Srila Prabhupada - "The planets are called "dvīpas", just like there are islands in the watery ocean, these planets are in the ocean of outer space" (CC Madhya 20.218, Purport)

The massive material universes (Brahmandas) coming from Maha-Visnu each have a smaller secondary universes deep inside of them.

These "secondary universes" within each Brahmanda universe, are created by Maha-Visnu's expansion, Garbhodakashayi Visnu.

All the massive greater Brahmanda universes originate from Maha-Visnu's Body, and house the smaller inner smaller secondary material universe deep within each Brahmanda.

Our small secondary universe managed by our Garbhodakashayi Visnu is called Bhu-Mandala and has 14 planetary systems built by Brahma explained in the Srimad Bhagavatam's 5th Canto.

There, it is explained that our material universe that is inside our larger Brahmanda universe,  is 4 billion miles (500,000,000 yojanas) in diameter.

One yojana equals 8 miles in diameter.  

The late Sadaputa dasa ACBSP (Richard L. Thompson) is ISKCON's authority on Vedic Cosmology, he earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University and authored several books on Vedic Cosmology and explains what Bhu-Mandala is-

"In the Srimad Bhagavatam Bhu Mandala is known as the “earth mandala" (but NOT to be confused with our small earth globe we live on)

Bhu-Mandala appears as a disk that spreads out "inside" the Brahmanda universe for almost 500 million yojanas in diameter or 4 billion miles.

Our small earth global 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)

As said above, a yojana is a unit of distance that is 8 miles in diameter, therefore the diameter of Bhu-Mandala is almost 4 billion miles which is the size of the secondary material universe housed within the outer Brahmanda.

Bhu-Mandala is marked by circular features designated as islands (Dvipas also mean planets in outer space in this case).

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." (CC Madhya 20.218, Purport)

Bhu-Mandala is far too big to be our small earth globe Sadaputa has explained.

Our secondary inner material universe with its 14 planetary systems that is deep within the Brahmanda universe, would therefore fit in the circumference of Bhu-Mandala which is 4 billion miles in diameter (500 million yojanas)

Remember, one mile equals 8 yojanas, 8 times 500 million yojanas = 4 billion miles.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Bhu-Mandala innermost island, Jambudvipa, contains Bharata-varsha which Srila Prabhupada has repeatedly identified as our earth globe. The first covering of our massive surrounding material universe (our Brahmanda) that surrounds and encases our inner smaller Bhu-Mandala universe, is the element EARTH." (SB Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

In most references in Srimad Bhagavatam it is says the "earth" element is the first material element of our universe's surrounding Brahmanda.

Although, in other places in Srimad Bhagavatam it says the "water" element is the first layer." (SB Canto 3 Ch 26 Text 52)

There are many contradictory comments like this in Srimad Bhagavatam. 

Therefore, this needs further investigation because there are many texts that says there are 7 material layers encasing our inner material universe, while in other places it says 8 layers.

The same with Brahma's day/night where it says it is 8 billion 640 million human years long, while other places it says 8 billion 600 million human years long.

There are billions of Brahmanda greater universal shells, each with a smaller secondary universe deep inside them and have many planetary systems, each with their own Garbhodakashayi Visnu, Brahma, Siva and the many other demigods, who all together manage their inner "secondary material universe" inside the outer Brahmanda universe.

In our "Bhu-Mandala universe" (4 billion mile in diameter) there are 14 planetary systems, other universes inside their Brahmanda may have many,  many more planetary systems.

As said above, all massive Brahmanda universes originate from the Body of Maha-Visnu as seen in photo below.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Every material inner universe is outwardly covered by seven layers-

earth, 

water, 

fire, 

air, 

sky, 

the total energy,

false ego.

Each one of the above is ten times greater than the previous one. 

There are innumerable Brahmanda universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta]."

Purport 

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

1 - is Earth,

2 - is Water,

3 - is Fire,

4 - is Air,

5 - is Sky,

6 - is the Total Material Energy known as the Mahat-tattva.

7 - 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." (SB Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

Srila Prabhupada - "The mahat-tattva or 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, Nov 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, Oct 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 from sixteen, it expands to twenty-four. That is the explanation of our Vedic creation. Ṣoḍaśa-kalam." (Lecture on SB Canto 1 Ch 3 text 1,Vrndavana, Nov 14, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "The Bhagavad-gita states that the Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna maintains these material universes by extending His plenary expansions. 

So this purusa form is the confirmation of the same principle. 

The original Personality of Godhead Vasudeva, or Lord Krsna, who is famous as the son of King Vasudeva or King Nanda, is full with all opulences, all potencies, all fame, all beauty, all knowledge and all renunciation. 

Part of His opulences are manifested as impersonal Brahman, and part of His opulences are manifested as Paramatma. 

This purusa feature of the same Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna is the original Paramatma manifestation of the Lord. 

There are three purusa features in the material creation, and this form, who is known as- 

Karanodakasayi Visnu, is the first of the three. The others are known as the Garbhodakasayi Visnu and the Ksirodakasayi Visnu, which we shall know one after another. 

The innumerable universes are generated from the skin holes of this Karanodakasayi Visnu, and in each one of the universes the Lord enters as Garbhodakasayi Visnu.

In the Bhagavad-gita it is also mentioned that the material world is created at certain intervals and then again destroyed. 

This creation and destruction is done by the supreme will because of the conditioned souls, or the nitya-baddha living beings. 

The nitya-baddha, or the eternally conditioned souls, have the sense of individuality or ahankara, which dictates them sense enjoyment, which they are unable to have constitutionally. 

The Lord is the only enjoyer, and all others are enjoyed. The living beings are predominated enjoyers. 

But the eternally conditioned souls, forgetful of this constitutional position, have strong aspirations to enjoy. 

The chance to enjoy matter is given to the conditioned souls in the material world, and side by side they are given the chance to understand their real constitutional position. 

Those fortunate living entities who catch the truth and surrender unto the lotus feet of Vasudeva after many, many births in the material world, join the eternally liberated souls and thus are allowed to enter into the kingdom of Godhead. 

After this, such fortunate living entities need not come again within the occasional material creation. 

But those who cannot catch the constitutional truth are again merged into the mahat-tattva at the time of the annihilation of the material creation. 

When the creation is again set up, this mahat-tattva is again let loose. This mahat-tattva contains all the ingredients of the material manifestations, including the conditioned souls. 

Primarily this mahat-tattva is divided into sixteen parts, namely the five gross material elements and the eleven working instruments or senses. 

It is like the cloud in the clear sky. 

In the spiritual sky, the effulgence of Brahman is spread all around, and the whole system is dazzling in spiritual light. 

The mahat-tattva is assembled in some corner of the vast, unlimited spiritual sky, and the part which is thus covered by the mahat-tattva is called the material sky. 

This part of the spiritual sky, called the mahat-tattva, is only an insignificant portion of the whole spiritual sky, and within this mahat-tattva there are innumerable universes. 

All these universes are collectively produced by the Karanodakasayi Visnu, called also the Maha-Visnu, who simply throws His glance to impregnate the material sky." (SB Canto 1 Ch 3 text 1)

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 Canto 3 Ch 26 text 11-14, Bombay, Dec 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 Canto 3 Ch 26 text 10, Bombay, Dec 22, 1974)

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

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "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." (BG 10.42)

Srila Prabhupada - "The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in the EARTH element 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." (SB Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28 Purport)

Srila Prabhupada  - "The first material element provides the layer 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." (SB Canto 3 Ch 29 Text 43)

Srimad Bhagavatam explains there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha-Visnu making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky)

Each Brahmanda universe houses inside of them, their own inner "secondary material universe" managed by Garbhodakashayi Visnu and Lord Brahma.

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 million 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 Krsna 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 massive Brahmanda coverings that surrounds and encases our small universe, Srila Prabhupada is clear on this.

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Krsna 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 material universe.

In each universe there is one Lord Brahmā, and there are other demigods on other planets, but there is only one sun." (SB Canto 5 Ch 21 Text 11, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "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." (SB Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "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] (SB,6,16,37)

Purport:

Srila Prabhupada - "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 As It Is-

"But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe." (SB Canto 6 Ch 16 text 37)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "The entire material world manifests only one fourth of the Supreme Lord’s energy. Therefore He is called ananta." (10.42 BG, As It Is)

Is the first layer of our outer Brahmanda universal shell, the earth or water element?

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." (SB Canto 2 Ch 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 - "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." (CC Madhya 21.84)

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." (CC Madhya 21.84)

This is circumference of our ''Brahmanda universal surrounding 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 Visnu 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 (first layer  of Brahmanda) is four billion times ten.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "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." (ŚB 3.11.40)

Purport

Srila Prabhupada - "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." (ŚB 3.11.40)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "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." (ŚB 3.11.41) 

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." (ŚB 3.11.41)

 Srimad Bhagavatam - "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." (ŚB 3.11.42) 

Purport

Srila Prabhupada - "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 univers 

SB.3,26,52 - "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 shaped universe (Brahmanda). 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." (SB 3,26,52)

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 -

Eight material layers including the inner four billion miles diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference that houses our 14 Planetary Systems, is deep inside the Brahmanda egg shaped outer universe that surrounds it.

The full size of our Brahmanda egg shaped universe that has our 4 billion miles diameter Bhu-Mandala smaller universe very deep inside it at its center, originates from the Body of Maha Visnu.

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 Visnu who resides in the center of our Brahmanda.

The vast number of "Brahmanda Universes" each surrounds and encases a smaller universe where Garbhodakashayi Visnu 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 Visnu.

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 Visnu, 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, Karanodakasayi (Maha-Visnu) who creates aggregate material ingredients in the mahat-tattva,

2 - Second, Garbhodakasayi Visnu who enters in each and every universe,

3 - Thirdly, Ksirodakasayi Visnu 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, Canto 1 Ch 3 text 2p) 

Our small inner Universe's 14 Planetary Systems are situated inside the lotus stem surrounded and encased by the larger universe  called a 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 Visnu 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, 

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 from inside our Brahmanda, this is because our individual secondary universe is surrounded and encased by 7 or 8 material layers of the outer Brahmanda universe.

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.

Although there are rare mystic yogis and advanced devotees like Arjuna who can see and pass through the thick material layers of our Brahmanda.

So of course Krsna and Arjuna did not encounter such limitations from these elements of earth, water, fire and all other gross elements as Bhagavad Gita As It Is 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 Krsna 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].

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 As It Is- 

BG 10.42 - "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.

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 our secondary 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 is the same diameter of our Bhu-Mandala universe, which is 4 billions miles diameter.

Therefore the first layer is 10 times greater in size than our 4 billion mile diameter inner universe and is therefore 40 billion miles in diameter.

This is another contradictory statement. 

For example, the 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.

More research is needed.

Being a "marginal living entity" (jiva-soul) means the jiva-souls ALWAYS have their free will.

Srila Prabhupada – "So everyone can know that independence means one can use it properly, or one can misuse it. That is independence. If you make it one way only, that is not independence, that is force." (Los Angeles, June 23, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada – "You have got little independence therefore you can violate. Because you are part and parcel of God you have got independence, proportionately, therefore if he likes he can return. That independence has to be accepted, little independence. We CAN misuse that." (Mayapur, Feb 19, 1976)

Having "free will" is the constitutional make up of all marginal living entities (jiva-souls) that is ALWAYS part and parcel within their eternal character and individual personality in the spiritual worlds.

This means the jiva-souls can even choose to leave the Vaikuntha planets or Goloka-Vrindavana if they want, this is what free will allows, and if it didn't, then the jiva-souls would have no free will.

This is why it is foolish that big, big sannyasis and gurus who claim once entering the spiritual world, the jiva-souls can never again fall down to the material creation.

No, they CAN fall down again and again if they choose to do so! These sentimental fools cannot understand this fact.

And such fall downs have nothing to do with Maya (material energy) either, it is simply free will.

The fact is Maya or material energy does NOT exist in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana. The choice to leave Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana is possible because Krsna allows love to be a "two-way" street. 

This means one can accept or reject Krsna if they choose to do so at anytime.

Srila Prabhupada - "Free will means that you can act wrongly. That is free will. Unless there is chance of doing wrong or right, there is no question of free will. Where is free will then? If I act only one sided, that means I have no free will. Because we act sometimes wrongly, that means free will."

Hayagriva - "A man may know better but still act wrongly."

Srila Prabhupada -"Yes," but that is free will. He misuses his. Just like a thief, he knows that his stealing, it is bad, but still he does it. That is free will. He cannot check his greediness, so in spite of his knowing that he is doing wrong thing—he will be punished, he knows; he has seen another thief, he was punished, he was put into prison— everything he knows, but still he steals. Why? Misuse of free will. Unless there is misuse of free will, there is no question of free will." (Talk - Rene Descartes 1976)

Syamasundara - "But can we predict returning back home back to Godhead will be permanent? Can we predict that? Just like many prisoners leave the prison, however some do come back?''

Srila Prabhupada - "No, there is no permanent effect because we have got little independence. There is nothing permanent because you can misuse your independence at any time."

Syamasundara - "And some come back?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, otherwise there is no meaning of independence. Independence means you can do this, you can do that. "All right. Whatever you like."

Devotee - "Then he is so many times falling down, again and again, so will he eventually permanently come back?"

Srila Prabhupada - "He has got independence, therefore there is always the possibility he can misuse his independence, he CAN fall down. That's why when a man is released from the prison house, that does not mean permanently because he can come back again, the general law is NOT to come back, but if he likes, he can come back, otherwise what is the meaning of independence? Just like one becomes free from the prison house, naturally he should not go there again." (Talk with Syamasundara and Henri Bergson)

Even though Krsna has promised there is no return to the material creation once returning to the spiritual worlds, the fact is there IS return if the jiva-souls want to return as Prabhupada explains here-

Acyutananda – "In Bhagavad Gita Krsna says, once coming to the spiritual world, the jiva-soul never returns to the material world, so He can return?"

Srila Prabhupada – "If he likes he can return."

Guru-kripa – "How is it that one can become envious of Krsna?"

Srila Prabhupada – "You have got little independence, you can violate. Because you are part and parcel of God. God has got full independence, but you have got independence too, proportionately, because you are part and parcel, so if he likes, he can return. That independence has to be accepted. We can misuse that. Krsna-bahirmukha haïä bhoga väïchä kare. That misuse is the cause of our falldown." (Mayapur Feb 19, 1976)

Devotee - "Well, I believe you once said that once a conditioned soul becomes perfected and gets out of the material world and he goes to Krsnaloka, there’s no possibility of falling back."

Srila Prabhupada - "No! There is possibility, but he does not come IF he is intelligent. Just like after putting your hand in the fire, you never put it in again. So those who are going back to Godhead, they MUST become intelligent. Why going back to Godhead?" (Talk with Syamasundara Dasa)

Srila Prabhupada - "As soon as we try, "Oh, this material world is very nice," "Yes," Kṛṣṇa says, "yes, you can go." Otherwise what is the meaning of free will? Every living entity has got a little free will. And Kṛṣṇa is so kind, He gives him opportunity, "All right, you enjoy like this." It is free will." (Morning Walk Cheviot Hills May 13, 1973, Los Angeles)

Srila Prabhupada - "So, everyone can know that independence means one can use it properly or one can misuse it. That is independence. If you make it one way only, that you cannot fall down, that is not independence, that is force. Therefore Krsna says, yathecchasi tathä kuru. “Now you do whatever you like." (Los Angeles, June 23, 1975)

Therefore returning back home back to Godhead is not necessarily permanent Prabhupada has explained above, that choice to stay with Krsna or go is ALSO the jiva-soul's choice too.

Therefore it is NOT just a "one-way" decision that Krsna only makes, no, real loving exchanges can NEVER exist in a "one-sided" dictatorial affair because for real love to truly exist, there must ALWAYS be "free will" in a "two-sided" voluntary affair. 

Krsna does NOT control the "surrendered" jiva-souls by force like a puppet master controls every movement of his puppets with the manipulations of strings, denying self expression, individual contributions and voluntary service. 

Srila Prabhupada - "Krsna does not want to become a lover by force, from the point of revolver. ‘You love me, otherwise I shall kill you!’ That is not love; that is threatening. Love is reciprocal, voluntary, good exchange of feeling. Then there is love. Not by force; that is rape. Why one is called lover, another is called rape?" (July 8, 1976 in Washington, D.C.)

Such free will means the jiva-souls are "marginal" and that ALL decision making is a "two-sided" affair, that allows the jiva-souls to choose for themselves, EVEN if it means rejecting Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada - "If you have no free will, then you are a stone. The stone has no free will. You want to be stone? Then you must have free will. But don't misuse your free will. But don't try to become stone either. That is not life." (Aug 5, 1976, New Mayapur France)

Having "free will" ALWAYS allows the jiva-souls to voluntarily choose their own unique contributions that they want to selflessly offer to Krsna in loving service.

This is the real meaning of surrender. 

If Krsna forced you to love Him in a "one-way" totalitarian dictatorship, then how can such an impersonal existence freely express genuine loving affection when the jiva-souls are denied their own freedom of choice?

Without "free will", loving voluntary exchanges and reciprocation with Krsna are NOT possible.

Loving relationships can only work in a "two-way" exchange based on reciprocation and voluntary selfless service with two sharing loving exchanges.

In this way, the Kingdom of God is NEVER a domineering "one-way" bullying dictatorship run by a forceful so called God.

No! Krsna is not a dictator like that at all.

The fact is, such a "one-way" impersonal master/servant dictatorship is actually a loveless relationship that only destroy one's real freedom of expression (free will) and having a sense of individual self and unique personality independent from Krsna's Personality.

How can a "lifeless puppet" in a puppet show express loving emotions when it is ALWAYS controlled and manipulated by the strings in the hands of the puppet master?

Similarly, how can the jiva-souls express loving emotions in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana if Krsna does not allow "free will" or individual independence and self expression which is the real meaning of being a "marginal living entity?

Surrendering to Krsna and His pure devotee is NOT impersonal like that, surrender does NOT mean giving up your intelligence, free will, individuality and the awareness of being an independent unique contributing free thinking PERSON you are eternally.

Srila Prabhupada - "Love means you take and you give also. Suppose if you love somebody and you simply take from him, but you don't give. Oh, do you think it is very good? No. It is not good. That is NOT love. That is exploitation. If I go on simply taking from you, and if I don't offer you anything, that is simply exploitation." (Lecture on BG, Ch 9 text 2-5, New York, Nov 23, 1966)

Srila Prabhupada - "We have got the propensity to love. Love means somebody else. Love cannot be one or love cannot be executed only one, personally. There must be another one. I love somebody; somebody loves me, there must be lover, there must be beloved, and the transaction, then love." (Lecture on SB Canto 1 Ch 2 text 6, Delhi, Nov 12, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "The (impersonalist) philosophy is oneness. So how there can be love, one? Is it possible? Have you got any such experience? Love means one? No. Love means two. There must be two, the lover and the beloved. Kṛṣṇa is already lover. He's so lover of you that He's trying to get you back. That is Kṛṣṇa's attempt. "Please, My dear boy, or My dear friend, My dear servant." (Lecture on SB Canto 2 Ch 1 text 3, Paris, June 12, 1974)

Devotee – "Srila Prabhupada, I can not understand why we can have impure desire when we are already serving Krsna."

Srila Prabhupada – "Because you have got little freedom, it is one's desire."

Devotee – "But in the Srimad Bhagavatam it says that Krsna did not want us to come to this material world. If Krsna did not want us to come here, why are we here?"

Srila Prabhupada – "Yes, you forced Krsna to allow you to come. Just like sometimes a child forces his father. Father says, “My dear son, do not do this. Do not go there” But he insists, “Oh, I must go. I must go.” “All right, you go at your risk and suffer. What can be done?" (June 25, 1974) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Because you are Son of God you have got independence, full independence, therefore you have acquired the quality of your father, so God does not interfere with your independence." (June 25, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada - "If you persist that “I must go and enjoy independently,” so God says, “All right, you can go.” This is the position. You have to take sanction. That is a fact. But when you persist, God sanctions. And you come and enjoy." (Melbourne, Australia June 25, 1974)

As said above, the spiritual world of Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana are NOT a dictatorial domineering impersonal place, where every jiva-soul is forced to do what Krsna only wants without the jiva-souls providing any input or contribution to their relationship with Kṛṣṇa by voluntarily offering their own personal unique contributions to the relationship.

For genuine loving exchanges to exist with Krsna, there MUST be a voluntary relationship based on reciprocation and loving exchanges.

Therefore, the Kingdom of God (Krsna) is NOT an impersonal stagnant emotionally dead place where everyone is just told what to do and how to act.  

No, the spiritual world's are NOT like that at all because there are ALWAYS loving exchanges going on with Krsna and His devotees based on voluntary cooperation, reciprocation, self expression and personal contributions.

That Impersonal Mayavadi version of God's Kingdom, where some foolishly claim the jiva-souls MUST give up their free will in order to enter Krsna's abode, only leads to a loveless impersonal fools paradise of domination instead of love.

That is why the jiva-souls can fall down or leave the Vaikuntha planets and Goloka-Vrindavana at anytime they choose. Those who claim once reaching the spiritual world they never again fall down are sentimental fools.

The jiva-souls are not dead mindless stone, the jiva-souls are ALWAYS endowed with their own unique free will so they can voluntarily choose to be the contributing PERSON they eternally are, or reject Krsna in Goloka-Vrindavan if they choose.

If the jiva-souls in Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana reject Visnu and Krsna, then they obviously cannot stay there in the spiritual worlds, the only place available to them is the temporary material creation meant for those who CHOOSE to reject Krsna.

Maya or material energy does NOT exist in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana so that has no influence, it is simply free will.

If the jiva-souls choose to stay in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana, or choose to enter the material creation, it is THEIR choice or free will that allows them to make that decision and nobody elses, including Krsna.

If Krsna took the free will away from the jiva-souls, which He can do, He will only turn them into an impersonal lump of dead useless stone. That is why Krsna will NEVER take away the jiva-souls free will.

The impersonalist seeks out death, to be dead and end their existence by entering the impersonal Brahmajyoti in a dormant "inactive" state, which is almost like being dead however, even though the impersonalists can remain in that "almost dead state" (merged in the impersonal Brahmajyoti) for trillions and trillions of life times of Lord Brahma (Brahma's life span is 311 trillion 400 billion human years long) it also is only temporary. 

The stage for the jiva-souls is infinity, meaning there is no birth for the jiva-souls or no death.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is "1983 corrected edition", Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

And in Bhagavad-gītā (2.12)- 

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG 2.12)

Srila Prabhupada – "There are no new souls, new and old are due to this material body, but the jiva-soul is never born and never dies, so if there is no birth, how can there be new souls?" (Letter to Jagadisa dasa, 7/9/1970)

Srila Prabhupada - "Love is reciprocal, voluntary, good exchange of feeling, then there is love. Not by force! Krsna does not want to become a lover like that, ‘You love me, otherwise I shall kill you!" (Washington DC July 8, 1976)

Srila Prabhupada - "Because you are son of God you have got independence, so God does not interfere with your little independence. If you persist that “I must go and enjoy independently'', God says, “All right, you can go and enjoy." (Melbourne, Australia June 25, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada says in "Nectar of Devotion",

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like the Sun-disc cannot be separated from the sun-rays, similarly Krsna cannot be without the association of His loving devotees." (Nectar of Devotion)

In Krsna Book Prabhupada further explains -

Srila Prabhupada - "As the sun disc and the sunshine cannot be separated, similarly Kṛṣṇa and His bodily rays, the brahmajyoti, cannot be separated." (Krsna Book, 89)

The relationship between Krsna and His jiva-soul expansions (marginal living entities) is NEVER "one-sided," never forced and never impersonal, it is ALWAYS a personal relationship of reciprocation, nurturing, voluntary service based on free will, in a "two-way reciprocal exchange," ONLY then can there be REAL love in the relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

Srila Prabhupada explained to us many years ago-

"If you love me, then I will love you."

Being on the "marginal plane" (jiva-souls) means there is ALWAYS free will where love is based on loving reciprocation and exchanges between two.**^^

Trying to better understand mental illness and the use of modern medicine in ISKCON in 2021.

Trying to better understand the mental illness of some devotees and congregational members in ISKCON.

Mental illness is NOT understood very well in ISKCON today, often devotee’s broadcast a 50 year old quote from Prabhupada that condemns psychiatrists and mental health professionals. 

However, understanding mental illness has come a long way in the last 60 years since Prabhupada made those comments, and the following comment should NOT be applied today in 2021 because proper mental professional can and do help devotees where in many cases, ISKCON cannot help devotees and, as we have seen, just ignore their struggles by quoting out dated comments from Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada - "Psychiatrists are humbug, all humbug. They cannot help. Best thing is to be engaged in continuously chanting and hearing Sankirtana, that will cure anyone of mental disease." (Letter to Upendra, Feb 19, 1972) 

Today in 2023 I believe that comment by Srila Prabhupada does not apply and is certainly not relevant to today’s time, place and circumstance of mantal health! 

Although one should ALWAYS chant Hare Krsna no matter what situation they are in.

Other than that, in most cases, the new medicines given by modern psychiatrist today, that did not exist 50 years ago, DOES help one perform their devotional service and should be researched to find a medication suitable for elevating serotonin levels in the brain.

Therefore, to call all psychiatrists humbug in today’s world is NOT correct and NOT right and certainly does not apply in today's world. 

Those who use the above comment by Prabhupada are ignorant of what is going on in the world today that is a lot different than the world Prabhupada was born into in 1896.

Over the last 60 years the world of medicine has greatly changed, many medical advances have happened that never existed when Prabhupada was here, so how can they all be humbug when he never had full knowledge of medical science in the 1960s and early 70s.

Back then medical science about the brain was in its early infancy.

So, many comments Srila Prabhupada said back then about psychiatry cannot be applied to today’s practice of psychiatry.

For example, psychiatry back in Srila Prabhupada’s day was influence strongly by Freudian ideas, a man of his time (he was born in 1856).

Śrīla Prabhupāda has said - “By speculating on some shock that may or may not have occurred in childhood, one will never discover the root disease. He [Freud] did not know the basic principle of spiritual understanding, which is that we are not this material body, we are different from this body, and we are transmigrating from one material body to another." (Vaniquotes discussion with devotees)

Today also many psychiatrists reject the outdated Freudian ideas, His method of cure was to have the patient try to recall the painful events of their childhood or some trauma in their lives and analyse them, Prabhupada referred to practise as nonsense. 

Psychiatric therapy today in 2023 is more in favour of chemical medicines like anti-depressants and anti-psychotics that acts on the damaged brain substance that is chemically unbalanced due to physical trauma.

In many cases, this therapy developed in the mid 1990s works well I have experienced, rather than turning to uneducated people, including immature young devotees, who have no professional training to properly deal with mental illness.  

There are many researchers who believe that an imbalance in serotonin levels influences mood in a way that leads to depression, in 1970 this research was in its infancy and Prabhupada had no knowledge of this and only preached we are not the material bodily vessel we are in, which he is right.

Trying to repair or fix the material bodily vessel's brain substance was not his concern, he simply preached we are not the material body.

But the fact is, to understand that, we must have a healthy ans sane human form (body) of life.

This repairing the material bodies brain substance is where Prabhupada lacked knowledge however, in all fairness back then in the 1960s almost everyone did.

The inbalance in the brain substance can be balanced with serotonin medication and other new medications now available since the mid 1995. 

Srila Prabhupada never commented on that form of psychiatry that is so prominent today in 2021 because it NEVER existed while he was with us.

So, to apply Srila Prabhupada's comment that all Psychiatrists are "humbug" today is a irresponsible and even dangerous for those who DO need help and support from a bonafide Psychiatrist.

To make a blanket comment that all psychiatrist are humbug by saying "they cannot help" or they are "all humbug" found in Srila Prabhupada’s letter in 1972, is just simply NOT true and WRONG in today's society.

To help us in our devotional service, sometimes we have to accept the help of the medical industry as many devotees including Jayapataka Swami, Mukunda Goswami, Gopal Krsna Goswami (some had byepass heart surgery)

Some devotees who had heart bypass surgery and other life saving procedures, are often criticised by a few ISKCON fanatical devotees, claiming they should follow only Ayurvedic medical methods in stead.

Sadly, they are often criticised by these ISKCON and Gaudiya math Ayurvedic fanatics who call modern Doctors and Surgeons "disgusting meat eating, karmi, Godless demon Doctors," then using Prabhupada's misinformed comment - "They are all humbug" to back their nonsense ignorance, saying nothing else can help you except the chanting of Hare Krsna.

The fact is, are these misinformed silly devotees going to ONLY chant Hare Kṛṣṇa if they break their leg? 

Foolishly they think only the chanting of Hare Krsna will heal their broken bones? Or refuse a breathing ventilater if they have Covid-19 and can't breath? (We know most of them died including Gurus and Sanyasis)

Mental illness is the same as a broken leg, medication is also needed to bring balance to the brain, and like the healing of a broken leg, the chanting of Hare Krsna will help you remember Krsna and will not heal a broken leg. 

God helps those who help themselves  to seek out the proper medical help to.

I remember some years ago in the 1970s a devotee was offered psychiatric help but was told to reject it by immature Temple authorities at that time who told him that "no meat eating nonsense karmi Godless demon" can ever help a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, claiming "only Krsna can help you, He is the ONLY real doctor, so pray to Him and have faith in just chanting Hare Krsna!"

Sadly this nonsense dogma is still prevalent today in some ISKCON Temples, who always call Hospitals, meat eating Doctors and Psychiatrists, demons.

Very immature!

Sadly this has caused some devotees and congregational members to avoid the help of modern medicine and suffer because of such extremism and nonsense even to the point of suicide.

Some of Prabhupada' letters are meant for time, place and circumstance and are NOT meant for all time.

Even some information in Prabhupada's 8 Canto purport in Srimad Bhagavatam need more explanation because because they do not seem to be right for example, the moon is further away from earth then the Sun is, which not even Sadaputa dasa, ISKCON's PhD Cosmologist agree with afer he read Surya Siddhanta by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

Srila Prabhupada’s main point in all his preaching is we are not the material bodily vessel we are trapped in, and should now finish up our selfish existence in this material world and return back home back to Godhead. 

So yes, we are NOT these troublesome material bodily vessels but an eternal spiritual bodily form meant to be in our real home of a Goloka-Vrindavana.

------------‐-------------------------------------

To help us in our devotional service Trying to better understand mental illness and the use of modern medicine in ISKCON in 2021.

Trying to better understand the mental illness of some devotees and congregational members in ISKCON.

Mental illness is NOT understood very well in ISKCON today, often devotee’s broadcast a 50 year old quote from Prabhupada that condemns psychiatrists and mental health professionals however, understanding mental illness has come a long way in the last 50 years and the following comment should NOT be applied today in 2021.

Srila Prabhupada - "Psychiatrists are humbug, all humbug. They cannot help. Best thing is to be engaged in continuously chanting and hearing Sankirtana, that will cure anyone of mental disease. (Letter to Upendra, February 19, 1972) 

Today in 2021 I believe that comment by Srila Prabhupada does NOT apply and is certainly NOT relevant to today’s time, place and circumstance! 

Although one should ALWAYS chant Hare Krsna no matter what situation they are in.

Other than that, in most cases, the new medicines given by modern psychiatrist today, that did not exist 50 years ago, DOES help one perform their devotional service.

Therefore to call all psychiatrists humbug in today’s world is NOT correct and NOT right and certainly does not apply in today's world. 

Over the last 50 years the world of medicine has greatly changed, many medical advances have happened that never existed when Prabhupada was here.

Therefore some comments Srila Prabhupada said back then about psychiatry cannot be applied to today’s practice of psychiatry.

For example, psychiatry back in Srila Prabhupada’s day was influence strongly by Freudian ideas who Srila Prabhupada greatly criticized.

Śrīla Prabhupāda has said - “By speculating on some shock that may or may not have occurred in childhood, one will never discover the root disease…. He [Freud] did not know the basic principle of spiritual understanding, which is that we are NOT this material body, we are different from this body, and we are transmigrating from one material body to another"

Today many psychiatrists also reject the outdated Freudian ideas, His method of cure was to have the patient try to recall the painful events of their childhood or some trauma in their lives and analyse them, Prabhupada referred to as nonsense. 

Today’s psychiatric therapy is more in favour of chemical medicines like anti depressants and anti psychotics that acts on the damaged brain substance that is chemically unbalanced due to physical trauma which in many cases works well.  

There are many researchers who believe that an imbalance in serotonin levels influences mood in a way that leads to depression, in 1972 this research was in its infancy and Prabhupada had no knowledge of this. 

Such unbalance in the brain substance can be balanced with serotonin medication. 

Srila Prabhupada never commented on that form of psychiatry that is so prominent today in 2021 because it NEVER existed while he was with us.

So to apply Srila Prabhupada's comment that all Psychiatrists are "humbug" today is a irresponsible and even dangerous for those who DO need help and support from Psychiatrists.

So to make a blanket comment that all psychiatrist are humbug by saying "they cannot help" or they are "all humbug" found in Srila Prabhupada’s letter in 1972, is just simply NOT true and WRONG in today's society.

Srila Prabhupada’s main point in all his preaching is we finish up our selfish existence in this material world and return back home back to Godhead. 

After all, we are NOT these troublesome material bodily vessels.

HERE HERE HERE

HERE HERE HERE HERE

HERE HERE HERE HERE

Even with the Covid-19 pandemic (2020/21) where vaccination is the ONLY way out of being infected, sadly some devotees refuse to be vaccinated and condemns all vaccinations.

Ayurvedic medicine may help with some symptoms but it can NOT cure Covid-19 as previous proved during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919/20 when 22 million people died in India, and with the recent COVID-19 pandemic 2020/21 where it was useless against stopping Covid-19.

Even many big, big sannyāsis and ISKCON Gurus have died from Covid-19 because their Ayurvedic medication was useless against the virus.

History provides vaccinations work, Small pox, Polio, Diphtheria have all been eradicated because of vaccines.

Such immature fanatical nonsense fundamentalism will only keep devotees and sincere congregational members, who need medical help, suffer more in ignorance under the advice of some immature ISKCON devotees and authorities. 

The fact is, don’t listen to these people’s opinions on mental illness and vaccines, always have faith that Krsna DOES help those who seek out the medical help they need, to help themselves overcome different illnesses. 

All doctors and psychiatrists are NOT demons, and certainly NOT humbug! There are many, many good medical Doctors who can help you

The fact is, our medical profession HAS come a long way since Srila Prabhupada was here and in MOST cases, you CANNOT apply his teachings to all time, place and circumstance. 

As said above, all psychiatrists are NOT humbug in today’s world. 

They also, like doctors, can help devotees, some doctors and psychiatrists are even devotees! 

The late Pusta Krsna dasa ACBSP has been a doctor for over 30 years and advices his patients to have vaccinations and see psychiatrists if necessary.

Mental illness is misunderstood in ISKCON because of fanatical views in those early ignorant pioneering years.

That letter by Srila Prabhupada was sent 50 years ago (1972) in relation to the Temple President's wife in Melbourne Australia when she had a mental breakdown. 

When devotees went to get her out of the mental asylum, they sat her in front of the Altar and got her to chant Hare Krsna as Srila Prabhupada requested. 

Unfortunately, due to having no good medications at that time, she was gone within a few hours never to be seen again. 

Frankly for that time, place and circumstance it was the only thing devotees could do because no one in 1972 medical society could help her.

However, that same situation  would be handled differently today because there ARE many medications available now that was not available back then that WOULD of helped settle her mind so she could do some service if that is what she really wanted. 

Therefore, you CANNOT apply that letter in 1972 by Prabhupada to all time, place and circumstance because what we now know he did not know back then.

Another time the devotee Bhakta dasa (name changed for privacy reasons) was also put in a mental institution, so to quieten his mind he was given an anti-psychotic. 

This gave him stability, he was stable enough, thanks to the medication given by his psychiatrist, to sit and chant Hare Krsna and become famous for washing pots for Kṛṣṇa.

The anti-psychotic drugs gave him stability so he could do his service.

Of course, one who is sick, be it the biological body or brain, should also chant Hare Krsna alongside the medicine they are receiving. 

This was the most important point Srila Prabhupada was making. As already said, in the case of Bhakta dasa, the anti-psychotic medication worked and helped him so he could engage himself in devotional service on his pathway to eventually be fully dependent on Krsna. 

In fact in his case, he could not even function without his medication; it was his determination that kept him remaining in contact with the devotees. 

The devotees did not really know how to understand his condition; he just kept coming to the Temple so they just tolerated his mental illness for years without having any real input or idea of how to deal with it. 

It was not a question of telling him to take his medication, the fact was, if he did not take it, then we would not see him. 

One time he stopped taking his medication when he went to India with the devotees and went completely berserk taking eight devotees to hold him down until and ambulance came.

Once back on his medication  he was alight, the medication calmed him down.

This actually happened a few times when he never took his medication. 

Therefore we should thank his psychiatrists for keeping him healthy, and his own determination to simultaneously depend on Krsna for helping him stay in contact with devotees.   

The point is, we have now come a long way in psychiatry over the last 50 years.

So psychiatry is NOT humbug today that may of been in 1972 when Prabhupada made that comment. 

In fact they were all not even humbug even back mid 1970s (a few years after Prabhupada wrote that letter) as the case with Bhakta dasa proves! 

The new anti-psychotic drug he was taking was very new in 1976, and it helped him remain functional.

It is just like the chanting of Hare Krsna alone will NOT cure a broken leg because you must seek out a doctor  who can put it into a cast. 

Similarly, the chanting alone will not cure a diseased brain with imbalance of serotonin, so just like the broken leg needs a cast; the brain substance may need an anti-depressant or anti-psychotic boost as in the case of Bhakta dasa and many others during their lifetime in ISKCON who foolishly neglected their mental illness for so many years because they put their faith and trust in unqualified immature Temple authorities. 

Such Temple leaders would often say-

“Snap out of it prabhu!! Your in Maya, get off the mental platform and just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, nothing else can help you! These meat eating demon doctors will never help you!"

Such narrow minded ignorant instructions will NEVER help anyone with mental illness! In fact because of such fanaticism some devotees have even committed suicide because they were told not to take their "karmi" medication.

Mental illness is caused by brain damage or some childhood trauma that is often difficult to understand. 

In most cases, it is something you cannot get over unless you take medication, just like you cannot heal a badly broken arm unless you put it in a cast.

Similarly attempting to heal the brain substance also requires medical help.

One must always practice Krsna Consciousness in a practical way, therefore the example of the chanting Hare Krsna alone  thinking it will heal your broken arm or leg is nonsense.

Such chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa will NOT heal a broken leg or arm, you MUST see a doctor.

This means to chant Hare Krsna alone and ignore medical help for mental illness is also absurd, foolish and WRONG in today’s world of 2021!

The fact is yes, one should always chant Hare Krishna enthusiastically under all conditions however, one should also seek medical help to keep the material body healthy. 

Of course doctors are not going to help us on our death bed, in that case only the chanting of Hare Krsna can do that.

Here are some interesting quotes about understanding Srila Prabhupada’s instructions according to time, place and circumstance -

Jayadvaita Swami – “What Prabhupada said sometimes differed. Sometimes he spoke for the benefit of an individual, sometimes for the world. Sometimes what he said was for the moment, sometimes forever. So as well as we can we need to recognize, in what Prabhupada said, not only the content but the intent”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “Srila Prabhupada responds to the questions of specific individuals. Though again the philosophy is always the same, we cannot assume that how he speaks it to one person is how he would speak it to all. 

With one inquirer he might be stern, with another sympathetic, with one subtle, with another deliberately simple. We’d be rash to cite one instance as evidence of how he would respond in all instances”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “What Prabhupada said sometimes differed. Sometimes he spoke for the benefit of an individual, sometimes for the world. Sometimes what he said was for the moment, sometimes forever. So as well as we can we need to recognize, in what Prabhupada said, not only the content but the intent”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “Srila Prabhupada is again addressing a particular person, in a particular time and circumstance. And this time his words are sent in a sealed envelope, not spoken in a public assembly. 

His words, therefore, may be intended for many people or only for one. They may give instructions meant to apply always and to everyone or only to a special circumstance and one recipient”. (quotes from vedabase)

The following are very interesting comments by the late Dr. Pusta Krsna dasa who was Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant in the mid 1970s

“I must be one of those demons that a recent devotee speaks of when he talks about hospitals and modern medicine (saying they are all demons!)

In my opinion, you have to be clear about physical health and the use of healers. If you subscribe to homeopathy or Ayurvedic treatments, that is a choice you personally make. 

Surely, you must know that Srila Prabhupad and so many others used medicines and treatments of those fields. 

His Divine Grace also would use western medicine, even surgery, when necessary, to sustain his life and his service. Prabhu, you do not know everything.

As a practicing physician and surgeon for over 30 years, you cannot imagine how much suffering I have encountered, and have been able to help. 

In my field, trauma to the limbs and the spine, injuries to soft tissues (skin, tendons, nerves), and infections (life and limb threatening, of which I have two patients in the hospital now), are all worthy pursuits.

It is so easy for those who are healthy and currently free from severe pain, to say “humbug” to the science and people who work to alleviate pain for others, and place the well-being of their patients above their own. 

Most such people who cry “humbug” are themselves enjoyers of the illusory energy.

Psychiatry is a field of medicine. It involves psychology when dealing with neurotic behaviour, but it can involve medications when serious depression and psychosis occur. 

While not everyone is fully versed in that field, including myself, my eyes are not closed to the reality of mental illness. 

Is it simply bad karma? Sure, but do you have enough compassion to help others, both physically and spiritually.

If you have the capacity and expertise, then you must help. If you don’t have the capacity or expertise, then please do not denigrate the sincere efforts of others to alleviate suffering. Prahlad was paradukhadhuki, he felt suffering for the suffering of others. 

While the chanting of the Holy Names is the ultimate path back to Home, if you try to make light of the physical and mental suffering of others, then you might one day find yourself the recipient of such unconcerned people when you your self are suffering. It will come back to you, as it must. 

Even the Bible says that those who show compassion for others, will receive compassion.

 It is safer, if you have the heart, to err on the side of being compassionate and caring toward those who are less fortunate. 

After all, fortune is in the hands of the Supreme Lord.  Let us therefore become more aware of the needs of devotees, being the servant of the servant, and try to bring affectionate care in our dealings with devotees.”

One important footnote to those comments by Srila Prabhupada - to engage in our devotional service we need a healthy body and that means we may need the help of medical professionals, be them doctors or modern psychiatrists (obviously not the Freudian camp of psychiatrists that Srila Prabhupada said are all nonsense) there are other psychiatrists however, who promote anti-depressants and anti-psychotics medication which have already been proven to help devotees and aspiring devotees. 

If they can help you then they are certainly not humbug, Srila Prabhupada’s ultimate mission is to free us all from the entanglement of repeated birth and death and return back home back to Godhead, if we need some medical help in pursuing this goal, then get the help you need, do not ignore mental illness.

The final comment is from Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada - "First of all, there is not question of a devotee becoming ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced.

Who has been ostracized?

One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill it is our duty to help him get the proper medicine and treatment so that he can recover." (Letter to Sukadeva on April 5, 1974) 

Hare Krsna, your aspiring servant Gauragopala dasa ACBSP.+^+ sometimes we have to accept the help of the medical industry. 

Some devotees who have had heart bypass surgery and other life saving procedures, are often criticised by a few fundamentalist ISKCON fanatical devotees.

Sadly they are often criticised by a few fundamentalist ISKCON fanatical devotees and leaders, who call these modern Doctors and Surgeons "disgusting meat eating, karmi, Godless demon Doctors", using Prabhupada's misinformed comment "humbug" to back their nonsense saying nothing else can help you except the chanting of Hare Krsna.

Are these misinformed devotees going to ONLY chant Hare Kṛṣṇa if they break their leg, foolishly thinking only the chanting of Hare Krsna will heal the break? Or refuse a breathing ventilater if they have Covid-19 and can't breath? 

Mental illness is the same as a broken leg, medication is also needed to bring balance to the brain, and like the healing of a broken leg, the chanting of Hare Krsna will help ONLY if you help yourself to seek medical help to.

God helps those who help themselves.

I remember some years ago a devotee was offered psychiatric help but was put off by immature Temple authorities who told him that "no meat eating nonsense karmi Godless demon" can ever help a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, claiming "only Krsna can help you, He is the ONLY real doctor, so pray to Him!"

Sadly this nonsense dogma is still prevalent today in some ISKCON Temples, who always call Hospitals, Doctors and Psychiatrists, demons.

Very immature!

Sadly this has caused some devotees and congregational members to avoid the help of modern medicine and suffer because of such extremism and nonsense even to the point of suicide.

Even with the Covid-19 pandemic (2020/21) where vaccination is the ONLY way out of being infected, sadly some devotees refuse to be vaccinated and condemns all vaccinations.

Ayurvedic medicine may help with some symptoms but it can NOT cure Covid-19 as previous proved during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919/20 when 22 million people died in India, and with the recent COVID-19 pandemic 2020/21 where it was useless against stopping Covid-19.

Even many big, big sannyāsis and ISKCON Gurus have died from Covid-19 because their Ayurvedic medication was useless against the virus.

History provides vaccinations work, Small pox, Polio, Diphtheria have all been eradicated because of vaccines.

Such immature fanatical nonsense fundamentalism will only keep devotees and sincere congregational members, who need medical help, suffer more in ignorance under the advice of some immature ISKCON devotees and authorities. 

The fact is, don’t listen to these people’s opinions on mental illness and vaccines, always have faith that Krsna DOES help those who seek out the medical help they need, to help themselves overcome different illnesses. 

All doctors and psychiatrists are NOT demons, and certainly NOT humbug! There are many, many good medical Doctors who can help you

The fact is, our medical profession HAS come a long way since Srila Prabhupada was here and in MOST cases, you CANNOT apply his teachings to all time, place and circumstance. 

As said above, all psychiatrists are NOT humbug in today’s world. 

They also, like doctors, can help devotees, some doctors and psychiatrists are even devotees! 

The late Pusta Krsna dasa ACBSP has been a doctor for over 30 years and advices his patients to have vaccinations and see psychiatrists if necessary.

Mental illness is misunderstood in ISKCON because of fanatical views in those early ignorant pioneering years.

That letter by Srila Prabhupada was sent 50 years ago (1972) in relation to the Temple President's wife in Melbourne Australia when she had a mental breakdown. 

When devotees went to get her out of the mental asylum, they sat her in front of the Altar and got her to chant Hare Krsna as Srila Prabhupada requested. 

Unfortunately, due to having no good medications at that time, she was gone within a few hours never to be seen again. 

Frankly for that time, place and circumstance it was the only thing devotees could do because no one in 1972 medical society could help her.

However, that same situation  would be handled differently today because there ARE many medications available now that was not available back then that WOULD of helped settle her mind so she could do some service if that is what she really wanted. 

Therefore, you CANNOT apply that letter in 1972 by Prabhupada to all time, place and circumstance because what we now know he did not know back then.

Another time the devotee Bhakta dasa (name changed for privacy reasons) was also put in a mental institution, so to quieten his mind he was given an anti-psychotic. 

This gave him stability, he was stable enough, thanks to the medication given by his psychiatrist, to sit and chant Hare Krsna and become famous for washing pots for Kṛṣṇa.

The anti-psychotic drugs gave him stability so he could do his service.

Of course, one who is sick, be it the biological body or brain, should also chant Hare Krsna alongside the medicine they are receiving. 

This was the most important point Srila Prabhupada was making. As already said, in the case of Bhakta dasa, the anti-psychotic medication worked and helped him so he could engage himself in devotional service on his pathway to eventually be fully dependent on Krsna. 

In fact in his case, he could not even function without his medication; it was his determination that kept him remaining in contact with the devotees. 

The devotees did not really know how to understand his condition; he just kept coming to the Temple so they just tolerated his mental illness for years without having any real input or idea of how to deal with it. 

It was not a question of telling him to take his medication, the fact was, if he did not take it, then we would not see him. 

One time he stopped taking his medication when he went to India with the devotees and went completely berserk taking eight devotees to hold him down until and ambulance came.

Once back on his medication  he was alight, the medication calmed him down.

This actually happened a few times when he never took his medication. 

Therefore we should thank his psychiatrists for keeping him healthy, and his own determination to simultaneously depend on Krsna for helping him stay in contact with devotees.   

The point is, we have now come a long way in psychiatry over the last 50 years.

So psychiatry is NOT humbug today that may of been in 1972 when Prabhupada made that comment. 

In fact they were all not even humbug even back mid 1970s (a few years after Prabhupada wrote that letter) as the case with Bhakta dasa proves! 

The new anti-psychotic drug he was taking was very new in 1976, and it helped him remain functional.

It is just like the chanting of Hare Krsna alone will NOT cure a broken leg because you must seek out a doctor  who can put it into a cast. 

Similarly, the chanting alone will not cure a diseased brain with imbalance of serotonin, so just like the broken leg needs a cast; the brain substance may need an anti-depressant or anti-psychotic boost as in the case of Bhakta dasa and many others during their lifetime in ISKCON who foolishly neglected their mental illness for so many years because they put their faith and trust in unqualified immature Temple authorities. 

Such Temple leaders would often say-

“Snap out of it prabhu!! Your in Maya, get off the mental platform and just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, nothing else can help you! These meat eating demon doctors will never help you!"

Such narrow minded ignorant instructions will NEVER help anyone with mental illness! In fact because of such fanaticism some devotees have even committed suicide because they were told not to take their "karmi" medication.

Mental illness is caused by brain damage or some childhood trauma that is often difficult to understand. 

In most cases, it is something you cannot get over unless you take medication, just like you cannot heal a badly broken arm unless you put it in a cast.

Similarly attempting to heal the brain substance also requires medical help.

One must always practice Krsna Consciousness in a practical way, therefore the example of the chanting Hare Krsna alone  thinking it will heal your broken arm or leg is nonsense.

Such chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa will NOT heal a broken leg or arm, you MUST see a doctor.

This means to chant Hare Krsna alone and ignore medical help for mental illness is also absurd, foolish and WRONG in today’s world of 2021!

The fact is yes, one should always chant Hare Krishna enthusiastically under all conditions however, one should also seek medical help to keep the material body healthy. 

Of course doctors are not going to help us on our death bed, in that case only the chanting of Hare Krsna can do that.

Here are some interesting quotes about understanding Srila Prabhupada’s instructions according to time, place and circumstance -

Jayadvaita Swami – “What Prabhupada said sometimes differed. Sometimes he spoke for the benefit of an individual, sometimes for the world. Sometimes what he said was for the moment, sometimes forever. So as well as we can we need to recognize, in what Prabhupada said, not only the content but the intent”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “Srila Prabhupada responds to the questions of specific individuals. Though again the philosophy is always the same, we cannot assume that how he speaks it to one person is how he would speak it to all. 

With one inquirer he might be stern, with another sympathetic, with one subtle, with another deliberately simple. We’d be rash to cite one instance as evidence of how he would respond in all instances”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “What Prabhupada said sometimes differed. Sometimes he spoke for the benefit of an individual, sometimes for the world. Sometimes what he said was for the moment, sometimes forever. So as well as we can we need to recognize, in what Prabhupada said, not only the content but the intent”.

Jayadvaita Swami – “Srila Prabhupada is again addressing a particular person, in a particular time and circumstance. And this time his words are sent in a sealed envelope, not spoken in a public assembly. 

His words, therefore, may be intended for many people or only for one. They may give instructions meant to apply always and to everyone or only to a special circumstance and one recipient”. (quotes from vedabase)

The following are very interesting comments by the late Dr. Pusta Krsna dasa who was Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant in the mid 1970s

“I must be one of those demons that a recent devotee speaks of when he talks about hospitals and modern medicine (saying they are all demons!)

In my opinion, you have to be clear about physical health and the use of healers. If you subscribe to homeopathy or Ayurvedic treatments, that is a choice you personally make. 

Surely, you must know that Srila Prabhupad and so many others used medicines and treatments of those fields. 

His Divine Grace also would use western medicine, even surgery, when necessary, to sustain his life and his service. Prabhu, you do not know everything.

As a practicing physician and surgeon for over 30 years, you cannot imagine how much suffering I have encountered, and have been able to help. 

In my field, trauma to the limbs and the spine, injuries to soft tissues (skin, tendons, nerves), and infections (life and limb threatening, of which I have two patients in the hospital now), are all worthy pursuits.

It is so easy for those who are healthy and currently free from severe pain, to say “humbug” to the science and people who work to alleviate pain for others, and place the well-being of their patients above their own. 

Most such people who cry “humbug” are themselves enjoyers of the illusory energy.

Psychiatry is a field of medicine. It involves psychology when dealing with neurotic behaviour, but it can involve medications when serious depression and psychosis occur. 

While not everyone is fully versed in that field, including myself, my eyes are not closed to the reality of mental illness. 

Is it simply bad karma? Sure, but do you have enough compassion to help others, both physically and spiritually.

If you have the capacity and expertise, then you must help. If you don’t have the capacity or expertise, then please do not denigrate the sincere efforts of others to alleviate suffering. Prahlad was paradukhadhuki, he felt suffering for the suffering of others. 

While the chanting of the Holy Names is the ultimate path back to Home, if you try to make light of the physical and mental suffering of others, then you might one day find yourself the recipient of such unconcerned people when you your self are suffering. It will come back to you, as it must. 

Even the Bible says that those who show compassion for others, will receive compassion.

 It is safer, if you have the heart, to err on the side of being compassionate and caring toward those who are less fortunate. 

After all, fortune is in the hands of the Supreme Lord.  Let us therefore become more aware of the needs of devotees, being the servant of the servant, and try to bring affectionate care in our dealings with devotees.”

One important footnote to those comments by Srila Prabhupada - to engage in our devotional service we need a healthy body and that means we may need the help of medical professionals, be them doctors or modern psychiatrists (obviously not the Freudian camp of psychiatrists that Srila Prabhupada said are all nonsense) there are other psychiatrists however, who promote anti-depressants and anti-psychotics medication which have already been proven to help devotees and aspiring devotees. 

If they can help you then they are certainly not humbug, Srila Prabhupada’s ultimate mission is to free us all from the entanglement of repeated birth and death and return back home back to Godhead, if we need some medical help in pursuing this goal, then get the help you need, do not ignore mental illness.

The final comment is from Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada - "First of all, there is not question of a devotee becoming ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced.

Who has been ostracized?

One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill it is our duty to help him get the proper medicine and treatment so that he can recover." (Letter to Sukadeva on April 5, 1974) 

Hare Krsna, your aspiring servant Gauragopala dasa ACBSP.

Explaining the Pancha Tattva.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Sri Nityananda Prabhu, His incarnation Sri Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Sri Gadadhara Prabhu, and His marginal potency Srivasa Prabhu.

He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

One should know that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas.

Therefore our obeisances to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are complete when we say, sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda.

In the pastimes of Lord Caitanya, Kṛṣṇa is manifested in five different features, known as the pañca-tattva, to whom Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja offers his obeisances in the fourteenth verse of the Caitanya caritāmṛta. 

Kṛṣṇa and His associates appear as devotees of the Supreme Lord in the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrī Advaitācārya, Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu and Śrīvāsa Prabhu.

Caitanya Caritamrta Preface and Introduction: 

"In the tenth and eleventh verses Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja describes Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, successive plenary expansions of Mahā-Viṣṇu. 

Brahmā appears upon a lotus growing from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and within the stem of that lotus are so many planetary systems. 

Then Brahmā creates the whole of human society, animal society—everything. 

Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu lies on the milk ocean within the universe, of which He is the controller and maintainer. 

Thus Brahmā is the creator, Viṣṇu is the maintainer, and when the time for annihilation arrives, Śiva will finish everything.

In the first eleven verses of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī thus discusses Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Lord Nityānanda as Balarāma, the first expansion of Kṛṣṇa. 

Then in the twelfth and thirteenth verses he describes Advaitācārya, who is another principal associate of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu's and an incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu. 

Thus Advaitācārya is also the Lord, or, more precisely, an expansion of the Lord. 

The word advaita means "nondual," and His name is such because He is nondifferent from the Supreme Lord. 

He is also called ācārya, teacher, because He disseminated Kṛṣṇa consciousness. 

In this way He is just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu. 

Although Lord Caitanya is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, He appeared as a devotee to teach people in general how to love Kṛṣṇa. 

Similarly, although Advaitācārya is the Lord, He appeared just to distribute the knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus He is also the Lord incarnated as a devotee.

In all cases, Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the source of energy for all His devotees. 

Since this is the case, if we take shelter of Caitanya Mahāprabhu for the successful execution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we are sure to make progress. 

In a devotional song, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura sings-

"My dear Lord Caitanya, please have mercy upon me. There is no one who is as merciful as You. My plea is most urgent because Your mission is to deliver all fallen souls, and no one is more fallen than I. Therefore I beg priority."

Left to Right in paintings below,

1 - Sri Advaita Acharya is Maha Visnu and Visnu tattva (God).

2 - Sri Nityananda is Balarama Himself the first expansion of Krsna (God).

3 - Lord Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the combination of Srimati Radharani and Krsna playing the part as Krsna's devotee.

4 - Sri Gadadhara Pandit is Srimati Radharani who is the incarnation of devotional energy and of the internal potency of Krsna (Sakti Visnu tattva) who Srimati Radharani represents.

5 - Sri Srivasa "marginal living entity or energy" (jiva-tattva soul) he is also Naradha Muni.

(jaya) sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Lord Krsna enjoys by manifesting Himself as the Spiritual Masters, the devotees, the diverse energies, the incarnations and the plenary portions in the form of the Panca-Tattva.

The Panca-Tattva are all five in one. I, therefore, worship the lotus feet of these five diversities of the one truth, the Panca-Tattva, by invoking their benedictions.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord’s incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies and the primeval Lord Himself, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami)

1 - Sri Krsna Caitanya,

2 - Prabhu Nityananda,

3 - Sri Advaita,

4 - Gadadhara,

5 - Srivasa

Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami in the Caitanya Caritamrita describes them as follows.

“Spiritually, there are no differences between these five tattvas, for on the transcendental platform everything is absolute. Yet, there are also varieties in the spiritual world, and in order to taste these spiritual varieties, one should distinguish between them” (C.C.Adi 7.5)

“Let me offer my obeisances unto Lord Sri Krsna, who has manifested Himself in five as a devotee (Lord Caitanya), expansion of a devotee (Lord Nityananda), incarnation of a devotee (Advaita Acarya), pure devotee (Srivasa), and devotional energy (Gadadhara)” (C.C.Adi 7.6)

1 - Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

“The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krsna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krsna are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally. 

Now, these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Sri Krsna Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani, although He is Krsna Himself.” (C.C.Adi 1.5)

“Desiring to understand the glory of Radharani’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of Srimati Saci devi as the moon appeared from the ocean” (C.C.Adi 1.6)

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the source of energy for all His devotees. He is maha-vadanyavatara, the most magnanimous incarnation of the Lord, for He does not consider the offenses of the fallen souls. 

In order to take full benefit of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra, we must first take shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

2 - Sri Nityananda Prabhu

“May Sri Nityananda Rama be the object of my constant remembrance. Sankarsana, Sesa Naga and the Visnus who lie on the Karana Ocean, Garbha Ocean and Ocean of Milk are His plenary portions and the portions of His plenary portions.” (C.C.Adi 1.7)

“I surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, who is known as Sankarsana in the midst of the catur-vyuha [consisting of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha]. He possesses full opulences and resides in Vaikunthaloka, far beyond the material creation.” (C.C.Adi 1.8)

“I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose partial representation called Karanadakasayi Visnu, lying on the Karana Ocean, is the original Purusa, the master of the illusory energy, and the shelter of all the universes.” (C.C.Adi 1.9)

“I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, a partial part of whom is Garbhodakasayi Visnu. From the navel of Garbhodakasayi Visnu sprouts the lotus that is the birthplace of Brahma, the engineer of the universe. The stem of that lotus is the resting place of the multitude of planets.” (C.C.Adi 1.10)

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose secondary part is the Visnu lying in the Ocean of Milk. That Ksirodakasayi Visnu is the Supersoul of all living entities and the maintainer of all the universes. Sesa Naga is His further subpart” (C.C.Adi 1.11)

Devotees understand that Lord Nityananda is Balarama Himself — the first expansion of Krsna. 

Vrindavan das Thakur, author of Caitanya Bhagavat prays -

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhupada's, whose long arms extend to Their knees. They have splendid golden complexions, and They inaugurated the congregational chanting of The Holy Names of the Lord.

Their eyes resemble the petals of lotus flowers. They are the maintainers of all the worlds, the best of the brahmanas, the protectors of religious principles for this age. They bring happiness to the people of the world, and are the most merciful incarnations.”

Lord Nityananda is even more merciful than Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because after Nitai was struck on the head with an earthen pot by the sinful Jagai and Madhai, He stopped Lord Caitanya from killing the two criminals.

He begged the Lord to spare their lives because after all, their mood was to make devotees by killing the demoniac tendencies within, not by slaying wrong-doers.

The Lord agreed to do this if the demoniac brothers would give up their sinful activities and change their bad habits into Krsna Conscious ones.

By His request, Mahaprabhu spared the brothers. By this mercy, the brothers fell at the feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and immediately surrendered their lives in devotion to Lord Caitanya.

3 - Sri Advaita Acharya

Advaita means non-dual because He is non-different from the Supreme Lord. Acarya means He is disseminating Krsna Consciousness. 

Advaita Acharya is Maha Visnu, whose main function is to create the cosmic world through the actions of Maya

“Because He is nondifferent from Hari, the Supreme Lord, He is called Advaita, and because He propagates Krsna Consciousness, He is called Acarya. 

He is the Lord and the incarnation of the Lord’s devotee. Therefore I take shelter of Him” (C.C.Adi 1.13)

Advaita Acarya is in the Visnu-tattva with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu. These are the three masters, but Nityananda and Advaita are servants of Mahaprabhu.

It was Advaita Gosai who prayed to the Lord by offering water and Tulasi leaves to His Salagram Sila Krsna Deity by loudly roaring his request for the Lord to appear.

4 - Sri Gadadhara Pandit

“The pleasure potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa formerly known as Vṛndāvaneśvarī is now personified in the form of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī has pointed out that in the shape of Lakṣmī, the pleasure potency of Kṛṣṇa, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Śyāmasundara-vallabhā.

The same Śyāmasundara-vallabhā is now present as Gadādhara Paṇḍita. 

Formerly, as Lalitā-sakhī, she was always devoted to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.”  (C.C.Adi 10.15 purport)

Gadadhara Goswami is a representative of a perfect brahmana spiritual master He is the Pleasure Potency of Sri Krsna (Srimati Radharani) He is a learned scholar and Gadadhara Pandit is simultaneously an incarnation of Srimati Radharani and Lalita-sakhi

Gadadhara is the incarnation of devotional energy and of the internal potency who is sakti-tattva, the confidential worshipper of the Visnu tattva.

In this incarnation, Radharani was able to spend time with Her Lord as an intimate associate who helped spread the pastimes and glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

5 - Sri Srivasa Pandit Thakura

Srivasa Thakura is the incarnation of the pure devotee of the Lord. He is jiva-tattva soul, the leader of all pure unalloyed devotees.

“All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Srivasa!” (C.C.Adi 10.2)

“These two captains, with Their soldiers, such as Srivasa Thakura, travel everywhere, chanting the holy name of the Lord” (C.C.Adi 3.75)

“The devotees headed by Srivasa are His smaller limbs. They are like His hands, face and eyes and His disc and other weapons” (C.C.Adi 6.38)

“Srivasa, Haridasa, Ramadasa, Gadadhara, Murari, Mukunda, Candrasekhara and Vakresvara are all glorious and are all learned scholars, but the sentiment of servitude to Lord Caitanya makes them mad in ecstasy.” (C.C.Adi 6.49-50).

The Lord’s "marginal energy" (jiva-tattva) is Srivas Thakur.

“There are innumerable pure devotees of the Lord, headed by Srivasa Thakura, who are known as unalloyed devotees” (C.C.Adi 7.16)

Even cats and dogs in the household of Srivasa Thakura were liberated. Cats and dogs and other animals are not expected to become devotees, but, in the association of a pure devotee, they are also delivered.

The entire family of Srivasa was made up of exalted spiritual personalities.

“In the Gaura-ganodesa dipika (90), Srivasa Pandita is described as an incarnation of Narada Muni, and Sri Rama Pandita, his younger brother, is said to be an incarnation of Parvata Muni, a great friend of Narada’s.

Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s wife, Mālinī, is celebrated as an incarnation of the nurse Ambikā, who fed Lord Kṛṣṇa with her breast milk, and his niece Nārāyaṇī, the mother of Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa, the author of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, was the sister of Ambikā in kṛṣṇa-līlā.

We also understand from the description of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata that after Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s acceptance of the sannyāsa order, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita left Navadvīpa, possibly because of feelings of separation, and domiciled at Kumārahaṭṭa.” (C.C.Adi 10.8

The Five Truths known as the Pancha Tattva

“The Supreme Energetic, the Personality of Godhead, manifesting in order to enjoy five kinds of pastimes, appears as the members of the Panca-tattva.

Actually, there is no difference between them because they are situated on the absolute platform, but they manifest different spiritual varieties as a challenge to the impersonalists to taste different kinds of spiritual humors (rasas).

In the Vedas it is said, parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate:

‘The varieties of energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are differently known.’

From this statement of the Vedas one can understand that there are eternal varieties of humors, or tastes, in the spiritual world.

Sri Gauranga, Sri Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara and Srivasa Thakura are all on the same platform.

In spiritually distinguishing between them one should understand that -

1 - Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the form of a devotee, (combination of Srimati Radharani and Krsna)

2 - Nityananda Prabhu appears in the form of a devotee’s spiritual master, (Visnu-tattva)

3 - Advaita Prabhu is the form of a bhakta (devotee) incarnation, (Visnu tattva)

4 - Gadadhara Prabhu is the energy of a bhakta, (Sakti Visnu tattva) and is Srimati Radharani.

5 - Srivasa Thakura is a pure devotee (jiva-tattva soul) and is also Naradha Muni as said above. Thus there are spiritual distinctions between them.

1 - The bhakta-rupa (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu),

2 - The bhakta-svarupa (Sri Nityananda Prabhu)

3 - The bhakta-avatara (Sri Advaita Prabhu) are described as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. His immediate manifestation and His plenary expansion, and They all belong to the Visnu tattva category.

Although the spiritual and marginal energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead Visnu, they are predominated subjects, whereas Lord Visnu is the predominator.

As such, although they are on the same platform, they have appeared differently in order to facilitate tasting of transcendental mellows.

Actually, however, there is no possibility of one being different from the other, for the worshiper and the worshipable cannot be separated at any stage. On the absolute platform, one cannot be understood without the other. (C. C. Adi 7.5)

Pancha-tattva mantra

(jaya) sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

Devotees in the Hare Krsna Movement (ISKCON) first offer obeisances to Lord Caitanya by chanting this Pancha-tattva mantra; then chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra:

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but these are not considered in the chanting of the Pancha-tattva mantra.

Lord Caitanya is known as “maha-vadanyavatara”, the most magnanimous incarnation, for He does not consider the offences of the fallen souls.

Thus to derive the full benefit of the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, we must first chant the Pancha-tattva-mantra and then chant the maha-mantra.

This will help us to succeed in getting complete benefit of chanting the maha-mantra.

Lord Nityananda is even more merciful than Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.*