himself appears to be engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.

Prahlāda Mahārāja is the approved mahā-bhāgavata, the supreme devotee. In the previous verse it was stated that he had natural attachment (naisargikī ratiḥ). The symptoms of such natural attachment for Kṛṣṇa are described in this verse. Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was only a boy, he had no interest in playing. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.42), viraktir anyatra ca: the symptom of perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that one loses interest in all material activities. For a small boy to give up playing is impossible, but Prahlāda Mahārāja, being situated in first-class devotional service, was always absorbed in a trance of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Just as a materialistic person is always absorbed in thoughts of material gain, a mahā-bhāgavata like Prahlāda Mahārāja is always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa.

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TEXT 8

evaṁ candramā arka-gabhastibhya upariṣṭāl lakṣa-yojanata upalabhyamāno ’rkasya saṁvatsara-bhuktiṁ pakṣābhyāṁ māsa-bhuktiṁ sapādarkṣābhyāṁ dinenaiva pakṣa-bhuktim agracārī drutatara-gamano bhuṅkte.

SYNONYMS

evam—thus; candramā—the moon; arka-gabhastibhyaḥ—from the rays of the sunshine; upariṣṭāt—above; lakṣa-yojanataḥ—by a measurement of 100,000 yojanas; upalabhyamānaḥ—being situated; arkasya—of the sun globe; saṁvatsara-bhuktim—the passage of one year of enjoyment; pakṣābhyām—by two fortnights; māsa-bhuktim—the passage of one month; sapāda-ṛkṣābhyām—by two and a quarter days; dinena—by a day; eva—only; pakṣa-bhuktim—the passage of a fortnight; agracārī—moving impetuously; druta-tara-gamanaḥ—passing more speedily; bhuṅkte—passes through.

TRANSLATION

ABOVE THE RAYS OF THE SUNSHINE BY A DISTANCE OF 100,000 YOJANAS [800,000 MILES] IS THE MOON, WHICH TRAVELS AT A SPEED FASTER THAN THAT OF THE SUN. In two lunar fortnights the moon travels through the equivalent of a saṁvatsara of the sun, in two and a quarter days it passes through a month of the sun, and in one day it passes through a fortnight of the sun.

PURPORT

When we take into account that the moon is 100,000 yojanas, or 800,000 miles, above the rays of the sunshine, it is very surprising that the modern excursions to the moon could be possible. Since the moon is so distant, how space vehicles could go there is a doubtful mystery. Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are uncertain. We have to accept the calculations of the Vedic literature. These Vedic calculations are steady; the astronomical calculations made long ago and recorded in the Vedic literature are correct even now. Whether the Vedic calculations or modern ones are better may remain a mystery for others, but as far as we are concerned, we accept the Vedic calculations to be correct.

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TEXT 20

ayaṁ bhuvo maṇḍalam odayādrer

goptaika-vīro naradeva-nāthaḥ

āsthāya jaitraṁ ratham ātta-cāpaḥ

paryasyate dakṣiṇato yathārkaḥ

SYNONYMS

ayam—this King; bhuvaḥ—of the world; maṇḍalam—the globe; ā-udaya-adreḥ—from the mountain where the first appearance of the sun is visible; goptā—will protect; eka—uniquely; vīraḥ—powerful, heroic; nara-deva—of all kings, gods in human society; nāthaḥ—the master; āsthāya—being situated on; jaitram—victorious; ratham—his chariot; ātta-cāpaḥ—holding the bow; paryasyate—he will circumambulate; dakṣiṇataḥ—from the southern side; yathā—like; arkaḥ—the sun.

TRANSLATION

This King, being uniquely powerful and heroic, will have no competitor. He will travel around the globe on his victorious chariot, holding his invincible bow in his hand and appearing exactly like the sun, which rotates in its own orbit from the south.

PURPORT

IN THIS VERSE THE WORD YATHĀRKAḤ INDICATES THAT THE SUN IS NOT FIXED BUT IS ROTATING IN ITS ORBIT, WHICH IS SET BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. THIS IS CONFIRMED IN THE BRAHMA-SAṀHITĀ AND ALSO IN OTHER PARTS OF ŚRĪMAD-BHĀGAVATAM. IN THE FIFTH CANTO OF ŚRĪMAD-BHĀGAVATAM IT IS STATED THAT THE SUN ROTATES IN ITS OWN ORBIT AT THE RATE OF SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES PER SECOND. Similarly, Brahma-saṁhitā states, yasyājñayā bhramati sambhṛta-kāla-cakraḥ: the sun rotates in its own orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The conclusion is that the sun is not fixed in one place. As far as Pṛthu Mahārāja is concerned, it is indicated that his ruling power would extend all over the world. The Himalaya Mountains, from which the sunrise is first seen, are called udayācala or udayādri. It is herein indicated that Pṛthu Mahārāja’s reign over the world would cover even the Himalaya Mountains and extend to the borders of all oceans and seas. In other words, his reign would cover the entire planet.

Another significant word in this verse is naradeva. As described in previous verses, the qualified king—be he King Pṛthu or any other king who rules over the state as an ideal king—should be understood to be God in human form. According to Vedic culture, the king is honored as the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he represents Nārāyaṇa, who also gives protection to the citizens. He is therefore nātha, or the proprietor. Even Sanātana Gosvāmī gave respect to the Nawab Hussain Shah as naradeva, although the Nawab was Muhammadan. A king or governmental head must therefore be so competent to rule over the state that the citizens will worship him as God in human form. That is the perfectional stage for the head of any government or state.

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TEXT 13

uśanasā budho vyākhyātas tata upariṣṭād dvi-lakṣa-yojanato budhaḥ soma-suta upalabhyamānaḥ prāyeṇa śubha-kṛd yadārkād vyatiricyeta tadātivātābhra-prāyānāvṛṣṭy-ādi-bhayam āśaṁsate.

SYNONYMS

uśanasā—with Venus; budhaḥ—Mercury; vyākhyātaḥ—explained; tataḥ—from that (Venus); upariṣṭāt—above; dvi-lakṣa-yojanataḥ—1,600,000 miles; budhaḥ—Mercury; soma-sutaḥ—the son of the moon; upalabhyamānaḥ—is situated; prāyeṇa—almost always; śubha-kṛt—very auspicious to the inhabitants of the universe; yadā—when; arkāt—from the sun; vyatiricyeta—is separated; tadā—at that time; ativāta—of cyclones and other bad effects; abhra—clouds; prāya—almost always; anāvṛṣṭi-ādi—such as scarcity of rain; bhayam—fearful conditions; āśaṁsate—expands.

TRANSLATION

Mercury is described to be similar to Venus, in that it moves sometimes behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes along with it. It is 1,600,000 miles above Venus, or 7,200,000 miles above earth. MERCURY, WHICH IS THE SON OF THE MOON, IS ALMOST ALWAYS VERY AUSPICIOUS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE UNIVERSE, BUT WHEN IT DOES NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SUN, IT FORBODES CYCLONES, DUST, IRREGULAR RAINFALL, AND WATERLESS CLOUDS. IN THIS WAY IT CREATES FEARFUL CONDITIONS DUE TO INADEQUATE OR EXCESSIVE RAINFALL.

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THIS CHAPTER DESCRIBES THE PLANET RĀHU, WHICH IS 10,000 YOJANAS (80,000 MILES) BELOW THE SUN, AND IT ALSO DESCRIBES ATALA AND THE OTHER LOWER PLANETARY SYSTEMS. RĀHU IS SITUATED BELOW THE SUN AND MOON. IT IS BETWEEN THESE TWO PLANETS AND THE EARTH. WHEN RĀHU CONCEALS THE SUN AND MOON, ECLIPSES OCCUR, EITHER TOTAL OR PARTIAL, DEPENDING ON WHETHER RĀHU MOVES IN A STRAIGHT OR CURVING WAY.

BELOW RĀHU BY ANOTHER 1,000,000 YOJANAS ARE THE PLANETS OF THE SIDDHAS, CĀRAṆAS AND VIDYĀDHARAS, AND BELOW THESE ARE PLANETS SUCH AS YAKṢALOKA AND RAKṢALOKA. BELOW THESE PLANETS IS THE EARTH, AND 70,000 YOJANAS BELOW THE EARTH ARE THE LOWER PLANETARY SYSTEMS—ATALA, VITALA, SUTALA, TALĀTALA, MAHĀTALA, RASĀTALA AND PĀTĀLA. Demons and Rakṣasas live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, always engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births. The sunshine does not reach these planets, but they are illuminated by jewels fixed upon the hoods of snakes. Because of these shining gems there is practically no darkness. Those living in these planets do not become old or diseased, and they are not afraid of death from any cause but the time factor, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In the planet Atala, the yawning of a demon has produced three kinds of women, called svairiṇī (independent), kāmiṇī (lusty) and puṁścalī (very easily subdued by men). Below Atala is the planet Vitala, wherein Lord Śiva and his wife Gaurī reside. Because of their presence, a kind of gold is produced called hāṭaka. Below Vitala is the planet Sutala, the abode of Bali Mahārāja, the most fortunate king. Bali Mahārāja was favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāmanadeva, because of his intense devotional service. The Lord went to the sacrificial arena of Bali Mahārāja and begged him for three paces of land, and on this plea the Lord took from him all his possessions. When Bali Mahārāja agreed to all this, the Lord was very pleased, and therefore the Lord serves as his doorkeeper. The description of Bali Mahārāja appears in the Eighth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead offers a devotee material happiness, this is not His real favor. The demigods, who are very puffed up by their material opulence, pray to the Lord only for material happiness, not knowing anything better. Devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja, however, do not want material happiness. Not to speak of material happiness, they do not want even liberation from material bondage, although one can achieve this liberation simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, even with improper pronunciation.

Below Sutala is the planet Talātala, the abode of the demon Maya. This demon is always materially happy because he is favored by Lord Śiva, but he cannot achieve spiritual happiness at any time. Below Talātala is the planet Mahātala, where there are many snakes with hundreds and thousands of hoods. Below Mahātala is Rasātala, and below that is Pātāla, where the serpent Vasukī lives with his associates.

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721012BG.MAN

So dhīras tatra na muhyati, now you can say, “I cannot see how my father has passed from this body to another body.” That you have to know from the śāstra. You do not know so many things. But if you read books, authorized books, then you understand, things are there. The same example that you do not know how big the sun planet is. BUT WHEN YOU READ BOOKS, SCIENTIFIC BOOKS, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS FOURTEEN HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES BIGGER THAN THIS EARTH. Similarly, if you are in knowledge, then you can understand where your father has gone. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā:

ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti sattva-sthā
madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ
jaghanya-guṇa-vṛtti-sthā
adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ
[Bg. 14.18]

Ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti sattva-sthā, those who are situated in brahminical qualification, goodness, modes of goodness, they are promoted to the higher planetary system. You are, at the modern times, they are trying to go to the higher planetary system by the machine. It is not possible. But if you place yourself in the modes of goodness, you can go to any higher planetary system up to Brahmaloka. Ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti sattva-sthā [Bg. 14.18]. There are three planetary systems, triloki: the higher planetary system, the middle planetary system, and the lower planetary system. So we are at the present moment Bhūrloka, Bhūrloka, middle planetary system. Above this there is Bhuvarloka. Above that there is Svarloka, there is Janaloka, there is Tapoloka, there is Maharloka, there is Satyaloka, there is Siddhaloka, there is Brahmaloka. What do they know, the modern astronomers? They do not know anything. They do not know what is there in the moon planet, they do not know what is there in the sun planet, in the Venus—nothing. Still they are going on very much proud.

But if you read Vedas, you get all the information of the universe. Not only this universe—beyond the universe. Beyond the universe. Paras tasmāt tu bhāvo ‘nyo ‘vyakto ‘vyaktāt sanātanaḥ [Bg. 8.20]. There is another nature, which is never annihilated. In this material nature, everything is annihilated. Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate [Bg. 8.19]. Here, just like your body is produced at a certain date by the father and mother, and it will be finished at a certain date, similarly, this whole cosmic manifestation, this material world, innumerable universes, they have been produced at a certain date and they will be finished at a certain date. Everything will be finished. But there is another nature, where the planets are everlasting. They are called Vaikuṇṭhaloka.

 

TEXT 2

yad adas taraṇer maṇḍalaṁ pratapatas tad vistarato yojanāyutam ācakṣate dvādaśa-sahasraṁ somasya trayodaśa-sahasraṁ rāhor yaḥ parvaṇi tad-vyavadhāna-kṛd vairānubandhaḥ sūryā-candramasāv abhidhāvati.

SYNONYMS

yat—which; adaḥ—that; taraṇeḥ—of the sun; maṇḍalam—globe; pratapataḥ—which is always distributing heat; tat—that; vistarataḥ—in terms of width; yojana—a distance of eight miles; ayutam—ten thousand; ācakṣate—they estimate; dvādaśa-sahasram—20,000 yojanas (160,000 miles); somasya—of the moon; trayodaśa—thirty; sahasram—one thousand; rāhoḥ—of the planet Rāhu; yaḥ—which; parvaṇi—on occasion; tat-vyavadhāna-kṛt—who created an obstruction to the sun and moon at the time of the distribution of nectar; vaira-anubandhaḥ—whose intentions are inimical; sūryā—the sun; candramasau—and the moon; abhidhāvati—runs after them on the full-moon night and the dark-moon day.

TRANSLATION

The sun globe, which is a source of heat, extends for 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. The moon extends for 20,000 yojanas [160,000 miles], and Rāhu extends for 30,000 yojanas [240,000 miles]. Formerly, when nectar was being distributed, Rāhu tried to create dissension between the sun and moon by interposing himself between them. Rāhu is inimical toward both the sun and the moon, and therefore he always tries to cover the sunshine and moonshine on the dark-moon day and full-moon night.

PURPORT

As stated herein, the sun extends for 10,000 yojanas, and the moon extends for twice that, or 20,000 yojanas. The word dvādaśa should be understood to mean twice as much as ten, or twenty. In the opinion of Vijayadhvaja, the extent of Rāhu should be twice that of the moon, or text of the Bhāgavatam, Vijayadhvaja cites the following quotation concerning Rāhu; rāhu-soma-ravīṇāṁ tu maṇḍalā dvi-guṇoktitām. THIS MEANS THAT RĀHU IS TWICE AS LARGE AS THE MOON, WHICH IS TWICE AS LARGE AS THE SUN. THIS IS THE CONCLUSION OF THE COMMENTATOR VIJAYADHVAJA.

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TEXT 3

tan niśamyobhayatrāpi bhagavatā rakṣaṇāya prayuktaṁ sudarśanaṁ nāma bhāgavataṁ dayitam astraṁ tat tejasā durviṣahaṁ muhuḥ parivartamānam abhyavasthito muhūrtam udvijamānaś cakita-hṛdaya ārād eva nivartate tad uparāgam iti vadanti lokāḥ.

SYNONYMS

tat—that situation; niśamya—hearing; ubhayatra—around both the sun and moon; api—indeed; bhagavatā—by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; rakṣaṇāya—for their protection; prayuktam—engaged; sudarśanam—the wheel of Kṛṣṇa; nāma—named; bhāgavatam—the most confidential devotee; dayitam—the most favorite; astram—weapon; tat—that; tejasā—by its effulgence; durviṣaham—unbearable heat; muhuḥ—repeatedly; parivartamānam—moving around the sun and moon; abhyavasthitaḥ—situated; muhūrtam—for a muhūrta (forty-eight minutes); udvijamānaḥ—whose mind was full of anxieties; cakita—frightened; hṛdayaḥ—the core of whose heart; ārāt—to a distant place; eva—certainly; nivartate—flees; tat—that situation; uparāgam—an eclipse; iti—thus; vadanti—they say; lokāḥ—the people.

TRANSLATION

After hearing from the sun and moon demigods about Rāhu’s attack, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, engages His disc, known as the Sudarśana cakra, to protect them. The Sudarśana cakra is the Lord’s most beloved devotee and is favored by the Lord. The intense heat of its effulgence, meant for killing non-Vaiṣṇavas, is unbearable to Rāhu, and he therefore flees in fear of it. During the time Rāhu disturbs the sun or moon, there occurs what people commonly know as an eclipse.

PURPORT

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is always the protector of His devotees, who are also known as demigods. The controlling demigods are most obedient to Lord Viṣṇu, although they also want material sense enjoyment, and that is why they are called demigods, or almost godly. Although Rāhu attempts to attack both the sun and the moon, they are protected by Lord Viṣṇu. Being very afraid of Lord Viṣṇu’s cakra, Rāhu cannot stay in front of the sun or moon for more than a muhūrta (forty-eight minutes). The phenomenon that occurs when Rāhu blocks the light of the sun or moon is called an eclipse. The attempt of the scientists of this earth to go to the moon is as demoniac as Rāhu’s attack. Of course. their attempts will be failures because no one can enter the moon or sun so easily. Like the attack of Rāhu, such attempts will certainly be failures.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/5/24/3

 

Note: to recap, this earth PLANET(Jambudvipa) is part of BHU MANDAL (ie IN A GROUP OR CIRCLE of EARTHY planets). HOWEVER there are other planets that are NOT EARTHLY.

 

November 14, 1976

Deputy Secretary, 14 November, 1976
Krishna Balarama Mandir
Chattikara Road
Vrindaban, U.P.

Subject: The Times of India Article of November 7th 1976 concerning your paper on the Puranic theory of evolution.

Dear Sir,

The abovementioned International Society for Krishna Consciousness has published within the last ten years English translations of the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam (Maha-purana), Caitanya Caritamrta, Isopanisad and many other volumes of India’s most ancient Vedic cultural heritage, which are now translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, etc. and which are being purchased by the millions all over the world.

Now, here in India, we are planning construction of a very large “Vedic Planetarium” or “Temple of Understanding”. Within the planetarium we will construct a huge, detailed model of the universe as described in the text of the fifth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Within the planetarium the model will be studied by onlookers from different levels by use of escalators. Detailed information will be given on open verandas at the different levels by means of dioramas, charts, films, etc.

The planetarium is planned to be approximately 400 feet high and will have floor space of approximately 90,000 sq. ft. The model will depict: (from bottom to top)

1) The lower planetary system (pataladi-saptaloka)
2) THE EARTHLY SYSTEM (BHU-MANDALA with Sumeru in center, SEVEN ISLANDS (SAPTADVIPA), seven oceans (sapta-samudra), Manosattara Parvata, Lokaloka Parvata, Alokavarsa.
3) The Bhuvarloka (Siddha-caranadi-loka)
4) The upper planetary system (Svarga loka) beginning from the Sun, showing with electrial apparatus both its horizontal and vertical rotations, Rahu, the Moon, the Naksatras, the other seven planets ending with Saturn (Saniscara), the Saptarsis, and Dhruvaloka with Ksirodakasayi Visnu on the Ksirodaka ocean.
5) Maharloka
6) Janaloka
7) Tapoloka
8) Satyaloka
9) Garbhodakasayi Visnu lying on Sesanaga on the Garbhodaka ocean
10) The seven coverings of the universe
11) Sivaloka
12) Karanarnavasayi visnu lying on the Karana-samudra
13) Impersonal brahmajyoti
14) Vaikunthaloka with the various Visnumurtis
15) Goloka Vrndavana

This model (approximately 200 feet high and 100 feet wide) will be engineered to suspend from the structure of the dome and rotate according to the real movement of the planets. The plans for this very large project are being taken solely from the references found in fifth canto Srimad Bhagavatam and its authoritative commentaries by important acaryas, along with other Puranas and Samhitas like Brahma-samhita etc.

As you can appreciate, the work involved in this project will be gigantic and the advice of many experts from all fields will be needed to make it come out successful. It will be a glorious exhibition of India’s Vedic culture that will attract visitors from all the world. I am inquisitive to know how you can help us with this project, as I know you are an expert in the field of Puranic astronomy. Hoping to hear from you in the near future.

Faithfully yours,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/jda

reply c/o:
Saurabh Das
Hare Krishan Land
Gandhi Gram Rd.
Juhu, Bombay 400049

 

Note: Here, the SEVEN ISLANDS (DVIPAS) are PLANETS not “Earth landscape or so-called Flat Earth”. The Khandas are different PARTS of Jambudvipa:

“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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Note: Sapta means seven. Sometimes the word “sapta” reference is given to the SEVEN CONTINENTS of this EARTH. The word “sapta” ALSO refers sometimes to the Bhu mandala SEVEN PLANETS which includes Jambudvipa PLANET. The word BHU refers to EARTH. The word MANDALA refers to group:

“Seated on His chariot with Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa began to proceed north, crossing over many planetary systems. THESE ARE DESCRIBED IN THE ŚRĪMAD-BHĀGAVATAM AS SAPTA–DVĪPA. Dvīpa means island. ALL THESE PLANETS are sometimes described in the Vedic literature as dvipas. THE PLANET ON WHICH WE ARE LIVING IS CALLED JAMBŪDVĪPA. Outer space is taken as a great ocean of air, and within that great ocean of air there are many islands, which are the different planets. IN EACH AND EVERY PLANET THERE ARE OCEANS ALSO. In some of the PLANETS, the oceans are of salt water, and in some of them there are oceans of milk. In others there are oceans of liquor, and in others there are oceans of ghee or oil. There are different kinds of mountains also. Each and every planet has a different type of atmosphere.”

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/kb/2/34

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TEXT 5

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.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/5/16/5

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Note: the Bhu mandala has EARTHY planets. There are other planets that have different composition and the residents that live there have suitable bodies according to the planets atmosphere.

661012BG.NY

Just like in this planet you have got so many personalities, similarly, according to Vedic literature, we understand in the sun planet also there are varieties of living entities, but their bodies are made of fire. As our body is made of earth, similarly, their bodies are made of fire. THERE ARE FIVE ELEMENTS IN THE MATERIAL NATURE: EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR, AND ETHER. SO IN DIFFERENT PLANETS, THERE ARE DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES AND DIFFERENT BODIES ALSO. Don’t think that each and every planet of the same quality. No. Same quality in the sense because these five elements are present there. Without these five elements, no material thing exists. SO SOMEWHERE THE FIRE IS PROMINENT. SOMEWHERE THE AIR IS PROMINENT. SOMEWHERE WATER IS PROMINENT. SOMEWHERE EARTH IS PROMINENT. SO IN THIS PLANET, OR IN SOME OTHER EARTHLY PLANET, EARTH IS PREDOMINANT. Similarly, there are other planets also. So don’t think that other planets are vacant. No.

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731217mw.la

Rūpānuga: They say that “Life as we know it here does not exist.” Human life.

Prabhupāda: No, how you can say so? The condition is the same. EVERY PLANET IS MADE OF EARTH, WATER, AIR, FIRE, THE FIVE ELEMENTS. SO IF UNDER THESE CONDITION THERE ARE LIVING ENTITIES IN THIS PLANET, WHY NOT IN THAT CONDITION LIVING ENTITIES IN OTHER PLANETS? THAT IS THEIR IGNORANCE. THAT IS THEIR BLUFF. THE DIFFERENT CONDITION OF THE PLANETS IS THAT SOME PLANET IS FIERY, SOME PLANET IS GASEOUS, SOME PLANET IS WATERY. THAT MAY BE, BUT AFTER ALL, THEY ARE MADE OF THESE FIVE ELEMENTS. AND EACH ELEMENT, WE FIND THERE IS LIVING ENTITY. So it may be mixture or pure, there must be living entities. And in Bhagavad-gītā it is said sarva–ga. Even in the fire there is living entities. And why not? If living entities can stay in water, why not in fire?

Rūpānuga: On the sun planet.

Prabhupāda: Oh yes. There are also living entities. They are very glowing, fiery. Therefore the whole sun planet is glowing.

760325BG.DEL

The sun is also one of the planets, and there are living entities. Otherwise how Kṛṣṇa could go there and speak the predominating person, Vivasvān? The name of the person is also given, imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam [Bg. 4.1]. And vivasvān manave prāha. Vivasvān, the sun-god… BECAUSE IN THE HIGHER PLANETARY SYSTEM THE SUN PLANET, MOON PLANET, AND MANY, MANY OTHER PLANETS, THEY ARE CALLED THE HEAVENLY PLANETS. THE INHABITANTS OF THOSE PLANETS ARE VERY OPULENT. THE MATERIAL HAPPINESS AVAILABLE IN THOSE PLANETS ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSAND TIMES BETTER THAN IN THIS PLANET. SO IT IS CONFIRMED IN THE BHAGAVAD-GĪTĀ THAT SUN PLANET IS ALSO INHABITED BY LIVING BEINGS. BUT THEIR BODY IS MADE OF FIRE. That is the difference. Just like here our body is made of earth. Earth, air… Earth, water, air, fire, ether—these are the five material elements. IN SOME PLANET THE EARTH IS PROMINENT; IN SOME PLANET THE WATER IS PROMINENT; IN OTHER PLANET THE FIRE IS PROMINENT. So this is the creation of God, different varieties.

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681226iv.la

Prabhupāda: Everything is different. You require different type of body to live there, to go there. Just like if you want to live within the water, this body will not be suitable. But the fish, it has got a type of body, they live very peacefully. Similarly, the residents of moon planet, they are meant for living there. You cannot go and live there, abruptly. That is not possible.

Hayagrīva: Swamiji? Are there people living on the moon now or were they in other yugas living there? Are they in this yuga living there?

Prabhupāda: No, they’re still living there. Yes. As we are living here, they are living there. Yes.

Reporter: And how would you describe these people that live there? Would they be invisible to us or visible?

Prabhupāda: ALMOST INVISIBLE, YES.

Hayagrīva: Spiritual body.

Prabhupāda: Not spiritual. That is also material.

Hayagrīva: Like ghost bodies? Subtle bodies?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

750508rc.per

Prabhupāda: I have given the example. Just like this sunshine is coming from the sun globe. Within the sun globe there is the president of the planet. Just like here on this planet you have got some president. Here there are many presidents, because it is hodgepodge, chaotic. But there everything is systematic. THERE IS ONE PERSON, HIS NAME IS VIVASVĀN. HE’S THE PREDOMINATING DEITY. KṚṢṆA WENT TO SEE HIM AND TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT BHAGAVAD-GĪTĀ. HE’S A PERSON, AND THERE THE PEOPLE, THEY ARE ALSO PERSONS. JUST LIKE IN THIS PLANET. BUT HERE THE BODY IS PREDOMINANTLY MADE OF EARTH, AND THERE THE BODY IS PREDOMINANTLY OF FIRE. THEREFORE IT IS SO GLOWING. THE GLOWING TEMPERATURE, HEAT AND LIGHT, IS COMING FROM THE PERSON, THEIR BODY IS MADE OF GLOWING HEAT OR FIRE. There are five material elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. IN SOME PLANET THE EARTH IS PROMINENT, IN SOME PLANET THE WATER IS PROMINENT, IN SOME PLANETS THE FIRE IS PROMINENT. SO THE SUN PLANET IS PROMINENT WITH FIRE. THERE THE BODIES MADE OF THE INHABITANTS THERE ARE FIRE. So all the combination of the fiery effulgence is the heat of the sun globe and that is being distributed. It is in the (indistinct). You can see and realize. Everything is there. If you study nature you will get everything. (end)

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1975/may/with_kim_cornish/perth/may/08/1975

Further readings:

Moon

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43400#comments

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ALL THE PLANETS AND THE UNIVERSES, THEY ARE EGG SHAPED

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=48520

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THIS EARTHY PLANET IS CALLED VASUDHĀ.

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=50351

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JUST LIKE THE EARTH HAS ITS ORBIT—IT IS ROTATING—SIMILARLY, EVERY PLANET IS ROTATING

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=48862#comment-52095

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Stationary Earth?

The difference between SPIN and ROTATE

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=49124#comment-52172

 

(by Mahesh Raja)