Lord Vamana Stepped Over the Flat-Earth
BY: MAYESVARA DASA
Oct 07, 2019 — IRELAND (SUN) — Part 3: "Every Town and Village on The Earth"
In pursuance of Srila Prabhupada's instruction to 'carefully study the details of the fifth canto and make a working model of the universe', we will continue the history of Lord Vamana and its relevance to the question of the shape and size of the Vedic Earth (Bhu-mandala). The previous part of this paper can be found here. In this third part we will briefly discuss the whereabouts of Sutala-loka.
Sutala is the region that King Bali was sent to after being dispossessed of his universal control by Lord Vamana. Its location is also significant for our understanding of the true size and shape of the Vedic Earth. We will also show how the pastime of Vamana and King Bali connects with the pastime of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement which is presently taking place all over the greater Earth region. To this end we will argue that Lord Chaitanya's statement regarding 'every town and village on the Earth' (prithivite ache yata nagaradi grama) actually refers to the entire Bhu-mandala, and not a supposed Earth globe.
IS SUTALA A PLANET OR AN UNDERGROUND REALM?
Sukadeva Goswami narrates that after Lord Vamana dispossessed Bali of Kingdom by crossing the universe with three steps, the Lord then sent Bali to a region called Sutala which is one of the subterranean seven heavenly realms (bila-svaraga). The Sanskrit word svarga means 'heavenly' and the Sanskrit word bila refers to anything connected to caves, holes, or the underground:
In the translation to this part of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada refers to Sutala as 'a planet', and often refers to bila-svarga as 'subterranean heavenly planets', or 'lower planetary systems'. Again the impression is created in the mind that Sutala is some kind of globe-shaped planet that floats below a globe-shaped Earth. We have argued previously that in the absence of a map, depiction, or model of Bhu-mandala, Srila Prabhupada had simply used the default term 'planet' to describe any place in the Vedic cosmos, though many of these places are actually part of the great Earth-circle itself, and not planets as we may conceive them. In this case, Sutala is actually part of the Bhu-mandala's underground.
In a paper called "What's Below the Earth?" we have presented evidence that Sutala is simply one of the vast underground realms within the unfathomable depths of the colossal Bhu-mandala. We have also discussed the question further in a paper called "The Flat-Earth in Mahabharata". The above paper discusses the Pandavas conquest of Bhu-mandala, and specifically Arjuna's conquest of the Patala region which questionably refers to the huge underground realm of Bhu-mandala itself. We won't repeat the details here, but leave it to the reader to read further in the links provided above. However, one quick point we would like to address is Sadaputa dasa's understanding of bila-svarga. In His book on Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy, Sadaputa dasa writes:
"The Bhagavatam's description of the dimensions of the lower worlds indeed suggests that these worlds constitute a subterranean stratum of Bhu-mandala as a whole. According to this idea, this lower region does lie below our feet, and due to the vast extent of Bhu-mandala, it also lies in outer space. Both of these locations, however, are simply three-dimensional projections (or aspects) of the actual, higher-dimensional position of the lower planetary systems. We could not reach Nagaloka, for example, by tunneling into the earth using ordinary three-dimensional methods. But we could do so if our tunneling was accompanied by movement along a higher dimension". (Sadaputa dasa, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy, VCDA, 4D, Environs of the Earth)
Although Sadaputa dasa agrees that 'this lower region does lie below our feet' he also states that we could not reach Nagaloka, for example, by 'tunneling into the Earth'. Sadaputa dasa opts once again for the idea that this area of the Earth is 'higher dimensional'. However the Puranas are replete with descriptions of people going from the surface of the Earth into Patala via tunnels or gates; and also of nagas and asuras coming up to the surface of the Earth from such tunnels or caves. In fact, Sri Krishna blocked a number of these holes during His manifest pastimes. We have included some examples in the above link to Flat-Earth and the Mahabharata. Sadaputa dasa's idea regrading the 'higher dimensional' nature of the rest of Bhu-mandala is obviously based on his avowed belief that the Earth we live upon is a globe floating in space. Obviously if one thinks the Earth is a globe in space with a circumference of 24,900 miles, its going to be impossible to accept the idea that the realms "below our feet" go down for hundreds of thousands of miles (as described in Srimad Bhagavatam), and that there are indeed tunnels or gateways leading in and out of these underground worlds.
The above image shows a cross section of part of the universe. Here we see Ananta-sesha residing on the surface of the Garbhodaka Ocean and holding the Bhu-mandala on His hoods. We see the seven islands and oceans that are upon the surface of Bhu-mandala as well as the seven subterranean/underground realms (bila-svarga) that are beneath the surface. Bali resides in Sutala which is one of these seven great underground regions (see chapter 24 of the fifth canto for a description of the subterranean heavens).
In the Srimad Bhagavatam's section dealing with cosmology, most of the description of the cosmos is taken up by the description of Bhu-mandala because the Earth is actually the largest feature in the cosmos. Beginning at chapters 16-19 of the fifth canto, the central and most important island (dvipa) of the Earth (named Jambudvipa) is first described. Chapter 20 provides a description of the other six cosmic-sized islands, along with some other features on the surface of the Earth such as Lokaloka Mountain, the Golden Land and the Aloka-varsha. Chapter 24 describes the subterranean realms or interior of the Earth, and chapter 26 describes the hellish regions (naraka) that are also deep within the bowels of the Earth. Chapter 25 describes how the entire Earth circle is held up and supported by Ananta-sesha. Chapters 21-23 describe the stars and planets which are in outer space, and rotate above the otherwise stationary Earth-circle. Above the stars and planets some other realms are described such as Mahar-loka, etc.
The description is not complicated, but the uninformed reader may be thrown when understanding descriptions of the Earth itself as Srila Prabhupada often refers to these various regions on the Bhu-mandala as 'Earthly planets', 'hellish planets', 'subterranean planets', 'lower planetary system', etc. Places on the surface or interior of the Bhu-mandala are not actually planets as we think of them, but simply different locations on the surface or interior of the massive Earth-circle. During the course of his translation of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada never had a map of the cosmos to work from, and appears to have simply used the default term 'planet' to describe the various places. Srila Prabhupada expected that the details of the thing would become clear in time, and to this end he instructed his disciples to 'study the details of the fifth canto and make a working model of the universe'. Eventually a computer program will be developed that will enable an interactive map to show the location and distance of one place from another.
A contemporary follower of Srimad Bhagavatam may understandably be 'freaked out' to learn that the Earth in Srimad Bhagavatam is not described as globe floating in space, but is rather described as a circular plane with a diameter of 4 billion miles...and that the Earth below our feet goes down for hundreds of thousands of miles...and that the underworld is inhabited by billions of other living beings... and that the whole thing is held up by a divine serpent who floats on a cosmic-sized ocean that fills half the egg-shaped universe. If any devotee is 'freaked out' by such an idea, it may well feel like one has accidentally stumbled into the wrong spiritual society. However, since Sri Krishna states that He directs the wanderings of the living entities (Bg 18.61), we cannot assume that anyone's involvement in Krishna consciousness is accidental. Thus mustering whatever faith, trust, and love one has in the extraordinary nature of Sri Krishna, let us not be 'freaked out' by the Bhu-mandala, but learn to accept, appreciate, and glorify the description of the Earth as Sri Krishna has personally revealed it via Srimad Bhagavatam.
WHO CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE?
The Srimad Bhagavatam states that Bali was in control not only of the seven great islands of the Earth, he had actually managed to oust the devas from Mount Meru and taken control of the three worlds:
"When the demigods had disappeared, Bali Maharaja, the son of Virocana, entered the heavenly kingdom, and from there he brought the three worlds (jagat-trayam) under his control." (SB 8.15.33)
In SB 8.15.34 it is said that King Bali was vishva-jayinam—the conqueror of the entire universe.
The Puranas describe many occasions when the asuras take control of the entire universe, and surprisingly add, that the asuras sometimes rule righteously bringing peace and prosperity to the Earth (such is the description of Jalandhara's rule. Jalandhara only lost power after insulting Shiva and Parvati). Krishna willing we can at some point present the fascinating descriptions of the various wars between devas and asuras and the various kingdoms that have been established through-out history. In any case, when we hear that either the asuras or devas take control of the universe, we should not assume that the asuras are a contending power to Sri Krishna, or that Sri Krishna ever loses His absolute control over the material energy. The occasional transfer of power from devas to asuras has to do with the karmic situation in the universe at that time, though in all circumstances, Sri Krishna remains the Supreme Lord and controller of the material universe:
"This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kunti". (Bg 9.10)
As stated in Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krishna is the Ishvara or controller of all planets sarva-loka-mahesvaram (Bg 5.29). Although Sri Krishna is the ultimate controller of material energy, He allows the conditioned souls to experience the illusion of being universal controllers. The point was understood by King Bali's wife:
Srimati Vindhyavali said:
"O my Lord, You have created the entire universe for the enjoyment of Your personal pastimes, but foolish, unintelligent men have claimed proprietorship for material enjoyment. Certainly they are shameless agnostics. Falsely claiming proprietorship, they think they can give charity and enjoy. In such a condition, what good can they do for You, who are the independent creator, maintainer and annihilator of this universe?" (SB 8.22.20)
krida-artham—for the sake of pastimes; atmanah—of Yourself; idam—this; tri-jagat—the three worlds (this universe); kritam—was created; te—by You.
Sri Krishna in His various lila-avataras repeatedly appears on the Earth to dispossess the asuras and reinstate the devas as the universal controllers. In order to bring King Bali back to the platform of pure devotional service, Sri Krishna showed His mercy to the king by depriving him of his entire kingdom. Bali himself stated:
"Since Your Lordship is indirectly the greatest well-wisher of us demons, You act for our best welfare by posing as if our enemy. Because demons like us always aspire for a position of false prestige, by chastising us You give us the eyes by which to see the right path." (SB 8.22.5)
"Only by providence have I been forcibly brought under Your lotus feet and deprived of all my opulence. Because of the illusion created by temporary opulence, people in general, who live under material conditions, facing accidental death at every moment, do not understand that this life is temporary. Only by providence have I been saved from that condition." (SB 8.22.11)
Bali also describes Sri Krishna's mercy to the demons and ghosts in the following verse:
"Many who had been constantly absorbed in enmity toward You ultimately became attracted to You, who are the direct embodiment of transcendental goodness and whose divine form comprises the revealed scriptures. These reformed enemies include Daityas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Caranas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Pisacas, Bhutas, Pramathas and Nayakas, and also ourselves and many others like us. Some of us have become attracted to You because of exceptional hatred, while others have become attracted because of their mood of devotion based on lust. But the demigods and others infatuated by material goodness feel no such attraction for You". (SB 10.85.41-43)
Sri Krishna has not only to check the advance of the demons, He also has to curb the pride of the devas who become intoxicated by pride due to their opulence and material power (SB 10.27.15). When Sri Krishna defeated Indra's attempts to kill the residents of Vrindavana, Indra apologized by saying:
"You are the father and spiritual master of this entire universe, and also its supreme controller. You are insurmountable time, imposing punishment upon the sinful for their own benefit. Indeed, in Your various incarnations, selected by Your own free will, You act decisively to remove the false pride of those who presume themselves masters of this world." (SB 10.27.6)
manam—the false pride; vidhunvan—eradicating; jagat-isa—lords of the universe; maninam—of those who presume themselves to be.
Sri Krishna is the actual jagat-isa or Lord of the universe from whom both devas (gods) and asuras (demons) derive their power. In answer to Hiranyakashipu's question about the source of Prahlada's power, Sri Prahlada said to the king of the demons:
Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (SB 7.8.7)
The battle for control of the universe is nothing but the play-ground of maya, and Sri Krishna eventually brings everyone out of their illusion. Sri Krishna is everyone's well-wisher, including the demons. We must remember that what we call a demon, is simply an eternal part and parcel of Sri Krishna who is covered in the lower modes of nature:
ajnanenavritam jnanam
tena muhyanti jantavah
"Embodied beings, however, are bewildered (muhyanti) because of the ignorance (ajnanena) which covers (avrtam) their real knowledge (jnanam)." (Bg 5.15)
Bali Maharaja praised the Lord for delivering the asuras from their ignorance:
"Many demons who were continuously inimical toward You finally achieved the perfection of great mystic yogis" (SB 8.22.6-7). A beautiful verse in Srimad Bhagavatam wonderfully describes Sri Krishna's magnanimous nature towards both demons and devotees, vidvit-snigdhah svarupam yayur: "Both those who hated Krishna and those who loved Him attained eternal forms like His in the spiritual world". (SB 10.90.47)
WHAT IS BALI MAHARAJA DOING IN THE UNDERWORLD?
Bali Maharaja is actually a pure devotee of Sri Krishna and one of the 12 mahajanas (one of the propounders of bhakti-yoga in the universe).
"Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Grandfather Bhishma, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead." (SB 6.3.20-21)
Since Bali is actually a pure devotee of the Lord, one may wonder why Lord Vamana sent him to Sutala where he is surrounded by clans of asuras. The pastime of Lord Vamana can also be understood as part of Sri Krishna's arrangement to keep a pure devotee in the underworld in order to create auspiciousness for the asuras. Vamana personally protects Bali in Sutala in order to safe-guard him from those asuras who would otherwise attempt to threaten or kill a devotee in their midst:
"Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, how shall I glorify the character of Bali Maharaja? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the three worlds, who is most compassionate to His own devotee, stands with club in hand at Bali Maharaja's door. When Ravana, the powerful demon, came to gain victory over Bali Maharaja, Vamanadeva kicked him a distance of eighty thousand miles with His big toe. I shall explain the character and activities of Bali Maharaja later [in the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam]". (SB 5.24.27)
After spending time in Sutala, Bali will come out of the underworld and become the next Indra (see SB 8.13.17). Lord Vamana said:
"Until Bali Maharaja achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Visvakarma according to My order. Because it is especially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Bali Maharaja, you may now go live there peacefully.
On the planet Sutala, not even the predominating deities of other planets, what to speak of ordinary people, will be able to conquer you. As far as the demons are concerned, if they transgress your rule, My disc will kill them.
O great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see Me there.
Because there you will see My supreme prowess, your materialistic ideas and anxieties that have arisen from your association with the demons and Danavas will immediately be vanquished." (SB 8.22.32-36)
Lord Vamana wished that Bali be accompanied by Prahlada Maharaja:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear son Prahlada, all good fortune unto you. For the time being, please go to the place known as Sutala and there enjoy happiness with your grandson and your other relatives and friends.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead assured Prahlada Maharaja: You shall be able to see Me there in My usual feature with conchshell, disc, club and lotus in My hand. Because of your transcendental bliss due to always personally seeing Me, you will have no further bondage to fruitive activities.
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said: Accompanied by Bali Maharaja, my dear King Pariksit, Prahlada Maharaja, the master of all the chiefs of the demons, took the Supreme Lord's order on his head with folded hands. After saying yes to the Lord, circumambulating Him and offering Him respectful obeisances, he entered the lower planetary system known as Sutala." (SB 8.23-9-12)
Regarding the residence of Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada provides the following information:
"From authoritative scripture it is learned that Prahlada Maharaja still lives in Vaikunthaloka as well as within this material world on the planet Sutala. This transcendental quality of existing simultaneously in different places is another qualification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhutah: [Bs. 5.37] the Lord appears in the core of everyone's heart, yet He exists on His own planet, Goloka Vrindavana. A devotee acquires qualities almost the same as those of the Lord because of unalloyed devotional service". (SB 7.4.34 purport)
The Srimad Bhagavatam informs us that Prahlada Maharaja also resides in Hari-varsha and worships and serves Sri-Nrsingadeva who has a transcendental abode in this region (SB 5.18.7). Hari-varsha is one of the nine varshas of Jambudvipa. Kimpurusha-varsha and Bharata-varsha are south of Hari-varsha (SB 5.16.9)
In Chapter 85 of the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Sukadeva Goswami narrates the occasion when Sri Krishna and Sri-Balarama were beautifully received by King Bali along with his family and associates. Thus only 5,000 years ago, Sri Krishna visited Bali in Sutala. Again, only 500 years ago, Bali came from Sutala to see Sri Krishna in His form as the golden avatar (Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) during his pastimes at Jagannatha Puri. As we shall read below, other asuras and nagas came from the underworld to see Mahaprabhu at this time. This means that contact with the underworld has been on-going, despite the modern propaganda that there are no underground civilizations.
BALI MAHARAJA AND PRAHLADA MAHARAJA MET SRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
In the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja states that representatives from the seven islands of the Earth, along with representatives of the great nagas and asuras from the underworld (including Bali and Prahlada Maharaja) came to see Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri in India. From this we can assume that Bali and Prahlada are also propagating the sankirtan yajna among the asuras in the bila-svarga.
"Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu lived at Nilacala [Jagannatha Purī] with His personal devotees, always merged in ecstatic love for Krishna." (CC Antya-lila, 9.4)
"People from the three worlds used to come visit Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Anyone who saw Him received the transcendental treasure of love for Krishna." (CC Antya-lila 9.7)
"The inhabitants of the seven higher planetary systems — including the demigods, the Gandharvas and the Kinnaras — and the inhabitants of the seven lower planetary systems [Patalaloka], including the demons and serpentine living entities, all visited Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the dress of human beings." (CC Antya-lila 9.8)
"Dressed in different ways, people from the seven islands (sapta-dwipa) and nine khandas (nava-khanda) visited Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (CC Antya-lila 9.9)
"Prahlada Maharaja, Bali Maharaja, Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami and other great sages came to visit Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Upon seeing Him, they became unconscious in ecstatic love for Krishna." (CC Antya-lila 9.10)
The impending manifestation of the Bhu-mandala at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium is obviously a major part of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's plan to inform the people of this Earth that we are not on a globe floating in space, but are actually part of a greater Earth circle. The depiction of the bhu-mandala will prepare the consciousness of the people of this part of the Earth, that there is a much larger Earth and many more civilizations (both on the surface and interior of the Earth) who will eventually unite under the auspices of the sankirtan yajna.
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu states the truth that love for Sri Krishna is the constitutional nature of every soul:
"Pure love for Krishna is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens." (CC Madhya 22.107)
It is the desire of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to bestow love of Godhead through-out the three worlds. The Lord declared:
"I have advented to propagate the congregational chanting of the holy names of God, and with this I will deliver this sinful material world. Those demons and evil forces who never accepted My authority and Lordship, will weep in joy in this age by chanting My names. I will vigorously distribute in this age such extraordinary devotional service, which is sought after even by demigods, sages and perfected beings, that even the most abominable sinners, dog-eaters, untouchables, and women will receive it. But those who, becoming intoxicated with education, wealth, family background and knowledge, criticize and offend My devotees I deprive of everything, and they can never know My true identity. I declare truly that My name will be preached in every town and village of this Earth". (Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya-lila, chapter 4)
Does the statement, "every town and village on the Earth", refer only to our known area of the Earth, or does it refer to the whole of Bhu-mandala? In order to answer that question we have to look at what Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His followers understood by the name prithivi (Earth).
"EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE ON THE EARTH" MEANS EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE ON THE BHU-MANDALA
In Chapter 12 of the Adi-khanda of Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Vrindavana Dasa Thakura narrates that when Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahprabhu was a youth, He once went to see an astrologer to inquire about His previous births. After chanting the Gopal mantra, the astrologer to His great surprise saw that Nimai Pandit has previously appeared as Vishnu, Krishna, and Rama. Among the various forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the astrologer saw Gaura as Nrisingha, Matsya, and Vamana. He also saw the Lord as Varaha holding the Earth (prithvi)
punah dekhe prabhure pralaya-jala majhe
adbhuta varaha-murti, dante prithvi saje
"Thereafter he saw the Lord in the middle of the waters of devastation. He had the wonderful form of a boar, and He held the Earth on His tusks. (Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Adi-khanda 12.166)
Here the name prithvi is used for the Earth. But what is the size of the Earth in question? In an article called "Did Lord Varaha Lift An Earth Globe?" we have presented evidence that Lord Varaha lifted the entire Bhu-mandala, not a supposed Earth globe.
In the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami confirms the Vedic measurement of the Earth (prithivi) at pancasat-koti-yojana (500 million yojana or 4 billion miles).
pancasat-koti-yojana prithivi-vistara
yanra eka-phane rahe sarshapa-akara
"The universe, which measures five hundred million yojanas in diameter, rests on one of His hoods like a mustard seed." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila, 5.119)
Here the Earth is named prithivi and measured at 500 million yojanai (4 billion miles). However, in Srila Prabhupada's translation, the name prithivi has been rendered as 'universe.' Although all the references to Ananta-sesha in Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrta state that Ananta-sesha holds the Earth, Srila Prabhupada choose to translate these Sanskrit names for the Earth as 'universe'. For example in SB 5.24.2, it states that Ananta-sesha is holding the ksiti-mandalam. Throughout Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada has translated ksiti-mandalam as 'the Earth' (see SB 1.13.9; SB 4.12.13; SB 4.29.49). Ksiti means the Earth, and mandala means circle. Thus ksiti-mandala is another way of saying bhu-mandala. However in the above verse (SB 5.24.2), Srila Prabhupada has translated ksiti-mandala as 'universe', not 'the Earth'. Since Lord Ananta-sesha is described as holding the Earth, why did Srila Prabhupada translate a Sanskrit name for the Earth as 'the universe'? The answer may be found in the Narada Pancaratra, which states that there is a form of Ananta-Sesha who holds the multi-universes (see Narada Pancatra, second ratra, second chapter, verses 31-36 and 97-100). In these verses, the names vishvam and brahmanda specifically refer to Sesha holding the universes.
It seems that Srila Prabhupada conflated these two forms of Ananta-sesha. However, in order to make a working model of the universe, it is essential to know that within each universe Ananta-sesha specifically holds the Earth which goes by the name bhu-mandala/ksiti-mandala/dhara-mandala/bhu-gola, vasudha, gam, mahi, prithivi, etc). Thus when reading any reference to Ananta-sesha, one must check the Sanskrit names and context to see whether Ananta-sesha is holding the Earth or the universe. In the above verse, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja makes a direct statement that Sesha holds the Earth (prithivi) which is measured at pancasat-koti-yojana 4 billion miles in diameter. On every other occasion, Srila Prabhupada translates prithivi as the Earth, not universe (e.g. SB 1.16.36; SB 3.26.46).
In the light of the above size of the Earth (prithivi), let us consider again the famous declaration of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu regarding every town and village on the surface of the Earth (prithivi):
prithivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
"In every town and village on the Earth, the chanting of My name will be heard." (Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya 4.126)
Since prithivi refers to the entire Bhu-mandala, we can understand that Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement is taking place simultaneously all over the surface of the greater flat-Earth. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatana Goswami that the Lord's manifestations are all over the seven islands of the Earth:
ei-mata brahmanda-madhye sabara 'parakasa'
sapta-dvipe nava-khande yanhara vilasa
"Within the universe the Lord is situated in different spiritual manifestations. These are situated on seven islands (sapta-dvipe) in nine sections. Thus Their pastimes are going on. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 20.218)
Here the sapta-dvipa or seven islands of the Earth are mentioned. The nine khands refers to the varshas of Jambudvipa. Although in the purport Srila Prabhupada states that the nine islands are individual islands that float in space, we have provided evidence in the previous part of this paper (see link above) that the nine islands are also considered to be part of one contiguous landscape. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu describes the Earth not as a globe floating in space, but as the bhu-mandala consisting of seven islands. And according to the measurements given in Srimad Bhagavatam, these seven islands cover an area of 202,800,000 miles. That is a big part of a big Earth! As already mentioned, visitors from the greater Earth were coming in disguise to see Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri:
"Dressed in different ways, people from the seven islands (sapta-dwipa) and nine khandas (nava-khanda) visited Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (CC Antya-lila 9.9)
This means that connection with the greater Earth has been on-going, despite the fact that knowledge of the greater Earth has been practically obliterated from people's minds and understanding. The correct presentation of Bhu-mandala at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium will revive the dormant memory of the greater Earth, and create a revolution in the lives of the misdirected civilization (see SB 1.5.11).
"In His incarnation as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Sri Krishna descended to deliver all the living beings in the three worlds, from Brahmaloka down to Patalaloka. He caused their deliverance in three ways". (CC, Antya-lila, 2.3)
Here it says the golden avatara (gaura-avatara) descended to deliver (uddharite) all the worlds (sarva-loka—from Brahmaloka down to Patalaloka). Patala refers to the underground realms of Bhu-mandala. We have already cited several verses above from the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya-lila 9.8-10) that spoke of how representatives from the seven islands as well as representatives of the asuras and nagas (from the underworld) came to see Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri. In the above verse, it mentions again that the inhabitants of Patala are also beneficiaries of the sankirtan movement.
"The Lord delivered the fallen souls in some places by meeting them directly, in other places by empowering a pure devotee, and in still other places by appearing before someone Himself". (CC, Antya-lila 2.4)
Here it says that Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu infused pure devotees (yogya-bhakta—perfect devotee with spiritual powers (avesa karaye—empowers with specific spiritual potencies) so that they had the potency to bestow love of Godhead and deliver others from the cycle of birth and death. (c.f. Adi-lila 9.6-53). Thus the Golden avatara's representatives are all over the universe awakening Krishna prema in the forgetful souls.
"In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered the entire three worlds, not only by His personal presence but also by empowering others". (CC Antya –lila, 2.15)
Here it says, tarila tri-bhuvana—"He delivered the entire three worlds". The 'three worlds' refers to Bhur, Bhuvah, and Svah. In the previous paper, we cited Srila Prabhupada's statement that the reference to Earth in the Gayatri mantra om bhur bhuvah svah is a reference to bhu-mandala.
"As Priyavrata drove his chariot behind the sun, he created seven different types of oceans and planetary systems, which altogether are known as Bhu-mandala, or Bhuloka. In the Gayatri mantra, we chant, om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam". (SB 5.1.31 purport). Again: "In the Gayatri mantra, we chant om bhur bhuvah svah. The word bhur refers to Bhu-mandala". (SB 5.16.1)
Bhur or Earth is one of the three worlds, and 'the Earth' specifically means bhu-mandala. Thus Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's declaration that His name will be heard in every town and village of the Earth (prithivi) should be taken to mean that 'Earth' refers to the colossal bhu-mandala, and that all who live upon it are recipients of His mercy. The sankirtan movement is a huge universal project, and the revelation of the bhu-mandala at the Mayapur Temple of Vedic planetarium is intended to inform the people of this world about the other civilizations that surround us on the colossal flat-Earth plane, as well as the great civilizations within the vast interior of the Earth. This will prepare people's consciousness for the eventual spiritual unification of the universe. In the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta a wonderful verse and purport by Srila Prabhupada states:
nagare nagare bhrame kirtana kariya
bhasaila tri-bhuvana prema-bhakti diya
"The sankirtana movement went on from one part of the town to another, as the Lord wandered everywhere performing kirtana. In this way He inundated the whole world (tri-bhuvana—all the three worlds) by distributing love of Godhead (prema-bhakti).
PURPORT
One may raise the question how all three worlds became inundated with love of Krishna, since Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed kirtana only in the Navadvipa area. The answer is that Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself. The entire cosmic manifestation results from the Lord's first setting it in motion. Similarly, since the sankirtana movement was first set in motion five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's desire that it spread all over the universe, the Krishna consciousness movement, in continuity of that same motion, is now spreading all over the world, and in this way it will gradually spread all over the universe. With the spread of the Krishna consciousness movement, everyone will merge in an ocean of love of Krishna."
