All these massive Brahmandas that cover and encase their inner smaller single Universe, originate from the Body of Maha Vishnu.
Our small single Bhu-Mandala Universe, with its 14 planetary Systems that is deep inside one of them, is 4 billion miles (500,000,000 Yojanas) in diameter.
Sadaputa dasa ACBSP (Richard L. Thompson) earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University. He is the author of several books on Vedic Cosmology explain what Bhu-Mandala is-
''In the Bhagavatam, Bhu Mandala—the “earth mandala” (not to be confused with our small earth globe), is a disk 500 million yojanas in diameter.
Our small Earth global round sphere is only 24,901 miles in circumference and is 7,917.5 miles in diameter.
Therefore our small Earth globe is NOT Bhu-Mandala that is described in Srimad Bhagavatam as 500 million yojanas in diameter (4 billion miles in diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference).
A yojana is a unit of distance about 8 miles long, and so the diameter of Bhu Mandala is about 4 billion miles which is the size of our single universe.
Bhu Mandala is marked by circular features designated as islands (Dvipas that can also mean planets) and oceans.
Srila Prabhupada -"The "planets" are called "dvīpas". 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" (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 20.218, Purport)
Bhu-Mandala is far too big to be our small earth globe.
Our small single universe with its 14 planetary Systems would therefore fit in the circumference of Bhu-Mandala. (4 billion miles (500,000,000 Yojanas) diameter)
Of course, Bhu Mandala is earth centered. Its innermost island, Jambudvipa, contains Bharata-varsha, which Srila Prabhupada has repeatedly identified as the planet earth''. (End of quote)
The first covering of our universe's shell (Brahmanda) that surrounds and encases our single universe, is EARTH (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37)
In most references in Bhagavatam, it is said the ''Earth covering encasement'' is the first layer of our single universe's surrounding Brahmanda shell.
There are billions of these Brahmanda greater Egg shaped universal shells, each with a smaller single universe of planetary systems deep within it. All Brahmanda's originates from the Body of Maha Vishnu as seen in photo.
Although Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 Text 52 says water is the first layer.
However MOST references say the seven layers of the Brahmanda our single universe is deep within, begins with Earth.
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).
1 - The first covering is EARTH,
2 - the second is WATER,
3 - the third is FIRE,
4 - the fourth is AIR,
5 - the fifth is SKY,
6 - the sixth is the TOTAL MATERIAL ENERGY (MAHAT TATTVA),
7 - 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". (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37)
Srila Prabhupada - ''The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, is called avyakta. Then, when it is agitated by the glance of the Supreme Lord, the three modes of material nature acts. And by interaction of these three modes of material nature, the whole cosmic manifestation comes into being''. (Lecture on SB 1.2.33 -- Vrndavana, November 12, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - ''So actually, there are twenty-six different elements which is conducting this material world. Etat kṣetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛtam. Kṣetra means this body. Either you take this body or this material world, they are interaction of these twenty-four elements.
Either you take the gigantic body of this universe or you take the body of this planet or you take this your body, my body, or a cat's body, dog's body, all these bodies, they are formed of these twenty-four elements, sa-vikāram, by action and reaction.
Just like chemically, if you mix one chemical with another chemical, a third element is produced, similarly, originally the reservation of all these elements is called mahat-tattva. It is called pradhāna, upadhāna.
So gradually they manifest, they divide by three guṇas. Three guṇas means in the mahat-tattva, in the total material reservoir, three guṇas, three modes of nature, first of all appear and they act with one another, and then gradually, one after another, the twenty-four elements become manifested. Etat kṣetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛtam. (Lecture on BG 13.6-7 -- Montreal, October 25, 1968)
Srila Prabhupada - ''So mahat-tattva, the total material energy, and six, five elements, sixteen, sixteen, ṣoḍaśa-kalam.
What are those?
The five elements, namely, earth, water, fire, air, and sense objects and senses and the spirit soul. In this way, sixteen. And from sixteen, it expands to twenty-four. That is the explanation of our Vedic creation. Ṣoḍaśa-kalam. (Lecture on SB 1.3.1 -- Vrndavana, November 14, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada - ''The total energy of material creation is called mahat-tattva or pradhāna. Then, when the mahat-tattva is agitated by the three guṇas, then they become divided into twenty-four elements. (Lecture on SB 3.26.11-14 -- Bombay, December 23, 1974)
Srila Prabhupada - ''That mahat-tattva is above this universe, above the sky. Above the sky there are seven layers. Each layer is ten times more than the other layer. In this way, that is called mahat-tattva. Total material elements, they are stocked there. And then these varieties take place. And above that mahat-tattva, there is spiritual world. (Lecture on SB 3.26.10 -- Bombay, December 22, 1974)
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 is only one fourth of the Supreme Lord's energy. Therefore He is called ananta''.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 Purport-
Srila Prabhupada - ''The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.
Then the outer covering known as the ''Brahmanda shell'' begins.
The first covering of EARTH is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego 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." (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 Purport)
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43-
Srila Prabhupada - "The first layer is of EARTH, and it is ten times greater in size than the space within the universe;
The second layer is WATER, and that is ten times greater than the earthly layer;
The third covering is FIRE, which is ten times greater than the water covering. In this way each layer is ten times greater than the previous one''.(Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43)
Srimad Bhagavatam says there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha Vishnu making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky) that also house their own inner universe.
All smaller universes inside their Brahmandas are of different sizes, some, like ours, are only 4 billion miles in diameter.
The "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 shell 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 those 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 that we experience with 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 make up the outer Brahmanda covering beginning with Earth, then water, then fire, then air, then sky, then total material energy or mahat tattva, then false ego), 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)
In the purport in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28-
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 or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.
Then the outer covering, known as the Brahmanda shell begins.
The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego 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."
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37
kṣity-ādibhir eṣa kilāvṛtaḥ
saptabhir daśa-guṇottarair aṇḍa-kośaḥ
yatra pataty aṇu-kalpaḥ
sahāṇḍa-koṭi-koṭibhis tad anantaḥ
Synonyms:
kṣiti-ādibhiḥ — by the ingredients of the material world, headed by earth; eṣaḥ — this; kila — indeed; āvṛtaḥ — covered; saptabhiḥ — seven; daśa-guṇa-uttaraiḥ — each ten times more than the previous one; aṇḍa-kośaḥ — egg-shaped universe; yatra — in whom; patati — falls; aṇu-kalpaḥ — like a minute atom; saha — with; aṇḍa-koṭi-koṭibhiḥ — millions of such universes; tat — therefore; anantaḥ — (You are called) unlimited.
Translation:
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:
The Brahma-saṁhitā (5.48) says:
yasyaika-niśvasita-kālam athāvalambya
jīvanti loma-vilajā jagad-aṇḍa-nāthāḥ
viṣṇur mahān sa iha yasya kalā-viśeṣo
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
The origin of the material creation is Mahā-Viṣṇu, who lies in the Causal Ocean. While He sleeps in that ocean, millions of universes are generated as He exhales, and they are all annihilated when He inhales.
This Mahā-Viṣṇu is a plenary portion of a portion of Viṣṇu, Govinda (yasya kalā-viśeṣaḥ). The word kalā refers to a plenary portion of a plenary portion.
From Kṛṣṇa, or Govinda, comes Balarāma; from Balarāma comes Saṅkarṣaṇa; from Saṅkarṣaṇa, Nārāyaṇa; from Nārāyaṇa, the second Saṅkarṣaṇa; from the second Saṅkarṣaṇa, Mahā-Viṣṇu; from Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu; and from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu controls every universe.
This gives an idea of the meaning of ananta, unlimited. What is to be said of the unlimited potency and existence of the Lord? 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, and 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 (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. (End of Purport)
Is the first layer of our outer Brahmanda shell Earth or water?
There is some passages in Bhagavatam that says the first layer is earth and other places it says the first layer is water.
Srila Prabhupada says there are 7 layers that make up our outer Brahmanda shell that surrounds our single universe that is deep within it, 8 including our 4 billion miles diameter universe within the greater massive Brahmanda.
The circumference of our small single universe inside the Brahmanda shell is 12.6 billion miles. And within that area are the 14 Planetary Systems.
Srila Prabhupada - ''The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.
Then the outer covering known as the Brahmanda shell begins.
The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous" (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 Purport)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is referring to the circumference of our Brahmanda universal shell our single universe is within in following text-
Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 21.84:
Translation
“Kṛṣṇa said, ‘Your particular universe has a diameter of four billion miles; therefore it is the smallest of all the universes. Consequently you have only four heads''.
Purport
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, one of the greatest astrologers of his time, gives information from the Siddhānta-śiromaṇi that this universe measures 18,712,069,200,000,000 × 8 miles (That's 18 quadrillion, 712 Trillion, 69 Billion, 200 million yojanas × 8. So multiply that figure by 8 to get miles which is 149 quadrillion 696 Trillion 553 Billion 600 million miles in circumference).
This is the circumference of this universe. According to some, this is only half the circumference''. End of quote
This is circumference of our ''Brahmanda Universal shell'' that includes our 4 billion mile diameter universe that is deep within it or half its size according to some.
There are 7 layers surrounding our small 4 billion mile diameter ''Bhu-Mandala'' Universe that has 14 planetary systems in it.
Each material layer or element our small universe is surrounded by, is 10 times thicker than the previous layer
Starting with the small 4 billion mile diameter Bhu-Mandala Universe that is very deep within the Brahmanda Egg shaped larger ''gigantic'' universe that come from Maha Vishnu along with millions of others.
So just multiply each layer by 10
For example the 4 billion miles diameter Bhu-Mandala = 40 billion.
Then you multiply 40 billion by 10.
Like this for all 7 layers of material elements and it adds up too 44 Quadrillion 444 Trillion 444 billion miles.
The first covering of the universe is earth, and it is ten times thicker than the universe itself. If the universe is four billion miles in size, then the size of the earthly covering of the universe is four billion times ten.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.11.40
This phenomenal material world is expanded to a diameter of four billion miles, as a combination of eight material elements transformed into sixteen further categories, within and without, as follows.
PURPORT
As explained before, the entire material world is a display of sixteen diversities and eight material elements. The analytical studies of the material world are the subject matter of Sāńkhya philosophy.
The first sixteen diversities are the eleven senses and five sense objects, and the eight elements are the gross and subtle matter, namely earth, water, fire, air, sky, mind, intelligence and ego.
All these combined together are distributed throughout the entire universe, which extends diametrically to four billion miles.
Besides this universe of our experience, there are innumerable other universes. Some of them are bigger than the present one, and all of them are clustered together under similar material elements as described below.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.11.41
TRANSLATION
The layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times thicker than the one before, and all the universes clustered together appear like atoms in a huge combination.
PURPORT
The coverings of the universes are also constituted of the elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, and each is ten times thicker than the one before. The first covering of the universe is earth, and it is ten times thicker than the universe itself.
If the universe is four billion miles in size, then the size of the earthly covering of the universe is four billion times ten.
The covering of water is ten times greater than the earthly covering, the covering of fire is ten times greater than the watery covering, the covering of air is ten times greater than that of the fire, the covering of ether is ten times greater still than that of air, and so on.
The universe within the coverings of matter appears to be like an atom in comparison to the coverings, and the number of universes is unknown even to those who can estimate the coverings of the universes.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.11.42
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is therefore said to be the original cause of all causes. Thus the spiritual abode of Viṣṇu is eternal without a doubt, and it is also the abode of Mahā-Viṣṇu, the origin of all manifestations.
PURPORT
Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu, who is resting in yoga-nidrā on the Causal Ocean and creating innumerable universes by His breathing process, only temporarily appears in the mahat-tattva for the temporary manifestation of the material worlds.
He is a plenary portion of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and thus although He is nondifferent from Lord Kṛṣṇa, His formal appearance in the material world as an incarnation is temporary.
The original form of the Personality of Godhead is actually the svarūpa, or real form, and He eternally resides in the Vaikuṇṭha world (Viṣṇuloka).
The word mahātmanaḥ is used here to indicate Mahā-Viṣṇu, and His real manifestation is Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is called parama, as confirmed in the Brahma-saḿhitā:
īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ
anādir ādir govindaḥ
sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam
[Bs. 5.1]
“The Supreme Lord is Kṛṣṇa, the original Personality of Godhead known as Govinda. His form is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge, and He is the original cause of all causes.”
Do the maths yourself based on Srimad-Bhagavatam and work out the massive size of our Brahmanda Egg shaped Universe.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Canto 3 Chapter 11 Text 41
The layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times thicker than the one before. (End of Text)
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 Text 52
This universal egg, or the universe in the shape of an egg, is called the manifestation of material energy.
Its layers of water, air, fire, sky, ego and mahat-tattva increase in thickness one after another.
Each layer is ten times bigger than the previous one, and the final outside layer is covered by pradhāna.
Within this egg is the universal form of Lord Hari, of whose body the fourteen planetary systems are parts.
PURPORT
Srila Prabhupada - There are seven coverings, each one ten times greater than the one preceding it.
The layer of water is ten times greater than the diameter of the universe, and the layer of fire is ten times greater than that of water.
Similarly, the layer of air is ten times greater than that of fire.
These dimensions are all inconceivable to the tiny brain of a human being.
It is also stated that this description is of only one egg like universe. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and some of them are many, many times greater.
It is considered, in fact, that this universe is the smallest; therefore the predominating superintendent, or Brahmā, has only four heads for management.
In other universes, which are far greater than this one, Brahmā has more heads.
In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is stated that all these Brahmās were called one day by Lord Kṛṣṇa on the inquiry of the small Brahmā, who, after seeing all the larger Brahmās. (End of Purport)
There is some confusion in Bhagavatam as in one place it says the first layer is earth and in another place it says the first layer is water.
Also in many cases only 6 layers are mentioned and the names change to like Maha tattva is said to be a layer in one purport and ether is not even mentioned in others.
Srila Prabhupada says there are 7 layers 8 including the original 4 billion miles in diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference that has 14 Planetary Systems in it inner Bhu-Mandala universe.
Anyway one can do their own maths, start with the size of our Universe Bhu-Mandala.
There are 7 layers of elements, do the maths and see what you get. Each layer is 10 times greater than the previous layer as Srimad Bhagavatam tells us.
1 - 4 billion miles × by 10 = 40 billion miles (Earth)
2 - 40 billion miles × by 10 = 400 billion miles (water)
3 - 400 billion miles × by 10 = 4 Trillion miles (fire)
4 - 4 Trillion miles × by 10 = 40 Trillion miles (air)
5 - 40 Trillion miles × by 10 = 400 Trillion miles (sky or ether)
6 - 400 Trillion miles × by 10 = 4 Quadrillion miles (Total material energy or mahat tattva)
7 - 4 Quadrillion miles × by 10 = 40 Quadrillion (ego)
Now add this up and see the maths for yourself.
8 layers including the inner 4 billion miles in diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference that has 14 Planetary Systems in it that is deep within the Brahmanda egg shaped outer Universe.
The full size of our Brahmanda Egg shaped Universe that has the 4 billion miles diameter Bhu-Mandala smaller Universe very deep inside at its center, originates from the Body of Maha Vishnu.
Therefore our Brahmanda is 44 Quadrillion 444 Trillion 444 billion miles in diameter. This is what our small Bhu-Mandala Universe with its 14 different planetary systems that includes a small earth global sphere is deep within.
Explaining the material Universe we live in.
Our individual material universe, with its 14 planetary systems, is found deep inside a larger spherical massive Universe called a "Brahmanda" that surrounds and encases our small inner universe found deep within it.
There are billions of Brahmanda's in the material creation.
Our small Universe within one of the Brahmandas, is known as Bhu-Mandala which is just a mere 4 billion miles in diameter.
Our "Brahmanda housing dome or shell" is a massive egg shaped, yet almost spherical covering, that houses and encases our small material universe deep within it known as Bhu-Mandala.
The makeup of the entire material universe is difficult to comprehend, our Brahmanda, like all others coming from Maha Vishnu, is massive in size whereas our entire inner Bhu-Mandala universe is but an insignificant spec in relation to size.
Also our individual universe, with its 14 planetary systems, found deep inside the massive Brahmanda, is further found within the lotus steam coming from Garbhodakashayi Vishnu who resides in the center of our Brahmanda.
The vast number of "Brahmanda Universes" each surrounds and encases a smaller universe where Garbhodakashayi Vishnu and Lord Brahma resides.
Our small Universe in our Brahmanda is known as Bhu-Mandala which is just a mere 4 billion miles in diameter.
The 14 Planetary Systems are in the stem coming from the Body of Garbhodakashayi Vishnu.
This is explained in Srimad Bhagavatam canto 1 Chapter 3 Text 2-
"Within the stem of the lotus there are fourteen divisions of planetary systems, and the earthly planets are situated in the middle".
Srila Prabhupada - "All these planetary systems are scattered over the complete universe, which occupies an area of "two billion times two billion square miles". SB 2.5.40-41, Purport.
Question - "I have heard that all of the planets are in the stem of the lotus from which Brahma took birth. How are we to understand this?
Answer by the late Sadaputa dasa PhD -
"This is stated in SB 1.3.2p. Since the planetary systems are distributed throughout the universal globe, it must be that the stem encompasses everything within this globe. We should note that the standard pictures we see of Brahma sitting on the lotus flower are three-dimensional representations of a scene that cannot be seen using our ordinary senses.
Although the pictures show the lotus stem emerging from the navel of Garbhodakashayi Vishnu, Brahma himself was unable to locate the origin of the stem.
Thus, part of the scene was beyond the senses of Brahma, and so it is certainly beyond the reach of our senses. We also note that the planetary systems were created by Brahma from the lotus (SB 3.10.7-8).
This suggests that these systems were produced by transforming the substance of the lotus". End of Quote.
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 3 Text 2 Purport explains -
Srila Prabhupada - "From Karanodakasayi Visnu (Maha Vishnu) skin holes innumerable universes have sprung up. In each and every universe, the purusa enters as the Garbhodakasayi Visnu.
He is lying within the half of the universe which is full with the water of His body. And from the navel of Garbhodakasayi Visnu has sprung the stem of the lotus flower, the birthplace of Brahma, who is the father of all living beings and the master of all the demigod engineers engaged in the perfect design and working of the universal order.
Within the stem of the lotus there are fourteen divisions of planetary systems, and the earthly planets are situated in the middle.
Upwards there are other, better planetary systems, and the topmost system is called Brahmaloka or Satyaloka.
Downwards from the earthly planetary system there are seven lower planetary systems inhabited by the asuras and similar other materialistic living beings.
From Garbhodakasayi Visnu there is expansion of the Ksirodakasayi Visnu, who is the collective Paramatma of all living beings. He is called Hari, and from Him all incarnations within the universe are expanded.
Therefore, the conclusion is that the purusa-avatara is manifested in three features —
1 - First the Karanodakasayi (Maha Vishnu) who creates aggregate material ingredients in the mahat-tattva,
2 - Second the Garbhodakasayi Vishnu who enters in each and every universe,
3 - Thirdly the Ksirodakasayi Vishnu who is the Paramatma of every material object, organic or inorganic.
One who knows these plenary features of the Personality of Godhead knows Godhead properly, and thus the knower becomes freed from the material conditions of birth, death, old age and disease, as it is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, In this sloka the subject matter of Maha-Visnu is summarized.
The Maha-Visnu lies down in some part of the spiritual sky by His own free will. Thus He lies on the ocean of karana, from where He glances over His material nature, and the mahat-tattva is at once created.
Thus electrified by the power of the Lord, the material nature at once creates innumerable universes, just as in due course a tree decorates itself with innumerable grown fruits.
The seed of the tree is sown by the cultivator, and the tree or creeper in due course becomes manifested with so many fruits. Nothing can take place without a cause.
The Karana Ocean is therefore called the Causal Ocean. Karana means "causal." We should not foolishly accept the atheistic theory of creation. The description of the atheists is given in the Bhagavad-gita.
The atheist does not believe in the creator, but he cannot give a good theory to explain the creation. Material nature has no power to create without the power of the purusa, just as a prakrti, or woman, cannot produce a child without the connection of a purusa, or man.
The purusa impregnates, and the prakrti delivers. We should not expect milk from the fleshy bags on the neck of a goat, although they look like breastly nipples.
Similarly, we should not expect any creative power from the material ingredients; we must believe in the power of the purusa, who impregnates prakrti, or nature.
Because the Lord wished to lie down in meditation, the material energy created innumerable universes at once, in each of them the Lord lay down, and thus all the planets and the different paraphernalia were created at once by the will of the Lord.
The Lord has unlimited potencies, and thus He can act as He likes by perfect planning, although personally He has nothing to do. No one is greater than or equal to Him. That is the verdict of the Vedas". SB 1.3.2p End of Quote.
Our small inner Universe's 14 Planetary Systems are situated inside the lotus stem surrounded and encased by the larger universal Brahmanda.
This massive Brahmanda outer shell or covering is made up of 7 material layers that is collectively 44 quadrillion, 444 trillion, 444 billion miles in diameter.
The 7 layers are - (From S B Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37)
1 - EARTH,
2 - WATER,
3 - FIRE,
4 - AIR,
5 - SKY,
6 - TOTAL MATERIAL ENERGY OR MAHAT TATTVA,
7 - FALSE EGO.
Srimad Bhagavatam says there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha Vishnu making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky) that also house their own inner universe.
All smaller universes inside their Brahmanda are of different sizes, some, like ours, are only 4 billion miles in diameter.
The "4 billion miles (500,000,000 Yojanas)" diameter of our universe with its 14 planetary systems is one of the smallest. Ours is called Bhu-Mandala.
In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 text 52 in Purport Srila Prabhupada states -
"The space within the hollow of the universe cannot be measured by any human scientist or anyone else."
This also suggests that something unexpected must happen to space (as well as time) as one approaches the outer universal Brahmanda shell, for it hardly seems impossible to measure a distance of 2 billion miles in ordinary space.
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 those 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 that we experience with 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)
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).
1 - The first covering is EARTH,
2 - the second is WATER,
3 - the third is FIRE,
4 - the fourth is AIR,
5 - the fifth is SKY,
6 - the sixth is the TOTAL MATERIAL ENERGY OR MAHAT TATTVA,
7 - 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". (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37)
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 is only one fourth of the Supreme Lord's energy. Therefore He is called ananta''.
In the purport in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28-
"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 or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.
Then the outer covering known as the Brahmanda shell begins.
The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego 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."
It is also says in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 Text 52 -
Srila Prabhupada - "The dimensions of the universe are estimated here. The outer covering is made of layers of water, air, fire, sky, ego and mahat-tattva, and each layer is ten times greater than the one previous.
The space within the hollow of the universe cannot be measured by any human scientist or anyone else, and beyond the hollow there are seven coverings, each one ten times greater than the one preceding it.
The layer of water is ten times greater than the diameter of the universe, and the layer of fire is ten times greater than that of water.
Similarly, the layer of air is ten times greater than that of fire. These dimensions are all inconceivable to the tiny brain of a human being."
In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43 Prabhupada says-
Srila Prabhupada - "It is understood from this verse that all the planets in outer space are floating, and they all hold living entities.
The word svasatam means "those who breathe," or the living entities. In order to accommodate them, there are innumerable planets. Every planet is a residence for innumerable living entities, and the necessary space is provided in the sky by the supreme order of the Lord.
It is also stated here that the total universal body is increasing. It is covered by seven layers, and as there are five elements within the universe, so the total elements, in layers, cover the outside of the universal body.
The first layer is of earth, and it is ten times greater in size than the space within the universe;
The second layer is water, and that is ten times greater than the earthly layer;
The third covering is fire, which is ten times greater than the water covering. In this way each layer is ten times greater than the previous one.
In the above mentioned purports to Srimad Bhagavatam seemingly gives contradictory information that can make things confusing to scholars. (SB 2.2.28 and SB 3.26.52 says it is water and SB 3.29.43 says it is earth)? Furthermore, what is the breadth of the first layer?
The purport to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 says it is 80,000 000 miles while the diameter of the universe is 4 000,000,000 miles. This does not add up.
On the other hand Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43 says the first layer based on the diameter of our Bhu-Mandala Universe which is 4 billions miles diameter, is 10 times greater in size than our 4 billion mile diameter inner Bhu-Mandala Universe, this adds up to 4 billion miles in diameter for our fist covering or layer of our small Universe.
So 80 million miles diameter for our first layer said in Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 is definitely not 4 billion miles multiplied by 10 that equals 40 billion miles in diameter.
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