Describing the Universe - The Structure of the Material World
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the material universe is a complex, multidimensional creation that cannot be fully understood through mental speculation. Through the eyes of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we can understand the precise measurements, locations, and purposes of the various planetary systems.
Dimensions and Universal Coverings
The material universe is described as a massive egglike structure surrounded by seven specific layers. These coverings, beginning with earth and ending with false ego, create a boundary that separates the material world from the transcendental spiritual sky.
- This verse (SB 6.16.37) describes the coverings of the universe. The first covering is earth, the second is water, the third is fire, the fourth is air, the fifth is sky, the sixth is the total material energy, and the seventh is the false ego.
- It is also stated (SB 3.26.52) that this description is of only one egglike universe. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and some of them are many, many times greater.
- The Vaikuntha planets begin 26,200,000 yojanas (209,600,000 miles) above Satyaloka. Thus the Visnu Purana describes that the covering of the universe is 260,000,000 yojanas (2,080,000,000 miles) away from the sun.
- The material world is only one fourth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's creation, but it is unlimited and impossible for anyone to know or describe, even with the qualification of a life as long as that of Brahma, who lives for millions and millions of years.
Diverse Planetary Systems and Inhabitants
Within the universe, there are innumerable planets, ranging from the topmost Satyaloka to the lower systems. Every planet is endowed with a particular atmosphere (vibhūti-bhinna), and the living entities there possess bodies specifically adapted to those environments.
- Adaptability of an organism to different varieties of planets is described in the Brahma-samhita as vibhuti-bhinnam; i.e., each and every one of the innumerable planets within the universe is endowed with a particular type of atmosphere.
- Beginning from Satyaloka, the topmost planet of the universe, situated just below the eternal Brahmaloka, as described above (SB 2.5.40-41), all the planets are material.
- Seated on His chariot with Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa proceeded north, crossing over many planetary systems. These are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam as sapta-dvipa. Dvipa means "island." These planets are sometimes described in the Vedic literature as dvipas.
- The word uraga indicates that there are planets of enormous serpents. Such a description of the various planets of the universe may challenge modern scientists who think that all planets but this earth are vacant.
Orbits and the Nature of Celestial Bodies
The movements of the sun, moon, and planets like Mercury and Venus follow specific orbits that influence the conditions of life throughout the universe. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the spiritual importance of these celestial bodies, such as the moon's role in providing nourishment for vegetation.
- In this chapter (of the Srimad-Bhagavatam) 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.
- Modern so-called scientists, who do not fully understand the moon, describe the moon as being full of deserts. Since the moon is the source for our vegetation, how can the moon be a desert?
- 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.
- Here (SB 3.23.43) is the example of a perfect yogi; he (Kardama Muni) could travel all over the universe. Similarly, there is a description of Durvasa Muni, who also traveled in space. Actually, the perfect yogi can do that.
The Material World and the Spiritual Sky
The material universe is described as a place of darkness, representing only a small portion of the entire creation. Beyond the dark coverings of the universe lies the spiritual sky, or tripād-vibhūti, which contains the eternal, self-effulgent planets of the kingdom of God.
- Kṛṣṇa passed over all these planets and reached the covering of the universe. This covering is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam as great darkness. The material world as a whole is described as dark.
- The kingdom of God, or the atmosphere of the Vaikuntha nature, which is called the tripad-vibhuti, is three times bigger than the material universes and is described here, as also in the Bhagavad-gita, in a nutshell.
- Srila Sridhara Svami rightly commenting on this verse (SB 2.5.39), says that the Brahmaloka mentioned here is Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God, which is sanatana, or eternal, and is not exactly like the material creations described above.
- This universe is fully described in the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. You will see it, where, which planet, where it is situated, what is the dimension, what kind of people live there. Everything is there. Similarly, there are descriptions of the hellish planets.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s descriptions of the universe illuminate the vastness and order of the material creation as a manifestation of the Lord’s external energy. By understanding the layered coverings, the specific atmospheres of the planetary systems, and the orbits of celestial bodies, we can appreciate the perfect design of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, by recognizing the material world as a dark and limited space representing only one-fourth of the total creation, the conditioned soul is encouraged to look toward the eternal, effulgent realm of Vaikuṇṭha, which remains free from the influence of material time and space.
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