Jan 28, 2021 — IRELAND (SUN) — Part One.
In our previous four-part review of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium Universal Chandelier promotional video, we showed that the description of the Earth in Srimad Bhagavatam bears no resemblance to the modern Earth-globe idea, and that the Vedic Bhu-mandala (Earth-circle) is indeed a flat-Earth conception. Since the Srimad Bhagavatam itself does not provide any description of the supposed Earth-globe, those members of ISKCON who are arguing on behalf of the globe idea have resorted to an ancient Sanskrit text called Surya-siddhanta. According to the supporters of the globe, the description of the Bhu-gola (round Earth) in Surya-siddhanta supposedly bridges the gap between the Puranic and Western conceptions of the Earth. In the following set of papers we shall explain how the description of the Bhu-gola in Surya-siddhanta has been completely misrepresented in order to conjure the presence of the so-called Earth-globe into 'Bhagavata cosmology', despite the fact that the Bhagavata itself (Srimad Bhagavatam) describes the Bhu-gola in a radically different way.
Before looking at the description of the Earth in Surya-siddhanta (see the following parts of this paper), let us first of all be confident that Srimad Bhagavatam provides its own description of the Earth, and thus why it is unnecessary for members of ISKCON to go beyond the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of reality in order to understand the true shape, size, and situation of the Earth that we live upon.
DOES THE EARTH GLOBE IDEA HAVE ANY CORRELATION IN SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM'S DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIVERSE?
In order to accept the idea that Sri-Krishna created the Earth in the shape of a ball that floats in space, the followers of Sri-Krishna must obviously see that such an idea corresponds to the description of the Earth found in Srimad Bhagavatam. If I were to argue, for example, that Sri-Krishna created the Earth in the shape of a gigantic cross that floats in space, I would be required to demonstrate where such a description is to be found in the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe. I would also be required to show that the Vaishnava acharyas beginning with Sridhara Swami consistently describe the Earth in this manner following the Srimad Bhagavatam's description. Likewise, for those members of ISKCON who wish to argue that we are located on a globe-shaped planet floating in space, they are required to demonstrate where such a description is to be found in the Srimad Bhagavatam itself. They are also required to show that the Vaishnava acharyas in their commentaries to the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam consistently describe the Earth in this manner. The problem is that the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth in chapters 16-26 of the Fifth Canto does not correspond in any way with this conception, nor do the acharyas in their commentaries to these chapters of the Fifth Canto ever describe either Bhu-mandala or Bharata-varsha in this manner. The Earth, in fact, is described in an entirely different way.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM, THE ANSWER TO ALL QUESTIONS
In order to get around the obvious fact that there is no Earth globe described in Srimad Bhagavatam, members of the society have argued that one has to look to books from the jyotish shastra such as Surya-siddhanta, and to ancient Indian astronomers such as Aryabhata in order to understand the mystery. By taking a few highly interpolated verses from the Surya-siddhanta, mixed with a number of cherry-picked statements from Srila Prabhupada, members of the society believe they have found 'proof' for the Earth globe which is otherwise conspicuous by its absence in the Srimad Bhagavatam, as well as in the commentaries of the Vaishnava acharyas to the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
However, the so-called 'proofs' for the Earth-globe have accumulated upon a false premise that we have to look to books other than Srimad Bhagavatam for evidence of this so-called Earth-globe in Vedic cosmology. Chapter Ten of the Second Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam is called Bhagavatam Is the Answer to All Questions. In a purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada wrote:
"As stated in the beginning of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, this great transcendental literature is the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic knowledge, and therefore all questions that can be humanly possible regarding the universal affairs, beginning from its creation, are all answered in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The answers depend only on the qualification of the person who explains them." (SB 2.9.46 purport)
Since Srimad Bhagavatam is the answer to all questions, the devotees of Sri-Krishna naturally look to Srimad Bhagavatam to find out the nature of the Earth we live upon, as well as our relative location to other planets and places in the universe; indeed, in his discussion with Maitreya Rsi, Vidura specifically asks Maitreya Rsi to describe the Earth (bhumeh) and the situation of the lokas both above and below the Earth (bhuh-lokasya).
"O son of Mitra, kindly describe how the planets are situated above (upari) the earth (bhumeh) as well as underneath it (adhah), and also please mention their measurement (pramanam) as well as that of the earthly planets (Bhuh-lokasya)." (SB 3.7.26)
Although Srila Prabhupada has translated Bhuh-lokasya as 'Earthly planets', the Earth (Bhu-mandala) is actually a singular landscape, though divided into many regions containing varied landscapes, other forms of life, etc. Srila Prabhupada's translation 'Earthly planets' helps us understand that are other Earth civilizations, although the Earth itself is unquestionably one gigantic circular landscape held by Ananta-sesha, not a series of globe-shaped planets that float in space.
The answer to Vidura's question about the size and situation of the Earth comes in chapters 16-26 of the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam wherein we hear Sukadeva Goswami's answer to a similar question raised by King Pariksit. During the course of his answer, Sukadeva Goswami describes the Earth as well as the direction and distance of one place in the universe to another. At the conclusion of his presentation, Sukadeva Goswami states:
"My dear King, I have now described for you this planet earth, other planetary systems, and their lands [varshas], rivers and mountains. I have also described the sky, the oceans, the lower planetary systems, the directions, the hellish planetary systems and the stars. These constitute the virat-rupa, the gigantic material form of the Lord, on which all living entities repose. Thus I have explained the wonderful expanse of the external body of the Lord." (SB 5.26.40)
Here Sukadeva Goswami states that he has provided a description of the Earth (bhu), which includes the islands (dvipa), oceans (samudra), and divisions of land (varshas), etc. Please bear in mind that the islands and oceans mentioned here are references to the seven cosmic-sized islands and oceans that expand for hundreds of millions of miles across the surface of the great Earth-circle, and thus their description bears no resemblance to our modern continents. In the general description of these seven great islands (dvipas) we do not find a specific description of America, Europe, Arctic, etc. which form only a minute portion of this gigantic landscape. The continents and oceans of our known area of the Earth are to be understood as included in the general description of Bharata-varsha. Sukadeva Goswami explains that we are located in Bharata-varsha which is part of the Earth's central island called Jambudvipa (See SB 5.16.1-9). Likewise, there is no specific mention of our Atlantic, Pacific, and other oceans, because these smaller oceans are to be understood as a tiny portion of the much greater Salt Water Ocean which is described as surrounding Jambudvipa (SB 5.20.2). Thus, although Srimad Bhagavatam certainly provides a general description of our location on the great Earth-circle, it does not provide a specific map of our local continents and oceans. The absence of a detailed description of our local area of the Earth has caused members of ISKCON to overlook the fact that Srimad Bhagavatam describes Bharata-varsha to be part of a much larger flat-Earth; since the devotees were not accustomed to Srimad Bhagavatam's flat-Earth conception, they naturally assumed that they had to look elsewhere for a description of the so-called Earth globe. By starting with the presumption that the Earth is a planet floating in space, members of ISKCON have been led on a wild goose chase, looking for an Earth-globe that actually doesn't exist in the Vedic cosmos. It is now time for members of ISKCON to go back to the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth. In the summary of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sukadeva Goswami declares:
"The Bhagavatam gives an elaborate description of the Earth's continents, regions, oceans, mountains and rivers. Also described are the arrangement of the celestial sphere and the conditions found in the subterranean regions and in hell." (SB 12.12.16)
In the above verse Sukadeva Goswami uses the word upavarnanam—the detailed description. There is actually no mystery in Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth (Bhu-mandala) and our location upon it (Bharata-varsha). The only mystery is why followers of Srimad Bhagavatam seem unwilling to accept that Srimad Bhagavatam is describing a flat-Earth. If Sukadeva Goswami had wanted us to know that we are on a globe-shaped planet floating in space and spinning at a thousand miles per hour, he would not have neglected to mention such an important detail since it is essential information for ascertaining the cause of day and night, seasons, astrological predictions, etc. Likewise, if the acharyas had wished us to understand that Bharata-varsha is a globe in space, they would done what 21st members of ISKCON feel obliged to do, and presented several books filled with detailed discussions, citing evidence from other sources (such as Surya-siddhanta, Indian astronomers, etc.) in order to establish their case. But this is not what we find; instead we consistently find that Bharata-varsha is always treated by the acharyas as part of the larger circular Earth plane held by Ananta-sesha. They do not mention an Earth-globe because such an entity does not exist in the Vedic cosmos.
There was never any reason for the acharyas such as Jiva Goswami and Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura to make convoluted arguments to explain why Bharata-varsha is a planet floating in space for the simple reason that its location and situation in Jambudvipa is described by Sukadeva Goswami in a completely different manner. The acharyas coming in disciplic succession naturally accepted it as it described. Even recent acharyas such as Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and Srila Prabhupada never left any specific book, or presented any formal and detailed discussion on the difference between the Vedic and modern idea of the Earth. The question of the shape and size of the Earth only became an issue in the modern era after the announcement in 1975/76 by Srila Prabhupada of his plan to build a Temple of Vedic Planetarium based on Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe.
"Prabhupada: ...from the Bhagavatam. So this should be mentioned. It is not only a temple, but a planetarium according to Bhagavatam, where which planet is situated, where is Vaikunthaloka, where is Goloka Vrndavana, where is Mahar..." (Morning Walk, February 9, 1976)
It was only after the publication of the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam in 1975, along with the subsequent instruction to build a planetarium according to the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe, that the massive disparities between the Vedic and modern idea of the Earth gradually came to light. Unfortunately Srila Prabhupada entered maha-samadhi in 1977 without a resolution to these conflicting ideas of the Earth being settled.
Finding no description of an Earth-globe in Srimad Bhagavatam, those followers of Srila Prabhupada who were researching the topic of Vedic cosmology assumed that they had to look elsewhere for evidence of the supposed Earth planet. Unfortunately the books that they looked to such as Surya-siddhanta have been translated and interpolated by Western scholars in a manner that presented the Vedic Bhu-gola (round Earth) as the so-called Earth-globe. The Surya-siddhanta was then hailed as 'evidence' that ancient Vedic authorities had first conceived of the Earth as a globe floating in space. However, the switch from Srimad Bhagavatam to Surya-siddhanta resulted in the Srimad Bhagavatam's own description of a flat circular Earth being treated more as an abstract concept than as the actual description of the true shape and size of the Earth that we live upon. Indeed it is the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of a massive circular Earth which bursts the illusion that we live on an isolated globe floating in space. Though members of ISKCON feel impelled to go texts like Surya-siddhanta for a description of the shape and size of the Earth, the Srimad Bhagavatam itself has already answered the question. The difficulty is that Srimad Bhagavatam's answer to question of the shape and size of the Earth (Bhu-mandala), and our location upon it (Bharata-varsha), is a reply that many members of the movement seem unable to comprehend, or unwilling to accept.
DOES SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE EARTH?
Does Srimad Bhagavatam itself answer the question about the shape and size of the Earth? The answer to that question is a definitive yes! Sukadeva Goswami specifically states that he will indeed describe the shape (rupa) size (manah) and situation (laksanatah) of the Earth: bhu-golaka-visesam nama-rupa-mana-laksanato vyakhyasyamah (SB 5.16.4). Chapters 16-26 of the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam are thus a precise answer to that very question regarding the shape and size of the Earth as well as the relation of the Earth to the other planets and stars, and to the universe as a whole.
BAIT AND SWITCH
The idea that we have to look beyond Srimad Bhagavatam for information about an Earth globe in Vedic cosmology is classic case of bait and switch. The Wikipedia describes 'bait and switch' in the following way:
Bait-and-switch is a form of fraud used in retail sales but also employed in other contexts. First, customers are "baited" by merchants' advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods are not available, or the customers are pressured by salespeople to consider similar, but higher-priced items ("switching").
The bait and switch occurs because although representatives of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium along with other members of the Krishna conscious society purport to present Vedic cosmology according to the Srimad Bhagavatam, when it is pointed out that there is no description of an Earth globe floating in space in Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe, the representatives of the TOVP say we have to look for such detailed descriptions in the jyotish shastra (Surya-siddhanta, etc). Thus we are 'baited' to Srimad Bhagavatam but 'switched' to Surya-siddhanta. The Surya-siddhanta is then heavily interpolated to support the Earth globe idea, and this conception of the Earth becomes promoted at the expense and displacement of the Srimad Bhagavatam's own description of where we are, and how we are situated on the great Earth circle held by Ananta-sesha.
A question naturally arises why the Surya-siddhanta would describe the Earth as a globe floating in space when Srimad Bhagavatam describes the Earth as a circular plane held by Ananta-sesha? How can a text such as Surya-siddhanta be in contradiction to Srimad Bhagavatam, and can there be any resolution to these conflicting conceptions of the Earth? Some members of ISKCON have posited that the differences can be resolved by understanding that the two texts are describing a multi-dimensional reality wherein the Earth appears as a globe in one circumstance, and as a flat-Earth in other circumstances. The answer however is a lot more simple. The Surya-siddhanta does not actually describe the Earth as a globe, but just as members of the society have misunderstood and misrepresented the Srimad Bhagavatam's own description of the Earth, in the same way they have completely misunderstood and misrepresented the description of the Earth in Surya-siddhanta. We shall discuss exactly how the Surya-siddhanta has been interpolated to support a false idea of the Earth in the following papers.
In any case, the acharyas in their commentaries to the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam never develop any convoluted arguments to explain why either Bhu-mandala or Bharata-varsha is to be construed as a globe-shaped planet floating in space. In fact, the Surya-siddhanta is not even mentioned by any of the acharyas in their commentaries to the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
The relative importance of the Surya-siddhanta in Srila Prabhupada's own preaching can be ascertained by the fact that through-out his massive body of writing, the text is only briefly mentioned in two purports (CC Adi, 3.8, and CC Adi 3.29), neither of which discuss the nature of the Earth. Again, the book is mentioned very briefly in a few conversations which we shall look at in later parts of this paper. Srila Prabhupada was, of course, familiar with the work because it had been translated by his guru, His Divine Grace, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and for that reason Srila Prabhupada requested his disciples to consult the book as part of the research for the TOVP; however, the content of the Surya-siddhanta was never anything that Srila Prabhupada personally preached about. Despite the rather peripheral importance given to Surya-siddhanta by Srila Prabhupada, when it comes to ISKCON's presentation of the Earth in the Vedic cosmos, the Surya-siddhanta has assumed a pre-eminence greater than Srimad Bhagavatam itself. But why look to Surya-siddhanta to ascertain the shape and size of the Earth when Srimad Bhagavatam already answers the question?
The reason why Srimad Bhagavatam does not present information about the supposed Earth globe is not because Sukadeva Goswami somehow overlooked such an important detail, but simply because the Earth globe does not exist in Sri-Krishna's creation, and thus Sukadeva Goswami describes our location in the universe in a radically different way. As mentioned the small difficulty in accepting Sukadeva Goswami's description of our location in the universe is the fact that he locates us on a flat-Earth landscape that continues for hundreds of millions of miles.
WHY HAS SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM TAKEN SECOND PLACE TO SURYA-SIDDHANTA?
Whenever members of ISKCON present their evidence for the so-called Earth-globe in Vedic cosmology, we will never hear anyone citing any of the verses from chapters 16-26 of the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam wherein the Earth and other planets are described. This is because Srimad Bhagavatam describes the Earth in a very different way from the Earth-globe idea, and thus the Srimad Bhagavatam itself cannot be used to support this conception. Unfortunately, instead of members of ISKCON being educated in Srimad Bhagvatam's own original flat-Earth concept, members of the audience are instead diverted to the Surya-siddhanta which is purported to describe the Earth in a manner similar to the modern Western idea. Despite the fact that it is the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe which is to be displayed at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium, when it comes to ideas about the Earth, Srimad Bhagavatam has taken second place to the Surya-siddhanta.
The pre-eminent status of Surya-siddhanta was highlighted in a small article by Drutakarma dasa entitled, TOVP Will Answer, "Who Am I?" and "Where Am I?" posted on dandavats.com.
In this brief article Drutakarma dasa states:
"First we show the universe according to the Surya-siddhanta, which is more like the universe we usually see in science."
With respect to Drutakarma Prabhu for his service in revealing the world's Forbidden Archaeology, may we offer the following advice in regards to revealing the forbidden cosmology at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. For those who may not be aware, Srila Prabhupada gave explicit instructions that the cosmological display in the TOVP be presented 'exactly to the description of Fifth Canto', not as Drutakarma Prabhu states, 'first we show the universe according to the Surya-siddhanta'. (We shall provide a list of Srila Prabhupada's instructions on this matter below). Moreover, as anyone who has read Srimad Bhagavatam's Fifth Canto will know, the universe described therein is not anything like 'the universe we usually see in science'. We beg to question if the depiction of the universe at the TOVP will be 'exactly' according to Srimad Bhagavatam, or whether it will be compromised by modern ideas regarding the nature of Earth and the rest of the universe?
Regarding Drutakarma dasa's statement that the TOVP Will Answer, "Who Am I?" and "Where Am I?" may we humbly point out that since the supposed Earth globe floating in space is never actually described in the Srimad Bhagavatam or any other Purana (history of the universe), naturally there does not exist any coordinates by which one could pinpoint their position in the universal form (virat-rupa). If those responsible for the Temple of Vedic Planetarium believe they are on an Earth globe floating in space, are they really in a position to inform others of "who they are and where they are?" Are those floating on this phantom (illusory) planet not as lost to their physical whereabouts as anyone else devoid of Krishna consciousness?
Before we begin our explanation of how the Surya-siddhanta is misused to support the globe ideology, and then presented in a manner that contradicts the Srimad Bhagavatam's original description of the Earth, let us all from the outset be quite clear on Srila Prabhupada's instructions to present Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the universe at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium.
SRILA PRABHUPADA'S INSTRUCTION TO PRESENT VEDIC COSMOLOGY ACCORDING TO SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
Srila Prabhupada's desire to present the cosmology of Srimad Bhagavatam at the Temple Of Vedic Planetarium is clear and unambiguous:
"Now our Ph.D.'s must collaborate and study the Fifth Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium... So now all you Ph.D.'s must carefully study the details of the Fifth Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc., then it will be very powerful propaganda." (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Svarupa Damodara dasa, April 27, 1976)
Again:
"Prabhupada: Now you all together make this Vedic planetarium very nice, so that people will come and see. From the description of the Srimad Bhagavatam, you prepare this Vedic planetarium.
(Room Conversation, June 15, 1976 Detroit)
Again:
Prabhupada: So this should be mentioned. It is not only a temple, but a planetarium according to Bhagavatam, where which planet is situated, where is Vaikunthaloka, where is Goloka Vrindavana, where is Mahar...
Devotees: Wow!
Tamala Krishna: You want a real planetarium just like in the West.
Jayapataka: That's what I told them, Prabhupada...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Jayapataka: ...that this is not a temple; this is like a big cultural exposition, museum, planetarium.
Prabhupada: Yes.
(Morning Walk, Feb 9, 1976, Mayapur)
Again:
Prabhupada: ...that "We are intending to make a huge planetarium. If you can help us?"
Tamala Krishna: Mentioning the Fifth Canto, Bhagavatam?
Prabhupada: Exactly to the description of Fifth Canto, we want.
(Room Conversation, May 8 1977, Hrishikesh)
Again:
Tamala Krishna: As we are conditioned, as everyone is conditioned, our planetarium will have to show the actual facts.
Prabhupada: Yes. That fact we have learned from Bhagavatam.
(Discussion About Bhu-mandala, 5 July, 1977, Vrindavana)
Again:
Yasoda-nandana: If it is inconceivable, then they will say how we can conceive it?
Prabhupada: Take the version of Bhagavatam...We have to accept shastra.
(Discussions about Bhu-mandala, July 5 1977, Vrindavana)
Again:
Prabhupada: So we are presenting this planetarium...
Indian Astronomer: Bhagavata, yes?
Prabhupada: From Bhagavatam.
Indian Astronomer: Yes, yes.
Prabhupada: In the Fifth Canto there is description of the planetary system.
Indian Astronomer: Yes, yes.
Prabhupada: So we want a diagram.
Indian Astronomer: Yes, yes.
Prabhupada: So kindly help us.
Indian Astronomer: With your Your Holiness permission, he told all these things to me. I use some Bhagavata sloka before. (quotes Sanskrit slokas from Bhagavata, Tenth Canto)
Prabhupada: Hare Krishna. Now find out that Fifth Canto. So this planetary system is hanging.
Indian Astronomer: Yes.
Prabhupada: Irdhva-mulam adhah-sakham [Bg. 15.1]. Same thing is explained in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Now, how it is hanging and where are different situation of the planets and plateaus and hills and..., so as far as the book is concerned, kindly make a diagram so that we shall execute...Immediately we want the diagram how to fix it up so that people can see, "This is the situation." So you make this diagram.
Indian Astronomer: It is first attempt to give in picture the ideas of Bhagavatam.
Prabhupada: Yes. So we... We are... We have got very good scheme so that people from the world will come to see the Vedic idea of planetary system. This is the ambition. So you kindly help us.
Indian Astronomer: As far as possible, as our Lord moves, I am prepared to serve.
Prabhupada: So you sit down and take paper and make it and..., so that he can understand. You have already studied that.
Indian Astronomer: Several times.
Prabhupada: So that you can do immediately. You do. Can you make a rough sketch immediately?
Indian Astronomer: First (indistinct). Because after he came there I told him that we must prepare a diagram which is acceptable to all, acceptable to all.
Prabhupada: No, acceptable, the, I mean to say, Western astronomers, they...
Indian Astronomer: No, we... If you prefer Bhagavatam and if you give only Bhagavatam...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Indian Astronomer: ...whether Western accepts or not, that is not worthwhile.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Indian Astronomer: Whether Westerners or modern scientists accept or not, that is not worthwhile.
Prabhupada: No, we want do it according to Bhagavatam.
Indian Astronomer: That is what I mean.
(Conversation with Vedic Astronomer, April 30, 1977, Bombay)
Here Srila Prabhupada addresses the question of whether the cosmological description should be presented in a way that is acceptable to the Western astronomical science. Srila Prabhupada dismisses the idea, and repeats that the presentation should be 'according to Bhagavatam.'
In a memoir from Tamala Krishna Goswami, one of Srila Prabhupada's disciples who was involved in the initial research for the TOVP, he again repeats Srila Prabhupada's directive to 'exactly follow the description of Bhagavatam:
Srila Prabhupada then expressed his concern: "We must exactly follow the description of Bhagavatam. As we are going to spend many crores of rupees, and there will be those who will try to find fault in our presentation, 'Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.' I have explained whatever I could already in my books. Now my brain is no longer able to work properly. You young men can tax your brains to understand the Sanskrit and English descriptions and present them." (TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days, May 30 1977)
The subject of the Earth has become a point of controversy among followers of Srila Prabhupada, not because the original description of the Earth in Srimad Bhagavatam is vague or ambiguous, but mainly because of a lack of faith in what is being described. An unquestioned faith in the scientific propaganda that Earth is a globe, prevents one from developing faith in the Bhu-mandala. For some devotees, the idea that everyone in the modern world could be subject to such a massive illusion/deception is too much to take. Srila Prabhupada, however, was very emphatic and insistent on the point that whether his disciples 'believe or not believe' in the Fifth Canto, or whether they 'accept or not accept', the thing still has to be presented as it is:
Sukadeva Gosvami says. You have to believe that. It is an idea. If you believe or not believe, it doesn't matter. But you can get an idea about the planetary situation. That's all. Neither you can go there; neither you can see it. An idea is given, that is all. But there is no argument.
Harikesa: No.
Prabhupada: No…
….Harikesa: So our preaching platform should be is that "You don't know." We can say, "You don't know" or "We don't know. Why shouldn't one accept what we say over what you say?" We should just prove that we...
Prabhupada: No, accept or not accept, the whatever is description there, in Bhagavatam, we are accepted..."
(Morning Walk, June 10, 1975, Honolulu)
Srila Prabhupada's statement to his disciple: "Sukadeva Goswami says. You have to believe that." should not be misconstrued as a call for mindless obedience and blind-following to a dogmatic order. Srila Prabhupada's point is that for those who have already accepted Sri-Krishna as the param satyam or highest truth, then the description of the universe as Sri-Krishna has revealed should be accepted without doubting. In other words, the devotees of Sri-Krishna should live with a world-view that is consistent with Sri-Krishna Himself. Srila Prabhupada's next statement 'that you believe or not believe, it doesn't matter', is an important consideration when presenting a scripture like Srimad Bhagavatam. Even if certain devotees cannot accept the revelations contained therein as factual or believable, those responsible for the TOVP must at least present the Srimad Bhagavatam as the factual account of what ancient Aryans believed about the Earth and greater cosmos. Srila Prabhupada affirms, 'that you believe or not believe, it doesn't matter'. It's not about one's own conditioned idea; it's about how Sri-Krishna and his representatives such as Srila Vyasadeva explain the situation. The Bhu-mandala must be depicted and presented in the TOVP as the Vedic rishis and devas believe and describe it to be, not as we (with our modern conditioned minds), may believe or want it to be. Great rishis such as Sukadeva Goswami are presenting a description of the universe as they have heard it in disciplic succession beginning with Sri-Krishna Himself.
Your Majesty Maharaja Pariksit, know that all that I have described in reply to your proper inquiry is just according to the version of the Vedas, and it is eternal truth. This was described personally by Lord Krishna unto Brahma, with whom the Lord was satisfied upon being properly worshiped." (SB 2.2.32)
The creator ought to know what His own creation looks like. Sri-Krishna created one Earth which is described in chapters 16-26 of the fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. One may believe it or not believe the description, but Srila Prabhupada has instructed that the Vedic Earth (Bhu-mandala) be presented at the TOVP as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam (see above letter to S.L. Dhani). And since the Srimad Bhagavatam informs us that we are part of a larger Earth-circle, surely the point of emphasis in the presentation of Vedic cosmology should be the revelation that we are part of a greater Earth-circle; it is not that the point of emphasis should become focused on developing convoluted, spurious, and misleading arguments to convince everyone that we are on a globe floating in space. Anyone with faith in Sri-Krishna and Srimad Bhagavatam will not be concerned with presenting Vedic cosmology 'more like the universe we usually see in science'.
When Srila Prabhupada states that: "whatever is description there in Bhagavatam, we are accepted", how many of his followers are actually on board with that decree? Amazingly, Srila Prabhupada even went so far as to say that whether Srimad Bhagavatam is right or wrong is not our concern:
We have to simply present Srimad-Bhagavatam as it is. That's all. Whether it is right, wrong, we are not concerned. Sarvam etad ritam manye yad vadasi kesava [Bg. 10.14]. This is our position. You know this verse?
Patita-pavana: This verse I don't know. I don't know this verse. Sarva...?
Prabhupada: Find out. Sarvam etad ritam manye yad vadasi kesava [Bg. 10.14]. Find out. Bhagavad-gita.
Giriraja: "Whatever You say, I accept in toto."
Prabhupada: That's all... What Krishna says and Vyasadeva says, that's all. We haven't got to manufacture. And as soon as you manufacture, fall down. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarshayah... [Bg. 4.2]. This manufacturing idea is very, very dangerous in spiritual life. Whatever little success is there for me, I did not manufacture any idea.
(Conversation with Patita Pavana, April 20, 1977, Bombay)
Srila Prabhupada's faith in the Srimad Bhagavatam is expressed in his statement that 'whether it is right or wrong', 'we have to simply present Srimad Bhagavatam as it is'. Of course, Srila Prabhupada does not think that Srimad Bhagavatam is wrong, but perhaps for the sake of those disciples who may think it is wrong, Srila Prabhupada's insistence is to present it as it is:'Whether it is right, wrong, we are not concerned'. Again, Srila Prabhupada gives a sharp warning not to manufacture ideas: "This manufacturing idea is very, very dangerous in spiritual life. Whatever little success is there for me, I did not manufacture any idea." Srila Prabhupada's emphatic and insistent instruction was to present the Srimad Bhagavatam as it is, and not manufacture any ideas:
We are teaching Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam as it is spoken by the authorities. We don't add anything or subtract anything." (SB 1.2.6, Delhi, November 12 1973)
The injunction 'we don't add anything' to Srimad Bhagavatam is an important consideration. ISKCON's current presentation of Bharata-varsha as a globe-shaped planet floating in space certainly counts as an 'addition' to the original description that otherwise describes Bharata-varsha as part of the larger landscape of Bhu-mandala, not an independent planet.
The point we wish to impress upon the devotee community is that before anyone comes out guns blazing with Srila Prabhupada quotes talking about the Earth as a globe, or Srila Prabhupada quotes seemingly rejecting the flat-Earth concept, we must all first follow Srila Prabhupada's own instruction to study the details of the Fifth Canto in order to determine the nature of the Earth as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam. Above all other considerations, the Earth as it is described in Srimad Bhagavatam is how Srila Prabhupada wants us to understand the truth of the Earth's nature. Srila Prabhupada wants us to understand the universe by following the description of the great yogi, Sukadeva Goswami:
Dr. Patel: You have to be yogi for that.
Prabhupada: I am yogi because I am taking lessons from the yogis...
Dr. Patel: Yoga dharana.
Prabhupada: Yes. Yogi, I am taking lesson from Sukadeva Gosvami. I may be fool, but I am taking lesson from the yogi. Yes. So yatra yogesvarah krishnah tatra srir vijayo bhutir [Bg. 18.78]. I don't require to be a yogi. I take shelter of the yogesvara.
(Morning Walk, December 20 1975, Bombay)
It may be argued that since Srila Prabhupada claims to be taking lessons from the yogi, then the yogi (Sukadeva Goswami) must have also been speaking of the Earth as a globe floating in space since that is how Srila Prabhupada mostly referred to it. However, we have many disclaimers from Srila Prabhupada stating that he was not familiar with all the details of Vedic cosmology, and therefore as a true acharya and infallible authority he referred his disciples (sadhus) back to shastra (scripture) in order to uncover the factual nature of the Vedic Earth. In other words, Srila Prabhupada never presented himself as an expert on the subject, and repeatedly instructed his disciples to study the details described by the expert authority, namely Sukadeva Goswami. Lo and behold, there is no Earth-globe mentioned in Sukadeva Goswami's description of the Earth.
One may personally consider the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth to be either right or wrong, real or fantasy, an amazing revelation or un-scientific mythology, but please let the preaching be based on and reflect Srila Prabhupada's firm faith in Srimad Bhagavatam's cosmology as a description of a spiritual reality. Despite not having any model or diagram or map to show what the Vedic Earth actually looked like, Srila Prabhupada nevertheless always conveyed full faith in the Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth with all of its incredible and fantastic features such as the Ocean of Milk (see SB 2.7.13 purport), and gigantic mountains like Malyavan and Gandhamadana (see SB 5.16.10 purport).
UNDERSTANDING OTHER VEDIC TEXTS IN RELATION TO SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
In the following letter to Mr S.L. Dhani Srila Prabhupada again stresses that the model of the universe would be according to Srimad Bhagavatam, although he did not rule out consultation with other books:
Within the planetarium we will construct a huge, detailed model of the universe as described in the text of the fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam…The plans for this very large project are being taken solely from the references found in fifth canto Srimad Bhagavatam and its authoritative commentaries by important acharyas, along with other Puranas and Samhitas like Brahma-samhita, etc. (Letter to S.L. Dhani, 14 November, 1976)
We should note here that although Srila Prabhupada does not exclude the use of other Vedic literature to provide details to the Vedic model of the universe, it must be clearly understood that all such references must be in harmony with the Srimad Bhagavatam's cosmological description, as well as be in line with the authoritative commentaries to Srimad Bhagavatam by important Vaishnava acharyas. Srimad Bhagavatam is the most authoritative text because it is the essence of all Vedic literature:
sarva-vedetihasanam saram saram samuddhritam
"Sri Vyasadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe." (SB 1.3.41)
In the introduction to the Commentaries on 5th Canto Bhagavatam Cosmology, the editor, Danavir Goswami, quotes Sripad Madhvacharya as saying: "Everything should be interpreted without contradiction to Bhagavata." The point of referring everything to Srimad Bhagavatam was clearly understood by the small group of Srila Prabhupada's disciples who were entrusted with the task of researching the fifth canto:
The persons who were present at that meeting with Srila Prabhupada were not ordinary devotees. Bhakti Prem Maharaja is quite expert at Sanskrit, so much so that Srila Prabhupada feels confident that we do not have to look for a Sanskrit pandit for explaining how the planetarium should be arranged according to the Bhagavatam, now that we have found him. Dr. Svarupa Damodar is a scientist, and Srila Prabhupada has the greatest respect for his opinion. Yasodanandan Maharaja is an advanced sannyasi devotee, very knowledgeable in the philosophy. And I am simply a rascal. At least the opinions of the first three persons are valuable." (Tamala Krishna Goswami, Letter to Ramesvara dasa, July 22, 1977, Vrindavana)
Again, the emphasis here is on presenting Vedic cosmology 'according to the Bhagavatam'. On behalf of the group researching for the TOVP, Tamala Krishna Goswami stressed their loyalty to Srimad Bhagavatam in the following exchange with Srila Prabhupada:
Tamala Krishna: Yes. Some things are quite clear. Then there's a description, though, that there's an axle, it's described, a tie made of wind going from the chariot to Dhruvaloka. So things like that we want to get a..., further information on. Just so that it can be somehow demonstrated. Our... To understand these things for the purpose of making an exhibit requires a very clear picture. So that's the only reason we're looking to other books. But only bona fide books. The acaryas' commentaries, like that. And then it has to agree with the Bhagavatam. If in any way there's a discrepancy, we choose the Bhagavatam as the authority." (Conversation with Vrindavana De, July 5 1977, Vrindavana)
Again:
"We are working very diligently on the Fifth Canto, making elaborate drawings of the universe according to the descriptions given." (Tamala Krishna Goswami to Harikesha Swami, July 7, 1977, Vrindavana)
The many citations provided above make it clear that Srila Prabhupada wanted those responsible for the TOVP to present Vedic cosmology 'exactly according to the description of Fifth Canto'. The citations from Tamala Krishna Goswami also give an insight into how Srila Prabhupada's disciples (at the time) took this instruction on their head. In the light of the following instructions from Srila Prabhupada we would like to question why Drutakarma Prabhu's emphasis has shifted from Srimad Bhagavatam to Surya-siddhanta:
"First we show the universe according to the Surya-siddhanta, which is more like the universe we usually see in science."
Personally, I find this a rather bizarre statement! Since the mandate of the TOVP is to show the cosmology of Srimad Bhagavatam which is the essence of all Vedic literature, why would anyone want to 'first show the universe according to Surya-siddhanta'? Why not 'first' show the universe according to Srimad Bhagavatam? Why is Srimad Bhagavatam's description not 'first' in the mind? In any case, for anyone familiar with the Srimad Bhagavatam, the description of the universe therein is nothing like 'the universe we usually see in science,' nor was the opinion of so-called scientists ever a consideration for Srila Prabhupada.
"We have to describe according to our book. That's all. If they can understand, let them understand. Otherwise... It is not our business to satisfy the so-called scientists. We are giving the real description." (Room Conversation, June 18, 1977, Vrindavana)
Why be concerned with the model of the universe looking 'more like the universe we usually see in science'? Compare this approach to the following statement by Tamala Krishna Goswami in a discussion with Srila Prabhupada:
Tamala Krishna Goswami: Our question was mostly coming out of how to draw what the Srimad-Bhagavatam is saying. We're not supporting any kind of mundane argument, nor do we have any doubt in Bhagavatam. We're simply trying to understand the Bhagavatam…
Prabhupada: Bhagavata is there. You try to understand.
Tamala Krishna: We're not siding with the preconceptions that we had before. We'll throw them away. We're trying to accept the Bhagavatam. Everything has to be according to the Bhagavatam.
(Conversation about Bhu-mandala, July 5, 1977, Vrindavana)
At least on this point of following Srila Prabhupada's instruction to present Vedic cosmology according to the description in Srimad Bhagavatam, Tamala Krishna Goswami expresses the right attitude, particularly in relation to our understanding and presentation of the Earth. Since the description of the Earth in Srimad Bhagavatam is completely different to the modern understanding, those researching the subject are likewise cautioned to 'not side with the preconceptions that we had before', as well as to be prepared to 'throw them away' if necessary..."Everything has to be according to Bhagavatam."
If one wishes to make a planetarium that is 'more like modern science' or more like Surya-siddhanta, then one ought to make a different planetarium; but at least let Srila Prabhupada's Temple of Vedic Planetarium be designed according to his instruction:
Prabhupada: Exactly to the description of Fifth Canto, we want.
(Room Conversation, May 8 1977, Hrishikesh)
The idea that we have to look beyond Srimad Bhagavatam for a description of the Earth globe is completely ridiculous for the simple reason that the description of the Earth by Sukadeva Goswami naturally includes a description of the place where we live, namely Bharata-varsha. The problem for those arguing on behalf of the globe is that the place where we live (Bharata-varsha) is not described as a globe floating in space, but rather as one of nine areas (varshas) that make up the central island of the gigantic flat-Earth called Jambudvipa.
As we shall show in the following papers, the idea that Surya-siddhanta supports the Earth globe idea is clearly a misreading of the text, for how can Bharata-varsha ever be accepted as the so-called Earth globe floating in space when Srimad Bhagavatam informs us that Bharata-varsha is at 'ground level' in Jambudvipa, and that the Earth we stand upon (Bhu-mandala) is a massive circular landscape held by Ananta-sesha. This description of the Earth is the constitutional basis upon which we understand our location and situation in the Vedic universe. In other words since Bharata-varsha is described as part of a larger flat-Earth—and not as an independent planet floating in space—it cannot ever be the case that Bharata-varsha can be counted as a separate planet. There is only one Bharata-varsha which is upon the Bhu-mandala; there is not another parallel reality wherein Bharata-varsha manifests as an Earth globe floating in space.
Though certain details about Bharata-varsha can be gleaned from Puranas and texts other than Srimad Bhagavatam, they have to be presented in a way that is consistent with this constitutional understanding that Bharata-varsha is part of the larger Earth plane that is held by Ananta-seshsa. It cannot be the case that citations from other sources such as Surya-siddhanta can be manipulated in such a way that Bharata-varsha is transformed from being a region in Jambudvipa to being a planet floating in space. Such an idea would go against what Srimad Bhagavatam is presenting as our location in the universe. Instead of working from the presumption that the Earth is a globe, the so-called 'Earth of our experience', members of ISKCON have to question that very experience by working from the premise that the Earth must be as Sri-Krishna reveals it via Srimad Bhagavatam, not as it is revealed from non-Vedic sources such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, NASA, etc., who are subject to imperfect sense perception, illusion, mistakes, and above all (especially in NASA's case) the tendency for cheating and deception. By accepting Srimad Bhagavatam's description of the Earth we will be better equipped to understand the description of the Earth as it appears in Surya-siddhanta.
(To be continued...)
