The participants of “Unraveling the Mysteries of the Sacred Universe Level 1” were asking themselves this very question while attending this informative workshop co- sponsored by the Bhaktivedanta Institute of Gainesville and the Krishna Institute in Alachua on May 20-21.
How we view the universe impacts our understanding of ourselves. Additionally, the more we push the boundaries of knowledge, the more knowledge expands before us. In the Vedic literature it is said, sa-tattvato ‘nyatha-buddhir vikara ity udahrtah from one fact another fact is generated. For example, a father is one fact, and a son generated from the father is a second fact. Thus both of them are truths, although one is generated from the other.
In the beginning of the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.16.3, Sukadeva Gosvami tells Parkshit Maharaja that by studying the material world one can have realization of God:
“When the mind is fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His external feature made of the material modes of nature – the gross universal form – it is brought to the platform of pure goodness. In that transcendental position, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, who in His subtler form is self-effulgent and beyond the modes of nature.”
Yet, the Fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam is like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Hence in the next verse (SB 5.16.4), Sukadeva Goswami adds:
“There is no limit to the expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s material energy. The material world is a transformation of the material qualities, yet no one could possibly explain it perfectly, even in a lifetime as long as that of Lord Brahma.”
Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport that the material world is unlimited and impossible for anyone to know or describe. He notes that, “Sukadeva Goswami admits that to give full details of the expansive material universe would be impossible, but nevertheless, he has attempted to offer as much knowledge as he received through the parampara system.”
In his book, Mysteries of the Sacred Universe (2000), Sadaputa dasa illuminates aspects of Bhagavata cosmography laden within the Puranas, Jyotisa Sastras, and Surya-siddhanta in mathematical terms describing features of the solar system in three dimensions. With his probing analytical mind and steady faith in the Srimad-Bhagavatam as siddhantic truth, Sadaputa dasa sought to demystify accounts of the Bhu-mandala by explaining how embedded within its portrayal, a careful reader could derive at least four different geographical and astronomical models alongside the subtle descriptions of alternate dimensions that appear to defy ordinary perception.
Do you feel a head rush yet?
The workshop explained the heliocentric vs. geocentric perspectives, and reviewed a flat earth interpretation vs. a planisphere analysis. It demonstrated the various speeds of the sun in relation to the days, nights, and seasons, as well as highlighting the nature of the sun, moon and eclipses using polar projection maps that traced the motion of the sun. The course also included a field trip to the Santa Fe College Planetarium to see Passport to the Universe, an American Museum of Natural History production narrated by two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. The planetarium tour of intergalactic space featured CGI close-up perspectives of a contemporary understanding of star fields and planets. Traveling at the speed of light, the audience experienced an exhilarating flight through a virtual re-creation of our universe, into the Orion Nebula, out of our galaxy, and back to Earth via a “virtual shortcut” in creative interpretation of a free fall through a black hole. Fun stuff, no doubt, but even more intriguing when comparing and contrasting with descriptions offered in traditional Puranic accounts, and all part of an important discussion featured throughout the workshop.
Unfortunately, Bhakti Caru Swami was unable to physically attend due to unforeseeable circumstances but spoke at length and interacted with students via live streaming video. Murali Gopal dasa, who holds a Ph.D. in physics from Ohio University and recently completed his last semester in Advanced Sanskrit Studies at Columbia University, led the participants during the workshop. As a member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute of Gainesville, Murali Gopal develops courses on the relationship of Bhakti andVedic cosmology with modern physics, and also serves as an outreach member for the Manhattan “Bhakti Center” neighboring Srila Prabhupada’s original ISKCON temple at 26 2nd Avenue. The good news for those who found themselves situated elsewhere on the Bhu-mandala is that the workshop offered interactive live streaming for registered guests who were facilited with self-study and group session materials.
Everyone can still get a glimpse of some of the workshop material by going to the Sadaputa Digital Channel and checking out two videos, “Mysterious Orbits” and “Mysteries of the Sacred Universe”. And be sure to keep an eye out for the second part of the workshop, “Unraveling the Mysteries of the Sacred Universe Level 2” by regularly visiting the Krishna Institute website.
The guest feedback was extremely positive:
“Murali Gopal Prabhu has carefully distilled Sadaputa Prabhu’s explanations into a lovely but comprehensive summary of the aspects of Bhagavatam cosmography presented in the 5th Canto” – Krsna-bhajana dasa
“I expected to barely understand, to be mostly baffled by this subject matter and to possibly even be so frustrated that I’d not stay for the entire course. What I discovered is that Murali Gopal dasa made this such an interesting and understandable presentation that I actually could grasp the concepts and appreciate this deep, complicated topic” – Mahamaya devi dasi
“I so much appreciate the way Murali Gopal Prabhu makes the difficult points in the 5th Canto seem accessible by patiently explaining physical laws in a simple way, and by showing the connection between the modern scientific viewpoint and statements in the Bhagavatam” – Vegavati devi dasi
No matter which side of the Bhu-mandala you found yourself on (heads or tails, flat earth or sphere,) descriptions of the islands and oceans of Bhu-mandala and celestial realms of the demigods in Jambudvipa had everyone’s mind churning around the golden Mount Meru, where many beautiful ideas and valuable insights surfaced, and the result was pure nectar.
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