Srila Prabhupada always maintained they never went to the Moon however, many believe he really meant the subtle heavenly reality on the Moon called Chandraloka.

There are two dimensions to the Moon, one in a subtle material dimension, and the other in a gross material dimension. 

Many devotees now believe that the NASA Astronauts went to the "gross Moon" only because they could not detect the "subtle" material heavenly realm of Chandraloka existing there while restricted in their "gross" material bodies.

Chandraloka's heavenly atmosphere is only accessed with the accumulation of pious activity (karma) and a "subtle" material body.

This idea can answer the Moon controversies and conspiracy theories that have existed in ISKCON now for 55 years.

In other words, the answer is speculated (because it cannot be proved) that there are "two Moon realities" in the same space, one we can see and visit in a gross body, and one we cannot see in a gross body called Chandraloka (where one needs a subtle material body aquired only through pious activities).

We cannot see or enter Chandraloka in a gross material biological body because of its higher dimensional heavenly status (also impossible to prove with material technology)

Describing the Moon- 

1 - Therefore, we see only see with our gross material bodies eyes, "the gross Moon" in the sky.

2 – The Vedas say there is a higher dimensional heavenly atmosphere on the Moon (called the subtle Moon) that we CANNOT see or prove in a "gross material body." We also cannot detect the heavenly realm (subtle matter) of Chandraloka with present day gross material technology. 

At present in 2023, "subtle matter, and also known as "sub-space" has not been dicovered and therefore its existence is based on speculation and religious belief or faith.

This conclusion is reached because the Moon has two realities–

1 – "Subtle matter." 

2 – "Gross matter."

We in a gross material bodily vessel cannot see or experience "the subtle matter reality" but we CAN see and experience the "gross matter reality" as 12 NASA Astronauts did when they visited the Moon 6 times between 1969 and 1972 

This also clearly answers that man did go to the Moon without a doubt and therefore it is foolish to keep denying this fact.

Lets look at the facts in 2023 about these silly old 1970s Moon landing conspiracy theories including many misinformed comments by even Srila Prabhupada that the Moon landings never happened. 

However, I believe Prabhupada really meant they could never go to the "subtle reality on the Moon,called Chandraloka which is a heavenly planet.

As far as the "gross moon" landings are concerned, over 450,000 people worked on the Apollo missions that eventually took man to the Moon in the late 1960s, to keep a secret like this among all these people, believing it was all some clever silly hoax, as Prabhupada and some of his young immature disciples believed in 1970, is impossible.

And today in 2023 many Countries are continuously sending space crafts and probes to the Moon.

Therefore, it is not only NASA anymore, it is China, India, Japan, Russia, Israel, Brazil, European Union.

Israel, China and India just recently landed rovers on the Moon.

To claim they are all in on some silly hoax and conspiracy is ridiculous, the manned Moon landings between 1969 and 1972 DID happen without any doubt, the evidence is overwhelming!

And if Srila Prabhupada’s opinion does NOT convince me the Moon manned landings never happened and was "all bluff," as he claimed, then no one else has any chance of convincing me we never went to the "gross Moon."

As said above the Apollo missions could not detect the heavenly realm of Chandraloka while there.

Where Srila Prabhupada was right is the Astronauts and their space crafts NEVER entered or perceived the heavenly atmosphere of Chandraloka on the Moon.

As said above, Srila Prabhupada always maintained they never went to the Moon, but I believe he really meant the subtle heavenly reality on the Moon called Chandraloka.

The Moon landings therefore were NOT a hoax or some silly Government conspiracy that only 3% of Americans believe in 2023.

And Prabhupada’s reasons they never went to the Moon are different from those mundane conspiracy theorists.

That is because he knows there is a higher material heavenly reality on the Moon that we in gross material bodies cannot visit or even perceive.

But the Astronauts DID go to the "gross reality" of the Moon that we see in the sky. In other words the Astronauts did visited the "gross Moon" but not the "subtle Moon" that is not seen or perceived with gross technology.

If we see the Moon from earth then that must be the “gross reality Moon,” otherwise if it was fully a heavenly subtle world, then we could not see it.

Since 1969, as far as the "gross Moon" is concerned, many devotees have claimed they never went to the Moon. This was because back then, very little of this new technology was understood back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, even by Prabhupada, and especially by his very young immature disciples, some just out of university, all in there early 20s back then, never fully understood it either no matter what degree they had.

Today in 2023 it is nonsense to continue these mundane conspiracy theories that they never went to the Moon (the gross Moon) such conspiracy theorists never even considered what Prabhupada said all along, that the Moon is a heavenly higher dimension realm called Chandraloka (a subtle reality)

As said above, Srila Prabhupada emphasis they NEVER went to the “subtle heavenly realm on the Moon” called Chandraloka is the correct way to understand this controversy.

The fact is, they DID go to the gross Moon we see at night.

The way to understand this is the Moon is both “subtle and gross” matter, making it two different Moon realities in the same space.

Therefore, we cannot see "subtle matter" but we CAN see "gross matter." After all we all see the Moon at night from earth which is the gross reality of the Moon.

Back in 1969/72 they did not understand any of this, it is even fair to say Srila Prabhupada himself seemed to also be trying to understand Vedic Cosmology with his disciples and suggested we need someone qualified in Vedic Cosmology to teach us.

Srila Prabhupada had said he did not know everything about Vedic Cosmology and therefore sent Tamal Krsna Maharaj to Southern India in search of an advanced Brahmana who could teach us the science of Vedic Cosmology and how to properly understand it.

Discussion with that Southern Brahmin is found here-

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1389738784594714?view=permalink&id=1895632647338656

The fact is they DID go to the Moon, but it was only "the gross Moon" and not the heavenly dimension of Chandraloka. They could not see or enter the "subtle material heavenly atmosphere of Chandraloka" on Moon when the Astronauts were there.**.

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 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). 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 too small to be the real Bhu-Mandala and therefore, is NOT the Bhu-Mandala described in Srimad Bhagavatam that is 500 million yojanas in diameter (4 billion miles in diameter or 12.6 billion miles in circumference)

One yojana is a unit of distance about 8 miles long, and, as said above, the diameter of Bhu-Mandala is about 4 billion miles in diameter, which is the size of our "secondary material universe" existing deep inside our Brahmanda universe.

Bhu-Mandala is marked by circular features designated as islands (dvipas 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 material universe with its 14 planetary systems would therefore fit in the circumference of Bhu-Mandala (4 billion miles (500,000,000 yojanas) in diameter.

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

The first covering of our secondary universe inside our Brahmanda that surrounds and encases our inner Bhu-Mandala universe, is EARTH as explained in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 Chapter 16 Text 37.

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

There are contradictory comments in Srimad Bhagavatam that needs further understanding and clarification, such as in many texts it says there is 7 layers covering our inner material universe, while in other places it says 8. 

In this case we understand the 4 billion mile diameter secondary universe is often said to be the first the first, and is 10 times that 4 billion miles diameter of the inner secondary universe inside the Brahmanda is the second. 

However, 40 billion miles diameter really refers to the "earth" element, the first Brahmanda covering.

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

There are unlimited Brahmanda greater universe, each with a smaller secondary universe deep inside them, that each have many planetary systems. In our secondary material universe, deep inside our surrounding Brahmanda, there are 14 planetary systems.

In the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, it explains our secondary material universe inside our Brahmanda, is 500 million yojanas in diameter (4 billion miles)

One yojana equals approximately eight miles therefore, the size of our secondary universe, according to Srimad Bhagavatam, is 8 × 500 = 4 billion miles in diameter. 

Furthermore, Srimad Bhagavatam states the size of Bhū-maṇḍala is almost 4 billion miles in diameter which is the size of our secondary universe. Therefore Bhu-Mandala is our secondary universe surrounded by its Brahmanda.

This means the inner "secondary material universe" inside its surrounding Brahmanda, where Garbhodakashayi Visnu and Lord Brahma reside, along with 14 different planetary systems, IS Bhu-Mandala.

Srila Prabhupāda - 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 Canto 3,26,52 Purport)

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

As said above, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 26 Text 52 says "water" is the first layer however, most references say the seven subtle and gross material layers surround our secondary inner universe deep within or Brahmanda, begin with the "earth" element.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Every universe is covered by seven layers - earth, water, fire, air, sky, total energy, (mahat-tattva or pradhāna),  false ego. Each layer is ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta]." (SB, Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37)

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 (pradhāna).

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 Purport)

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 SB, Canto 1.2.33 - Vrndavana, Nov 12, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada - "So actually, there are twenty-six different elements which is conducting this material world. 

Etat kṣetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛtam. 

Kṣetra means this body. Either you take this body or this material world, they are interaction of these twenty-four elements. Either you take the gigantic body of this universe or you take the body of this planet or you take this your body, my body, or a cat's body, dog's body, all these bodies, they are formed of these twenty-four elements, sa-vikāram, by action and reaction. 

Just like chemically, if you mix one chemical with another chemical, a third element is produced, similarly, originally the reservation of all these elements is called mahat-tattva. It is called pradhāna, upadhāna.

So, gradually they manifest, they divide by three guṇas. Three guṇas means in the mahat-tattva, in the total material reservoir, three guṇas, three modes of nature, first of all appear and they act with one another, and then gradually, one after another, the twenty-four elements become manifested. Etat kṣetraṁ samāsena sa-vikāram udāhṛtam." (Lecture BG, Ch 13.6-7 - Montreal, Oct 25, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - "So mahat-tattva, the total material energy, what are those? The five elements, namely, earth, water, fire, air, and sense objects and senses and the spirit soul. In this way it expands to sixteen. And from sixteen, it expands to twenty-four. That is the explanation of our Vedic creation. Ṣoḍaśa-kalam." (Lecture SB, Canto 1.3.1 - Vrindavana, 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 SB, Canto 3.26.11-14 - 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 SB, Canto 3.26.10 - Bombay, Dec 22, 1974)

As confirmed by the Lord Himself- 

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe." (BG, Ch 10.42)

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

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 (mahat-tattva or pradhāna),

false ego.

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

The fearless devotee of the Lord penetrates each one of them and ultimately reaches the absolute atmosphere where everything is of one and the same spiritual identity. Then the devotee enters one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where he assumes exactly the same form as the Lord and engages in the loving transcendental service of the Lord. That is the highest perfection of devotional life. Beyond this there is nothing to be desired or achieved by the perfect yogī." (SB Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28 Purport)

Srila Prabhupada  - "The first 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 explains there are unlimited individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha-Visnu, making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky). And each Brahmanda also houses their own secondary universe (Bhu-Mandala in our universe) within.

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

The 4 billion miles (500,000,000 yojanas) diameter of our material 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 also cannot see from one secondary material universe to another secondary universe insise there Brahmanda. 

This is because our secondary universe is surrounded and encased by 7 material layers that is the outer massive Brahmanda (shell shaped) universe. So, it is impossible to see the millions of other Brahmandas outside our secondary universe (inside our massive Brahmanda) because of those 7 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)

As said above, we cannot see through our massive outer Brahmanda that surrounds and encases our small secondary universe within it. Srila Prabhupada was clear on this point.

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)

Srila Prabhupada - "Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī confirms that a part of the material nature, after being initiated by the Lord, is known as the mahat-tattva. A fractional portion of the mahat-tattva is called the false ego. A portion of the ego is the vibration of sound, and a portion of sound is atmospheric air. A portion of the airy atmosphere is turned into forms, and the forms constitute the power of electricity or heat.

Heat produces the smell of the aroma of the earth, and the gross earth is produced by such aroma. And all these combined together constitute the cosmic phenomenon. The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size. Then the outer covering, known as the Brahmanda shell begins. The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous.

The fearless devotee of the Lord penetrates each one of them and ultimately reaches the absolute atmosphere where everything is of one and the same spiritual identity. Then the devotee enters one of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, where he assumes exactly the same form as the Lord and engages in the loving transcendental service of the Lord. That is the highest perfection of devotional life. Beyond this there is nothing to be desired or achieved by the perfect yogī." (SB, Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Every universe is covered by seven layers — earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego — each ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta]." (SB, Canto 6 Ch 16 Text 37) 

Srila Prabhupada - "The Brahma-saṁhitā (5.48) says-

yasyaika-niśvasita-kālam athāvalambya-jīvanti loma-vilajā jagad-aṇḍa-nāthāḥ viṣṇur mahān sa iha yasya kalā-viśeṣo - govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

The origin of the material creation is Mahā-Viṣṇu, who lies in the Causal Ocean. While He sleeps in that ocean, millions of universes are generated as He exhales, and they are all annihilated when He inhales. This Mahā-Viṣṇu is a plenary portion of a portion of Viṣṇu, Govinda (yasya kalā-viśeṣaḥ). The word kalā refers to a plenary portion of a plenary portion.

From Kṛṣṇa, or Govinda, Balarāma comes; 

from Balarāma Saṅkarṣaṇa comes; 

from Saṅkarṣaṇa Nārāyaṇa comes; 

from Nārāyaṇa, the second Saṅkarṣaṇa comes; 

from the second Saṅkarṣaṇa Mahā-Viṣṇu comes; 

from Mahā-Viṣṇu Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu comes;

from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu (Paramatma/Supersoul. 

Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu controls every universe.

This gives an idea of the meaning of ananta, unlimited. What is to be said of the unlimited potency and existence of the Lord? This verse describes the coverings of the universe (saptabhir daśa-guṇottarair aṇḍa-kośaḥ).

The first covering is earth, the second is water, the third is fire, the fourth is air, the fifth is sky, the sixth is the total material energy, and the seventh is the false ego. Beginning with the covering of earth, each covering is ten times greater than the previous one. Thus we can only imagine how great each universe is, and there are many millions of universes. As confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is-

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

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "The entire material world manifests only one fourth of the Supreme Lord’s energy. Therefore He is called ananta." (BG, Ch 10 Text 42)

Srila Prabhupada says there are 7 layers that make up our outer Brahmanda shell wall that surrounds our single universe that is deep within it, 8 including our 4 billion miles diameter inner secondary universe deep inside the greater massive outer Brahmanda universe. The circumference of our small single universe inside the Brahmanda shell is 12.6 billion miles. And within that area are the 14 planetary systems.

Srila Prabhupada - "The extent of the cosmic phenomenon or our individual universe is calculated to be diametrically four billion miles in size. Then the outer covering known as the Brahmanda shell begins. The first covering of Earth is calculated to extend forty billion miles, (10 times the size of the inner universe) and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of water, fire, air, sky, total material energy, false ego one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous." (SB, Canto 2 Ch 2 Text 28 Purport)

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

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

Srila Prabhupada - "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 Purport)

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 'universe that came from the pores and breathing of 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 that, for all 7 layers of material elements that 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.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "This phenomenal material world is expanded to a diameter of four billion miles, as a combination of eight material elements transformed into sixteen further categories, within and without, as follows." (ŚB, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 40)

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, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 40 Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "The layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times thicker than the one before, and all the universes clustered together appear like atoms in a huge combination." (ŚB, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 41) 

Srila Prabhupada - "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, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 41 Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is therefore said to be the original cause of all causes. Thus the spiritual abode of Viṣṇu is eternal without a doubt, and it is also the abode of Mahā-Viṣṇu, the origin of all manifestations." (ŚB, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 42) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Mahā-Viṣṇu, who is resting in yoga-nidrā on the Causal Ocean and creating innumerable universes by His breathing process, only temporarily appears in the mahat-tattva for the temporary manifestation of the material worlds. He is a plenary portion of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and thus although He is nondifferent from Lord Kṛṣṇa, His formal appearance in the material world as an incarnation is temporary.

The original form of the Personality of Godhead is actually the svarūpa, or real form, and He eternally resides in the Vaikuṇṭha world (Viṣṇuloka). The word mahātmanaḥ is used here to indicate Mahā-Viṣṇu, and His real manifestation is Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is called parama, as confirmed in the Brahma-saḿhitā:

īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ

sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ

anādir ādir govindaḥ

sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam

[Bs. 5.1]

“The Supreme Lord is Kṛṣṇa, the original Personality of Godhead known as Govinda. His form is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge, and He is the original cause of all causes.” (ŚB, Canto 3 Ch 11 Text 42 Purport) 

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

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

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 Canto 3,26,52 Purport)

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 (gross and subtle matter), 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 (false ego)

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 and even possibly double that figure if measured from the outer wall of the inner secondary material universe.

Our individual secondary 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 an unlimited number of Brahmanda universes in the material creation that make up 25% of the Spiritual Sky.

The small "secondary universes" found within each Brahmanda, is known in our Brahmanda as Bhu-Mandala, which is just a mere 4 billion miles in diameter.

Our "Brahmanda shell" is a massive egg shaped universe, yet almost spherical covering, that houses and encases our small secondary material universe that is deep inside the Brahmanda universe and is 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 inner secondary universe inside the Brahmanda is but an insignificant spec in relation to the size of the Brahmanda.

1 - Our secondary universe is 4 billion miles in diameter.

2 - Our Brahmanda universe (the secondary universe is within) is 44 quadrillion, 444 billion, 444 million miles in diameter.

Our secondary universe, with its 14 planetary systems, found deep inside the massive Brahmanda surrounding universe, 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 secondary 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.

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Within the stem of the lotus there are fourteen divisions of planetary systems, and the earthly planets are situated in the middle." (SB canto 1 Ch 3 text 2)

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?"

Sadaputa dasa - "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 Sadaputa comment)

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 Visnu (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 (Supersoul) 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 2 Purport)

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-

1 - Earth,

2 - Water,

3 - Fire,

4 - Air,

5 - Sky,

6 - Total Material Energy or Mahat-tattva,

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

Srimad Bhagavatam says there are millions of individual Brahmanda universes coming from Maha Visnu making up the entire material creation (1/4 of the Spiritual Sky) that also house their own inner universe. All smaller universes inside their Brahmanda are of different sizes, some, like ours, are only 4 billion miles in diameter. The "4 billion miles (500,000,000 yojanas)" diameter of our universe with its 14 planetary systems is one of the smallest. Ours is called Bhu-Mandala.

Srila Prabhupada - "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." (SB Canto 3 Ch 26 text 52 in Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "We have to imagine that these universes (Brahmandas), which according to our limited knowledge are expanded unlimitedly, are so great that the gross and subtle ingredients—the five elements of the cosmic manifestation, namely

earth, 

water, 

fire, 

air, 

sky

Along with the total material energy and false ego—are not only within the universe but cover the universe in seven layers, each layer ten times bigger than the previous one. In this way, each and every universe is very securely packed, and there are numberless universes. All these universes float within the innumerable pores of the transcendental body of Mahā-Viṣṇu. It is stated that just as the atoms and particles of dust are floating within the air along with the birds and their number cannot be calculated, so innumerable universes are floating within the pores of the transcendental body of the Lord. For this reason, the Vedas say that God is beyond the grasp of our knowledge." (Krsna Book 87)

We CANNOT see from one universe to another from inside our Brahmanda, this is because our individual secondary universe is surrounded and encased by 7 material layers of the outer Brahmanda universe. So it is impossible to see the millions of other Brahmandas outside our inner universe (inside a massive Brahmanda) because of those 7 thick material layers.

Although there are rare mystic yogis and advanced devotees like Arjuna who can see and pass through the thick material layers of our Brahmanda. So of course Krsna and Arjuna did not encounter such limitations from these elements of earth, water, fire and all other gross elements as Bhagavad Gita As It Is explains.

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

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

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

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

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

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - "But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe. The entire material world manifests is only one fourth of the Supreme Lord's energy. Therefore He is called ananta." (BG, Ch 10.42)  

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.

The first layer is of earth, and it is ten times greater in size than the space within the universe;

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

The third covering is fire, which is ten times greater than the water covering. In this way each layer is ten times greater than the previous one. The above mentioned purports to Srimad Bhagavatam seemingly gives contradictory information that can make things confusing to scholars." (SB, Canto 3 Ch 29 Text 43)

SB 2.2.28 and SB 3.26.52 says the first layer of the surrounding Brahmanda is water, and SB 3.29.43 says it is earth. Furthermore, what is the breadth (diameter) 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 (4 billion miles in diameter)

On the other hand, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 29 Text 43 says the first layer is the same diameter of our secondary universe (Bhu-Mandala), multiplied by 10, which is 4 billions miles diameter multiplied by 10 = 40 billion miles in diameter.

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

Lord Balarama. Who is He?

Srila Prabhupada - "Sometimes people ask who is Lord Balarama? And the answer is that He is the brother of Lord Krsna. However, He does many things besides that.

How we understand this is to first recognize that, according to Vedic scripture such as the Srimad Bhagavata Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam), it is described that Lord Krsna is the primeval Lord, the original Personality of Godhead, so He can expand Himself into unlimited forms with all potencies. 

They are no different from Him, but may exhibit differences in form and function.

He first expands Himself into Baladeva, or Balarama, who is considered Krsna’s second body and brother. 

Balarama assists in Lord Krsna’s innumerable spiritual pastimes in both the spiritual and material realms.

Lord Balarama is also Lord Sankarshana, the predominator of the creative energy. He creates and is also the shelter of the material and spiritual worlds. 

By the will of Krsna and the power of the spiritual energy, Lord Balarama creates the spiritual world, which consists of the planet Goloka Vrindavana [the supermost spiritual planet] and the Vaikuntha planets [in the spiritual sky]." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.255-6)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Balarama especially assists Lord Krsna in the creation of the material world. After Balarama has expanded Himself into Lord Maha-Sankarshana, He expands Himself into four different forms, including:

1) Karanadakashayi Visnu [Maha-Visnu], 

2) Garbhodakashayi Visnu [the Visnu expansion in each material universe], 

3) Ksirodakashayi Visnu [the Supersoul or Paramatma with each living being],

4) Sesha, also called Seshanaga, who lies down and is the support and resting place for Lord Visnu. 

These four plenary portions assist in the material cosmic manifestation. 

Sesha is Balarama’s form who assists in the Lord’s personal service. He is also called Ananta, meaning unlimited, because He assists the Lord in His unlimited variety of pastimes." (CC, Adi-lila, 5.4-6, 8-11)

Srila Prabhupada - "To explain more clearly, all expansions of the Lord begin with Sri Krsna. For His pastimes in one of the highest levels of the spiritual realm, called Dvaraka, Sri Krsna expands Himself into Balarama, who then expands Himself into Pradyumna and Aniruddha. 

These four expand into a second quadruple which is present in the unlimited Vaikuntha planets of the spiritual sky. The second quadruple is known as- 

Vasudeva, 

Sankarshana, 

Pradyumna, 

Aniruddha. 

They are changeless, transcendental expansions of the Supreme Lord, Krsna. In the second quadruple, Vasudeva is an expansion of Krsna, and Sankarshana is a representative of Balarama.

In the Vaikuntha spiritual sky there is the pure, spiritual creative energy called Suddha-satva that sustains all of the spiritual planets with the full opulences of knowledge, wealth, power, beauty, etc., all of which pervade the entire spiritual kingdom and are fully enjoyed by the residents there. 

This energy is but a display of the creative potencies of Balarama, Maha Sankarshana. It is also this Sankarshana who is the original cause of the Causal Ocean (which takes shape as a cloud in a corner of the spiritual sky) where Karanodakashayi Visnu (Maha-Visnu) sleeps, while breathing out the seeds of the innumerable universes. 

This is the start of the material creation. It is the Karana Ocean, also called the Causal Ocean, in which the material universes are manifest. When the cosmic creation is annihilated, all of the materially conditioned, although indestructible, living entities merge back into the body of Maha-Visnu where they rest until the time of the next creation. 

So Balarama as Sankarshana is the origin of Maha-Visnu, from whom originates all of the potencies of the material manifestation." (CC, Adi-lila, 5.41 & purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "So, to summarize, for His spiritual pastimes in the Vaikuntha realm, Lord Krsna has four original expansions, namely

Vasudeva, 

Sankarshana, 

Pradyumna, 

Aniruddha. 

Maha-Visnu is an expansion of Sankarshana.

Garbhodakashayi Visnu is an expansion of Pradyumna.  

Ksirodakashayi Visnu is an expansion of Aniruddha." (CC, Adi-lila, 2.56, purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "To begin explaining the purpose and function of these expansions, the Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.6.42) describes that, Maha-Visnu (Karanadakashayi Visnu) is the first incarnation of the Supreme Lord in the process of creating the material worlds. 

He is the master of eternal time, space, cause and effects, mind, elements, material ego, the modes of nature, senses, the universal form of the Lord (Garbhodakashayi Visnu) and the sum total of all living beings, both moving and nonmoving.

Then Maha-Visnu lies down in the Viraja River, which is the border between the spiritual and material worlds." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.268-271)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Maha-Visnu is the source of thousands of avataras in His thousands and thousands of subjective portions. He is also the creator of countless individual souls [that spread throughout the material creation]. 

He is also known by the name of Narayana, meaning the shelter of all the individual jiva-souls. 

From Him springs forth the vast expanse of water known as the spiritual Causal Ocean [also known as the Karana Ocean, for which He is also called Karanadakashayi Visnu]. 

Maha-Visnu then reclines in the waters of the Causal Ocean in a state of divine sleep, called yoga-nidra. Thus, it is said that the universal creation is but the dream of Maha-Visnu." (BS, 5.11-12)

Srila Prabhupada - "Since the waters of the Causal Ocean or Karana Ocean come from the body of Maha-Visnu, it is completely spiritual. The sacred Ganges River is but a drop from that ocean, which can purify the fallen souls [when they bathe in it]." (CC, Adil-lila, 5.54)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord Balarama also expands into the great serpent known as Ananta, or Seshanaga. He reposes on the Causal Ocean and serves as the couch upon whom Lord Maha-Visnu reclines." (BS, 5.47) 

Srila Prabhupada - "That Ananta-Sesha is the devotee incarnation of God who knows nothing but service to Lord Krsna. With His thousands of mouths, He always sings the endless glories of Lord Krsna. He also expands Himself to serve as Lord Krsna’s paraphernalia, including such items as the- 

umbrella, 

slippers, 

bedding, 

pillow, 

garments, 

resting chair, 

residence, 

sacred gayatri thread, and throne in the pastimes of Lord Krsna." (CC, Madhya-lila, 5.120-124)

Srila Prabhupada - "At the time of creation, after the Supreme has been sleeping for some time, the first emanation from the breathing of Lord Maha-Visnu are the personified Vedas who serve Him by waking Him from His mystic sleep. They begin to enthusiastically sing His glories, pastimes and praises, just as a King is awoken in the morning by poets who recite his heroic deeds." (SB, 10.87.12-13)

Srila Prabhupada - "As one of the first expansions from Maha-Visnu, this also shows the eternal and spiritual nature of the vibrational energy of the Vedic literature. They are not merely the writings of men, but they are spiritual vibrations that exist before, during and after the material creation, and which emanate from the Supreme Lord.

Once the Lord is awoken, He casts His glance upon the material energy of maya. Then she becomes agitated. At that time the Lord injects [through His glance] the original seeds of all living entities. 

This glance is how the Supreme impregnates material nature with all the living entities. Thus, the Lord does not personally touch the material energy, but by His functional expansion He places the living entities into the material nature by His glance." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.272) 

Srila Prabhupada - "This functional expansion of the Lord takes the form of Siva. The glance of Maha-Visnu is Siva known as Sambhu. which we explain more fully elsewhere. 

After agitating the material nature into three qualities, which are the modes of nature in the form of goodness, passion and ignorance, they become active, and material nature begins to give birth to the total material energy known as the hiranya-mahat-tattva. 

This is the sum total of cosmic intelligence. Thus, material nature becomes agitated by the destinations of the conditioned souls as determined by the influence of these modes of nature." (SB 3.26.19) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Simply by the glance of Maha-Visnu consciousness is created, which is known as the mahat-tattva. The predominating Deity of the mahat-tattva is Lord Vasudeva, another expansion of Lord Krsna. This explains how the material energy is like the mother of the living beings while the Lord is the Supreme Father of everyone. 

Just as a woman cannot give birth without the contact of a man, or at least his seed, so material nature cannot create without the contact of the Supreme Being.

So first, the total material energy is manifest, and from this arise the three types of egotism, which are the original sources of all the demigods [the minor controlling deities], the senses, and material elements. By combining the different elements, the Supreme Lord creates all of the unlimited universes. 

Once the material elements have been manifested, and the full potential for creating the universes has been established, the innumerable universes begin to emanate from the pores of the body of Maha-Visnu, and from His exhalations. 

They appear just like atomic particles that float in sunshine and pass through a screen. Then when Maha-Visnu finally inhales at the time of the universal annihilation, they return to His body. In this way, Maha-Visnu is the Superself of all the universes." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.275-282)

Srila Prabhupada - "Brahma, all the demigods, and each universe remain alive for the duration of one of His exhalations. (BS 5.48) However, there is no limit to the exhalations of Maha-Visnu." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.324)

Srila Prabhupada - "Once all of the universe are created, which are unlimited, Maha-Visnu expands Himself into unlimited forms and each one enters each universe as Garbhodakashayi Visnu. 

Once He is in each universe, He sees that there is no place to reside. Then, after some consideration, He fills half of the universe with water from His own perspiration. He then lays down on the water, again supported by the bed of Seshanaga [an expansion of Lord Balarama]." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.284-6)

Srila Prabhupada - "This Garbhodakashayi Visnu, who is also known within the universe as Hiranyagarbha and Antaryami, the Supersoul, is glorified in the Vedic hymns. He is the master of each and every universe and shelter of the external or material energy. However, being transcendental, He is completely beyond the touch of the external [material] energy.

Next is the third expansion of Visnu, called Ksirodakashayi Visnu, who is the incarnation of the quality of goodness. He is the universal form of the Lord and expands Himself as the Supersoul within every living entity. He is known as Ksirodakashayi Visnu because He lies on the ocean of milk [ksira] on the island of Svetadvipa. These are the three expansions of Lord Visnu who oversee and make the creation of the material world possible." (CC, Madhya-lila, 20.292, 294-5)

This also explains the part that is played by Lord Balarama in this process of material creation. However, after the material creation has been accomplished, then the nectar of the pastimes of Lord Krsna takes place at particular times in the material realm wherein Lord Balarama plays the part of His brother to exhibit so many escapades together in the area of Vrindavana, India. 

These may be pastimes of killing the demons that attack the residents of Vrindavana, or the fun of playing with the cowherd boys in the forests or in tending the cows. It is all recreation and spiritual enjoyment. These are described in the tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Sri Balabhadra-stava-räja

The King of Prayers to Lord Balaräma.

Text 1

Duryodhana said: O Prädvipäka, O great sage, please kindly tell me the prayer of Lord Balaräma, which grants all perfection.

Text 2

Sri Prädvipäka Muni said: O king, please hear the regal and beautiful prayer of Lord Balaräma, a prayer that brings liberation and all perfection.

Text 3

O master of the demigods, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O fulfiller of desires, obeisances to You! O Lord Ananta Sesha, obeisances to You! O Lord Balaräma, obeisances to You!

Text 4

O Lord who maintains the earth, O glorious Lord, O perfect and complete Lord, O Lord who holds a plow in Your hand, O Lord who has a thousand heads, O Lord Sankarsana, eternal obeisances to You!

Text 5

O husband of Revati, O Lord Balaräma, O elder brother of Lord Krishna, O Lord who holds a plow-weapon, O killer of Pralambäsura, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, please protect me!

Text 6

O Lord Balaräma, who carries a palm-tree flag, obeisances to You! O son of Rohini, O fair-complexioned Lord dressed in blue garments, obeisances to You!

Text 7

You are the enemy of Dhenuka, the enemy of Mushtika, the enemy of Kuta, the killer of Balvala, the enemy of Rukmi, the enemy of Kupakarna, and the enemy of Kumbhanda.

Text 8

You are the Lord who broke the Yamuna' and dragged Hastinäpura. You are the enemy of Dvivida. You are the king of the Yädavas. You are the ornament of Vraja's circle.

Text 9

You are the killer of Kamsa's brothers. You are the supreme master, the Lord who went on pilgrimage, and Duryodhana's guru. O master, please protect me! Please protect me!

Text 10

 O infallible Lord, greater than the greatest, O Lord whose glories are heard in all directions without limit, glory to You! Glory to You! O Lord served by the demigods, the kings of the sages, and the kings of the serpents, O powerful Lord who holds a plow and a club, obeisances to You!

Text 11

A person who regularly recites this prayer attains Lord Hari's transcendental abode. All the strength in the universe is his. He crushes his enemies. He attains great wealth and a great dynasty.

A review of some of Lord Balarama’s Pastimes.

The descent of Lord Balarama-

Whenever Krsna appears in the material world, He is accompanied by His associates and paraphernalia. 

Five thousand years ago when Krsna descended into the material world, He was first preceded by Baladeva. Only after Baladeva give His mercy did Krsna descend. Such is the intimate relationship between Krsna and Baladeva.

When Baladeva appeared as the seventh child in the womb of Devaki, she could understand that this was a divine child and this made her all the more concerned about His safety. 

Even Kamsa could sense His potency and he became fearful, thinking he may have been tricked by the prophecy that he will be slain only by the eight child of Devaki. 

At this time Krsna instructed Yogamaya, His internal potency, to transfer the unborn child from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini, one of the other wives of Vasudeva, who was hiding from Kamsa in the house of Nanda Maharaja in Gokul.

In this way Balarama was born in Gokul under the protection of Nanda Maharaja. Garga Muni the venerable kulguru (family priest) of the Yadu dynasty revealed to Rohini that the child she was carrying was indeed that son of her husband Vasudeva. 

At the time of the name-giving ceremony he named the child Rama, one who gives all pleasures. Referring to the immense strength of the child, Garga Muni predicted that He will also be known as Balarama (bala meaning strength). 

Since He was forcibly attracted from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini, He was also called Sankarshana. 

As the son of Rohini He was known as Rohini-nandan and as the elder brother of Krsna He was also called Douji.

The form of Lord Balarama.

Powerful Lord Balarama is sixteen years old, full of the luster of youth and has a fair complexion the color of crystal. 

He wears blue garments and a garland of forest flowers. His handsome hair is tied in a graceful topknot. 

Splendid earrings adorn His ears and His neck is splendidly decorated with garlands of flowers and strings of jewels. 

Splendid armlets and bracelets ornament Douji's graceful and very strong arms and His feet are decorated with splendid jeweled anklets.

Lord Balarama's beauty is enhanced by the earrings touching His cheeks. His face is decorated with tilaka made from musk, and His broad chest is ornamented with a garland of gunja. 

Balarama's voice is very grave and His arms are very long, touching His thighs

The splendor of Lord Balarama's transcendental form eclipses many millions of glistening rising moons, and the slightest scent of His boundless strength is sufficient to destroy many armies of demons. 

Although He knows the supernatural power ofnger brother, Krsna, still, out of love for Him, He never leaves Krsna alone in the forest even for a moment. 

Balarama is Sri Krsna's dearest friend and is a great reservoir of the nectar mellows of many kinds of transcendental pastimes.

Balarama slays Dhenukasura.

Dhenukasura was a powerful demon who had assumed the form of an ass. With his demon friends he was occupying Talavana, one of the twelve forests of Vrindavana. 

Out of fear of these demons no one could approach Talavana and enjoy the numerous flowers and fruits in the forest. 

Balarama, induced by His cowherd friends, entered the forest desiring to kill the demons. He began shaking the fruit trees, making a big noise. 

Dhenuka, furious at the intrusion, attacked Balarama with his rear legs, but Balarama easily picked him up by his legs and whirled him around until he died. 

As the other demon friends of Dhenuka rushed to attack, Krsna and Balarama picked them up and threw them on trees, killing them. 

Soon the forest was free of all demons, and it appeared that the bent trees were being directed by Balarama to pay obeisances to Krsna.

Balarama kills Pralambasura.

Once when Krsna and Balarama were playing with the cowherd boys, a demon named Pralamba entered their midst, disguised as a cowherd boy.

Understanding the invincible potency of Krsna, he instead decided to abduct Balarama. At the end of the game, as the losing party he was supposed to carry Balarama on his shoulders. 

Carrying the Lord on his shoulders he ran swiftly, but Balarama realizing the true identity of the demon began to make himself heavier and heavier. 

Unable to bear the weight, the demon assumed his original form which was like a huge dark effulgent cloud, decorated with golden ornaments. 

Balarama then brought His fist down on the head of the demon splitting it into two and causing him to give up his life.

Balarama glorified by Krsna.

As the elder brother of Krsna, Balarama was the object of His love and respect. 

Once when walking in the forest of Vrindavana, Krsna observed the trees bending down as if paying obeisances. He glorified the lotus feet of Balarama as being the object of devotion even for the demigods. 

He said that the trees, which were impersonalists in previous life times, witnessing the personal form of Balarama were now praying for His devotion. 

At other times when Balarama would get tired by playing, He would lie down on the lap of one of the cowherd boys and Krsna would personally massage His feet, fan Him and give Him service. Such was the sweet reciprocation of love between Krsna and Balarama.

Yamuna devi chastised.

Once Lord Balarama, Who was at the time living in Dwarka, came back to stay in Vrindavana for two months. 

At this time He enjoyed pastimes with His gopi friends (who were different from the gopis of Krsna). 

Enjoying such pastimes on the bank of Yamuna at Rama-ghata, the Lord summoned Yamuna so that He could sport in the waters. 

When Yamuna devi did not respond. Lord Balarama took up His favorite weapon, His plow, and began to drag Yamuna in a hundred streams.

Understanding the position of Balarama, Yamuna devi personally appeared and offered her obeisances to the Lord with many prayers in His glorification. Thus appeased, the Lord entered and bathed in the waters of the river.

Kauravas chastised.

Samba, the darling son of Jambavati and Krishna, kidnapped Laksmana the daughter of Duryodhana from the assembly where she was supposed to choose her husband. 

The furious Kauravas after a prolonged fight, finally arrested Samba by sending in six of their greatest warriors. When the Yadavas heard of this they prepared for battle but Lord Balarama pacified them, preferring to find a peaceful solution. 

However when He requested the Kauravas to return Samba and Laksmana, the Kauravas responded by insulting Him and the Yadava dynasty. 

Understanding them to be ignorant in their false prestige, Balarama took His plow and began to drag Hastinapura into the Ganges. 

The terrified Kauravas now surrendered to the lotus feet of Balarama, begging for His mercy. They immediately returned Samba and Laksmana and had them married ceremoniously with many opulent gifts.

Balarama marries Revati.

In Satya yuga there was a King named Raivata whose daughter Revati was excellent in all respects. 

Unable to find a match suitable for her, the king took her to the court of Brahma for his advise. 

After waiting for some time when the king met with Brahma, he was shocked to learn that in the short time he spent in the Brahmaloka, millions of years had already passed on Earth and at the time Dvapara yuga was concluding. 

However Lord Brahma informed King Raivata that present at this time was Lord Balarama Who was more than qualified to be the husband of Revati.

King Raivata returned and approached Balarama to accept Revati as His wife. However Revati belonged to an earlier yuga when people were much larger physically. 

So Lord Balarama placed His plow on her head until she shrunk to an appropriate size and accepted her as His wife.

Balarama and the Mahabharata.

In general Balarama was equally affectionate to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. 

He accepted both Duryodhana and Bhima as His disciples in the art of mace-war. As a teacher He appreciated the superior technique of Duryodhana as opposed to the raw strength of Bhima. 

At the time of Mahabharata, He refused to take sides and instead went on an extended pilgrimage to the holy places. In the battle between Bhima and Duryodhana, He became angry at Bhima for killing Duryodhana by trickery, but was appeased by Sri Krsna.

Killing of Romaharshana.

Towards the end of Dvapara yuga thousands of sages assembled on the banks of Naimisharana to perform a thousand year yajna in an effort to reverse the onset of Kali yuga. 

They appointed as their leader Romaharshana, one of the main disciple of Vyasadeva, who was also present when Sukadeva Goswami narrated Srimad Bhagavatam to King Parikshit.

When Lord Balarama entered the assembly, understanding Him to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all present rose to offer Him respect. 

However Romaharshana, proud at occupying the position of the leader did not get up. Lord Balarama could understand that even though Romaharshana was a an expert Vedantist, he had not yet realized these teachings. 

Considering him unqualified to lead the ceremony, Balarama touched him with a blade of grass causing him to die. He then instituted Suta, the son of Romaharshana as the leader of the assembly and continued with His pilgrimage.

Mercy of Lord Balarama.

Lord Balarama exemplifies the service attitude to Krsna. His only mission is to please Krsna by rendering service to Him, whether it is in the creation of the material worlds, maintaining the spiritual world or as His personal paraphernalia.

Lord Balarama is the eternal companion of Sri Krsna. He came as Lakshmana with Rama and later as Nityananda Prabhu with Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

He is the original spiritual master, and any one desiring to make spiritual progress must first get the mercy of Lord Balarama.

From the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.*^

Please read carefully as many devotees find it hard to understand the original childhood Krsna never leaves Goloka-Vrindavana in the spiritual world.

So, who is the Krsna who enters Vrindavana in the material world? 

Krsna is always the Supreme Personality of Godhead and cause of all causes and from Him all Visnu-tattva expansions originate. 

Krsna does NOT come from Visnu as many Hindus wrongly believe, Kṛṣṇa is the source of all incarnations and Balarama is His first expansion.

Balarama is the source of all Visnu-tattva expansions. He is Kṛṣṇa's first expansion and is non-different than Kṛṣṇa. All Visnu-tattva expansions in both the Vaikuṇṭha planets and the material world come from Balarāma. 

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His expansions. Vāsudeva is Kṛṣṇa's immediate expansion, so Vāsudeva is not different from Kṛṣṇa. It is to be understood that the Vāsudeva referred to in this verse of Bhagavad-gītā is Baladeva, or Balarāma, because Balarama is the original source of all incarnations and thus He is the sole source of Vāsudeva." (BG 10.37, Purport)

As said above, Balarama is Kṛṣṇa's first expansion and from Balarama all other Visnu-tattva expansions originate, including the Visnu-tattva expansion who plays the part of Krsna when Krsna enters the material creation and also Kills demons.

The original Krsna as His Vrindavana childhood form, never leaves Vṛndāvana in the the spiritual world and never does He kill demons there. 

The fact is, there are no demons in Goloka-Vrindavana in the spiritual world, they only exist in the facsimile Vrndavana in the material world.

Srila Prabhupada - "The original expansions from Baladeva (Balarama), are Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. All of Them are viṣṇu-tattvas, or nondifferent Personalities of Godhead." (SB 3.1.34, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The original Lord Kṛṣṇa NEVER leaves Goloka Vṛndāvana. All the plenary expansions are one and the same viṣṇu-tattva." (SB 3.1.34, Purport)

Krsna has 64 qualities all the time. 

All His Visnu-tattva expansions, including Balarama, only have 60 of those 64 qualities all the time, but can, on certain occasions and pastimes, if playing the part of Krsna in the material world, can temporarily manifest those extra 4 qualities.

Krsna is non-different from His Visnu-tattva expansions however, there are some differences. 

For example, the original child Krsna in Vrndavana in the spiritual world never kills demons.

The original Krsna never leaves Vṛndāvana in the spiritual world, and Radharani the gopis there NEVER feel separation from Kṛṣṇa there because He is always with them as NOD explains.

Only in the Vrindavana in the material world do the Gopis experience separation from Kṛṣṇa and witness Krsna killing demons.

Only the "Visnu-tattva expansion" playing the role of Krsna in the facsimile Vrndavana in the material creation, kills demons

So, the Visnu-tattva expansions have 60 of Krsna's 64 qualities, which is having 93.75% of Krsns's qualities.

Lord Siva (Siva-tattva) has 55 of Krsna's 64 qualities that mathematically means Siva has 85.938% of Krsna's qualities.

The jiva-tattva (jiva-souls) like us, and also include Lord Brahma, have 50 of Krsna's 64 qualities which means they have 78.125% of Krsna's qualities.**