Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapter 22 "The Orbits of the Planets" text 1 to text 17

The Orbits of the Planets

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapter 22:

"The Orbits of the Planets" text 1 to text 17

By His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

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

The sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire universe, especially in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes and so on, is considered an expansion of Nārāyaṇa. He represents the three Vedas — Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma — and therefore he is known as Trayīmaya, the form of Lord Nārāyaṇa.

Sometimes the sun-god is also called Sūrya Nārāyaṇa. The sun-god has expanded himself in twelve divisions, and thus he controls the six seasonal changes and causes winter, summer, rain and so on.

Yogīs and karmīs following the varṇāśrama institution, who practice haṭha or aṣṭāṅga-yoga or who perform agnihotra sacrifices, worship Sūrya Nārāyaṇa for their own benefit. The demigod Sūrya is always in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa.

Residing in outer space, which is in the middle of the universe, between Bhūloka and Bhuvarloka, the sun rotates through the time circle of the zodiac, represented by twelve rāśis, or signs, and assumes different names according to the sign he is in.

For the moon, every month is divided into two fortnights. Similarly, according to solar calculations, a month is equal to the time the sun spends in one constellation; two months constitute one season, and there are twelve months in a year.

The entire area of the sky is divided into two halves, each representing an ayana, the course traversed by the sun within a period of six months. The sun travels sometimes slowly, sometimes swiftly and sometimes at a moderate speed.

In this way it travels within the three worlds, consisting of the heavenly planets, the earthly planets and outer space. These orbits are referred to by great learned scholars by the names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.

The moon is situated 100,000 yojanas above the rays of the sunshine. Day and night on the heavenly planets and Pitṛloka are calculated according to its waning and waxing.

Above the moon by a distance of 200,000 yojanas are some stars, and above these stars is Śukra-graha (Venus), whose influence is always auspicious for the inhabitants of the entire universe.

Above Śukra-graha by 200,000 yojanas is Budha-graha (Mercury), whose influence is sometimes auspicious and sometimes inauspicious. Next, above Budha-graha by 200,000 yojanas, is Aṅgāraka (Mars), which almost always has an unfavorable influence.

Above Aṅgāraka by another 200,000 yojanas is the planet called Bṛhaspati-graha (Jupiter), which is always very favorable for qualified brāhmaṇas.

Above Bṛhaspati-graha is the planet Śanaiścara (Saturn), which is very inauspicious, and above Saturn is a group of seven stars occupied by great saintly persons who are always thinking of the welfare of the entire universe. These seven stars circumambulate Dhruvaloka, which is the residence of Lord Viṣṇu within this universe.

SB 5.22.1

Translation:

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: My dear lord, you have already affirmed the truth that the supremely powerful sun-god travels around Dhruvaloka with both Dhruvaloka and Mount Sumeru on his right.

Yet at the same time the sun-god faces the signs of the zodiac and keeps Sumeru and Dhruvaloka on his left. How can we reasonably accept that the sun-god proceeds with Sumeru and Dhruvaloka on both his left and right simultaneously?

SB 5.22.2

Translation:

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī clearly answered: When a potter’s wheel is moving and small ants located on that big wheel are moving with it, one can see that their motion is different from that of the wheel because they appear sometimes on one part of the wheel and sometimes on another.

Similarly, the signs and constellations, with Sumeru and Dhruvaloka on their right, move with the wheel of time, and the antlike sun and other planets move with them.

The sun and planets, however, are seen in different signs and constellations at different times. This indicates that their motion is different from that of the zodiac and the wheel of time itself.

SB 5.22.3

Translation:

The original cause of the cosmic manifestation is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. When great saintly persons, fully aware of the Vedic knowledge, offered prayers to the Supreme Person, He descended to this material world in the form of the sun to benefit all the planets and purify fruitive activities.

He divided Himself into twelve parts and created seasonal forms, beginning with spring. In this way He created the seasonal qualities, such as heat, cold and so on.

SB 5.22.4

Translation:

According to the system of four varṇas and four āśramas, people generally worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, who is situated as the sun-god.

With great faith they worship the Supreme Personality as the Supersoul according to ritualistic ceremonies handed down in the three Vedas, such as agnihotra and similar higher and lower fruitive acts, and according to the process of mystic yoga. In this way they very easily attain the ultimate goal of life.

SB 5.22.5

Translation:

The sun-god, who is Nārāyaṇa, or Viṣṇu, the soul of all the worlds, is situated in outer space between the upper and lower portions of the universe.

Passing through twelve months on the wheel of time, the sun comes in touch with twelve different signs of the zodiac and assumes twelve different names according to those signs.

The aggregate of those twelve months is called a saṁvatsara, or an entire year.

According to lunar calculations, two fortnights — one of the waxing moon and the other of the waning — form one month. That same period is one day and night for the planet Pitṛloka.

According to stellar calculations, a month equals two and one quarter constellations. When the sun travels for two months, a season passes, and therefore the seasonal changes are considered parts of the body of the year.

SB 5.22.6

Translation:

Thus the time the sun takes to rotate through half of outer space is called an ayana, or its period of movement [in the north or in the south].

SB 5.22.7

Translation:

The sun-god has three speeds — slow, fast and moderate. The time he takes to travel entirely around the spheres of heaven, earth and space at these three speeds is referred to, by learned scholars, by the five names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.

Purport:

According to solar astronomical calculations, each year extends six days beyond the calendar year, and according to lunar calculations, each year is six days shorter. Therefore, because of the movements of the sun and moon, there is a difference of twelve days between the solar and lunar years.

As the Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara pass by, two extra months are added within each five years. This makes a sixth saṁvatsara, but because that saṁvatsara is extra, the solar system is calculated according to the above five names.

SB 5.22.8

Translation:

Above the rays of the sunshine by a distance of 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles] is the moon, which travels at a speed faster than that of the sun.

In two lunar fortnights the moon travels through the equivalent of a saṁvatsara of the sun, in two and a quarter days it passes through a month of the sun, and in one day it passes through a fortnight of the sun.

Purport:

When we take into account that the moon is 100,000 yojanas, or 800,000 miles, above the rays of the sunshine, it is very surprising that the modern excursions to the moon could be possible. Since the moon is so distant, how space vehicles could go there is a doubtful mystery.

Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are uncertain. We have to accept the calculations of the Vedic literature.

These Vedic calculations are steady; the astronomical calculations made long ago and recorded in the Vedic literature are correct even now.

Whether the Vedic calculations or modern ones are better may remain a mystery for others, but as far as we are concerned, we accept the Vedic calculations to be correct.

SB 5.22.9

Translation:

When the moon is waxing, the illuminating portions of it increase daily, thus creating day for the demigods and night for the pitās. When the moon is waning, however, it causes night for the demigods and day for the pitās.

In this way the moon passes through each constellation of stars in thirty muhūrtas [an entire day]. The moon is the source of nectarean coolness that influences the growth of food grains, and therefore the moon-god is considered the life of all living entities. He is consequently called Jīva, the chief living being within the universe.

SB 5.22.10

Translation:

Because the moon is full of all potentialities, it represents the influence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The moon is the predominating deity of everyone’s mind, and therefore the moon-god is called Manomaya.

He is also called Annamaya because he gives potency to all herbs and plants, and he is called Amṛtamaya because he is the source of life for all living entities.

The moon pleases the demigods, pitās, human beings, animals, birds, reptiles, trees, plants and all other living entities. Everyone is satisfied by the presence of the moon. Therefore the moon is also called Sarvamaya [all-pervading].

SB 5.22.11

Translation:

There are many stars located 200,000 yojanas [1,600,000 miles] above the moon.

By the supreme will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are fixed to the wheel of time, and thus they rotate with Mount Sumeru on their right, their motion being different from that of the sun. There are twenty-eight important stars, headed by Abhijit.

Purport:

The stars referred to herein are 1,600,000 miles above the sun, and thus they are 4,000,000 miles above the earth.

SB 5.22.12

Translation:

Some 1,600,000 miles above this group of stars is the planet Venus, which moves at almost exactly the same pace as the sun according to swift, slow and moderate movements. Sometimes Venus moves behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes along with it.

Venus nullifies the influence of planets that are obstacles to rainfall. Consequently its presence causes rainfall, and it is therefore considered very favorable for all living beings within this universe. This has been accepted by learned scholars.

SB 5.22.13

Translation:

Mercury is described to be similar to Venus, in that it moves sometimes behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes along with it. It is 1,600,000 miles above Venus, or 7,200,000 miles above earth.

Mercury, which is the son of the moon, is almost always very auspicious for the inhabitants of the universe, but when it does not move along with the sun, it forbodes cyclones, dust, irregular rainfall, and waterless clouds. In this way it creates fearful conditions due to inadequate or excessive rainfall.

SB 5.22.14

Translation:

Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mercury, or 8,800,000 miles above earth, is the planet Mars. If this planet does not travel in a crooked way, it crosses through each sign of the zodiac in three fortnights and in this way travels through all twelve, one after another. It almost always creates unfavorable conditions in respect to rainfall and other influences.

SB 5.22.15

Translation:

Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mars, or 10,400,000 miles above earth, is the planet Jupiter, which travels through one sign of the zodiac within the period of a Parivatsara. If its movement is not curved, the planet Jupiter is very favorable to the brāhmaṇas of the universe.

SB 5.22.16

Translation:

Situated 1,600,000 miles above Jupiter, or 12,000,000 miles above earth, is the planet Saturn, which passes through one sign of the zodiac in thirty months and covers the entire zodiac circle in thirty Anuvatsaras. This planet is always very inauspicious for the universal situation.

SB 5.22.17

Translation:

Situated 8,800,000 miles above Saturn, or 20,800,000 miles above earth, are the seven saintly sages, who are always thinking of the well-being of the inhabitants of the universe. They circumambulate the supreme abode of Lord Viṣṇu, known as Dhruvaloka, the polestar.

Purport:

Śrīla Madhvācārya quotes the following verse from the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa:

jñānānandātmano viṣṇuḥ

śiśumāra-vapuṣy atha

ūrdhva-lokeṣu sa vyāpta

ādityādyās tad-āśritā

“Lord Viṣṇu, who is the source of knowledge and transcendental bliss, has assumed the form of Śiśumāra in the seventh heaven, which is situated in the topmost level of the universe. All the other planets, beginning with the sun, exist under the shelter of this Śiśumāra planetary system.”

From- Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fifth Canto, Twenty-second Chapter, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Orbits of the Planets.”

The meaning of śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru and who can become dīkṣā-guru.

The meaning of śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru and who can become dīkṣā-guru.

Generally śikṣā-guru (instructing spiritual master) eventually becomes dīkṣā-guru (initiating spiritual master.)

Patha-pradarśaka-guru means “the guru, or the spiritual master, who shows the way.” Such a guru is sometimes called śikṣā-guru.

Although according to śāstric injunctions, there is no difference between śikṣā-guru (instructing spiritual master) and dīkṣā-guru (initiating spiritual master), and generally the śikṣā-guru later on becomes the dīkṣā-guru.

However in the case of Dhruva Mahārāja, his mother Sunīti, who was his siksa-guru, being a woman, and specifically his mother, could not therefore become Dhruva Mahārāja’s dīkṣā-guru.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa)

By His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Canto 4 Chapter 12 Text 32 Purport

Srila Prabhupada - "Dhruva had a feeling of obligation to his mother, Sunīti. It was Sunīti who had given him the clue which had now enabled him to be personally carried to the Vaikuṇṭha planet by the associates of Lord Viṣṇu.

He now remembered her and wanted to take her with him. Actually, Dhruva Mahārāja’s mother, Sunīti, was his patha-pradarśaka-guru.

Patha-pradarśaka-guru means “the guru, or the spiritual master, who shows the way.” Such a guru is sometimes called śikṣā-guru.

Although Nārada Muni was his dīkṣā-guru (initiating spiritual master), Sunīti, his mother, was the first who gave him instruction on how to achieve the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

It is the duty of the śikṣā-guru or dīkṣā-guru to instruct the disciple in the right way, and it depends on the disciple to execute the process.

According to śāstric injunctions, there is no difference between śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru, and generally the śikṣā-guru later on becomes the dīkṣā-guru.

Sunīti, however, being a woman, and specifically his mother, could not become Dhruva Mahārāja’s dīkṣā-guru. Still, he was not less obliged to Sunīti.

There was no question of carrying Nārada Muni to Vaikuṇṭhaloka, but Dhruva Mahārāja thought of his mother.

Whatever plan the Supreme Personality of Godhead contemplates immediately fructifies. Similarly, a devotee who is completely dependent on the Supreme Lord can also fulfill his wishes by the grace of the Lord.

The Lord fulfills His wishes independently, but a devotee fulfills his wishes simply by being dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Therefore as soon as Dhruva Mahārāja thought of his poor mother, he was assured by the associates of Viṣṇu that Sunīti was also going to Vaikuṇṭhaloka, in another plane.

Dhruva Mahārāja had thought that he was going alone to Vaikuṇṭhaloka, leaving behind his mother, which was not very auspicious because people would criticize him for going alone to Vaikuṇṭhaloka and not carrying with him Sunīti, who had given him so much.

But Dhruva also considered that he was not personally the Supreme. Therefore, only if Kṛṣṇa fulfilled his desires would it be possible. Kṛṣṇa could immediately understand his mind, and He told Dhruva that his mother was also going with him.

This incident proves that a pure devotee like Dhruva Mahārāja can fulfill all his desires; by the grace of the Lord, he becomes exactly like the Lord, and thus whenever he thinks of anything, his wish is immediately fulfilled".

There were no Hare Krishna devotees in Australia until March 1970 when two arrived from the United States. In the 1950s Asians, Indians and blacks were banned entry into Australia unless highly educated, spoke English and are Christian but that policy never included blacks.

I met the famous Christian evangelist Billy Graham with my mother in February 1959 in Melbourne Australia, a impressive man, 138,000 people entered a football stadium to see him.

In the 1950s, 96% of Australia were Christian and almost everyone went to Church on a Sunday.

Although our Australian population was only 8 million.

Back then Asians, Indians and blacks were banned entry unless highly educated, spoke English and are Christian but that policy never included blacks.

Even local aborigines were not allowed to vote until 1961 or considered Australian citizens till 1967. These laws were under ''The white Australia policy''.

Only European white Christians and Jews were allowed in to settle.

That all changed between 1964-67 not by Politicians but by young men inspiring us from America like Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, the Beatles (who came to Australia in 64), Martin Luther King, Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey and his pranksters etc and a little tablet overlooked by the authorities doing the rounds called LSD.

And of course a new peace chant introduced first by Allan Ginsberg in 1963 called ''Hare Krishna'' and then its true meaning explained in detail through many Books from 1965 written by His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who eventually founded his ISKCON Society in 1966.

1965 was the birth of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's great Sankirtan Movement outside of India beginning with the Americas and England in 1968.

The Australia ABC television was excellent covering what was happening in America and the War in Vietnam, showing all changes happening in America on TV that greatly influenced us.

I first saw the devotees chanting, led by Upendra prabhu in San Francisco during the ''summer of love'' July - August 1967 on TV in Melbourne.

Also over 1 million American servicemen visited Australian cities on leave from the Vietnam War bringing with them with high quality Owsley Stanley LSD on blotting paper, and high quality hash, our naive Customs had no idea what was going on at this time.

By 1970 ISKCON had its first Temple in Australia in Sydney and 1971 in Melbourne but only local white converts because Indians were still banned from being citizens.

Srila Prabhupada and a few others were the exception being highly educated, spoke English and Prabhupada being a world renowned author. Others allowed in were highly qualified Doctors and University professors but at this stage no students to our Universities were allowed.

The white Australia policy was fully abandoned in 1979, before that no Indian devotees in photos.

Today in 2019, 98% of ISKCON devotees in Melbourne are Indian and according to the 2018 Australian census, 43% of the population are Christian.

Although our population in 2019 is nearly 25 million.

It was like being on a different planet 60 years ago when Billy Graham came here and 96% of our our 8 million population were Christian.

PHOTO is of Melbourne Temple January 1975, not one Indian or blacks in those days lived in the Temple, the only dark devotee is a New Zealander Maori.

Devotees of Krishna should not even desire to enter the perpetual never aging eternally opulent Vaikuntha Loka Planets, what to speak of the mundane temporary material heavenly planets. Devotees of Krishna ONLY want to go to Goloka Vrindavana the top most Spiritual Planet.

Devotees of Krishna should not even desire to enter the Vaikuntha Loka Planets! They only want to go to Krsnaloka where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is (Goloka Vrindavana)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matter is the symbol of undeveloped consciousness.

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

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

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

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

The Pancha Tattva explained - śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda,śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda.

The Pancha Tattva.

Pancha means "five" and Tattva means "truth" or "reality".

In the Gaudiya Vaishnavism or the Krishna consciousness movement, (The Hare Krishna Movement) Pancha Tattva refers specifically to the Five aspects of God or Absolute Truth.

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism these five Personalities appeared on Earth at the end of the 15th Century.

Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on Earth on the 18th of February 1486

Therefore five great personalities appeared in the late 15th century -

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
Nityananda Prabhu,
Advaita Acharya,
Gadadhara Pandita,
Srivasa Thakura.

They famously spread the Hare Krishna mantra, and the practice of devotion (bhakti) to Krishna throughout India.

1 - Chaitnya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, The Supreme Person (Svayam Bhagavan).

2 - Nityananda is Krishna's first personal expansion with a combined power of Balarama,

3 - Advaita Acharya is a combined incarnation of Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva (Harihara).

4 - Gadadhara is a combined incarnation of Radha, Lalita (gopi) and Krishna's internal energy.

5 - Srivasa is Krishna's pure devotee and symbolizes devotion. The great sage Naradha Muni is Srivasa

"I bow down to Lord Krishna, who appears as a supreme devotee (Lord Chaitanya),

As His personal expansion (Sri Nityananda),
His incarnation (Sri Advaita),
His devotee (Sri Srivasa),
His energy (Sri Gadadhara),
and who is the source of strength for the devotees." (Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi 1.147.6)

Within the Gaudiya tradition a mantra formed from the names of the five members of the Pancha Tattva is often spoken or sung as a means of devotional worship or meditation (japa).

Often this mantra is sung or chanted prior to the Hare Krishna mantra.

It is believed by followers to be the most merciful mantra available in this age of Kali.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda,śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda.

How long will the Hare Krishna Movement last in this Kali-yuga according to scriptures?

How long will the Hare Krishna Movement last?

Allen Ginsberg - "Will people still be chanting Hare Krishna in 400,000 years?"

Srila Prabhupada - "No. Hare Krishna will be finished within ten thousand years (10,000 YEARS). There will be no more Hare Krishna".

Allen Ginsberg - "Ah. So what will be left?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Nothing. I'll kill you and eat you, and you shall kill me. You shall eat me. That will be left".

Allen Ginsberg - "After ten thousand years?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, there will be no grain, no milk, no sugar, no fruit. So I will have to eat you, and you will have to eat me. Full facility for meat-eating.[Laughter.] Full facility. Krishna is very kind. He'll give you facility:

"All right. Why cows and calves? You take your own son. Yes. Eat nicely." Just like serpents, snakes -- they eat their own offspring. Also tigers. So this will happen. And there will be no brain to understand [God], no preachers, nothing. And then Krishna will come:

"All right, let Me kill you so that you will be saved."

Discussion between Srila Prabhupada and Allen Ginsberg May 13, 1969, Columbus, Ohio USA

The story about the deliverance of the drunkards Jagai and Madhai. Lord Caitanya instructed Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakur to go to every one's house in Nadiya and request them to chant Krishna"s name. The two great devotees eagerly set forth and began to knock on each and every door with the request, "please chant Krishna"s name, worship Krishna and teach others about Krishna." Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakur, approached two drunkards instructing them to chant the holy name of the Lord. Hearing these words the two sinners looked up and seeing the two saintly figures roared in anger. They leapt up and ran to catch the two sannyasis and assaulted Lord Nityananda with a clay pot. This made Lord Caitanya furious

Hearing that Lord Nityananda Prabhu had been hurt by the drunkard brothers Jagai and Madhi, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was furious and ran towards them with the intention to kill them.

But Lord Nityananda is very merciful to all the fallen souls, He reminded Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that He is Patita Pavana, the delivered of the most fallen souls.

The story about the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai.

One day Lord Caitanya instructed Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakur to go to every one's house in Nadiya and request them to chant Krishna"s name.

The two great devotees eagerly set forth and began to knock on each and every door with the request, "please chant Krishna"s name, worship Krishna and teach others about Krishna."

They were happily received by the pious people, while the envious would blaspheme them. Completely unconcerned by favorable or unfavorable reactions they proceeded around the town.

In Nadiya there lived two very sinful brothers called Jagai and Madhai. Though they born in pious Brahman families, by bad association they had become meat eaters, drunkards, thieves and arsonists.

There was no crime that they had not committed, including the most abominable sin of killing cows and Brahmans. The entire town was terrified of these two persons who seemed to be the very personification of all sinful activities.

On the day Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakur were moving in the town, these two brothers, completely intoxicated were alternatively fighting and embracing each other.

After observing them for some time Nityananda Prabhu compassionately decided to deliver them and thus approached them.

Despite the warnings of the town people Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakur, approached the two drunkards instructing them to chant the holy name of the Lord.

Hearing these words the two sinners looked up and seeing the two saintly figures roared in anger. They leapt up and ran to catch the two sannyasis. Playing their pastimes, the two devotees fled at the sight of the attacking brothers. Apparently terrified they shouted, "Krishna! Save us!! Govinda!," and ran.

While running, Haridasa Thakur proclaimed that all this trouble was because he was in the company of a trouble maker, a charge that Nityananda Prabhu hotly denied.

In this way, pursued by the cursing Jagai-Madhai, Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakur, laughed and ran. They finally disappeared into the home Srivasa Acarya, leaving the bewildered brothers searching for them in vain.

The pastimes of these exalted devotees are full of sugar and spice. While they all understood each others exalted positions, they would also have many loving and teasing exchanges.

This was specially true for Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acarya. In this mood, Haridasa went to Advaita Prabhu to complain about Lord Nityananda.

He recounted how in the past Nityananda Prabhu would calmly swim the waters infested with crocodiles, or how he would milk other's cows and drink the milk, or steal their butter and yogurt leaving Haridasa to face the angry crowd.

When Advaita Prabhu heard about the pastime with the two drunkards, He laughed and commented, "it is all right that these three drunkards should stay together."

However in their hearts they knew that Nityananda Prabhu was only intoxicated by the love of Godhead and that Jagai-Madhai were already delivered by His mercy.

In the meantime the two brothers began to reside near Ganga where Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed. Constantly drunk, they started harassing and terrorizing the devotees.

At night, they could hear the sounds of the kirtans coming from the house of Srivasa Acarya and would playfully sing and dance with the melody.

One day while Nityananda Prabhu was returning in the dark He was accosted by the two brothers. On learning His identity, Madhai became furious and struck Him with a broken earthen pot.

When Jagai saw the blood flow from the wound, he became compassionate and restrained his brother.

While Nityananda Prabhu patiently stood, looking at the brothers with compassion, tolerating the pain and humiliation, people ran to tell Caitanya Mahaprabhu about the incident.

Hearing that Nityananda Prabhu had been hurt by the brothers, Caitanya Mahaprabhu ran towards them with the intention to kill them.

He summoned His chakra which looked like death personified to the two terrified brothers. However Nityananda Prabhu quickly intervened and begged Caitanya Mahaprabhu to stop.

He reminded Him of His mission to kill the sinners by saturating them with love of Godhead. Thus appeased the Lord took back His chakra.

Nityananda Prabhu told Caitanya Mahaprabhu that it was Jagai who had saved Him from further harm at Madhai's hand. Hearing this Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Jagai,

"Lord Krishna be merciful to you. By protecting Nityananda you have purchased Me. You may ask any desire you have in your heart. From today on you will have pure love and devotion for Krishna"

Hearing this Jagai fell at the feet of the two Lords and grasping the feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu wept.

Seeing the wonderful transformation in his brother, a remorseful Madhai begged for the mercy of the Lord. However, since he had committed the worst of all offenses, that of attacking a Vaishnava, the Lord did not even consider all his pitiful pleas for mercy.

Only after Madhai grasped the feet of Nityananda Prabhu and received His mercy that Caitanya Mahaprabhu agree to deliver Madhai also.

Having received the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda, both the brothers became completely transformed.

They would chant 200,000 names of the Lord every day, offer every one humble obeisances and constantly berate themselves for their past sinful activities.

Madhai in particular was very remorseful at the fact that he had caused physical harm to Nityananda Prabhu and would shed many tears for this. Finally he approached the Lord and begged for some act of atonement.

The compassionate Lord assured him that he was completely forgiven, but if he wanted to atone for his other past sins then he could build a bathing place on the banks of the river Ganges to help people take a bath.

Madhai enthusiastically built this place which still exists with the name of Madhai ghata. He would constantly be present there, humbly offering any and all services to devotees.

In this way the two brothers spent the rest of their lives singing the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu.

It is said that when Yamaraja asked Chitragupta, the demigod responsible for recording the sinful activities of people, how many sins had been committed by Jagai-Madhai, he was told that it would take one hundred thousand scribes one month to complete the record.

On seeing Lord Caitanya take all these sinful activities into Himself and deliver Jagai-Madhai, Yamaraja fainted with ecstasy. When he was revived, he began to dance, glorifying the Lord for delivering the most fallen.

Attracted by his dancing, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Narada Muni, Sukhadeva Goswami, Indra and other demigods also began to dance in ecstasy at the mercy of the Lord.

In this way the heavenly planets, all the way to Brahmaloka became completely immersed in the love of Godhead.

In this pastime the Lords revealed many instructions for future generations to follow.

While Jagai-Madhai had committed many sinful activities, they had never offended a Vaishnava. Since Jagai had protected Nityananda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya immediately absolved him of all sinful activities and gave him Krishna prema.

However since Madhai hit Nityananda Prabhu, he did not receive this mercy until he was forgiven by Nityananda Prabhu.

This is in line with a lesson that Caitanya Mahaprabhu repeatedly gave to His followers that while Krishna can overlook offenses committed against Him, He will take any offense against His devotee very seriously.

In fact while Caitanya Mahaprabhu readily gave the boon of devotion to Jagai, He had previously refused to give the same gift to His beloved mother, Saci Mata, because of a slight offense she had made against Advaita Acarya.

Only when she begged and received the forgiveness of Advaita did she became eligible to receive this gift.

The Lord also revealed that there are no material restrictions to performing devotional service. Even though Jagai-Madhai were performing the most abominable activities, even though they were unwilling to chant the holy name, they were still delivered by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.

The pastime also revealed that the devotees of the Lord are even more merciful than the Lord Himself. While Lord Caitanya would ignore these two brothers and had nothing to do with them, Nityananda Prabhu still approached them and ultimately delivered them.

The personality of Nityananda Prabhu is most bewildering by material conception. He played the role of an avadhut, one who is completely beyond the material conception of life.

So saturated was He with the love of Godhead that He would often loose complete consciousness of His material body and behave in strange ways. However Caitanya Mahaprabhu strongly cautioned about committing any offenses against Him.

He emphatically stated that no one can even think of approaching Radha-Krishna

without having first received the mercy of Lord Nityananda, the adi-guru or the original spiritual master of the universe.

All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!!

Lord Nityananda Prabhu was hurt by the drunkards Jagai and Madhi, this made Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu furious and ran towards them to kill them, but Lord Nityananda is very merciful to all the fallen souls, He reminded the Lord that He is Patita Pavana, the delivered of the most wretched and fallen souls.

Hearing that Lord Nityananda Prabhu had been hurt by the drunkard brothers Jagai and Madhi, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was furious and ran towards them with the intention to kill them.

But Lord Nityananda is very merciful to all the fallen souls, He reminded Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that He is Patita Pavana, the delivered of the most fallen souls.

The story about the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai.

One day Lord Caitanya instructed Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakur to go to every one's house in Nadiya and request them to chant Krishna"s name.

The two great devotees eagerly set forth and began to knock on each and every door with the request, "please chant Krishna"s name, worship Krishna and teach others about Krishna."

They were happily received by the pious people, while the envious would blaspheme them. Completely unconcerned by favorable or unfavorable reactions they proceeded around the town.

In Nadiya there lived two very sinful brothers called Jagai and Madhai. Though they born in pious Brahman families, by bad association they had become meat eaters, drunkards, thieves and arsonists.

There was no crime that they had not committed, including the most abominable sin of killing cows and Brahmans. The entire town was terrified of these two persons who seemed to be the very personification of all sinful activities.

On the day Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakur were moving in the town, these two brothers, completely intoxicated were alternatively fighting and embracing each other.

After observing them for some time Nityananda Prabhu compassionately decided to deliver them and thus approached them.

Despite the warnings of the town people Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakur, approached the two drunkards instructing them to chant the holy name of the Lord.

Hearing these words the two sinners looked up and seeing the two saintly figures roared in anger. They leapt up and ran to catch the two sannyasis. Playing their pastimes, the two devotees fled at the sight of the attacking brothers. Apparently terrified they shouted, "Krishna! Save us!! Govinda!," and ran.

While running, Haridasa Thakur proclaimed that all this trouble was because he was in the company of a trouble maker, a charge that Nityananda Prabhu hotly denied.

In this way, pursued by the cursing Jagai-Madhai, Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakur, laughed and ran. They finally disappeared into the home Srivasa Acarya, leaving the bewildered brothers searching for them in vain.

The pastimes of these exalted devotees are full of sugar and spice. While they all understood each others exalted positions, they would also have many loving and teasing exchanges.

This was specially true for Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acarya. In this mood, Haridasa went to Advaita Prabhu to complain about Lord Nityananda.

He recounted how in the past Nityananda Prabhu would calmly swim the waters infested with crocodiles, or how he would milk other's cows and drink the milk, or steal their butter and yogurt leaving Haridasa to face the angry crowd.

When Advaita Prabhu heard about the pastime with the two drunkards, He laughed and commented, "it is all right that these three drunkards should stay together."

However in their hearts they knew that Nityananda Prabhu was only intoxicated by the love of Godhead and that Jagai-Madhai were already delivered by His mercy.

In the meantime the two brothers began to reside near Ganga where Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed. Constantly drunk, they started harassing and terrorizing the devotees.

At night, they could hear the sounds of the kirtans coming from the house of Srivasa Acarya and would playfully sing and dance with the melody.

One day while Nityananda Prabhu was returning in the dark He was accosted by the two brothers. On learning His identity, Madhai became furious and struck Him with a broken earthen pot.

When Jagai saw the blood flow from the wound, he became compassionate and restrained his brother.

While Nityananda Prabhu patiently stood, looking at the brothers with compassion, tolerating the pain and humiliation, people ran to tell Caitanya Mahaprabhu about the incident.

Hearing that Nityananda Prabhu had been hurt by the brothers, Caitanya Mahaprabhu ran towards them with the intention to kill them.

He summoned His chakra which looked like death personified to the two terrified brothers. However Nityananda Prabhu quickly intervened and begged Caitanya Mahaprabhu to stop.

He reminded Him of His mission to kill the sinners by saturating them with love of Godhead. Thus appeased the Lord took back His chakra.

Nityananda Prabhu told Caitanya Mahaprabhu that it was Jagai who had saved Him from further harm at Madhai's hand. Hearing this Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Jagai,

"Lord Krishna be merciful to you. By protecting Nityananda you have purchased Me. You may ask any desire you have in your heart. From today on you will have pure love and devotion for Krishna"

Hearing this Jagai fell at the feet of the two Lords and grasping the feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu wept.

Seeing the wonderful transformation in his brother, a remorseful Madhai begged for the mercy of the Lord. However, since he had committed the worst of all offenses, that of attacking a Vaishnava, the Lord did not even consider all his pitiful pleas for mercy.

Only after Madhai grasped the feet of Nityananda Prabhu and received His mercy that Caitanya Mahaprabhu agree to deliver Madhai also.

Having received the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda, both the brothers became completely transformed.

They would chant 200,000 names of the Lord every day, offer every one humble obeisances and constantly berate themselves for their past sinful activities.

Madhai in particular was very remorseful at the fact that he had caused physical harm to Nityananda Prabhu and would shed many tears for this. Finally he approached the Lord and begged for some act of atonement.

The compassionate Lord assured him that he was completely forgiven, but if he wanted to atone for his other past sins then he could build a bathing place on the banks of the river Ganges to help people take a bath.

Madhai enthusiastically built this place which still exists with the name of Madhai ghata. He would constantly be present there, humbly offering any and all services to devotees.

In this way the two brothers spent the rest of their lives singing the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu.

It is said that when Yamaraja asked Chitragupta, the demigod responsible for recording the sinful activities of people, how many sins had been committed by Jagai-Madhai, he was told that it would take one hundred thousand scribes one month to complete the record.

On seeing Lord Caitanya take all these sinful activities into Himself and deliver Jagai-Madhai, Yamaraja fainted with ecstasy. When he was revived, he began to dance, glorifying the Lord for delivering the most fallen.

Attracted by his dancing, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Narada Muni, Sukhadeva Goswami, Indra and other demigods also began to dance in ecstasy at the mercy of the Lord.

In this way the heavenly planets, all the way to Brahmaloka became completely immersed in the love of Godhead.

In this pastime the Lords revealed many instructions for future generations to follow.

While Jagai-Madhai had committed many sinful activities, they had never offended a Vaishnava. Since Jagai had protected Nityananda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya immediately absolved him of all sinful activities and gave him Krishna prema.

However since Madhai hit Nityananda Prabhu, he did not receive this mercy until he was forgiven by Nityananda Prabhu.

This is in line with a lesson that Caitanya Mahaprabhu repeatedly gave to His followers that while Krishna can overlook offenses committed against Him, He will take any offense against His devotee very seriously.

In fact while Caitanya Mahaprabhu readily gave the boon of devotion to Jagai, He had previously refused to give the same gift to His beloved mother, Saci Mata, because of a slight offense she had made against Advaita Acarya.

Only when she begged and received the forgiveness of Advaita did she became eligible to receive this gift.

The Lord also revealed that there are no material restrictions to performing devotional service. Even though Jagai-Madhai were performing the most abominable activities, even though they were unwilling to chant the holy name, they were still delivered by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.

The pastime also revealed that the devotees of the Lord are even more merciful than the Lord Himself. While Lord Caitanya would ignore these two brothers and had nothing to do with them, Nityananda Prabhu still approached them and ultimately delivered them.

The personality of Nityananda Prabhu is most bewildering by material conception. He played the role of an avadhut, one who is completely beyond the material conception of life.

So saturated was He with the love of Godhead that He would often loose complete consciousness of His material body and behave in strange ways. However Caitanya Mahaprabhu strongly cautioned about committing any offenses against Him.

He emphatically stated that no one can even think of approaching Radha-Krishna without having first received the mercy of Lord Nityananda, the adi-guru or the original spiritual master of the universe.

All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!!

Past, present and future can be seen simultaneously Srila Prabhupada explains - "Arjuna can see EVERYTHING that exists in any part of the universe. Kṛṣṇa gives him the power to see anything he wants to see, "past, present and future". Thus by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna is able to see EVERYTHING" BG 11.7 purport.

Could past, present and future exist simultaneously.

How could this be?

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is Chapter 11 Text 7

Translation

O Arjuna, whatever you wish to see, behold at once in this body of Mine! This universal form can show you whatever you now desire to see and whatever you may want to see in the future. Everything — moving and nonmoving — is here completely, in one place.

Purport by Srila Prabhupada 

No one can see the entire universe while sitting in one place. Even the most advanced scientist cannot see what is going on in other parts of the universe. But a devotee like Arjuna can see everything that exists in any part of the universe.

Kṛṣṇa gives him the power to see anything he wants to see, past, present and future. Thus by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna is able to see EVERYTHING". (Bhagavad-gītā As It Is Chapter 11 Text 7)

The great sages and devotees in previous ages thousands of years ago were "tri-kāla-jñā".

Tri-kāla-jñā means they could understand EVERYTHING-

1 - What was in the past,

2 - What there shall be in the future,

3 - And what is at present.

Srila Prabhupada - ''So the point is that five thousand years ago the things which were written for this age, how they are coming to be true in our experience. That is the point: how they could see past, present, and future so nicely? The sages were known as tri-kāla-jñā. Tri means three. There is almost similarity, tri and three. Tri is Sanskrit, and three is English or Latin, but there is similarity. Tri-kāla-jñā.

Tri means three, and kāla means time.

Time is experienced by three ways:

1 - past

2 - present

3 - future. 

Time limitation, past, present and future. Whenever you speak of time, it is past, present or future.

So the sages in those days were tri-kāla-jñā. Tri-kāla-jñā means they could understand, they could know what was in the past, what there shall be in the future, and what is at present.

Just like in the Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says,

"My Dear Arjuna, you, Me, I, and all these kings and soldiers who have assembled in this battlefield, they were all individuals, and we are still individual. And in this past, in the future, we shall all remain individuals."

That past, present, and future, he explained.

Another place Kṛṣṇa says, vedāhaṁ samatītāni (BG 7.26). Atītāni, atītāni means past. Vartamānāni ca, "and present." So that is yogic power.

One CAN know past, present, and future''. SB 12.2.1 -- San Francisco, March 18, 1968 (end of quote)

There is still a lot more to learn about the movement of the marginal living entity through material space and time divided into past, present and future. 

We have only scratched the surface in understanding Vedic texts in the 50 years since Srila Prabhupada made his valuable contribution to the Western World.

The movement of time is eternally divided into past, present and future while this material universe exists.

And all material bodily vessels or containers (within the 8 million 400 thousand species) are part and parcel of the fabric of the material energy controlled by time that governs and pervades this material temporary creation.

Matter or material energy is lifeless and takes up 1/4 of the Spiritual Sky however, material energy is "moved" by life.

The individual jiva soul is accompanied by Paramatma (Vishnu) and enters the mundane material creation giving dead matter "movement".

In the material creation the jiva souls are simply the passengers riding in/on the fabric of material energy.

The individual marginal living entities or jiva-souls exists in those vessels given to them by Maha Vishnu according to their desires.

Also the reactions to past pious and impious actions also determine what type of a material body one gets.

So yes, it is possible to see past, present and future in the material creation all existing imultaneously 

Just like in a plane one see the an entire roadway, from its beginnings, to just middle, and where it ends.

HERE

Because of the material desires, the individual marginal living entity would eventually repeat themselves over eternity.

There is no harm in philosophical speculation as long as we do not deviate from sastra, how else are we to learn?

Many have asked, "could the past activities of Arjuna still be happening today somewhere in the universe with another jiva playing that part?"

Due to the past, present and future happening simultaneously, well could his bodily vessel also be a 'post' like Brahmas?

Meaning only those individual marginal living entities that are qualified can also experience their relationship with Krishna while in that vessel as Arjuna.

If this is true, the material universes are also repeating themselves except with a different batch of individual jiva souls possessing the material bodily vessels in each repetition or reoccurrence of the material universe.

Spiritual energy is made up of individual souls, spiritual energy is NOT all one.

However, material energy that makes up all material bodily vessels or containers is all one. For example when the material body we are in wears out and decays, it breaks down and merges back into the material elements or the earth around us.

Only the soul never decays and eternally remains an individual person.

Could the material universes concept of time of past, present and future exists all at the same time?

This means that all material bodily vessels, like yours and mine, are a permanent fixture of the particular material universe it is in and is eternally repeating itself as it goes through its temporary phases of existence in this impermanent universe.

Srila Prabhupada always encouraged us to have personal realizations and yes this one is more thought provoking that even Einstein believed was possible.

Keep in mind, the 'dreams' of Maha Vishnu are mind boggling and if Arjuna could view past, present and future simultaneously, maybe it all does exist together as he saw it.

I have not found anything on this subject to verify or deny these realizations but this would also mean time travel is possible because the past and future already exist however, it would impossible to change the past or future as it is fixed.

One is just traveling through what is already there, what already exists like traveling on a road that already exists.

Another example is just like when one rewinds a video tape, the contends captured will always be the same at every stage on the tape.

Similarly, there are some who believe that the body we are now in is like a 'post', meaning time and space itself is recorded on the eternal level in the material universe and we can take our next birth in a bodily vessel that has already existed in past time, present time or future time.

That means when we choose a bodily vessel, the pathway of that body is already existing in another time zone because each material body is a permanent fixture of this material universe known as the Maha-tattva.

What I am trying to say here is all the 'dreams' of Maha Vishnu are all happening 'now' which means past, present and future exist simultaneously and we can move into any bodily vessel that exists in the past, present or the future.

The material energy is all one but NOT the life force that is individual units as Prabhupada has taught us.

This is important to understand as there are many impersonalists who believe there is one all pervasive life force that moves through all material bodily species.

Their ideas are wrong and these ideas has nothing to do with such impersonalism.

In the material creation everything already exists like a long roadway already exists.

Similarly the pathway or roadway of the material bodily vessels, gross or subtle, that we possess, like the roadway, is already carved out and we are simply passengers on that roadway in that bodily vessel container for its journey.

In other words, one who worships the rich and famous can take birth in the material body they worship after being trained up to be qualified to take that birth which in itself would take many, many, many births just for the opportunity to be famous for one insignificant life time.

What a ignorant selfish waste of time.

If those souls in those material vessels knew what they had to go through to attain that famous bodily materialistic existence, they would have second thoughts about seeking material fame and wealth on this planet or the heavenly planets.

UP TO HERE EDITING

Just like one can take the 'post' of Lord Brahma if they are qualified.

So all materials vessels are also "posts"  just like Lord Brahmas material body is also a post.

Yes I believe so.

Usually the most pious living entity in this material universe can take up the post of Lord Brahma when the next universe manifeasts.

In the same way; we are all awarded with a material bodily vessel according to our past pious and impious activities or karma.

All individual living entities perceive time as a chain of events moving through the roadway of past, present and future.

However, from above, like one sees from above a journey on a road where one sees the beginning, middle and end, means "materially" one can see all past, present and future exist together like every point on the journey of a roadway also does.

Conclusion

The explanation in the above essay is correctly suggesting that all material bodily vessels or pathways, ALWAYS exist in the dreams of Maha Vishnu.

This may give the impression of eternal repetition or occurrence but no, the material universe is in constant state of moving or flowing through the existence of past, present and future.

However, moving through the pathway of birth, childhood, youth, middle age, old age and death is the only reality repeatedly existing, but ONLY from the view of past, present and future.

In other words, what is seen from above the movement of material time, is all of Maha Vishnu's dream existing simultaneously.

This means all past, present and future are ALWAYS is existing.

This means a contand for others souls to also traverse.

What is said above in this essay, is all material bodily vessels or containers we are in, are always the property of Maha Vishnu and always remain part of His dreaming material creation.

In Maha Vishnu's dreams, every senerio conceivable is ALREADY existing past, present and future.

The dreams of Maha Vishnu's dreams are similar to a "costume shop" full of many different costumes (realities) one can choose to enter.

Every jiva-soul who enters the material creation, must go this so called costume shop of material bodily vessels or dress shop that are all created from the dreams of the sleeping Maha Vishnu.

This is where the jiva souls are offered a particular material bodily vessel by Maha Vishnu according to their material desires, so they can enter into the material creation with a suitable material body that is in accordance with their material desires.

Maha Vishnu owns all such material vessels that are part and parcel with everything else in the material creation He is dreaming.

Therefore, those who have chosen to enter the material creation, must go to Maha Vishnu's dreams and choose a material bodily vessel from His unlimited dreams of all material affairs.

Everything conceivable material bodily vessel or container, exists in Maha Vishnu's dreams, every scenario possible, no matter how strange or bizarre, already exists in the dreams of Maha Vishnu.

All that there is, all that there will be, every combination of material existence, already exists in His dreams.

It is these material bodies (coming from Maha Vishnu's dreams) all jiva-souls in all the billions of Brahmanda universes coming from Maha Vishnu, must choose from, just like one chooses from a variety of costumes from a Fancy dress store.

Regarding eternal associates of Krishna like Arjuna, there is a different set of rules.

The fact is, Arjuna is with Krishna in innumerable different material universes at one time, and there is only ONE spirit soul who is Arjuna.

The jiva-soul therefore of a surrendered soul to Krishna, CAN expand or project his consciousness into many different material bodies at once and be just the "one soul" in all those material bodies.

Yes this is very true as sastra tells us.

The fact is the jiva-soul in Arjuna's material bodily vessel is the same Arjuna in all the different universes.

This is achieved because the one jiva-soul (Arjuna) expands himself into many different material bodily vessels or containers (bodies) that are all also him, "just one soul" in his case.

Such actions of Arjuna is rare.

A yogi can also project his consciousness and be in 8 different material bodies at one time.

But this is NOT the case with every material bodily vessel in the material creation!

It is only some rare eternal associates of Krishna.

This is NOT the case with the different Lord Brahmas in each of their small universes that deep within and surrounded by the greater Brahmanda universal shell, is a different jiva-soul and not one jiva-soul.

So in every material bodily  vessel of Lord Brahma, there is a different jiva-soul every time Maha Vishnu dreams up all the billions of Brahmanda universes in the material creation.

All Brahmas are NOT the same "one soul" There are billions of different jiva-souls who become a Brahma in all the different univeses.

There are those who believe the material universe is continuously repeating itself each time Maha Vishnu creates the material Brahmanda universes, but is that true?

Actually, it only "seems" that way because everything that is, and can be, already exists within the dreams of Maha Vishnu.

This means the material universe, including all bodily vessels, is continuously existing with an endless flow of individual jiva souls possessing those material bodies (passing through them)

Therefore it only "seems" the material universe is repeating itself when in actual fact it isn't.

This is because each material vessel or container eternally exists within the material dreams of Maha Vishnu, and is therefore a permanent "post" that "always" exists as a pathway for visiting souls to simply travels through while in the material creation.

Remember all these material bodily containers ARE coming from the dreams of Maha Vishnu.

It is therefore the souls that move through the journey of material existence in a material body experiencing its birth, youth, middle age, disease, old age decline and decay, and its death and rebirth if one fails in getting out of this temporary material mundane world of repeated birth and death.

Being in a material bodily vessel or container, is like one who travels on a pathway or road that leads to a destination. The fact is, these "pathways" have always existed that many others have experienced and many more will experience (the journey of material bodily containers or vessels)

This is what is really happening in the material creation instead of eternal repetition.

Material existence is always moving through time (past, present and future) from its creation to annihilation (birth, youth, disease, old age, death) of material bodies.

This process "seemingly repeats" itself again and again when the material universe is created again by Maha Vishnu but that is NOT what is going on.

The fact is, in reality the material bodily vessels are a permanent fixture or post existing "within" the dreams of Maha Vishnu that jiva souls simply move through, like one moves on a roadway or path.

Another way of looking at this-

Just like there always exists a fancy dress shop in society where one can go and rent costumes to expeience a particular play, similarly every material bodily vessel conceivable exists in Maha Vishnu's "fancy dress shop of material costumes that one can rent if they desire" (From within His dreams that are available for all jiva-souls to rent).

Therefore each time the material universe is again created or manifests, a different batch of jiva-souls enters that pathway of material bodily vessels (costumes that cover the soul)

The fact is, like costumes in a fancy dress rental shop, all bodily vessels in the material universe are a permanent fixture within Maha Vishnu's dream of material creation.

The fact is, each material bodily "costume" is a permanent "post" within Maha Vishnu's dream of material existence that provides the experiences of birth, youth, disease, old age and death,

These material vessels or costumes always remains the property of Maha Vishnu's dreams

The cycle of material existence from creation to decay continues on eternally with the continuous flow of souls appearing in each material body at the beginning of that material bodies creation and experience its journey through to its annihilation or demise.

In other words, each time the universe is created and "seemingly" repeats itself, a different batch of soul takes the "post" or that material bodily vessel from Maha Vishnu's dreams.

Therefore, the next time around (the next material creation created by Maha Vishnu), all the exact same material bodily vessels will again exist, but with a new batch of jiva-souls in them.

This means within each material bodily vessel, exists a different soul playing that part, different from the previous occupant who played that exact same roll in the previous material creation.

This means the material universe "seems" to eternally be repeating it's self, but in actual fact it is fixed.

This is also called "Eternal repetition" meaning the MATERIAL universe exists again and again throughout all material time.

However, remember the "soul" is NOT the material bodily vessel.

The material body is only like a garment and the soul is a passenger in that garment or riding in the material body.