Spiritual World Is Three Quarters of the Total Creation
Human beings are often awestruck by the vastness of the material universe, with its innumerable stars and galaxies. Yet, according to Vedic knowledge, this entire material manifestation is only a tiny fraction of God's kingdom. The spiritual world, as revealed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, comprises seventy-five percent (three-quarters) of the total creation, while the material world makes up only twenty-five percent. This material creation is often compared to a small prison house within a vast kingdom, designed for those few souls who wish to imitate God. The real life, variety, and opulence are found in the spiritual sky.
Limitless Spiritual Sky
Beyond the covering of this material universe lies the brahmajyoti, and within that effulgence are the spiritual planets. These planets are described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as eternal and indestructible. Even when the material universes are annihilated, the planets in the spiritual sky remain unaffected.
- The Vedas inform us that beyond this cosmic manifestation there are extensive planets in the spiritual sky. This material manifestation is regarded as only a small portion of the total creation.
- The planets in the spiritual sky are at least three times the number of those in the material sky. Such planets, being spiritual, are in fact transcendental to the material modes; therefore they are constituted in the mode of unalloyed goodness only.
Self-Illuminated Abodes
In the material world, we are dependent on the sun, moon, and fire for light. In the spiritual world, however, every planet is self-luminous, a fact emphasized in the Vedic texts. The effulgence of these planets combined creates the shining brahmajyoti (spiritual sky). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that there is no darkness, ignorance, or gloom in that atmosphere.
- We have only one planet in this universe, the sun, which is self-luminous, but all the planets in the spiritual sky are self-luminous.
- All the planets in the spiritual kingdom are self-illuminated like the sun in the material sky. The kingdom of God is everywhere, but the spiritual sky and the planets thereof are called param dhama, or superior abodes.
Topmost Planet: Goloka Vṛndāvana
At the summit of the spiritual sky is the supreme planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana (or Kṛṣṇaloka). This is the personal abode of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in His original two-handed form. Below this planet, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes, are the Vaikuṇṭha planets, presided over by the four-handed forms of Nārāyaṇa.
- Amongst all of the planets in the spiritual sky there is one supreme planet called Goloka Vrndavana, which is the original planet in the abode of the original Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna.
- In His Narayana feature He resides with His devotees in the Vaikuntha planets, while in His original Sri Krsna feature He resides in the Krsnaloka planet far, far above the Vaikuntha planets in the spiritual sky.
No Access by Material Means
Modern scientists attempt to reach other planets with rockets and spacecraft, but their reach is limited to a few material planets. The spiritual planets are completely beyond their jurisdiction. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that they cannot be approached by physical travel or mental speculation, but only by the transformation of consciousness through bhakti-yoga.
- Even if in the future they are able to manufacture some machine whose speed may be accelerated to the velocity of the wind or mind, the mundaners will still be unable to imagine reaching the planets in the spiritual sky.
- The bhakti-yogi surpasses all the yogis because, by dint of his devotional service, he is promoted to the region beyond the material sky and is placed in one of the planets in the spiritual sky by the supreme will of the Lord the controller of everything.
Conclusion
The intelligent human being should not waste their valuable life striving for political or economic adjustment on this insignificant material planet. Instead, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises us to aspire to transfer ourselves to the spiritual sky, where life is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss, and where one can reside in the company of the Lord forever.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Planets in the Spiritual Sky. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.