Thursday, April 13, 2023

The life of Lord Brahma.

Srila Prabhupada - "The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahmā, and one day of Brahmā consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas, or ages: 

Satya, 

Tretā, 

Dvāpara,

Kali. 

The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion, there being practically no ignorance and vice, and the yuga lasts 1,728,000 years." (BG 8.17, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In Kali-yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatāra, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again. These four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise one day of Brahmā, and the same number comprise one night." (BG 8.17, Purport)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "At the beginning of Brahmā's day, all living entities become manifest from the unmanifest state, and thereafter, when the night falls, they are merged into the unmanifest again." (BG 8.18, Translation)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "Again and again, when Brahmā's day arrives, all living entities come into being, and with the arrival of Brahmā's night they are helplessly annihilated." (BG 8.19, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "In the day they receive various bodies for material activities, and at night they no longer have bodies but remain compact in the body of Viṣṇu. Then again they are manifest at the arrival of Brahmā's day. Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate (BG 8.19): during the day they become manifest, and at night they are annihilated again." (BG 8.19, Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "O great sage, time annihilates everything in due course, so how is it that this subject matter, which happened prior to this day of Brahmā, is still fresh in your memory, undisturbed by time?" (SB Canto 1 Ch 6 text 4, Translation) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The duration of a day in the life of Brahmā is 4,320,000,000 solar years. This is stated also in the Bhagavad-gītā. So for this period Brahmājī rests in yoga-nidrā within the body of the Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, the generator of Brahmā." (SB Canto 1.6.30, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, and the Manu referred to herein is the seventh Manu, who is one of the prajāpatis (those who create progeny), and he is the son of the sun-god. He is known as the Vaivasvata Manu." (SB Canto 1.12.19, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In the Bhagavad-gītā (8.17-18) it is stated that according to human calculations one day of Brahmā is equal to one thousand ages of four millenniums (4,300,000 years) each, and the same period is calculated to be his night also. A Brahmā lives for one hundred such years and then dies." (SB Canto 2.6.11, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "During one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus, and at the end of each Manu there is devastation up to the earthly planets, and the vast water is fearful even to Brahmā. So in the beginning of the would-be Vaivasvata Manu, such devastation would be seen by him." (SB Canto 2.7.12, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "We have already discussed the incarnations of Manu in the First Canto. In one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus, changing one after another. In that way there are 420 Manus in a month of Brahmā and 5,040 Manus in one year of Brahmā." (SB Canto 2.7.20, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The age of the inhabitants of the Brahmaloka planet is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā. The inhabitants of this small planet earth can hardly calculate even the duration of one day of Brahmā." (SB Canto 2.9.43, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The creation of Brahmā and dispersion of the material ingredients are called vikalpa, and the creation by Brahmā in each day of his life is called kalpa. Therefore each day of Brahmā is called a kalpa, and there are thirty kalpas in terms of Brahmā's days." (SB Canto 2.10.46, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The four yugas are calculated in terms of the heavenly calendars and accordingly are twelve thousand years in terms of the heavenly planets. This is called a divya-yuga, and one thousand divya-yugas make one day of Brahmā." (SB Canto 2.10.46, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The creation during the day of Brahmā is called kalpa, and the creation of Brahmā is called vikalpa. When vikalpas are made possible by the breathing of Mahā-Viṣṇu, this is called a mahā-kalpa. There are regular and systematic cycles of these mahā kalpas, vikalpas and kalpas." (SB Canto 2.10.46, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The partial dissolution of the universe that takes place at the end of Brahmā's day does not affect all the planetary systems. The planets of highly learned living entities like the sages Sanaka and Bhṛgu are not affected by the dissolutions of the millenniums. All the planets are of different types, and each is controlled by a different kāla-cakra, or schedule of eternal time." (SB Canto 3.11.16, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, and each of them has different descendants." (SB Canto 3.11.25, Purport) 

Srimad Bhagavatam - "There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, and each of them has different descendants." (SB Canto 3.11.25, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "Therefore the Lord found the earth on the bottom of the Garbhodaka Ocean, where the planets rest during the devastation at the end of Brahmā's day." (SB Canto 3.13.30, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Thus 4,320,000 x 72 solar years is the reign of one Manu. In each Manu's period there are many changes in many ways, and there are fourteen Manus within one day of Brahmā. It is understood here that Manu creates scriptural regulations for the salvation of the conditioned souls, who come to the material world for material enjoyment." (SB Canto 3.20.1, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "It is stated that his life was very long, seventy-one yugas. One yuga is completed in 4,320,000 years, seventy-one of such yugas is the duration of the life of a Manu, and fourteen such Manus come and go in one day of Brahma. For the entire duration of his life - 4,320,000 x 71 years—Manu engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness by chanting, hearing, talking about and meditating upon Kṛṣṇa." (SB Canto 3.22.35, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "There are two kinds of dissolutions. One dissolution takes place at the end of the life of Brahmā. At that time all the planetary systems, including the heavenly systems, are dissolved in water and enter into the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who lies on the Garbhodaka Ocean on the bed of serpents, called Śeṣa. In the other dissolution, which occurs at the end of Brahmā's day, all the lower planetary systems are destroyed."(SB Canto 3.32.4, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "One dissolution is at the end of Brahmā's day, and one is at the end of Brahmā's life. Brahmā dies at the end of two parārdhas, at which time the entire material universe is dissolved. Persons who are worshipers of Hiraṇyagarbha, the plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, do not directly approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuṇṭha." (SB Canto 3.32.8, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The supreme Manu in Vedic literature is Svāyambhuva Manu, who is an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. All the Manus are empowered incarnations of Kṛṣṇa (manvantara-avatāra). There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, 420 in one month, all the Manus are directors of human society, ultimately Kṛṣṇa is the supreme director of human society." (SB Canto 4.24.42, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "An advanced devotee, or a perfect human being who is actually wise and learned, cannot give up his service at the lotus feet of the Lord. Although Lord Brahmā has a long life-span (4,320,000,000 years constitute twelve hours in a day of Brahmā), Brahmā is afraid of death and consequently engages in the devotional service of the Lord." (SB Canto 4.24.67, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Similarly, all the Manus who appear and disappear during the day of Brahmā are also engaged in the Lord's devotional service. In Brahmā's one day, fourteen Manus appear and disappear. The first Manu is Svāyambhuva Manu. Each Manu lives for seventy-one yugas, each consisting of some 4,320,000 years." (SB Canto 4.24.67, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Brahmā lives for one hundred years according to time on the Brahmaloka planet, but one day of Brahmā is equal to millions of years on this planet. Similarly, the days on the heavenly planets are equal to six months on this planet." (SB Canto 4.25.43, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā. A manvantara, the life-span of one Manu, is given as 71 multiplied by 4,320,000 years. After one such Manu passes on, another Manu begins his life-span. In this way the life cycle of the universe is going on." (SB Canto 4.28.31, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Thus there are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā. In a year there are 5,040 Manus. Brahmā has to live for one hundred years; consequently, the total of Manus appearing and disappearing during the life of one Brahmā is 504,000. This is the calculation for one universe, and there are innumerable universes." (SB Canto 4.30.49, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The duration of one day of Brahmā is one thousand times greater than the four yugas, aggregating 4,320,000 years. Similarly, Brahmā's one night. Brahmā lives for one hundred years of such days and nights. The word vibudhāyuṣā indicates that even if one gets a long life-span, his life-span is useless if he is not a devotee." (SB Canto 4.31.10, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In every day of Brahmā there are fourteen manvantaras. The duration of one manvantara, the lifespan of one Manu, is seventy-one yugas, and each yuga is 4,320,000 years. Almost all the Manus selected to rule the manvantaras came from the family of Mahārāja Priyavrata. Three of them are particularly mentioned herein, namely Uttama, Tāmasa and Raivata." (SB Canto 5.1.28, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The words prathame yuge mean "in the beginning of the first millennium," that is to say, in the beginning of the Vaivasvata manvantara. In one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus, who each live for seventy-one millenniums. The four yugas-Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali—constitute one millennium." (SB Canto 6.10.16, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (8.17), sahasra yuga paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ: one thousand yugas equals one day of Brahmā. The duration of Brahmā's life is extremely great, and consequently it was impossible for Hiraṇyakaśipu to occupy that post." (SB 7 Canto 3.9-10, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The total material energy is created by Kṛṣṇa, and later, taking advantage of all that has necessarily been created, Lord Brahmā engineers the entire phenomenal universe. At the end of Lord Brahmā's day, everything up to Svargaloka is inundated with water, and the next morning, when there is darkness in the universe, Brahmā again brings the phenomenal manifestation into existence." (SB Canto 7.3.26-27, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Again and again the day of Brahmā comes, and all living beings are active; and again the night falls, O Pārtha, and they are helplessly dissolved. Yet there is another nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated." (SB Canto 7.15.61, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The word mahā-kalpe is described by Śrīla Madhvācārya as atīta-brahma-kalpe. Brahmā dies at the end of a life of many millions of years. The day of Brahmā is described in Bhagavad Gītā (8.17)." (SB Canto 7.15.69, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Parīkṣit Mahārāja was eager to hear about the Manus of different ages. There are fourteen Manus during a day of Brahmā, and the age of each Manu lasts for seventy-one yugas. Thus there are thousands of Manus during the life of Brahmā." (SB Canto 8.1.2, Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "In one kalpa, or one day of Brahmā, there take place the many changes called vikalpas. O King, all of these have been previously described to you by me. Learned scholars who know the past, present and future have ascertained that in one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus." (SB Canto 8.14.11, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "O King Parīkṣit, at the end of the past millennium, at the end of Brahmā's day, because Lord Brahmā sleeps during the night, annihilation took place, and the three worlds were covered by the water of the ocean." (SB Canto 8.24.7, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "At the end of Brahmā's day, when Brahmā felt sleepy and desired to lie down, the Vedas were emanating from his mouth, and the great demon named Hayagrīva stole the Vedic knowledge." (SB Canto 8.24.8, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "During Lord Brahmā's day, fourteen Manus or one thousand mahā-yugas pass away. Brahmā informed King Kakudmī that twenty-seven mahā-yugas, each consisting of the four periods Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali, had already passed. All the kings and other great personalities born in those yugas had now departed from memory into obscurity. This is the way of time as it moves through past, present and future." (SB Canto 9.3.32, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The highest aim of the karmīs is to be promoted to the higher, heavenly planets, where the duration of life is very long. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (8.17), sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ: one day of Brahmā equals 1,000 yugas, and each yuga consists of 4,300,000 years." (SB Canto 10.3.27, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "According to Vedic śāstra, the inhabitants of the higher planetary systems live for 10,000 years, and just as Brahmā's day is calculated to equal 4,300,000,000 of our years, one day in the higher planetary systems equals six of our months. Karmīs, therefore, try for promotion to the higher planetary systems, but this cannot free them from death." (SB Canto 10.3.27, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Sutapā was the son of Brahmā, and as we have already understood from Bhagavad-gītā (8.17), one day of Brahmā equals many millions of years according to our calculation (sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ). We should be careful to understand that to get Kṛṣṇa as one's son, one must undergo such great austerities." (SB Canto 10.3.37-38, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself." Whenever Kṛṣṇa comes, once in a day of Brahmā, He comes to the house of Nanda Mahārāja in Vṛndāvana." (SB Canto 10.5.13, Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, while Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa were living in Dvārakā, there occurred a great eclipse of the sun, just as if the end of Lord Brahmā's day had come." (SB Canto 10.82.1, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "From the very beginning of Brahmā's day Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi has been undergoing austere penances in this land of Bhārata while perfectly performing religious duties and exemplifying spiritual knowledge and self-control—all for the benefit of human beings in both this world and the next." (SB Canto 10.87.6, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Dear Uddhava, all of those nights that the gopīs spent with Me, their most dearly beloved, in the land of Vṛndāvana seemed to them to pass in less than a moment. Bereft of My association, however, the gopīs felt that those same nights dragged on forever, as if each night were equal to a day of Brahmā." (SB Canto 11.12.11, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, I have already described to you the measurements of time, beginning from the smallest fraction measured by the movement of a single atom up to the total life span of Lord Brahmā. I have also discussed the measurement of the different millennia of universal history. Now hear about the time of Brahmā's day and the process of annihilation." (SB Canto 12.4.1, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "One thousand cycles of four ages constitute a single day of Brahmā, known as a kalpa. In that period, O King, fourteen Manus come and go." (SB Canto 12.4.2, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "After one day of Brahmā, annihilation occurs during his night, which is of the same duration. At that time all the three planetary systems are subject to destruction." (SB Canto 12.4.3, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Authorities say that Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the son of Mṛkaṇḍu. was an exceptionally long-lived sage who was the only survivor at the end of Brahmā's day, when the entire universe was merged in the flood of annihilation. But this same Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the foremost descendant of Bhṛgu, took birth in my own family during the current day of Brahmā, and we have not yet seen any total annihilation in this day of Brahmā." (SB Canto 12.8.2-5, Translation)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "For the protection of all the worlds, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari, who is unborn and without beginning or end, thus expands Himself during each day of Brahmā into these specific categories of His personal representations." (SB Canto 12.11.50, Translation)

Caitanya Caritamrita - "Once in a day of Brahmā, He descends to this world to manifest His transcendental pastimes." (CC Adi 3.6, Translation)

Caitanya Caritamrita - "Seventy one divya-yugas constitute one manv-antara. There are fourteen manv-antaras in one day of Brahmā." (CC Adi 3.8, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "First Lord Kṛṣṇa appears at the close of the Dvāpara-yuga of the twenty-eighth divya-yuga, and then Lord Caitanya appears in the Kali-yuga of the same divya-yuga. Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Caitanya appear once in each day of Brahmā, or once in fourteen manv-antaras, each of seventy-one divya-yugas in duration." (CC Adi 3.10, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "From the beginning of Brahmā’s day of 4,320,000,000 years, six Manus appear and disappear before Lord Kṛṣṇa appears. Thus 1,975,320,000 years of the day of Brahmā elapse before the appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa. This is an astronomical calculation according to solar years." (CC Adi 3.10, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The Lord Viṣṇu who lies in the ocean of milk incarnates Himself in various forms to maintain the laws of the cosmos and annihilate the causes of disturbance. Such incarnations are visible in every manv antara (i.e., in the course of the reign of each Manu, who lives for 71 x 4,320,000 years). Fourteen such Manus take their birth and die, to yield a place for the next, during one day of Brahmā." (CC Adi 5.113, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "These twenty-five Personalities of Godhead are known as līlā-avatāras. Because they appear in each day of Brahmā, or in each kalpa (millennium), they are sometimes known as kalpa-avatāras. Of these incarnations, Haṁsa and Mohinī are neither permanent nor very well known, but They are listed among the prābhava avatāras." (CC Madhya 20.244, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "One day of Brahmā consists of the four yugas multiplied a thousand times—or, according to solar calculations, 4,320,000,000 years—and such also is the duration of his night. One year of Brahmā’s life consists of 360 such days and nights, and Brahmā lives for one hundred such years." (CC Madhya 20.305, Purport) 

Caitanya Caritamrita - "In one day of Brahmā, there are fourteen changes of the Manus, and during the reign of each of those fourteen Manus, an incarnation is manifested by the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (CC Madhya 20.320, Translation)

Caitanya Caritamrita - "There are 14 manvantara avatāras in one day of Brahmā, 420 in one month, and 5,040 in one year." (CC Madhya 20.321, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "Because we cannot see what is going on in other universes, it is a little difficult for us to understand how Kṛṣṇa is eternally manifesting His pastimes. There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, and this time calculation is also taking place in other universes. Kṛṣṇa's pastimes are manifested before fourteen Manus expire." (CC Madhya 20.397, Purport) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The kalpa is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā (8.17): sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ. One day of Brahmā is called a kalpa. A yuga, or mahā-yuga, consists of 4,320,000 years, and one thousand such mahā-yugas constitute one kalpa. The author of Śrī Caitanya caritāmṛta says that if one does not take advantage of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he cannot be delivered for millions of such kalpas." (CC Antya 3.255, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Because almost all of these twenty-five līlā-avatāras appear in one day of Brahmā, which is called a kalpa, they are sometimes called kalpa-avatāras. Out of these, the incarnation of Haṁsa and Mohinī are not permanent, but Kapila, Dattātreya, Ṛṣabha, Dhanvantari and Vyāsa are five eternal forms, and they are more celebrated. The incarnations of the tortoise Kūrma, the fish Matsya, Nara-nārāyaṇa, Varāha, Hayaśīrṣa, Pṛśnigarbha, and Balarāma are considered to be incarnations of vaibhava." (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Ch 7)

Srila Prabhupada - "After describing the Līlā and guṇa-avatāras, Lord Caitanya explains the manvantara-avatāras to Sanātana Gosvāmī. He first states that there is no possibility of counting the manvantara-avatāras. In one kalpa, or one day of Brahmā, fourteen Manus are manifest." (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Ch 8)

Srila Prabhupada - "One day of Brahmā is calculated at 4 billion 320 million years, and Brahmā lives for one hundred years on this scale. Thus if fourteen Manus appear in one day of Brahmā, there are 420 Manus during one month of Brahmā, and during one year of Brahmā there are 5,040 Manus." (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Ch 8)

Srila Prabhupada - "We get an idea of Brahmā's day from the following statement in Bhagavad Gītā As It is 8.17-

Translation 

By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together is the duration of Brahma's one day. And such also is the duration of his night.

Purport by Srila Prabhupada 

"The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahma, and one day of Brahma consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali. The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion, there being practically no ignorance and vice, and the yuga lasts 1,728,000 years.

In the Treta-yuga vice is introduced, and this yuga lasts 1,296,000 years. In the Dvapara-yuga there is an even greater decline in virtue and religion, vice increasing, and this yuga lasts 864,000 years. And finally in Kali-yuga (the yuga we have now been experiencing over the past 5,000 years) there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years. 

In Kali-yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatara, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again. These four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise one day of Brahma, the creator god, and the same number comprise one night. Brahma lives one hundred of such "years" and then dies.

These "hundred years" by earth calculations total to 311 trillion and 40 million earth years. By these calculations the life of Brahma seems fantastic and interminable, but from the viewpoint of eternity it is as brief as a lightning flash. In the causal ocean there are innumerable Brahmas rising and disappearing like bubbles in the Atlantic. 

Brahma and his creation are all part of the material universe, and therefore they are in constant flux. In the material universe not even Brahma is free from the process of birth, old age, disease and death. Brahma, however, is directly engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord in the management of this universe-therefore he at once attains liberation. 

Elevated sannyasis are promoted to Brahma's particular planet, Brahmaloka, which is the highest planet in the material universe and which survives all the heavenly planets in the upper strata of the planetary system, but in due course Brahma and all inhabitants of Brahmaloka are subject to death, according to the law of material nature." (BG, Ch 8 text 17)  

Srila Prabhupada - "By human calculation, a thousand yuga cycles taken together is Brahmā's one day. And such also is the duration of his night." (Nectar of Devotion 22)

Srila Prabhupada - "Once upon a time while Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were living peacefully in Their great city of Dvārakā, there was the rare occasion of a full solar eclipse, such as takes place at the end of every kalpa, or day of Brahmā. At the end of every kalpa the sun is covered by a great cloud, and incessant rain covers the lower planetary systems up to Svargaloka." (Krsna Book 82)

Srila Prabhupada - "By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahmā's one day. And such also is the duration of his night. At the beginning of Brahmā's day, all living entities become manifest from the unmanifest state, and thereafter, when the night falls, they are merged into the unmanifest again." (Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.7)

Srila Prabhupada - "Again and again, when Brahmā's day arrives, all living entities come into being, and with the arrival of Brahmā's night they are helplessly annihilated. Yet there is another unmanifest nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is annihilated, that part remains as it is." (Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.7)

Srila Prabhupada - "At the end of Lord Brahmā's day, when night approaches, a partial dissolution inundates the universe up to the Svargaloka, the abode of the demigods. All the living entities of this world are created at the dawn of Lord Brahmā's day and annihilated at dusk, and this creation and annihilation go on in a continuous cycle.(Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.7)

Srila Prabhupada - "This material creation is manifested and subsequently destroyed during Lord Brahmā's day and night. But beyond this material world is an eternal existence—the spiritual sky—which is untouched by creation and annihilation. That spiritual abode is known as the Vaikuṇṭha planets.(Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.8)

Srila Prabhupada - "By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahmā's one day." According to the Vedic calculation, one day of Brahmā sees the coming and going of fourteen Manus. Therefore, each Manu lives for seventy-one cycles of the four millenniums. At present we are in the period of Vaivasvata Manu, in the twenty-eighth cycle of the four millenniums, and it is the Kali-yuga." (Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1)

Srila Prabhupada - "All the material planets—upper, lower and intermediate, including the sun, moon and Venus—are scattered throughout the universe. These planets exist only during the lifetime of Brahmā. Some lower planets, however, are vanquished after the end of one day of Brahmā and are again created during the next day of Brahmā." (Sri Isopanisad 14, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The four ages of earth (Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali) last only twelve thousand years according to the time scale of the upper planets. Such a length of time multiplied by one thousand constitutes one day of Brahmā, and one night of Brahmā is the same." (Sri Isopanisad 14, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Daiva-varṣa means year according to the demigods' calculation. Just like Brahmā's day, that is demigods' calculation. Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17). We have got information from Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa says that they calculate the years of the demigods. Everyone's year is calculated." (Lecture BG 2.18 - London, Aug 24, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "Sahasra-yuga-paryantam. So so many years, sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahaḥ. Ahaḥ means day. Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17). This is the one day of Brahmā. One day means morning to evening. Forty-three hundred thousands of years your calculation." (Lecture on BG 2.18 - London, Aug 24, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "So there are so many sons. Brahmā was the original living being. So he created so many sons, and they created so many sons. In this way the population of the whole universe has increased. So Manu is one of the sons. There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā." (Lecture on BG 2.26 - Los Angeles, Dec 6, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - "Actually this is exhibited when Kṛṣṇa came. Kṛṣṇa comes here, God in His original form, in one day of Brahmā. These are very long, long narration, but first of all try to understand yourself. What is your nature? Then you will understand God automatically. Or if you are so advanced that you can understand God, then you can understand your nature also." (Lecture on BG 4.1 - Delhi, Nov 10, 1971)

Srila Prabhupada - "Although the Lord appears on schedule, namely at the end of the Dvāpara-yuga, or the twenty-eighth millennium of the eighth Manu in one day of Brahmā, still He has no obligation to adhere to such rules and regulations because He is completely free to act in many ways at His will. He therefore appears by His own will whenever there is a predominance of irreligion and a disappearance of true religion." (Lecture on BG 4.7-10 - Los Angeles, Jan 6, 1969) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like Brahmā's time. You cannot calculate one day of Brahmā because your time and his time is different. Similarly, a small microbic animal, his time and your time is different. So he cannot calculate your time. So time is relative." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Los Angeles, March 12, 1970)

Srila Prabhupada - "He comes in one day of Brahma after millions of years. These have been described in the śāstra. But unfortunately, although Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains Himself, we unfortunate creature, we take Him as ordinary person. Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam (BG 9.11). That we should know. That is taught by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the form of Lord Caitanya." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Madras, Feb 14, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "The paramparā system begins from Kṛṣṇa. As Kṛṣṇa says in the Fourth Chapter: imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam: (BG 4.1) "I spoke first to the sun-god." It is not said, "First." Many times He has said to many predominating deities. But in this era... This is called the age of Vaivasvata Manu. There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā. So Vaivasvata Manu is the eighth Manu." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Ahmedabad, Dec 13, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "There is fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā, and this era is called Vaivasvata Manu, because he is the son of Vivasvān. And that Vivasvān is given reference in the Fourth Chapter: imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam (BG 4.1). So if you simply calculate the age of Manu it becomes forty millions of years." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Ahmedabad, Dec 13, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "This is, this age is Vaivasvata Manu age. There are so many things we have to learn, but we are neglecting. In one day of Brahmā, there are fourteen Manus, and each Manu's age is forty-three lakhs of years multiplied by seventy-two. So now it is the age of Vaivasvata Manu." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Bombay, Jan 13, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "So Kṛṣṇa is so kind that he comes, in, once in..., we were calculating yesterday, what is, how many years after? You were there? Aḥ, some billions of years after. We can calculate from the śāstra because He comes once in the day of Brahmā." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Bombay, Dec 20, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "Forty-three lakhs of years multiplied by a thousand becomes twelve hours of Brahmā, and similarly twelve hours at night, that is one day and night. Such thirty times makes one month, such twelve times makes a year, and similarly one hundred years is the duration of life of Brahmā. So according to śāstra we understand, once in the day of Brahmā, Kṛṣṇa appears." 

Devotee - "Swamiji, night and day... The day that's the birth of the universe and night, the dissolution, is that also Brahmā's day and night?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Just like day and night differs. Now, it... Suppose you take a small germ. At night... Of course, I do not see here. In India we find some small worms. Their duration of life is only a few hours in the night. They, they, they get their birth, they grow, and they beget children and in the morning you'll find so many worms, dead, you see, on the floor, in this month especially." (Lecture on BG 7.1 - Bombay, Dec 20, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "Each creation is called a kalpa. So there are many kalpas. We can, cannot calculate what is the age of one kalpa. One hint is there in the Bhagavad-gītā that in each kalpa the one day of Brahmā..., that sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ... (BG 8.17). Four hundred thousand, four hundred forty-three, forty-three hundred thousands of years into one thousand, that makes one day of Brahmā." (Lecture on BG 8.15-20 - New York City, Nov 17, 1966)

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like we have got a fixed time for the sunrise. Everyone knows that in the morning at 6:30 there will be sunrise. That is certain. Similarly, in the śāstras there is description when Kṛṣṇa comes down, descends in this universe. In one day of Brahmā at the end of Dvāpara-yuga." (Lecture on BG 13.3 - Hyderabad, April 19, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada - "Forty-three lakhs of years multiplied by one thousand becomes one day of Brahmā. So forty-three lakhs thousand times, add another forty-three lakhs times thousand—this is the period after which Kṛṣṇa comes." (Lecture on BG 13.3 - Hyderabad, April 19, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada - "One yuga means forty-three lakhs of years. And multiply it by one thousand. Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahaḥ. Now calculate. That duration is one day of Brahmā. One day means twelve hours. Similarly, another twelve hours, night. Day and night. Then again, thirty days, one month. Similarly, twelve months equal to one year. Such one thous..., one hundred years is the duration of Brahmā." (Lecture on BG 18.67 - Ahmedabad, Dec 10, 1972)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, He is lord of universe. Sarva-loka-maheśvaram (BG 5.29). "I am the master of all universes." 

Revatīnandana - "But His pastimes in His original form... He asked if Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes are displayed on planets all over the universe. So far the original form of Kṛṣṇa, that is only on one planet in one day of Brahmā. Is that correct? In one universe? I think I read somewhere that the Lord appears in His original form only once during the day of Brahmā in each universe, and that was on this planet just five thousand years ago." 

Srila Prabhupāda - "Vṛndāvana." (Lecture on SB 1.1.2 - London, Aug 18, 1971)

Srila Prabhupada - "So here is history also. This Vedic history is not that for one thousand years or two thousand years. No, not like that. One period. One millennium, Brahmā's one day, it is millions and millions of years. So just like there is night after day, day after night, similarly, the Brahmā's day, Brahmā's night, that is calculated. And one Brahmā's day." (Lecture on SB 1.3.15 - Los Angeles, Sept 20, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada -  "Forty-three hundred thousands of years, little more. That is Brahmā's one day. And in that one day, 4300,000's of years, there are fourteen manus changing. So these are described here. The manu, Cākṣuṣa Manu, Vaivasvata Manu. There are fourteen manus. So the calculation is in one day of Brahmā, ah, in one month of Brahmā, there are about five thousand manus. So this calculation is taken in the duration of manu's life." (Lecture on SB 1.3.15 - Los Angeles, Sept 20, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The Bhagavad-gītā was spoken long, long ago by Kṛṣṇa to the sun-god, Vivasvān. Vivasvān. They are trying to understand the historical dates. So how you can understand the historical date? It is beyond your calculation. You cannot calculate even one Brahmā's day. And in Brahmā's one day there are fourteen manus. So it is beyond your brain substance." (Lecture on SB 1.3.15 - Los Angeles, Sept 20, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "As I told you, there are fourteen manus within the day. Now out of that fourteen manus, this is the seventh manu. It is going on. This Vaivasvata Manu is the seventh manu. So another seven manus, when they will be finished, this one day of Brahmā will be finished, and there will be another devastation. This is the law of nature." (Lecture on SB 1.3.15 - Los Angeles, Sept 20, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa said that "First of all I told to Vivasvān, the sun-god, and then he described, he handed over the knowledge to his son, Vivasvān, Vaivasvata Manu." This is the age of Vaivasvata Manu. So in one day there are fourteen Manus, in one day of Brahmā." (Lecture on SB 1.3.27 - Los Angeles, Oct 2, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "Four point three billions of years this thing will go on. And then again, for... This is kṣaṇa-pralaya.  Kṣaṇa-pralaya means when Brahmā's day and night. But there is mahā-pralaya. That will stay we do not know how many millions of years. So this is called millennium. So Nārada Muni remembers this. Therefore he says, ahaṁ purā atīta-bhave." (Lecture on SB 1.5.23 - Vrndavana, Aug 4, 1974) 

Srila Prabhupada - "So this knowledge, Kṛṣṇa is canvassing. He comes there occasionally. He comes "once" in the day of Brahmā, and the Brahmā's days is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā, sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇuḥ (BG 8.17). It means four, forty-three lakhs of years, add three zeros, some crores of years after, Kṛṣṇa comes once in Brahmā's days." (Lecture on SB 3.25.41 - Bombay, Dec 9, 1974) 

Srila Prabhupada - "That is just like the sun rises early in the morning after twelve hours. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa's coming here, there is calculation in the śāstra. He comes once in a day of Brahmā. Means some crores of years after He comes. So things deteriorate." (Lecture on SB 3.25.41 - Bombay, Dec 9, 1974) 

Srila Prabhupada - "We cannot calculate even one Brahmā's day. Such one day means daytime, twelve hours; then night, twelve hours. In this one day, such month, such year, such hundred years, Brahmā lives. So this cosmic manifestation, brahmāṇḍa, universe, will stay up to that time. So there is no difference in the manipulation with this body and the Brahmā." (Lecture on SB 3.26.7 - Bombay, Dec 19, 1974) 

Srila Prabhupada - "When I appear..." There is time. In one day of Brahmā, Kṛṣṇa appears. Everything is there in the śāstra. That means some millions of years after, once Kṛṣṇa comes within this universe. And when He comes, He comes on this planet and in Vṛndāvana. Therefore Vṛndāvana is so important. This Vṛndāvana is replica of the original Vṛndāvana." (Lecture on SB 3.26.10 - Bombay, Dec 22, 1974)

Srila Prabhupāda - "So Kṛṣṇa comes after this period. (laughter) In one day, after one day of Brahma, He appears."

Devotee - "Śrīla Prabhupāda, does Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu also appear every day of Brahma?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, following Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa comes in the Dvāpara yuga. There are four periods of each yuga: 

Sattva, 

Tretā, 

Dvāpara, 

Kali. 

So Kṛṣṇa comes at the end of Dvāpara-yuga, and Caitanya Mahāprabhu comes in the Kali-yuga." (Lecture on SB 6.1.3 - Melbourne, May 22, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "But we can calculate, as it is said, vivasvān manave prāhuḥ, that Vivasvān, he explained to Manu. So Manu's age we can calculate. Manu's age, there are seventy-two Manus in one day of Brahmā. And the one day of Brahmā means forty-three hundred thousands of years multiplied by one thousand and divided by seventy-two. Then we can immediately calculate what is Manu's age." (Lecture on SB 6.1.46 - San Diego, July 27, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "So Kṛṣṇa, out of His causeless mercy, He comes. At a certain interval during one day of Brahma, He comes. He exhibits His līlā, that "Anyone who desires to go back to home, back to Godhead, they can enjoy with Me like this." This is Kṛṣṇa's mission. "Come on. Why you are playing here and suffering this māyā's play? Come to the real play." This is Kṛṣṇa's mission." (Lecture on SB 6.2.16 - Vrndavana, Sept 19, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like Kṛṣṇa comes upon this earth once in Brahmā's day. So so many millions of years, Kṛṣṇa will appear again, if not personally, by His expansion, aṁśena. Caitanya Mahāprabhu will appear exactly in due course of time. Lord Rāmacandra will appear. So rāmādi mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan (Bs. 5.39). So this līlā, Nṛsiṁhadeva, that is also exactly in time." (Lecture on SB 7.9.5 - Mayapur, Feb 25, 1977)

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like there are six seasons, or four seasons in a year, similarly, in one day of Brahmā there are one hundred cycles of four yugas. Four yugas means forty-three thousand..., forty-three hundred thousands of years. It is a very long period. That is the duration of four yugas." (Lecture on SB 12.2.1 - San Francisco, March 18, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - "Similarly, one thousand yugas passes, then one day of Brahmā finished, twelve hours. It is a big calculation. Anyway, there are four yugas, this Satya-yuga, Dvāpara-yuga, Tretā-yuga, and Kali-yuga. So in the previous chapter, some description of these yugas have been described." (Lecture on SB 12.2.1 - San Francisco, March 18, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - "Just like when sun appears in your country it takes round of twenty-four hours, similarly, when Kṛṣṇa comes on this universe, it is only in one day of Brahmā, that is, some millions and millions of years after, He comes. He has got a scheduled time also, to appear in this universe. We get information from authentic scripture."(Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.154-157 - New York City, Dec 7, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "And each Manu is also an incarnation, Manvantarāvatāra. And such Manu takes place, fourteen Manus take place, during one day of Brahma. So Manvantarāvatāra. Then yuga avatāra. Yuga avatāra... In each yuga, during that 4,300,000's of years, there are yuga avatāra. They are the incarnation. They come. They are called yugāvatāras. And then there is śaktyāveśa-avatāra. Śaktyāveśa-avatāra, they are counted just like Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.172 - New York City, Dec 14, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Asaṅkhya. Asaṅkhya means countless. Nobody can count how many manvantarāvatāras are there. How it is so? He is explaining. Brahmāra eka-dine haya caudda manvantara: "In one day of Brahmā, in one day of Brahmā..." That you have calculated according to Bhagavad-gītā: sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17)." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.318-329 - New York City, Dec 22, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Within that 4,300,000,000's divide into fourteen. That is the duration of one Manu. Four billion, three hundred millions divide into fourteen. That will make... That one part is the duration of a Manu. So anyway, fourteen Manus are taking place in one day of Brahmā." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.318-329 - New York City, Dec 22, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "They are also incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Caudda eka dine, māse cāri-śata biśa. If in one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus, then in one month of Brahmā it comes to cāri-śata, 420. Thirty days a month. So 420 Manus in one month of Brahmā." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.318-329 - New York City, Dec 22, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "In different millenniums there are different Manus, and the present Manu is Vaivasvata Manu. Out of the fourteen Manus, now it is, the eighth Manu is going on at the present moment. That means this is about one o'clock in the day of Brahmā, just past noon." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.330-335 - New York City, Dec 23, 1966) 

Srila Prabhupada - "There are fourteen Manus in one day of Brahmā. So kṛṣṇera līlā-maṇḍala caudda manvantare. So in the fourteen maṇḍalas, the, the I mean to..., the orbit of kṛṣṇa-līlā is, I mean to say, circumambulating. So He is..., He is seen in the Manu's life, in the fourteen Manu's life." (Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.385-394 - New York City, Jan 1, 1967) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Ananta-rūpam means millions and millions. The Manu is also incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So in one day of Brahmā there are fourteen Manus. So Brahmā lives for one hundred years. Just see how many incarnation of Manus are there even for one Brahmā, and there are innumerable Brahmās also." (Lord Ramacandra's Appearance Day - Hawaii, March 27, 1969) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa, He is the origin of everything. Therefore the knowledge of perfection is also coming from Him, and periodically-periodically means after millions and millions of years—Kṛṣṇa comes. He comes once in a day of Brahmā. So Brahmā's days, even one day, the span of one day, it is very difficult to calculate." (Sri Vyasa-puja - New Vrindaban, Sept 2, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "The Brahmā's one day means about 433,000,000's of years. So in each day of Brahmā, Kṛṣṇa comes, once in a day. That means after a period of 433,000,000's of years He comes. Why? To give perfect knowledge of life, how a human being should live to make his life perfect." (Sri Vyasa-puja - New Vrindaban, Sept 2, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Now Brahmā's one day we are passing through the twenty-eighth millennium. No, twenty-eighth... In Brahmā's day there are seventy-one Manus, and one Manu lives for... That is also many millions of years, seventy-two millenniums." (Sri Vyasa-puja - New Vrindaban, Sept 2, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "You know Vṛndāvana-dhāma. When Kṛṣṇa comes... About forty-three crores of years interval, Kṛṣṇa comes. This estimation, these things are there. Kṛṣṇa comes in one day of Brahmā. The duration of Brahmā's day, you know. That is described in the Bhagavad-gītā, sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17)." (Lecture - Bombay, Nov 2, 1970) 

Srila Prabhupada - "This means forty-three lakhs of years multiplied by one thousand. That is the duration of one day of Brahmā. And similarly, the duration of his night. So Kṛṣṇa comes in one day during that duration. So when Kṛṣṇa comes, He comes here the same place, Vṛndāvana. Therefore Vṛndāvana is held in so much estimation by the devotees." (Lecture - Bombay, Nov 2, 1970)

Srila Prabhupada - "I appear in every millennium." According to Vedic scripture, Kṛṣṇa appears on this planet in one day of Brahmā. And Brahmā's duration of life is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. It is a very, very long period. His one day, daytime, twelve hours, from morning to evening, is described sahasra-yuga-paryantam arhad yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17)." (Lecture at Christian Monastery - Melbourne, April 6, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "You know Vṛndāvana-dhāma. When Kṛṣṇa comes... About forty-three crores of years' interval Kṛṣṇa comes. This estimation, these things are there. Kṛṣṇa comes in one day of Brahmā. The duration of Brahmā's day you know, that is described in the Bhagavad-gītā: sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17)." (Pandal Lecture - Bombay, Jan 14, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "This means forty-three lakhs of years multiplied by one thousand. That is the duration of one day of Brahmā. And similarly, the duration of his night. So Kṛṣṇa comes in one day during that duration. So when Kṛṣṇa comes, He comes here the same place, Vṛndāvana. Therefore Vṛndāvana is held in so much estimation by the devotees." (Pandal Lecture - Bombay, Jan 14, 1973) 

Srila Prabhupāda - "Therefore at the end, Brahmaloka, it is stated that twelve hours of the day of Brahmā is incalculable by us. Immediately in the higher planets, suppose if one goes to the moon planet, he gets immediately ten thousand years duration of life, and their year, our six months is equal to their one day. Such years. So there are better, more comfortable situations than here in the higher planetary systems." (Philosophy Discussion on Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz)

Srila Prabhupāda - "So millions and trillions and billions of years, that is not very astonishing to us, because it is not even one day of Brahmā. That Brahmā was born, and intelligent philosophy is still existing from the date of Brahmā's birth. Brahmā was first educated by God. That is our calculation." (Philosophy Discussion on Charles Darwin)

Srila Prabhupāda - "After one day of Brahmā there is devastation. So Brahmā lives for one hundred years according to his calculation. So each day there is devastation. So so many devastation passes in one month of Brahmā, then such twelve months makes one year, and such hundred years will be. So there is no calculation of devastation, how many devastations." (Philosophy Discussion on Charles Darwin)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Four billion years is twelve hours of Brahmā's life."

Scholar - "Just one day only."

Srila Prabhupāda - "One day only. Similarly one night. Then one day."

Scholar - "Eight billion years one day of Brahmā (approximately)." 

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, so that is the calculation." (Room Conversation with Indonesian Scholar - Feb 27, 1973, Jakarta)

Srila Prabhupāda - "But because we are interested in Kṛṣṇa, wme do not take very much care of this higher standard of life. So higher planetary system means many, many thousand times better standard of life. Many, many thousand times. Just like Brahmaloka, the one day of Brahmā, described, you cannot even calculate mathematically." (Room Conversation with Anna Conan Doyle, daughter in law of famous author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Aug 10, 1973, Paris)

Srila Prabhupāda - "What is the purport? Read."

Śrutakīrti - "The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahmā and one day of Brahmā consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages, Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali."

Srila Prabhupāda - "In the higher planetary system also, the four rules, birth, death, old age and disease, they are also there. The life is long duration." (Room Conversation with Anna Conan Doyle, daughter-in-law of famous author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Aug 10, 1973, Paris)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Veda means knowledge. Vetti veda-vid jñāne. Jñāna means knowledge. That means the history of Veda means from the date of creation of this material world. Now find out the date of creation of the material world. 

Approximately, nobody can give what is the date of. We can, we cannot... Date of Brahmā, he got the, first of all, the Vedic knowledge. Now, one day of Brahmā you cannot calculate. 

One day of Brahmā. When Brahmā's night is there, there is devastation up to some extent. So again in the daytime of Brahmā, that creation takes place." (Morning Walk - Aug 30, 1973, London)

Svarūpa Dāmodara - "But they calculate that it's only 4.5 billion year old, the earth."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Let them calculate, but who cares for that? They cannot calculate even one day of Brahmā."

Svarūpa Dāmodara - "So we do not accept this?"

Prabhupāda - "Eh?"

Svarūpa Dāmodara - "We do not accept this?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "How can I accept it? Because in the Bhagavad-gītā it is said, sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ: (BG 8.17) 

"The Brahmā's one day is equal to one thousand combination of yugas." 

The combination of yuga means forty-three-hundred thousands of years. So such thousand times makes Brahmā's one day of twelve hours. Similar period, his night." (Morning Walk - Dec 10, 1973, Los Angeles)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Now He explaining what is Brahmaloka. That one day of Brahmā, you cannot calculate. And still, you have to die."

Dr. Patel - "Twelve hundred yugas is called one Brahmā."

Chandobhai - "So our hundred years is nothing for..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "It is nothing." (Morning Walk - April 1, 1974, Bombay)

Yaśomatīnandana - "28th day of Brahmā?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, 28th or 27th. 27th Dvāpara-yuga, Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām (BG 4.8). This is kṣatriya's business: to establish religious principles and to kill the demons. This is kṣatriya's business. 

And Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He appeared as a brāhmaṇa. So He did not kill anybody. Although He was just about to kill Jagāi and Mādhāi, but Nityānanda Prabhu restrained that 

"In this incarnation You have promised not to kill." (Morning Walk - April 6, 1974, Bombay)

Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa - "I think we must be extraordinarily fortunate that Lord Kṛṣṇa, He appears once in a day of Brahmā, and He appeared just five thousand years ago. And then Lord Caitanya just appeared five hundred years ago, and we have an opportunity to associate with Them.

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, always remember this grace of Lord and utilize it." (Morning Walk - June 13, 1974, Paris)

Rūpānuga - "This other question. During the day of Brahmā at the end of every Manu there's a partial devastation of the planets up to earth and celestial, right? Now, at that time there's like a flood, and the animals that are in their particular stage of transmigration of the living entities, their bodies are all killed. Now, at that time, when the end of that period is over, how are the bodies manifest? This is a question Richard Prabhu was asking."

Srila Prabhupāda - "There is no body. They are reserved in the Viṣṇu's body. And again, when there is creation, they come out. And therefore matter comes from the spirit. Matter is there, creation, matter. So take advantage of the matter. 

Just like the cloth is there. You cut it according (to) your body, and there is a coat. The spiritual body is already there." (Room Conversation with Svarupa Damodara - March 1, 1975, Atlanta)

Sadāpūta - "Are there different meanings, this day of Brahmā? Are there different creations and annihilations of species? Different Manus, they are sometimes flooding the whole earth."

Srila Prabhupāda - "There are different, when Brahmā goes to sleep, that is one kind of devastation, and when he dies there is one kind. And during Brahmā's days there are other devastations, manvantara." ('Life Comes From Life' Slideshow Discussions - July 3, 1976, Washington, D.C.)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Different classes of devastation. There are many devastations during Brahmā's day, and there is another devastation during Brahmā's sleep, and another devastation when Brahmā dies."

Svarūpa Dāmodara - "And during different Manus also."

Srila Prabhupāda - "That is day. Such devastation takes place during Brahmā's day. Fourteen Manus."

Svarūpa Dāmodara - "Do we know that in detail, Śrīla Prabhupāda? What type of species are extinct? Not all the species extinct. As it is during Brahmā's day, that partial annihilation, devastation, now some species are extinct?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "No species are extinct." ('Life Comes From Life' Slideshow Discussions - July 3, 1976, Washington, D.C.)

Rūpānuga - "In the day of, one day of Brahmā, there are fourteen Manus. And in the course of creation, re-creation of the same species from the previous day—they are re-creating the same species—it takes, there's some time, maybe one Manu, there's some species that are finished, but the next Manu..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "That doesn't mean time. What is this Manu?"

Rūpānuga - "No, no, I'm saying this is what really happened, right? So we were thinking that we could show one day, this is one day, one day of Brahmā..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "No, you do not think what is actually there, you can say. You do not be a speculator."

Rūpānuga - "No, no, but from the Bhāgavatam we have taken it, and broken down the day of Brahmā."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Whether they will accept it or not, that is the question." (Room Conversation - July 5, 1976, Washington, D.C.) 

Sadāpūta - "The scientists say it goes back six hundred million years."

Srila Prabhupāda - "That is also imperfect. If we study Brahmā's day, it will be all... Brahmā's day is, one day equal to forty-three hundred thousands of years multiplied by thousand, that is Brahmā's one day. So thirty days, one month, and twelve months equal to year, such hundred years. Your mathematics will fail to figure out. Is it not? (laughter)"

Rūpānuga - "There is a slide of this, but we did not show you. The idea is that this is the beginning of Brahmā's day up to present, Vaivasvata Manu. This is the beginning of time according to them. They can't explain anything up to here. They say here, in the middle of the day of Raivata Manu, they begin their Cambrian Age."

Srila Prabhupāda - "No, why Raivata Manu? They are imperfect." (Room Conversation - July 5, 1976, Washington, D.C.)

Devotee - "At the end of Manu's day, when there is flood?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "End of the day of Brahmā. End of fourteen Manus." (Morning Walk - July 9, 1976, Washington D.C.)

Srila Prabhupāda - "Therefore, this creation is another mercy of Kṛṣṇa. That I was reading this night. One creation, so many millions of years... There is calculation. One Brahmā's day, twelve hours, you cannot calculate. Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (BG 8.17). One yuga, forty-three hundred thousand years, one yuga, thousand times. Forty-three hundred thousand years equal to one yuga. Such thousand times. That is Brahmā's twelve hours. Then another twelve hours, night. That is also another trouble, when Brahmā's night. Everything merge into water, pralaya-payodhi-jale. Not all the planet. At least half the universe plunge into water." (Room Conversation - Jan 27, 1977, Puri)

Srila Prabhupada - "So similarly in creation, there is different kinds of bodies for working, and whenever there is no creation they remain in their own spiritual body sleeping. No, there is no complete annihilation at the end of Kali yuga, there may be some disturbances, but not complete annihilation. There are thousands of Kali yugas in every day of Brahma, and they come and go just like seasonal changes." (Letter to Aniruddha - San Francisco 9 April, 1968) 

Srila Prabhupada - "So, Krsna appears only once in a day of Brahma, and that takes a rotation of unlimited trillions of solar years. So some incidences take place in one day, and other incidents take place in another day. Just like we do something today, something else in a week, and we forget today's action tomorrow, and tomorrow's action after a week." (Letter to Jadurani - Montreal 9 July, 1968) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Regarding your question about this planet and Krsna's coming here, you may note that Krsna comes within this universe once in one day of Brahma. Duration of Brahma's day is very very long, it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, 432 crores of years forms the duration of 12 hours of Brahma's day." (Letter to Tosana Krsna - Seattle 7 October, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - "For example, Brahma's day is calculated as thousands of our years. In one day of Brahma there are millions of our pasts, presents, and futures. So this is all relativity, whereas in the spiritual world, there is no such relativity. Therefore, time has no such influence in the spiritual world." (Letter to Charles McCollough - Los Angeles 12 Feb, 1969) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Actually Krsna's planet and Krsna's pastimes are going on eternally, and the same is manifested before the conditioned souls at certain intervals, that is to say once in one day of Brahma, exactly as the sun is visible for 12 hours once in a 24 hour cycle of day and night. When the sun is visible it is called prakata, and when the sun is not visible that is called aprakata or unmanifested." (Letter to Syamasundara - Los Angeles 14 May, 1970)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Mohammed is accepted by us as Saktyavesa Avatar, but we do not recognize the Bahai faith. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu appears once in the day of Brahma or whenever He is required to come. So far attending pujas at the houses of the Hindus there we can go and hold our kirtana but we should not take prasadam there. We can accept raw materials and take them to our temple but we should not accept any prasadam prepared by them." (Letter to Surasrestha - Los Angeles 14 June, 1972) 

Srila Prabhupada - "You can calculate how old is Lord Brahma. It is very difficult to say but only one day of Brahma in which we are, that has not yet passed. We have come in the middle of his first day. We find in Bhagavad-gita that Brahma's one day is equal to 1000 times 400,300 years." (1977 letter to devotee)." (Letter to Aksayananda - Vrndavana Oct 27, 1972)**^^


Tuesday, April 11, 2023

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

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 them.

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

All the massive greater Brahmanda universes that originate from Maha-Visnu's Body, cover and encase the inner smaller secondary universe within each Brahmanda.

Our small secondary universe is called Bhu-Mandala and has 14 planetary systems according to Srimad Bhagavatam's 5th Canto, and is 4 billion miles (500,000,000 yojanas) in diameter.

Sadaputa dasa ACBSP (Richard L. Thompson) earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University. He is the author of several books on Vedic Cosmology explain what Bhu-Mandala is-

''In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhu Mandala—the “earth mandala” (not to be confused with our small earth globe), is a disk 500 million yojanas in diameter (4 billion miles in diameter) 

Our small earth global round sphere is only 24,901 miles in circumference and is 7,917.5 miles in diameter.

Therefore, our small earth globe is NOT Bhu-Mandala that is described in Srimad Bhagavatam as 500 million yojanas in diameter (4 billion miles in diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference)

A yojana is a unit of distance about 8 miles long, and so the diameter of Bhu-Mandala is about 4 billion miles in diameter which is almost the size of our single universe inside our surrounding Brahmanda covering.

Bhu-Mandala is marked by circular features designated as islands (dvipas that can also mean planets) and oceans.

Srila Prabhupada - "The "planets" are called "dvīpas". Outer space is like an ocean of air. Just as there are islands in the watery ocean, these planets in the ocean of space are called dvīpas, or islands in outer space." (CC Madhya 20.218, Purport)

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

Our secondary single universe, with its 14 planetary systems in size  would therefore fit in the circumference of Bhu-Mandala (4 billion miles which is 500,000,000 yojanas.

Bhu-Mandala innermost island, Jambudvipa, contains Bharata-varsha which Srila Prabhupada has repeatedly identified as our earth globe. 

The first covering of our universe (our Brahmanda) that surrounds and encases our inner single Bhu-Mandala universe, is the EARTH element." (SB, Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

In most references in Srimad Bhagavatam it is said the "earth covering" is the first layer of our inner universe's outer surrounding Brahmanda shell, although in other places in Bhagavatam it says water found here, SB Canto 3 Ch 26 Text 52.

There are many contradictory comments in Srimad Bhagavatam like this that needs further understanding and clarification.

For example, in many texts it says there are 7 material layers (both gross and subtle) outwardly covering our inner material universe (Bhu-Mandala).

While in other places, it says 8 different elements because it includes the 4 billion miles diameter inner secondary material universe within the Brahmanda. 

10 times 4 billion mile diameter of our inner material universe, equals 40 billion miles diameter which is the size of the first covering of the Brahmanda surrounding our universe. 

There are also contradictions explaining 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 material universe deep inside them that further house many planetary systems. 

In our Bhu-Mandala universe deep inside our Brahmanda, there are 14 planetary systems.

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

Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 Text 52 says water is the first layer however, most references say the seven layers of the Brahmanda begins with the earth element.

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37-

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

Purport by Srila Prabhupada.

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

1 - First is earth,

2 - Second is water,

3 - Third is fire,

4 - Fourth is air,

5 - Fifth is sky,

6 - Sixth is the total material energy known as the mahat-tattva.

7 - 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." (SB Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

Srila Prabhupada - "The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, is called avyakta. Then, when it is agitated by the glance of the Supreme Lord, the three modes of material nature acts. And by interaction of these three modes of material nature, the whole cosmic manifestation comes into being." (Lecture on SB Canto 1 Ch 2 text 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 sense objects and senses and the spirit soul. In this way, sixteen. And from sixteen, it expands to twenty-four. That is the explanation of our Vedic creation. Ṣoḍaśa-kalam." (Lecture on SB Canto 1 Ch 3 text 1 - Vrndavana, Nov 14, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "The total energy of material creation is called mahat-tattva or pradhāna. Then, when the mahat-tattva is agitated by the three guṇas, then they become divided into twenty-four elements." (Lecture on SB 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 3.26.10 - Bombay, Dec 22, 1974)

As confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (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''.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28 Purport-

Srila Prabhupada - "The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.

Then the outer covering known as the "Brahmanda shell" begins.

The first covering of EARTH is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of 

water, 

fire, 

air, 

sky, 

total material energy, 

false ego. 

One after another, each extending ten times further than the previous.

The fearless devotee of the Lord penetrates each one of them and ultimately reaches the absolute atmosphere where everything is of one and the same spiritual identity.

Then the devotee enters one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where he assumes exactly the same form as the Lord and engages in the loving transcendental service of the Lord.

That is the highest perfection of devotional life. 

Beyond this there is nothing to be desired or achieved by the perfect yogī." (SB Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28 Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43-

Srila Prabhupada  - "The first layer is of EARTH, and it is ten times greater in size than the space within the universe;

The second layer is WATER, and that is ten times greater than the earthly layer;

The third covering is FIRE, which is ten times greater than the water covering. In this way each layer is ten times greater than the previous one." (SB Canto 3 Ch 29 Text 43)

Srimad Bhagavatam says there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha Vishnu making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky) that also house their own inner universe.

All smaller universes inside their Brahmandas are of different sizes, some, like ours, are only 4 billion miles in diameter.

The "4 billion miles (500,000,0000 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 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 make up the outer Brahmanda covering beginning with Earth, then water, then fire, then air, then sky, then total material energy or mahat tattva, then false ego), and therefore although the universes are clustered together, we CANNOT see from one universe to another.

In other words, whatever we see is within this one universe.

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

In the purport in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 2 Text 28-

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī confirms that a part of the material nature, after being initiated by the Lord, is known as the mahat-tattva.

A fractional portion of the mahat-tattva is called the false ego. A portion of the ego is the vibration of sound, and a portion of sound is atmospheric air.

A portion of the airy atmosphere is turned into forms, and the forms constitute the power of electricity or heat.

Heat produces the smell of the aroma of the earth, and the gross earth is produced by such aroma. And all these combined together constitute the cosmic phenomenon.

The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size.

Then the outer covering, known as the Brahmanda shell begins.

The first covering of earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous.

The fearless devotee of the Lord penetrates each one of them and ultimately reaches the absolute atmosphere where everything is of one and the same spiritual identity.

Then the devotee enters one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where he assumes exactly the same form as the Lord and engages in the loving transcendental service of the Lord.

That is the highest perfection of devotional life. Beyond this there is nothing to be desired or achieved by the perfect yogī."

SB, Canto 6,16,37 - "Every universe is covered by seven layers — earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego — each ten times greater than the previous one. 

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

Purport:

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/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 6,16,37)

Srila Prabhupada - "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 shell Earth or water?

There is some passages in Bhagavatam that says the first layer is earth and other places it says the first layer is water.

Srila Prabhupada says there are 7 layers that make up our outer Brahmanda shell that surrounds our single universe that is deep within it, 8 including our 4 billion miles diameter universe within the greater massive Brahmanda.

The circumference of our small single universe inside the Brahmanda shell is 12.6 billion miles. And within that area are the 14 planetary systems.

Srila Prabhupada - "The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size. Then the outer covering known as the Brahmanda shell begins.

The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous" (SB, Canto 2,2, 28 Purport)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is referring to the circumference of our Brahmanda universal shell our single universe is within in following text-

CC Madhya 21.84 - “Kṛṣṇa said, ‘Your particular universe has a diameter of four billion miles; therefore it is the smallest of all the universes. Consequently you have only four heads''.

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, one of the greatest astrologers of his time, gives information from the Siddhānta-śiromaṇi that this universe measures 18,712,069,200,000,000 × 8 miles (That's 18 quadrillion, 712 trillion, 69 billion, 200 million yojanas × 8. So multiply that figure by 8 to get miles which is 149 quadrillion 696 trillion 553 billion 600 million miles in circumference).

This is the circumference of this universe, according to some, this is only half the circumference''. (CC Madhya 21.84)

This is circumference of our ''Brahmanda universal shell'' that includes our 4 billion mile diameter universe that is deep within it or half its size according to some.

There are 7 layers surrounding our small 4 billion mile diameter ''Bhu-Mandala'' universe that has 14 planetary systems in it.

Each material layer or element our small universe is surrounded by, is 10 times thicker than the previous layer.

Starting with the small 4 billion mile diameter Bhu-Mandala Universe that is very deep within the Brahmanda egg shaped larger ''gigantic'' universe that come from Maha 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 his for all 7 layers of material elements and it adds up too 44 Quadrillion 444 Trillion 444 billion miles.

The first covering of the universe is earth, and it is ten times thicker than the universe itself. 

If the universe is four billion miles in size, then the size of the earthly covering of the universe is four billion times ten.

ŚB 3.11.40  - "This phenomenal material world is expanded to a diameter of four billion miles, as a combination of eight material elements transformed into sixteen further categories, within and without, as follows.

Purport

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)

ŚB 3.11.41 - "The layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times thicker than the one before, and all the universes clustered together appear like atoms in a huge combination.

Purport

The coverings of the universes are also constituted of the elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, and each is ten times thicker than the one before. The first covering of the universe is earth, and it is ten times thicker than the universe itself.

If the universe is four billion miles in size, then the size of the earthly covering of the universe is four billion times ten.

The covering of water is ten times greater than the earthly covering, the covering of fire is ten times greater than the watery covering, the covering of air is ten times greater than that of the fire, the covering of ether is ten times greater still than that of air, and so on.

The universe within the coverings of matter appears to be like an atom in comparison to the coverings, and the number of universes is unknown even to those who can estimate the coverings of the universes. (ŚB 3.11.41)

ŚB 3.11.42 - "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is therefore said to be the original cause of all causes. Thus the spiritual abode of Viṣṇu is eternal without a doubt, and it is also the abode of Mahā-Viṣṇu, the origin of all manifestations".

Purport

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]

Srila Prabhupada  - “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.”will

Do the maths yourself based on Srimad-Bhagavatam and work out the massive size of our Brahmanda egg shaped universe." 

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 the Bhu-Mandala universe.


One can do their own maths, start with the size of our Bhu-Mandala universe.

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 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 unlimited 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 Visnu, is massive in size whereas our entire inner Bhu-Mandala universe is but an insignificant spec in relation to size.

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

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

3 - Thirdly the 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 As It Is.

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 universal Brahmanda.

This massive Brahmanda outer shell or covering is made up of  7 material layers that is collectively 44 quadrillion, 444 trillion, 444 billion miles in diameter.

The 7 layers are - from SB Canto 6 Ch 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. 

Our inner material universe 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, 

total material energy (mahat-tattva) 

false ego.

All the above 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 the 7 material outer layers of the 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 material 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." (SB, Canto 5 Ch 21 Text 11, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "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." (SB Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

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. The entire material world manifests is only one fourth of the Supreme Lord's energy. Therefore He is called ananta." (BG, Ch 10 text 42)

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)

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." (SB, Canto 3 Ch 26 Text 52)

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." (SB Canto 3 Ch 29 Text 43)

The first layer is of earth, and is ten times greater than the size of the inner material universe inside the outer Brahmanda which is 4 billion miles in diameter;

The second layer is water, that is ten times greater is size than the previous layer of earth;

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.**