GLORIOUS KRISHNA

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• Offenses against the Holy Name of the Lord
• Chant from the Heart!
• Nectar of the Holy Name
• Kirtana
• Happiness in Suffering!
• Everything belongs to Krishna!
• Loving Exchanges between Devotees
• Making preparations for the final important event!

Offenses against the Holy Name of the Lord Posted: 23 Apr 2012 12:27 AM PDT Ecstatic Symptoms of Love of God - Does that happen to us when we hear or chant the Holy Names of the Lord? Srila Visvanatha Cakravatri Thakura has pointed put that if upon chanting the Holy name of the Lord, one or more of the ecstatic symptoms of Love of God do not manifest in one's body, this means one is still guilty of committing one or more of the ten offenses of the Holy Name of the Lord. - HH Indradyumna Swami Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Chant from the Heart! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:42 PM PDT Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Nectar of the Holy Name Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:30 PM PDT (Taken from the Nectar of the Holy Name) In Kali-yuga, simply by chanting the holy name one can attain the goal of life. The Srimad-Bhagavatam advocates nama-sankirtan as the essence of religion. In the age of kali chanting the holy name is the sum and substance of sanatana-dharma. In kali yuga Krsna has incarnated as the holy name in order to deliver the sinful who are suffering greatly in the age of logic, argument and disagreement, the chanting of Hare Krsna is only means of self-realization. Learned scholars in the age of kali worship lord Krsna through nama-sankirtana. The kaliyuga dharma, chanting the holy name, is introduced by lord caitanya. The best purpose of vedic rituals, vedanta philosophy and vedic mysticism is served by chanting the holy name: aho bata 'sva-paco'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te "O my lord, a person who is chanting your holy name, although born of a low family like that of a candala [dog-eater], is situated on the highest platform of self -realization. such a person must have performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to vedic rituals and studied the vedic literatures many, many times after taking his bath in all holy places of pilgrimage such a person is considered to be the best of the[ Aryan family]. Congregational chanting of the holy name fulfils the highest religious purpose in this age by chanting the holy name, one can be delivered regardless of caste, creed, colour or social position; the loud chanting of the holy name benefits even plants, creepers, insects, and animals. In this age Krsna has descended as sound vibration- as his holy name, the holy name is as perfect as the lord himself in fullness, purity, and eternity. There is no difference between meditating on the eternal forms of Radha Krsna and chanting the maha mantra. Even the faint light from the holy name brings liberation. Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Kirtana Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:27 PM PDT You have to associate with kīrtana. The reading is also kīrtana, and chanting on the beads, that is also kīrtana. There is no difference. So make your life in such a way. Srila Prabhupada Lecture on BG 13.4 Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Happiness in Suffering! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:23 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, 7 April 2012, Durban, SA) When Krsna gives us austerity by taking things away, it is Krsna's arrangement to make us stronger. So Krsna tests us to give us the strength. The suffering in this world is in the design. Why is there suffering in the world? It is exactly for that purpose- to force us to become stronger and we can grow. When Krsna takes things away, we should not think that, 'oh, now He is punishing me! Oh, now I'm being tested! Oh, why do I have to go through all these difficulties?' No, we should think that Krsna wants me to grow and He's forcing me to go through these difficulties but it would make me stronger. So actually the struggle in this world is Krsna's blessing upon us. If there was no suffering in this world, imagine what it would be like…it would just be a little empty. No suffering but just a little empty because there would be no spiritual ecstasy. Maybe we would feel comfortable but then we will feel bored and empty and we wouldn't feel so motivated. But when we suffer, then we have to do something about it. So the suffering is an impetus to give us strength and as we are working on a solution, we gain strength and with that strength we come up. That is what Krsna wants from us; Krsna doesn't want us cheaply but Krsna wants us with quality. And therefore Krsna gives us tests so that we can grow. So that's His blessing… Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Everything belongs to Krishna! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:22 PM PDT HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) (Transcribed by Smita Krishna Devi Dasi) At the time of initiation, we are receiving diksa or transcendental knowledge. Such transcendental knowledge means that we understand that: 'bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ', (Bg 7.19). After many life times, we come to the point where we actually realise that Krishna is everything and that the ultimate goal of life is Krishna. So it's very rare, ' sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ'. 'Su-durlabhaḥ' means very rare. It is said, that mostly the living entities are busy with the material energy and they are trying to milk the material energy in various ways and get some benefit from the material energy and that is really what every one is doing in the world. Some are doing it in pious ways, by following the direction of the scriptures. Others are doing it in an impious way, but mostly people are hoping for material happiness therefore 'bahūnāṁ',its very rare that someone comes to this point to understand that Krishna is the real goal of life and actually everything is meant for Krishna. It's logical because everything was created by Krishna, He is Isvara-parama Krishna. He is the origin of everything and therefore naturally, we are returning to Him what belongs to Him, just like sometimes we take bath in the Ganga and we scoop up some water from there and offer it back to Ganga because the Ganga is pure. So we want to make pure offering, and therefore we are offering Gangajal to Ganga. Like this, we are offering to Krishna what belongs to Him already! Everything, even our bodies are also Krishna's energy, yes – everything in this world belongs to Krishna – including our very bodies, including our children, our house, including all our possessions! Therefore, everything is meant to be used for Krishna. We ourselves, of course, need to live. we need residence for the shelter, we need to eat and so on, but we are doing that all on behalf of Krishna. One should eat only remnants of what is offered to the Lord only that which is left over from yagna, no other things a devotee will take. It says because otherwise one gets involve in sinful reactions because whatever is the consciousness of the cook, will affect whatever is eaten and subsequently, it will effect our consciousness and thus, new material desires will be born. Therefore we are careful in our eating, we are careful that our house is Krishna's house and that we are in that house and only doing things that are favourable to Krishna. So that is what it means! Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Loving Exchanges between Devotees Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:18 PM PDT by HH Devamrita Swami Krishna's devotees the ultimate yogis, are one another's life and soul. When we want to push past the neophyte level, cherishing the association of devotees, despite differences and even disagreements, is an essential ingredient of spiritual advancement. Just an effort in this department yields so much benefit. So how do the oldest devotees relate? I'll try to feed you a tasty illustration later in this note. But first . . . more urging. In our Vaishnava dealings sometimes disappointments and crises afflict us. But at least any quarrels or debates center, more or less, upon serving Krishna.  Observe the world of material relationships—whether family, friendship, or romance. Though full of letdowns and mirages, still, who wants to go it alone? Are hermits everywhere?  In both material and spiritual societies, humans are indeed social creatures, judged by the company they keep, tolerating differences. My advice to you: keep trying to increase your intimacy with Vaishnavas, through thick and thin.  In case you're curious, here's an example, from my own efforts to execute what I recommend to you. For the occasion of the vyasa-puja of my Godbrother His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, I sent this letter, glorifying his spiritual exertion despite a stroke that debilitated part of his physical capacity. Dear Jayapataka Swami, Please accept my obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. For the celebration of your most auspicious appearance day, let me offer an accurate record of a conversation among three of your Godbrothers, mid-March 2012, in Bali, as they discussed the glories of Srila Prabhupada's devotees. "Can you fathom Jayapataka Maharaja's bhakti determination!" "During the Navadvipa parikrama, he visited all seven parties, sometimes eating and sleeping in a car." "Devotees in the Russian parikrama parties would shed tears upon his arrival, feeling his immense determination to share Mayapur-dhama with them, despite his physical condition." "I watched him take a full 15 minute just to get out of a car, what to speak of go up some stairs. Yet, after the intensity of such labored efforts, when his devotee team finally got him to the top of the stairs, where I already was, the first words out of his mouth were: 'How are you feeling? How is your health? Is everything ok for you here in Mayapur?'" "How soft his heart is, tenderized by genuine love and concern for all!" In this way Niranjana Swami, Kavicandra Swami, and my lowly self tasted the nectar of devotion.  your servant, Devamrita Swami Then Jayapataka Maharaja surprised me, by having his assistant transcribe a letter to me, sent from his mobile phone. Prepare for a shower of nectar pouring from the heart of an all-weather Vaisnava, whose service never ceases, no matter the circumstances. My Dear Godbrother Devamrita Maharaj,  Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was a great general (sena-pati) of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He spread Krishna Consciousness to every continent of the world.  In 1968 Srila Prabhupada told me to be  a member of Lord Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's army. I joined this transcendental army. I got wounded but in spite of this I am still serving in Lord Krishna Caitanya's army, under Srila Prabhupada. We don't use weapons of violence. We should try to give out the mercy of Nitai-Gaurasundar.  I am trying to do this in spite of physical impediments. It would be great spiritual bliss to be able to do anything in service to guru and Gauranga.  You have qualified [commended] me but I can't do anything without blessings of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. If I do anything, it is only due to their mercy.  I take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt obeisances to you. I am very grateful you remember me. I hope I can have your prayers and blessings to serve our spiritual father with every breath until I breathe my last in this body.  I hope this finds you healthy & blissful in Krishna Consciousness.  Your servant, Jayapataka Swami   Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Making preparations for the final important event! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:06 PM PDT Evening program At night, before another full audience, Srila Prabhupada continued to discuss the plight of the great Maharaja Pariksit. The Emperor had been cursed to die. Now he had to make preparations for that final important event -- death. The human form, Prabhupada explained, was a unique opportunity to understand death and the change of body. In all other species that facility was absent; only after passing through at least 8,000,000 species did one come to the valuable human birth. Still, most people didn't take advantage, and thus suffered accordingly. He gave the example of a tree. Just as schoolboys who misbehaved were obliged to stand up for prolonged periods, similarly if one liked to be naked, he would be obliged to stand as a tree for thousands of years. This, was nature's "stand-up punishment". One's position, Prabhupada explained, was precarious. "Maharaja Pariksit, such a powerful king, he has been cursed: 'You must die within seven days.' So he is preparing. He has got time, seven days. But what we have got? We haven't got even seven minutes warning. At any moment we can die." Prabhupada described with impeccable reasoning and logic the soul's travail through conception, to birth, childhood, boyhood, youth to old age, then to death and a new body, that is 'put on just as a man puts on pants and coat'. Srila Prabhupada presented a stunningly clear piece of logic: one could not claim that the soul was formless, because the body has arms and legs. He explained further: one put on clothes formed with arms and legs. Why then did the body have arms and legs? Because the soul had arms and legs! Finally, Prabhupada requested everyone to kindly take advantage of his offering. "We are presenting the Krsna consciousness movement very genuinely and authorisedly. The centre is now open. Now it is up to you to take advantage of it and be benefited." In question time, a devotee asked whether the soul in an animal's body would have a different shape to the soul in a human body. Prabhupada explained further. "The shape has been taken according to his desire. Every animal has got these four things. Just like a bird, it has got two wings, two legs. The animal has got four legs. And the man has got two hands and two legs. So the same parts of the body are appearing in a different type. But the four limbs of the body are there." The questions continued in the same vein. Yasomatinandana asked whether the eternal form of the spirit soul was human. "Yes," Prabhupada replied. "Human form. God is also human form. 'Man is made after the shape of God.' I think there is in the Bible, is it not? So God is also like human form. Here you see Krsna, two hands, two legs." But Hari-sauri had a doubt. "How do we understand, then, that there are peacocks and flowers and trees in the spiritual world? Are these not eternal forms?" "Yes," explained Srila Prabhupada. "They are more covered. Just like if you cover your body with blankets, the hands and legs are invisible. But you are not the blanket. So the trees and plants, they are more covered. They are not in full manifestation. The human form is the full manifestation of the soul." Hari-sauri wondered whether they were covered in the spiritual world. "Not in the spiritual world. There that is voluntary. Some devotees want to serve Krsna as flowers; they become flowers there. If he wants that 'As a flower I shall lie down at the lotus feet of Krsna', he becomes a flower, voluntarily. And he can change his form, from flower to human body. That is spiritual life. There is no restriction. If some devotee wants to serve Krsna as a cow, he serves Krsna as a cow, as a calf, as a flower, as a plant, as water, as ground, field, or as father, mother, friend, beloved, anything. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. That is Krsna's all-powerfulness." - From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

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Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

Loving Exchanges between Devotees

Krishna's virtue will be yours o brothers,that virtue He will give when Râdhâ is first pleased

I am wandering in this material world uselessly to find if my happiness lies in enjoying the senses which are like venomous serpents. I have knowingly drunk the poison of sense enjoyment and even though I am cheating myself, I could not understand that it is only due to this instant pleasure(pain actually) from the sense pleasures!

Your Servant
Dinesh

(originally published) Refer for pictures#http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/planetarium/index.htm

Vedic cosmology - planetarium
Within and beyond time and space: Tour the transcendental world, the material world and find the way back
This is a simplified way to understand the wanderings of a spirit soul within samsara, the cycle of birth and death. It shows the basic facts needed to understand this world and the life in it and helps to learn about the different ways of life leading to elevation or degradation. With this information you can be more in control of your life, in harmony with the universe and its laws:
"We cannot break the laws - we can only break ourselves against the laws."
This 'tour' is based on Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad-gita (BG), Bhagavata Purana (SB), Brahma-samhita (B-s), as well as other Vaisnava sources. Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta is most elaborately presented in Sad-sandarbhas of Sri Jiva Gosvami.
More resources: Sadaputa das produced Mysteries of the Sacred Universe" book and cd. Here is a short overview and part of the video online. Danavir Goswami produced Vedic Cosmology book and dvd.Your servants at VEDA.
I am jiva, spirit soul, part and parcel and eternal servant of the Lord. My svarupa, spiritual body, is similar in form to any of the material bodies in the material world but it is of the same quality as myself and the whole spiritual world (sac-cid-ananda). Although I could stay here eternally in Lord's loving company and participate in His lila (pastime), I decided to explore the material world thus beginning my journey...
The Lord does not interfere with my free will by preventing me from leaving Him but is unlimitedly happy when I return to Him again:"Having attained me [Sarupa], a friend more dear than life, as if He had not seen me for a long time, taking my hand in His lotus hand, asking me wonderful questions, bringing happiness to all the people of Vraja, and walking as gracefully as an elephant, the handsome Lord entered the village of Vraja." (Brhad-bhagavatamrta 2.6.76, by Sanatana Goswami)"After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection." (BG 8.15)


HARI-DHAMA
This is my home, the transcendental world of sac-cid-ananda nature (eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss), abode of the Supreme Lord in His unlimited eternal forms. Its six divisions are called Goloka Vrindavana, Navadvipa, Mathura, Dvaraka, Ayodhya, Vaikuntha (also used as the general name of Hari-dhama).
HERE STARTS AND ENDS MY JOURNEY TO THE MATERIAL WORLD
Goloka Vrindavana - "I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who resides in His own realm, Goloka, with Radha, who resembles His own spiritual figure and who embodies the ecstatic potency [hladini]. Their companions are Her confidantes, who embody extensions of Her bodily form and who are imbued and permeated with ever-blissful spiritual rasa." (Brahma-samhita 5.37, as quoted in CC Adi 4.72 and CC Madhya 8.163)

Navadvipa - "In that place [where Sri Caitanya appears] is a wonderful city like an eight-petal lotus flower. In the middle of that lotus-city is a place called Mayapura, and in the middle of Mayapura is a place called Antardvipa. That place is the home of Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (commentary of Bhaktivinoda Thakura on Chandogya Upanisad 8.1.1-2)
"That original Lord Krsna appeared in Navadvipa as Lord Caitanya, and Balarama appeared with Him as Lord Nityananda." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 5.6)
"In this Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performance of sankirtana-yajna [congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord]." (SB 11.5.32)
Mathura - "Sri Uddhava said: Thereafter Lord Krsna went to Mathura City with Sri Baladeva, and to please Their parents They dragged Kamsa, the leader of public enemies, down from his throne and killed him, pulling him along the ground with great strength." (SB 3.3.1)
"Since that time, the city of Mathura had been the capital of all the kings of the Yadu dynasty. The city and district of Mathura are very intimately connected with Krsna, for Lord Krsna lives there eternally." (SB 10.1.28)
Dvaraka - "Undoubtedly it is wonderful that Dvaraka has defeated the glories of the heavenly planets and has enhanced the celebrity of the earth. The inhabitants of Dvaraka are always seeing the soul of all living beings [Krsna] in His loving feature. He glances at them and favors them with sweet smiles." (SB 1.10.27)


Ayodhya - "Lord Ramacandra returned to His abode, to which bhakti-yogis are promoted. This is the place to which all the inhabitants of Ayodhya went after they served the Lord in His manifest pastimes by offering Him obeisances, touching His lotus feet, fully observing Him as a fatherlike King, sitting or lying down with Him like equals, or even just accompanying Him." (SB 9.11.22)
Vaikuntha - "Therefore, O Lord, feeling weary of material life and tormented by its distresses, I now surrender unto You because You are the perfect master. You are the unlimited, all-knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose spiritual abode in Vaikuntha is free from all disturbances. In fact, You are known as Narayana, the true friend of all living beings." (SB 11.7.18)



Creation of the material world: In a corner of the spiritual sky of brahmajyoti a spiritual cloud sometimes appears, and the covered portion is called the mahat-tattva. The Lord then, by His plenary portion as Maha-Visnu, lies down within the water of the mahat-tattva, and the water is called the Causal Ocean (Karana-jala). While Maha-Visnu sleeps within the Causal Ocean, innumerable universes are generated along with His breathing. These universes are floating, and they are scattered all over the Causal Ocean. They stay only during the breathing period of Maha-Visnu. In each and every universal globe, the same Maha-Visnu enters again as Garbhodakasayi Visnu and lies there on the serpentlike Sesa incarnation. From His navel sprouts a lotus stem, and on the lotus, Brahma, the lord of the universe, is born. Brahma creates all forms of living beings of different shapes in terms of different desires within the universe. He also creates the sun, moon and other demigods. (SB 2.5.33 p.)


MAHAVISNU
Lord Mahavisnu rests in the River Viraja, Causal Ocean (Karanodaka) which is the border between transcendental and material realms.
"The Supreme Living Being in His feature as the transcendental purusa incarnation, who is the Lord's plenary expansion, impregnates the material nature of three modes, and thus by the influence of eternal time the living entities appear. Thereafter, influenced by the interactions of eternal time, the supreme sum total of matter called the mahat-tattva became manifested, and in this mahat-tattva the unalloyed goodness, the Supreme Lord, sowed the seeds of universal manifestation out of His own body." (SB 3.5.26-27)
The destination of sunyavadis (buddhists) is pradhana, the primordial matter, which has a sunya (void) nature. When Mahavisnu breathes out, it is manifested and transforms gradually into the prakriti, matter, the building block of the material world. When He breathes in, it is withdrawn into His body together with the jivas absorbed in it. By the look of Mahavisnu I am then transferred into the womb of Durga, the material world.
Pradhana - "In the unmanifest stage of material nature, called pradhana, there is no expression of words, no mind and no manifestation of the subtle elements beginning from the mahat, nor are there the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. There is no life air or intelligence, nor any senses or demigods. There is no definite arrangement of planetary systems, nor are there present the different stages of consciousness - sleep, wakefulness and deep sleep. There is no ether, water, earth, air, fire or sun. The situation is just like that of complete sleep, or of voidness. Indeed, it is indescribable. Authorities in spiritual science explain, however, that since pradhana is the original substance, it is the actual basis of material creation." (SB 12.4.20-21)


MAHESA-DHAMA
Realm of Lord Siva is full of Brahman effulgence. It is situated between Hari-dhama and Devi-dhama.This is the destination of the brahmavadis, impersonalistic worshipers of Siva and those who meditate on Brahman. Here I can stay for a long time as Siva's associate or by his mercy reach Hari-dhama. It may also happen that I break the rules of life here and am sent back to material world.
"The demigods observed Lord Siva sitting on the summit of Kailasa Hill with his wife, Bhavani, for the auspicious development of the three worlds. He was being worshiped by great saintly persons desiring liberation. The demigods offered him their obeisances and prayers with great respect." (SB 8.7.20)


DEVI-DHAMA
This material world is the realm of Durga who is the material energy in her personal form.
"The goddess Durga was decorated with flower garlands, smeared with sandalwood pulp and dressed with excellent garments and ornaments made of valuable jewels. Holding in her hands a bow, a trident, arrows, a shield, a sword, a conchshell, a disc and a club, and being praised by celestial beings like Apsaras, Kinnaras, Uragas, Siddhas, Caranas and Gandharvas, who worshiped her with all kinds of presentations, she spoke as follows." (SB 10.4.10-11)
I, jiva, am now just a transcendental sparkle of an atomic size and according to my desire and karma I take birth in various material bodies one after another (the cycle of birth and death, or samsara) within this world characterized by all-pervading presence of birth, death, old age and disease (janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi). These are symptoms of my conditioned life based on my identification with matter. During my whole stay here I am accompanied by the Lord in His invisible form of Paramatma (Supersoul) in my heart. He lets me act according to my desires and witnesses and approves my actions.
Paramatma - "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas." (BG 15.15)
"Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted." (SB 1.2.17)
"One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramatma, is situated in every living entity's heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into ashes." (SB 3.29.22)
MAP 1 All the universes are clustered together up and down, and each and every one of them is separately sevenfold-covered. The watery portion is beyond the sevenfold coverings, and each covering is ten times more expansive than the previous covering. The extent of the cosmic phenomenon is calculated to be diametrically (both ways) four billion miles. Then the coverings of the universe begin. The first stratum of the covering (earth) is calculated to extend eighty million miles, and the subsequent coverings of the universe are respectively of fire, effulgence, air and ether, one after another, each extending ten times further than the previous. (SB 2.2.28 p.)
1 yojan = 8 miles = 12,8 km
Dhruvaloka, the polestar, is 3,800,000 yojanas above the sun. Above Dhruvaloka by 10,000,000 yojanas is Maharloka, above Maharloka by 20,000,000 yojanas is Janaloka, above Janaloka by 80,000,000 yojanas is Tapoloka, and above Tapoloka by 120,000,000 yojanas is Satyaloka. Thus the distance from the sun to Satyaloka is 233,800,000 yojanas, or 1,870,400,000 miles. The Vaikuntha planets begin 26,200,000 yojanas (209,600,000 miles) above Satyaloka. Thus the Visnu Purana describes that the covering of the universe is 260,000,000 yojanas (2,080,000,000 miles) away from the sun. (SB 5.23.9 p.)


SATYALOKA
My first body is that of Brahma, the secondary creator of this world. I live on Satyaloka, the topmost dimensional level in this world. If I am a pure devotee of the Lord, at the end of my long life I will return to Hari-dhama together with my associates, great sages. Otherwise I will be born as a great sage on Muniloka.
"Both the Lord and the living entity, being qualitatively spirit soul, have the tendency for peaceful enjoyment, but when the part of the Supreme Personality of Godhead unfortunately wants to enjoy independently, without Krsna, he is put into the material world, where he begins his life as Brahma and is gradually degraded to the status of an ant or a worm in stool." (SB 9.24.58 p.)
tathA ca brahma-vaivarte –prApyApi durlabhataraM mAnuSyaM vibudhepsitamyair Azrito na govindas tair AtmA vaJcitaz ciramazIti-caturaz caiva lakSAMs tAn jIva-jAtiSubhramadbhiH puruSaiH prApya mAnuSyaM janma-paryayAttad apy aphalatAM jAtaM teSAm AtmAbhimAninAmvarAkAnAm anAzritya govinda-caraNa-dvayam
3 This is also described in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana: "They who attain the universally desired and very rare human birth, but do not take shelter of Lord Krsna, cheat themselves again and again.4 "By wandering through 8 400 000 species of life one finally attains a human birth.5 "They who do not take shelter of Lord Krsna's feet, even though they may be very proud themselves, are only unimportant fools who waste their human life." (Bhakti sandarbha 108)
"The soul travels through many lifetimes in different bodies and at last gets a chance at the rare human birth, which is auspicious in every respect. The soul has rotated through 8,400,000 different species. It is by ajnatasukriti or unintentional pious activities that the soul finally attains a human body. A birth in the human form is most uncommon, because only in that body are spiritual activities possible to perform, unlike any other species." (Harinama Cintamani 6)"The yogis who become detached from the material world by practice of breathing exercises and control of the mind reach the planet of Brahma, which is far, far away. After giving up their bodies, they enter into the body of Lord Brahma, and therefore when Brahma is liberated and goes to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supreme Brahman, such yogis can also enter into the kingdom of God." (SB 3.32.10)
MUNILOKA
Muniloka is the general name of the abodes of great sages: Tapoloka, Janaloka, Maharloka. These sages constantly meditate on the Lord. Here I'm one of the sages and by my meditation I can go either higher, up to Satyaloka, to become Brahma's associate, or down, to the level of devas (demigods).
"By mystic yoga, great austerities and the renounced order of life, the pure destinations of Maharloka, Janoloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka are attained. But by devotional yoga, one achieves My transcendental abode." (SB 11.24.14)



Dhruvaloka
group of seven stars
Sanaiscara
Brihaspati-graha
Angaraka
Budha
Sukra
Group of stars
Moon
Sun
Garbhodaka Ocean
MAP 2The moon is situated 100,000 yojanas above the rays of the sunshine. Day and night on the heavenly planets and Pitrloka are calculated according to its waning and waxing. Above the moon by a distance of 200,000 yojanas are some stars, and above these stars is Sukra-graha (Venus), whose influence is always auspicious for the inhabitants of the entire universe. Above Sukra-graha by 200,000 yojanas is Budha-graha (Mercury), whose influence is sometimes auspicious and sometimes inauspicious. Next, above Budha-graha by 200,000 yojanas, is Angaraka (Mars), which almost always has an unfavorable influence. Above Angaraka by another 200,000 yojanas is the planet called Brhaspati-graha (Jupiter), which is always very favorable for qualified brahmanas. Above Brhaspati-graha is the planet Sanaiscara (Saturn), which is very inauspicious, and above Saturn is a group of seven stars occupied by great saintly persons who are always thinking of the welfare of the entire universe. These seven stars circumambulate Dhruvaloka, which is the residence of Lord Visnu within this universe. (SB 5.22) Moon distance


SVARGALOKA
Svargaloka is the abode of demigods. I'm now Indra (the chief demigod) or one of the other demigods in a cosmic hierarchy (agnir vai devAnAm avamo viSNuH paramas, tadantareNa sarvA anyA devatA - "Agni is the lowest and Vishnu is the highest among devas. All other gods occupy positions that are in between." Aitareya Brahmana 1.1.1) and my duty is to manage the affairs of the universe, protecting its inhabitants against the asuras (demons) as an empowered servant of the Lord. If I become advanced in my devotional service, I will be born as a sage in Muniloka. If I become attached to material enjoyment, I will degrade into a lower position becoming a semi-demigod or a human being.
"Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this." (BG 2.42-43)
Neither the demigods controlling fire, the sun, the moon and the stars nor those in charge of earth, water, ether, air, speech and mind actually remove the sins of their worshipers, who continue to see in terms of dualities. But wise sages destroy one's sins when respectfully served for even a few moments. (SB 10.84.12)
Indra: "We are now living in the heavenly planets, undoubtedly as a result of our having performed ritualistic ceremonies, pious activities and yajnas and having studied the Vedas. However, our lives here will one day be finished. We pray that at that time, if any merit remains from our pious activities, we may again take birth in Bharata-varsa as human beings able to remember the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord is so kind that He personally comes to the land of Bharata-varsa and expands the good fortune of its people." (SB 5.19.28)
BHUVARLOKA
Bhuvarloka - the level of semi-demigods (Carana, Vidyadhara, Kinnara, Kimpurusa etc.). As one of the lesser demigods I am assisting the demigods in various ways and sometimes interacting with the humans. By advancement in my service I can become a demigod or to subdue to the enjoying nature and be born as a human on the earthly level, Bhurloka.
Semi-demigods - "Below Rahu by 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles] are the planets known as Siddhaloka, Caranaloka and Vidyadhara-loka." (SB 5.24.4)
"While He was passing in the northern direction, all the celestial denizens known as Caranas and Gandharvas, as well as the munis and the damsels of the heavenly planets, prayed and offered Him all respects. The ocean offered Him oblations and a place of residence." (SB 3.33.34)



Sun
Rahu
SiddhalokaCaranalokaVidyadhara-loka
Antariksa
Earth
Bila-svarga
Pitrloka
Hellish planets
Anantadeva
Garbhodaka OceanMAP 3Rahu is situated 10,000 yojanas below the sun. Below Rahu by another 10,000 yojanas are the planets of the Siddhas, Caranas and Vidyadharas, and below these are planets such as Yaksaloka and Raksaloka. Below these planets is the earth, and 70,000 yojanas below the earth are the lower planetary systems Bila-svarga: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. Demons and Raksasas live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, always engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births. The sunshine does not reach these planets, but they are illuminated by jewels fixed upon the hoods of snakes. Because of these shining gems there is practically no darkness. Those living in these planets do not become old or diseased, and they are not afraid of death from any cause but the time factor, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.In the planet Atala, the yawning of a demon has produced three kinds of women, called svairini (independent), kamini (lusty) and pumscali (very easily subdued by men). Below Atala is the planet Vitala, wherein Lord Siva and his wife Gauri reside. Because of their presence, a kind of gold is produced called hataka. Below Vitala is the planet Sutala, the abode of Bali Maharaja, the most fortunate king. Bali Maharaja was favored by the Supreme personality of Godhead, Vamanadeva, because of his intense devotional service. Below Sutala is the planet Talatala, the abode of the demon Maya. This demon is always materially happy because he is favored by Lord Siva, but he cannot achieve spiritual happiness at any time. Below Talatala is the planet Mahatala, where there are many snakes with hundreds and thousands of hoods. Below Mahatala is Rasatala, and below that is Patala (Nagaloka), where the serpent Vasuki lives with his associates. (SB 5.24)
The hellish planets are situated in the intermediate space between the three worlds and the Garbhodaka Ocean. They lie on the southern side of the universe, beneath Bhu-mandala, and slightly above the water of the Garbhodaka Ocean. Pitrloka is also located in this region between the Garbhodaka Ocean and the lower planetary systems. All the residents of Pitrloka, headed by Agnisvatta, meditate in great samadhi on the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always wish their families well. (SB 5.26.5)
Approximately 240,000 miles beneath the planet Patala lives Lord Ananta. This great universe, situated on one of Lord Anantadeva's thousands of hoods, appears just like a white mustard seed. It is infinitesimal compared to the hood of Lord Ananta. (SB 5.25.1-2)
The distance from the sun to the earth is lower planetary systems called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. Below these lower planets by 30,000 yojanas, Sesa Naga is lying on the Garbhodaka Ocean. That ocean is 249,800,000 yojanas deep. Thus the total diameter of the universe is approximately 500,000,000 yojanas, or 4,000,000,000 miles. (SB 5.23.9 p.)


ANTARIKSA
Between Bhuvarloka and Bhurloka is antariksa, an interplanetary space where the Sun is situated. Here live beings like Raksasas, Yaksas, Pisacas and ghosts. They often descend on earth and are generally inimical to humans. Usuallly they will be born later as humans.
Ghosts - "Living entities who are associates of Rudra develop in the third mode of material nature, or ignorance. They are situated in the sky between the earthly planets and the heavenly planets." (SB 3.6.29)
"Beneath Vidyadhara-loka, Caranaloka and Siddhaloka, in the sky called antariksa, are the places of enjoyment for the Yaksas, Raksasas, Pisacas, ghosts and so on. Antariksa extends as far as the wind blows and the clouds float in the sky. Above this there is no more air." (SB 5.24.5)
Related: Garuda Purana excerpts



BHURLOKA
Bhurloka, or Bhu-mandala is the earthly level consisting of seven spheres (dvipas) - Jambudvipa, Plaksadvipa, Salmalidvipa, Kusadvipa, Krauncadvipa, Sakadvipa, Puskaradvipa - which are inhabited by various human beings.
"The planetary system known as Bhu-mandala resembles a lotus flower, and its seven islands resemble the whorl of that flower. The length and breadth of the island known as Jambudvipa, which is situated in the middle of the whorl, are one million yojanas [eight million miles]. Jambudvipa is round like the leaf of a lotus flower." (SB 5.16.5)
The planet Earth where I live now as a human being is situated within Jambudvipa. It is known as karma-bhumi (Visnu Purana 2.3.2), the place where new karma is created, a kind of cosmic crossroad. Here I will decide about my future situation, higher or lower, by acting in a particular way (not that "all paths are the same" - yatha mata tatha pata).
"King Rahugana said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being on this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees." (SB 5.13.21)
BILA-SVARGA
Bila-svarga is the name of subterranean 'heavens' inhabited by the asuras and the Nagas. Bhagavata Purana lists seven of them, one below another: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala.
Bila-svarga - "In these seven planetary systems, which are also known as the subterranean heavens [bila-svarga], there are very beautiful houses, gardens and places of sense enjoyment, which are even more opulent than those in the higher planets because the demons have a very high standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and influence. Most of the residents of these planets, who are known as Daityas, Danavas and Nagas, live as householders. Their wives, children, friends and society are all fully engaged in illusory, material happiness. The sense enjoyment of the demigods is sometimes disturbed, but the residents of these planets enjoy life without disturbances. Thus they are understood to be very attached to illusory happiness." (SB 5.24.8)
Asuras - "Now let me describe the sons of Diti, who were begotten by Kasyapa but who became demons. In this demoniac family the great devotee Prahlada Maharaja appeared, and Bali Maharaja also appeared in that family. The demons are technically known as Daityas because they proceeded from the womb of Diti." (SB 6.18.10)"Beneath Mahatala is the planetary system known as Rasatala, which is the abode of the demoniac sons of Diti and Danu. They are called Panis, Nivata-kavacas, Kaleyas and Hiranya-puravasis [those living in Hiranya-pura]. They are all enemies of the demigods, and they reside in holes like snakes. From birth they are extremely powerful and cruel, and although they are proud of their strength, they are always defeated by the Sudarsana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules all the planetary systems. When a female messenger from Indra named Sarama chants a particular curse, the serpentine demons of Mahatala become very afraid of Indra." (SB 5.24.30)
Nagas - "Beneath Rasatala is another planetary system, known as Patala or Nagaloka, where there are many demoniac serpents, the masters of Nagaloka, such as Sankha, Kulika, Mahasankha, Sveta, Dhananjaya, Dhrtarastra, Sankhacuda, Kambala, Asvatara and Devadatta. The chief among them is Vasuki. They are all extremely angry, and they have many, many hoods - some snakes five hoods, some seven, some ten, others a hundred and others a thousand. These hoods are bedecked with valuable gems, and the light emanating from the gems illuminates the entire planetary system of bila-svarga." (SB 5.24.31)
I have become one of the asuras or Nagas, half human and half serpent beings, who are enjoying high standard of material life on sub-earthly levels. I am endowed with supernatural powers, totally irreligious and usually inimical to humans. This seemingly ideal life is interrupted from time to time - I am killed by Lord's Sudarsana chakra and born as a human.
HELLS
Hells (Naraka) - the lowest levels in the universe, places to suffer for committing specific vikarmas for a determined time. Yamadutas are bringing me to Yamaraja, the judge of the dead. He will determine the type and length of my punishment according to dharma sastras. After my punishment is over I will be born as an animal.
"While living one may be proud of one's body, thinking oneself a very big man, minister, president or even demigod, but whatever one may be, after death this body will turn either into worms, into stool or into ashes. If one kills poor animals to satisfy the temporary whims of this body, one does not know that he will suffer in his next birth, for such a sinful miscreant must go to hell and suffer the results of his actions." (SB 10.10.10)"As directed by Citragupta, he suffers in hell. Having suffered tortures there, he is born in low species. ...""When the expiatory and deterrent tortures in hell cease, the living beings are born again in human (or animal - 28) form with the characteristic traits of their sins. O foremost among birds, I shall tell you what these signs are." (Garuda Purana 2.10.88-89, 2.46.9-10,28)Yamadutas - "Those who have passed several years in the dreadful hell and have no descendants (to offer gifts) in their favor become messengers of Yama." (Garuda Purana 2.18.34)As a criminal is arrested for punishment by the constables of the state, a person engaged in criminal sense gratification is similarly arrested by the Yamadutas, who bind him by the neck with strong rope and cover his subtle body so that he may undergo severe punishment. (SB 3.30.20)
Yamaraja - "The King of the pitas [ancestors] is Yamaraja, the very powerful son of the sun-god. He resides in Pitrloka with his personal assistants and, while abiding by the rules and regulations set down by the Supreme Lord, has his agents, the Yamadutas, bring all the sinful men to him immediately upon their death. After bringing them within his jurisdiction, he properly judges them according to their specific sinful activities and sends them to one of the many hellish planets for suitable punishments." (SB 5.26.6)



LORD ANANTA
Approximately 240,000 miles beneath the planet Patala lives another incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the expansion of Lord Visnu known as Lord Ananta or Lord Sankarsana. He is always in the transcendental position, but because He is worshiped by Lord Siva, the deity of tamo-guna or darkness, He is sometimes called tamasi. Lord Ananta is the predominating Deity of the material mode of ignorance as well as the false ego of all conditioned souls. When a conditioned living being thinks, "I am the enjoyer, and this world is meant to be enjoyed by me," this conception of life is dictated to him by Sankarsana. Thus the mundane conditioned soul thinks himself the Supreme Lord. This great universe, situated on one of Lord Anantadeva's thousands of hoods, appears just like a white mustard seed. It is infinitesimal compared to the hood of Lord Ananta. At the time of devastation, when Lord Anantadeva desires to destroy the entire creation, He becomes slightly angry. Then from between His two eyebrows appears three-eyed Rudra, carrying a trident. (SB 5.25.1 - 3)

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