Friday, February 15, 2019

We are deep inside a larger Universe made of 7 material layers. That larger material Universe is called a Brahmanda that surrounds and encases our small universe in its middle.

Understanding our Brahmanda that surrounds and encases our small universe that is deep inside it.



Srimad Bhagavatam says there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes all coming from Maha Vishnu.

However, deep inside each of these Brahmanda universe is a smaller secondary universe, some of these secondary universes inside their Brahmanda are only 4 billion miles in diameter like ours.

Our "4 billion miles (500,000,000 Yojanas)" diameter of our universe with its 14 planetary systems is one of the smallest

Srila Prabhupada - ''We have to imagine that these universes (Brahmandas), which according to our limited knowledge are expanded unlimitedly, are so great that the "gross and subtle ingredients"—the five elements of the cosmic manifestation, namely earth, water, fire, air and sky, along with the total material energy and false ego—are not only within the universe but cover the universe in seven layers, each layer ten times bigger than the previous one.

In this way, each and every universe is very securely packed, and there are numberless universes. All these universes float within the innumerable pores of the transcendental body of Mahā-Viṣṇu.

It is stated that just as the atoms and particles of dust are floating within the air along with the birds and their number cannot be calculated, so innumerable universes are floating within the pores of the transcendental body of the Lord. For this reason, the Vedas say that God is beyond the grasp of our knowledge. '' Krsna Book 87

We CANNOT see from one universe to another, this is because our individual universe is surrounded and encased by 7 thick material layers that is our outer egg shaped universe called a Brahmanda.

So it is impossible to see the millions of other Brahmandas outside our inner universe (inside a massive Brahmanda) because of being surrounded by 7 thick material layers that only rare mystic yogis and advanced devotees like Arjuna can see and pass through.

So of course Krishna and Arjuna did not encounter such limitations we experience by the combination of these elements like earth, water, fire all gross elements as Bhagavad Gita explains.

Srila Prabhupada - ''The Lord is not visible to the eyes of ordinary men, those who are beyond the covering layers because of their transcendental devotional service can still see Him''. Krsna Book 87

We cannot see through our Brahmanda that surrounds and encases our small universe, Srila Prabhupada is clear on this

Srila Prabhupada - ''Lord Krishna and Arjuna crossed over the great region of darkness covering the material universes. Arjuna then saw the effulgence of light known as the brahmajyoti. The brahmajyoti is situated ''outside the covering of the material universes'', and because it cannot be seen with our present eyes, this brahmajyoti is sometimes called avyakta''. Krsna Book, 89

Srila Prabhupada - ''Each universe is covered by various layers of material elements (The 7 layers of the outer Brahmanda covering), and therefore although the universes are clustered together, we CANNOT see from one universe to another. In other words, whatever we see is within this one universe. In each universe there is one Lord Brahmā, and there are other demigods on other planets, but there is only one sun''.- Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapter 21 Text 11, Purport:

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37

''Every universe is covered by seven layers—earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego—each ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta]''.

PURPORT

This verse describes the coverings of the universe (saptabhir daśa-guṇottarair aṇḍa-kośaḥ).

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,
the seventh is the false ego.

Beginning with the covering of earth, each covering is ten times greater than the previous one. Thus we can only imagine how great each universe is, and there are many millions of universes.

As confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (BG 10.42):

athavā bahunaitena
kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna
viṣṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛtsnam
ekāṁśena sthito jagat

"But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe."

The entire material world manifests only one fourth of the Supreme Lord's energy. Therefore He is called ananta''.

3 comments:

  1. @ Gauragopala dasa. Would it be acceptable to say that the sixth covering of the universe would include ether, mind and intelligence, knowing that "the total material energy" in its basic representation is described as being made up of eight material elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego? 🌷 Hare Kṛṣṇa 🌷

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  2. @ Gauragopala dasa. Did you notice the eight elements illustrated in the colored ribbons representing the coverings of the universe, in the first art rendering (above)? This artistic rendering denotes eight coverings over our hollow universe - outwardly: earth, water, fire, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. Is it seven or eight coverings? Maybe the answer is both!? 🌷 Hare Kṛṣṇa 🌷

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    Replies
    1. Some places in sastra it says 8 material coverings, some places say 7 and a quote below suggests 9. Like you are doing prabhu, I am still studying all these different layers of material 'qualities'

      However, all past Acharays seem to agree on 7 layers, others mentioned seem to be part of one of those 7 layers.

      Srila Prabhupada - ''You have inquired about how we leave our body and enter into the Spiritual Sky. This information is very nicely explained in the Second Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Chapter.

      The idea is that this universe is just like a coconut fruit, and exactly like the coconut fruit there is covering of several layers.

      Each layer is said to be ten times more than the other. So when a living entity is eligible and fully prepared to enter into the Spiritual Sky, he merges his different bodily elements which are called earth, fire, water, air, and ether.

      In those covering layers these bodily elements return, and the living entity goes back to the Spiritual Sky.

      Pure devotees do not desire to enter into any one of the higher planetary systems of this universe. Sometimes mystic yogis are interested to see the higher planetary systems, and before entering into the Spiritual Sky, they take advantage of seeing the higher planetary systems.

      But a pure devotee is so much eager to enter back into the Spiritual Sky, especially devotees of Krishna, so they do not try even to enter into the Vaikuntha Lokas.

      Everything depends on the intense desire of the living entity, and Krishna gives all facilities for fulfilling such desires.

      So far as we are concerned, we should always be very much eager to directly contact Krishna, following the Footprints of Lord Caitanya.

      And as you are Vrndavanesvari, you should always pray to Srimati Radharani to engage yourself in Her Service. That will be the fulfillment of your life''. Letter to Vrndavanesvari -- Allston, Mass 26 April, 1969

      Srila Prabhupada - ''Regarding your questions, matter originally is spirit and when spirit is not distinctly understood, that is matter.

      Just like a tree is also a manifestation of spirit soul, but the consciousness is covered. When the tree is cut, it does not protest. But the moving entity has stronger consciousness than the tree. There is consciousness in the tree though.

      Also consciousness in a dormant state is matter; consciousness in a completely developed state is spirit.

      Matter is the symbol of undeveloped consciousness.

      Thinking is a subtle form of matter. Just like it says in Bhagavad-gita: "bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh . . . (BG 7.4)." Like the ether is subtle, the mind is more subtle—subtle form of matter.

      As for your third question is concerned everything is in the spiritual world. Krishna is the sum total of spirit and everything is coming from Him. Aham sarvasya prabhavo . . . (BG 10.8).

      Matter, spirit, everything comes from Him. He is the supreme life, the origin of spirit and life. Therefore matter emanates from life. Nityo nityanam . . . He is the Supreme Consciousness of all other consciousness''. Letter to Madhava -- Mayapur 17 February, 1976

      Srila Prabhupada - ''The five gross elements are earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The four subtle elements are mind, ego, intelligence, and consciousness. Above these is the soul, and above the soul is the Supersoul''. Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1969

      Devotees of Krishna should not even desire to enter the Vaikuntha Loka Planets Prabhupada also says above, interesting comment

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