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Chapter 4 - The sky beyond the universe vaikunthaloka

If there is birth and death even in the higher planets of this universe, why do great Yogis try to advance and reach there? Although Yogis have many siddhis, they still have the attitude of enjoying the comforts of material life. Incredibly long life is possible in the higher planets. The duration of time of these planets is very long.

The calculation is told by Lord Krishna:

They know that the day of the Brahman lasts for a thousand ages. Those who know the day and night live at the end of a thousand ages of night.

"According to human calculations, one thousand eras together

One day of Brahma is made up of a single day and the night of Brahma is also of the same length." (Bhagavad Gita 8.17) One yuga is of 4.3 million years. This number multiplied by one thousand gives twelve hours of Brahma in Brahmaloka.Similarly, the duration of the next planet is of the same type. Thirty days make a month and twenty months make a year and Brahma lives for hundred years. In fact, life is very short in such planets. But even after hundreds of years, the soul of the recluse has to face death. There is no escape from death unless we go to the spiritual worlds.

All individuals arise from the unmanifest at the coming of the day. When the kingdom comes they merge into the unmanifest state.

"When the day of Brahmā begins, this group of all beings comes into their manifest state, and then when the night arrives, they again disappear." (Bhagavad Gita 8.18)

At the end of Brahma's day all the lower worlds are submerged in water and all the living beings living on them are destroyed. After this pralaya and at the end of Brahma's night, when Brahma wakes up in the morning, creation takes place again and all these living beings appear. Thus, being subject to creation and destruction is the natural instinct of this material world.

That same group of beings becomes and dissolves. When night comes, O son of Pṛthā, when day comes, it is helpless.

"O Partha, again and again the day of Brahma comes and then all beings become active, and as soon as the night of Brahma sets in they Though the living entities do not wish for total destruction, yet the deluge will come and all the planets will be inundated with water, and all the living entities in those planets will remain submerged in water throughout the night of Brahmā. But as soon as the day comes, the water gradually disappears.

Beyond that, however, there is another being, the unmanifest, the unmanifest, the eternal. B: He is not destroyed by all beings who are destroyed.

"Besides this manifest and unmanifest matter, there is another nature which is eternal and divine. This is the superior nature and is indestructible. When everything in this world is destroyed, that part remains as it is." (Bhagavad Gita 8.20)

We cannot calculate the limits of this physical universe, but we have Vedic knowledge which tells us that there are millions of universes in the entire universe and beyond these physical universes there is another sky, which is spiritual. All the planets there are eternal and the life of all the living beings on them is eternal. In this verse, the word bhavah means nature and here another nature is indicated. In this world also we experience two natures. The living being is the soul and as long as it (soul) is inside this physical matter, the matter remains dynamic and as soon as this living being stops moving, the matter remains in motion.That is, the spiritual spark leaves the body. The body becomes motionless (lifeless). The spiritual nature is called the internal nature of Krsna and the material nature is called the external nature. Beyond this material nature is the internal nature, which is all spiritual. It is not possible to understand it by experimental knowledge. We can see millions of stars through a telescope, but we cannot reach near them. We have to understand our inability. If we cannot understand even this material universe by our experimental knowledge, what is the possibility of understanding the Lord and His kingdom? It is impossible to understand it experimentally. We have to understand the Bhagavad-gita by hearing it. We cannot understand who our father is by experimental method; we have to hear what our mother says and believe it. If we do not believe our mother, there is no other way to know. Similarly, if we simply engage in the method of Krsna consciousness, all the information about Krsna and His kingdom will be revealed.

Parastu bhavaah means "superior nature" and vyaktaah means that which we see in manifest form. We can see that this physical universe is manifested through the earth, sun, stars and other worlds. And beyond this universe there is another nature, which is eternal. Avyaktaat Sanatanaah.This Material nature has a beginning and an end, but this spiritual nature is eternal. It has neither a beginning nor an end. How is that possible? When a cloud comes in the sky, it seems to have covered a large part of the sky, but actually the cloud is a very small point and it covers only an insignificant part of the whole sky. Because we are so small, we feel that the whole sky is covered when the cloud covers a few hundred miles. Similarly, this whole material universe is like a small insignificant piece of cloud in the infinite spiritual sky. This material universe is bound up in the mahattattva-matter. Just as clouds have a beginning and an end, so this material nature also has a beginning and an end. When the clouds are gone and the sky is clear, we can see everything clearly. Similarly, the body is like a cloud passing over the soul. It stays there for a while, produces some byproducts, decreases and finally disappears. Any physical activity that we observe undergoes these six changes of material nature—it arises, grows, remains for a time, produces some secondary things, diminishes and vanishes. Lord Krishna tells us that beyond this changing nature like clouds,There is a spiritual nature, which is eternal. Moreover, even when this physical nature vanishes, that unmanifested, eternal nature will continue to exist.

There is a lot of information in the Vedic literature about this material sky and the spiritual sky. The second chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam describes the spiritual sky and its inhabitants. It even tells us that there are divine planes in the spiritual sky and the living entities travel in these planes like lightning. Whatever we see here can be found there in reality. Everything in this material sky is a distorted shadow or copy of what is found in the spiritual sky. Just as in cinema we see only the shadow or image of the real thing, similarly it is said in the Srimad Bhagavatam that this material world is just a combination of substances, which is made in the same way on the basis of reality. Just as the statue of a girl in a shop window is made exactly like the real girl. Every sensible person knows that the statue is just a copy. Sridhar Swami says that since the spiritual world is true, this material world which is its copy appears real. We have to know the meaning of reality – reality means the existence which cannot be destroyed; reality.Meaning of. Reality

The seers have concluded that Saka has no permanence and Sat has no end. They have arrived at these conclusions by studying the nature of both. (Bhagavad Gita 2.16)

Real bliss is Lord Krsna, and this material bliss which is temporary is not real. Those who can see things as they are do not participate in the bliss of shadows. The real purpose of human life is to reach the spiritual sky, but as Srimad Bhagavatam tells us, most people do not know about this. Human life is for understanding the Truth and to move into it. All Vedic literature teaches us not to live in this darkness. The nature of this material world is darkness, but the spiritual world is always bright, though it is not lighted by lightning or fire. Lord Krsna indicates this in the fifteenth chapter of Bhagavadgita Neither does it happen through fire. Those who reach there, never return to this physical world again."

The spiritual world is called unmanifest because it cannot be perceived by the physical senses.

*The unmanifest is called the imperishable and is called the ultimate goal. That is My supreme abode, after attaining which they never return. "That supreme abode is called unmanifest and indestructible and that is the ultimate destination. When one goes there, he never returns. That is my supreme abode." Bhagavad Gita 8.21) (

In this verse the great journey is indicated. We have to be able to penetrate the outer sky, cross this material universe, pierce its veils and enter the spiritual sky. Paramāṁ gatim—that journey is the ultimate. There is no question of going a few thousand miles from this earth and then coming back. Such a journey is not a heroic act. We have to go beyond the entire material universe. We cannot do this by spaceships but by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A man who is absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and meditates on Lord Kṛṣṇa at the time of death is immediately transferred there. If we really want to go into the spiritual sky and practice a life of perfect knowledge, eternal bliss, then we must do it.If we want to do so, we must start trying to create a Sat Chid Ananda body from now on. It is said that Krishna's body is Sat Chid Ananda-Ishvarah Paramah Krishna Sat Chid-Ananda Vigraha and we too have a body full of such ho Shachchatta, life and bliss, but it is very small and covered with a covering of matter. If in any way we can give up this false covering, we can reach that spiritual world. If once we attain that spiritual world, there is no need to return (yam prapya na nivartante).

Then everyone should try to go to that supreme abode, the supreme abode of Krishna. Krishna Himself comes to call us and He gives us literature and sends His authorized representatives for guidance. We should take advantage of this facility given to us in human life. For one who reaches that supreme abode, there is no need for self-control, austerity, yoga, meditation, etc. and for those who do not reach there, all their austerities and self-control are just a waste of time. Human life is a golden opportunity to take advantage of this boon and it is the duty of a nation, parents, Guru and caretaker to elevate those who have attained human life to this perfection of life. Only eating, sleeping etc., like dogs and cats, we should take advantage of this facility.Sex and fighting are not civilized. We must make good use of this human light and take advantage of this knowledge to prepare ourselves for Krishna consciousness, so that we can be absorbed in the remembrance of Lord Krishna twenty-four hours a day and go immediately to the spiritual sky at the time of death.

That Supreme Person, O Arjuna, is attainable by devotion without exclusion. Within whom all living entities reside, and by whom all this is pervaded. "Perfect Purushottama God, who is the greatest, can be attained by exclusive devotion. Though He remains enthroned in His abode, yet He is omnipresent and everything is situated in Him." (Bhagavad Gita 8.22)

If we are really desirous of going to that Supreme Abode, Bhakti is the method which is given here. Bhaktya means devotional service—surrender to the Supreme. The root of Bhaktya is bhaj, which means to serve. In the Narada Pancharatra, Bhakti is defined as "freedom from titles." If a man resolves to be free from all titles attached to the pure Self, which arise due to the body and always change as the body changes, he can attain Bhakti. Bhakti means to realize that one is the pure Self, not matter at all. Our real identity is not the body, which is only the covering of the Self.But our real nature is that of a servant of Lord Krishna. When one is situated in his real identity and is engaged in the service of Krishna, he is called a devotee. Ishikena hrishikesa sewanam (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 19.170) - When our senses are free from worldly designations, then we will use them in the service of Ishikesa or Krishna, the master of the senses.

As Rupa Goswami says, we should serve Lord Krishna favorably. Ordinarily we want to serve the Lord for some material purpose or gain. Of course, what is offered to the Lord for material gain is better than what is offered to the Lord at all, but we must be free from the desire for material gain. Our aim should be to understand Krishna. Of course, Krishna is infinite and it is not possible to understand Him, but whatever we can understand we have to accept. Bhagavad-gita is specially given for our understanding. Thus by acquiring knowledge we should know that Krishna is pleased and we should serve Him favorably according to His pleasurability. Krishna consciousness is a great science in which there is a vast literature available and we should use it for the attainment of devotion.५२

How are these Purushas, the Supreme Persons? within which the placeholder

Purusha sa para:- In the transcendental world the Supreme Lord exists as the Supreme Person. There are innumerable self-illuminated planets and in each one resides an expansion of Krishna. He is four-armed and has innumerable names. They are all real persons-they are not nirvishesha-niraakar. These purushas or persons can be approached only by devotion. They can be approached not by challenge, philosophical speculation, mental imagination or physical exercises, but by disinterested devotion.

Bhutani yena sarvam idam tatam—Every living entity and everything is within Him, yet He is outside of Him and present everywhere. How is that? He is just like the sun, which is situated in one place but is present everywhere by its rays. Although the Lord exists in His supreme abode, His energies are distributed everywhere. Nor is He different from His energies, just as the sun and the sunlight are non-different. Since Krsna and His energies are not different, we can see Krsna everywhere if we make progress in bhakti-yoga. premanjanacchhurita bhakti vilochanaen Saints always look into the hearts. "I worship the original man Govinda whom The exclusive devotee, whose eyes are painted with the kajal of the love of the Lord, always looks into his heart. (Brahma-Samhita 5.38)

Those who are filled with the love of the Lord see Him constantly before them. It is not that we saw the Lord last night and now He is not present. No, for those who are Krishna conscious, Krishna is always present and can be seen constantly. We just have to develop our eyes to see Him. Because of our material bondage, that is, these material senses, we cannot see Him.

Because of the veil of ignorance we cannot understand what is spiritual. But this ignorance can be removed by this process of chanting Hare Krishna. How? A sleeping person can be awakened by the sound of the word. Although a person is totally unconscious—he cannot see, feel, smell, etc.—yet the sense of hearing is so powerful that a sleeping person can be awakened simply by the sound of the word. Similarly, the soul which is now under the control of the sleep of material touch can be brought back to consciousness by the transcendental sound of "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." Hare Krishna is simply an address to the Lord and His energies. Hare means energy and Krishna means energy.The name of the Lord is: So when we chant Hare Krsna we say, "O power of the Lord, O Lord, please accept me." We have no other prayer for the grace of the Lord to be accepted. There is no question of praying for daily bread, because bread is always there. The Hare Krsna address is simply to the Lord to pray that He accepts us. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself prayed: Ayi nandatanuj kinkaram patitam maam vishame bhavambudhau.

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Please think of the dust at Your lotus feet.

"O son of Nanda Maharaja! I am your eternal servant and in spite of being so I have somehow or other fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Therefore kindly lift me above this ocean of death and place me as a particle of dust at your lotus feet." (Shikshashtak 5)

The only hope of survival for a person who has fallen into the middle of the ocean is that someone will come and lift him up. If someone comes and lifts him just a few feet above the water, he immediately gets peace. Similarly, if we are somehow lifted up from this ocean of birth and death by the method of Krishna consciousness, we immediately get peace.

Although we understand the divine nature of God, His name, His Although we cannot feel the glory and His activities, yet if we establish ourselves in Krishna consciousness, the Lord will gradually manifest Himself before us. We cannot see the Lord by our own effort, but if we qualify for it, the Lord will manifest Himself and then we can see Him. Nobody can command the Lord to come and dance before us, but we have to act in such a way that Lord Krishna is pleased to manifest Himself before us.

Krishna's knowledge about himself in the Bhagavad Gita

and there is no question of doubting it; we

One has only to experience and understand. No preliminary qualification is required to understand the Bhagavadgita, for it is spoken by the Supreme from the highest plane. Just the simple process of chanting the names of Lord Krishna will reveal one after another what one is, what God is, what the material and spiritual universes are, why we are in bondage, how we can be free from this bondage, and so on. In fact, the process of faith and experience is not a foreign process to us. Every day we trust in something or the other which we believe will be revealed later. We buy tickets to go to India We can buy a ticket and we believe on the basis of the ticket that we will be taken there. Why should we pay for the ticket? We do not give money to anybody for nothing. The company is recognized, the airline is recognized, so trust is generated. We cannot move a step ahead even in ordinary life without trust. We must have trust, but this trust should be on something which is authentic. It is not that we have blind faith, but we accept only that which is recognized. Bhagavadgita is an authentic scripture and in India people of all classes accept it as scripture and as far as outside India is concerned, many scholars, theologians and philosophers have accepted Bhagavadgita as a great authentic text. There is no question about the authenticity of Bhagavadgita. Great people like Professor Albert Einstein have accepted Bhagavadgita as a great authentic text.

Scientists also regularly read the Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita tells us that there exists a spiritual universe, the kingdom of God. If we were somehow taken to a land where we were informed that we would no longer have to go through the cycle of birth, death, old age and disease, would we not be happy? If we heard about such a place, we would surely try as hard as we can to get there Nobody wants to grow old; nobody wants to die. Of course, we would heartily desire to go to a place that is free from these sufferings. Why do we want it? Because we have the right, our privilege, to want it. We are eternal, blissful and full of knowledge, but we have forgotten ourselves because we have become entangled in this material bondage. So the Bhagavad Gita gives us the benefit of awakening to our original nature. Shankaracharya and Buddhism

The followers of nihilism say that there is only emptiness beyond the world, but the Bhagavadgita does not disappoint us in this way. The philosophy of nihilism has produced only atheists. We are spiritual beings and we want happiness, but as soon as we begin to see our future as emptiness, we will be inclined to seek pleasure in this material life. Thus the impersonalists debate the philosophy of nihilism while trying to enjoy this material life as much as possible. In this way one may take pleasure in these mental projections, but there is no spiritual benefit from it. brahmabhutaḥ prasannatmā na sochati na kāṅkṣati.

He who is equal to all living beings attains supreme devotion to Me. "Thus one who is situated in the divine position immediately experiences the Supreme Brahman. He never grieves He does not desire anything, nor does he desire anything. He has equanimity towards every living being. In that state he attains pure devotion to Me." (Bhagavad Gita 18.54)

One who has made progress in the devotional life and is enjoying the service of Lord Krishna will automatically become detached from material enjoyment. The sign of one being absorbed in devotional service is that he is completely satisfied with Krishna.

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