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planetarium SRI MAYAPUR DHAMA

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TEMPLE OF VEDIC PLANETARIUM

The rejection of traditional Vedic culhlre is due to the perception that Western culture, with its mechanistic world view, is scientific and therefore true. The God conscious Vedic culture, with its obedience to higher uni versa l authority, is derided as outdated and superstiti ous w ith no foundation of sc ientific reality. The res ult is a comple te abandonment o f Vedic based life, and thu s the loss o f the higher, refined qUillities of human ex istence it is meant to foster. III its place is blind obedience to material science and the impersonal exploitative mentality, which is currently destroying the earth and the quality of life of all those who live on it. The Mayapur "Temple of Vedic Planetarium' is designed to reverse that trend. It will establish the Vedic princip les of life using scholarly methodology as applied to both modem empirical evidence and Vedic knowledge. [t will SCientifica lly educate its visitors in the Vedic world view, that the universe is a life-based hierarchical system, originating from a Supreme Living Force, showing it is non-sectarian and essential to human life. In conclusion, Srila Prabhupada wanted a scientific presentation of the Vedic Culture, that would dispell all thoughts that it was just mythological.

BROAD GOALS

Srila Prabhupada's Specific Instructions

Srila Prabhupada said the temple complex in Sri Mayapur Dhama should be called 'Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.' This indicates that he saw the Vedic planetarium as a main feature of the temple. He wanted more than simply a facility for worship and darshall of the Dieti es. He illso wanted to impilrt knowledge. The focus of thi s know led ge is: - the hierarchical structure of creation

with Krsna at the top. --our pOSition in that creation. -the scientific validity of the Vedic view. -Krsna is the origin of creation. Srila Prabhupada indicated a model of the universe would be within the main temple. He wanted the experience of the planetarium to be integral with darshan of the Deities. This experience generates appre-ciation of the Lord as u ltimate reality, greater than the greatest, and yet appearing before us in the transcenden-tal deity form . In traditional temples, darshan of the deity is achieved only within an exclusive Silnctum sanctorum, far removed from the world. [n contrast, the Deities of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium would be seen in the broadest possible framework - not only would they be seen in an enclosed sanctum sanctorum, but viewed in the ir splenderous manifestation, within and withou t the cosmic creation.

Dioramas Sri la Prabhupada also approved of extensive diorama s within the temple complex. He said they should depic t the Vedic view of the universe according to the different planes of existence, beginning with the lower, middl e-and upper planets of the material world, then to the abode of Lord Siva and finally to Vaikuntha and then Goloka, Vrndavana. Srila Prabhupada also spoke of using escalators for visitors to view the dioramas.

Problems Having the Vedic Planetarium as the central theme of a temple poses many difficulties. First, the scientific presentation of the Vedic view of the universe is not possible in a single three-dimensional model. It involves many dimensions. Secondly, having extensive exhibits in the temple-proper creates conflict with darshan of, and worship of the Deities. One possible solution is to house the detailed exhibits and multi-dimensional presentations in separate adjoin-ing areas, and to express the concept of Vedic Plan-etarium purely in the art and architecture of the temple

proper. Another approach is to make the main access way to the Deities through different structures. These buildings would house the dioramas and exhibits, which would display the Vedic view of the uni verse. This experience wo uld culmina te in actual darshan in the temple. Eit her way, the visitor should be inspired with the depth and reverance of the Vedic world-view as opposed to modern science. Sophisticated visitors should be in-spired to study further through the detailed exhibits and presenta tions.

Srila Prabhupada's General Directions

Nature of Project -To establish scientific basis of Vedic Culture.

Scientifically educate visitors in the vedic world view of the universe and the consequent vedic culture.

-To attract international attention. - To revive and establish Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu 's

sankirtan movement to be the pnme benediction to humanity at large.

Inferred Directions - Large scale promotion and distribution of Srila

Prabhupada's books -To demonstrate the highes t s tandard of devotional

d t'i ty worship - To educate all visitors in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 's

teaching and to promote the 'sankirtana yajna' as the yugCl dharma .

-To present the philosophy of Va rna shram dha rma. -To serve as the princi pie temple of rSKCON -To serve as a spirituaJ foc us for the community -For the main structure to be capable of standing for

500-1000 yea rs -To revive and apply the Vedic 'principles' of architec-

ture.

introduction

1

Prabhupada: .. from the Bhagavatam. So this should be mentioned . It is not only a temple, but a planetarium according to Bhagavatam, where which planet is situ-ated, where is Vaikunthaloka, where is Goloka Vmdavana, where is Mahar ... Devotees: Wow! Tarnal Krsna: You want a real planetarium just like in the West. Jayapataka: That's what I told them, Prabhupada .. . Prabhupada: Yes. Tarnal Krsna: Boy, Prabhupada, the people will pay ... Everyone will pay a rupee to go in and see that. One rupee for that, one rupee to ride the escalator. Prabhupada: And there will be escalator to take them to different planetary system. Devotee: Temple and planetarium. Prabhupada: Yes. Devotee: "World's largest planetarium and Temple of Understanding." Prabhupada: No "Understanding" simply Vedic, "Temple of Vedic Planetarium." That's all. We shall show the Vedic conception of planetary system within this material world and above the material world . (break) We are going to exhibit the Vedic culture throughout the whole world, and they'll come here. Jayapataka: The whole world will be coming here to ... Prabhupada: Yes. Jayapataka: ... visit. Prabhupada: Just like they come to see the Taj Mahal... Hrdayananda: Yes. Prabhupada: ... the architectural culture, they'll come to see the civilization culture, the phjlosophical culture, the religious culture by practical demonstration. Actually it will be a unique thing in the world . There is no such thing all over the world . That we shall do. And not . only simply showing museum, but educating people to that idea . Hrdayananda: Preaching. Prabhupada: Right. With factual knowledge, books, not fictitious.

Prabhupada: We are just attempting a big planetarium in Mayapur. We have asked government to acquire land, 350 acres. That is negotiation going on. We shall give a Vedic planetarium. George Harrison: Is that the one you were talking about? With all the ... Prabhupada: In the Fifth Canto. Gurudasa: The planetarium will be 350 feet high and show the cosmology of the spiritual world.

Tarnal Krsna: The scientists are getting smashed to bits by your statements, Srila Prabhupada. This destroys their whole theory. Orbs, round spheres. I that this Mayapur building, we must build a big planetarium in it. Prabhupada: Yes. That, I am going to do, Vedic plan-etarium. Tarnal Krsna: Oh boy. You' re going to bring a lot of.. .. A lot of scientists will come just to dispute this. Prabhupada: Yes. Pusta Krsna: Wonderful attraction. Prabhupada: World people will come to see the way the planetary systems ... Tarnal Krsna: We should adverstise it very widely that this is the actual, factual explanation of the universe. Prabhupada: This will be automatically advertised. As soon as the temple is finished, people will come like anything. Jayaptataka: (Break) ... exhibit the farce of modem science. Prabhupada: Hm? Jayapataka: Farce of modem science, and every philoso-phyand science group, where they are just cheating the public. Then exhibit how Krsna consciousness is show-ing the real way. Prabhupada: Yes. So do that in thjs planetarium. What-ever thoughts are coming, you note it. Keep it. We shall utilize it with reference, with reference to the sastra.

Prabhupada: How do you like this idea, Vedic plan-etarium? Ambarisa: It seems li ke a very nice idea. Prabhupada: So a ll of you now make a complete idea how to make Vedic planetary, planetarium. Yes. Plan-etarium name, actually it will be temple. But all round, things will be ... Anyway. Yadubara: I know before the idea was to have it inside the main temple. Prabhupada: Hm? Yadubara: As you walked up the outside of the, or the

of the main temple, inside that dome, they would have It on the walls. But that would .. . That original plan was to have it inside the main temple. Prabhupada: Yes. You take all details, inside, outside. that will be nice. Svarupa Darnodara: Can you take inside? Is it allowed? Yadubara: Yes, I think so. Prabhupada: Hare Krsna.

Prabhupada: So see how the planetarium is done. Tamal Krsna: Yes, we should go, Ramesvara. Have you ever gone? Ramesvara: Many years ago. pusta Krsna: They use all kinds of lighting systems. Prabhupada: So you take the idea. We shall have to do that. Tamal Krsna: Wow. All right. They have a specia l projector. Prabhupada: Whatever it may be, we may take the idea and utilize. Pusta Krsna: In our planetarium, Srila Prabhupada, we want to actually show the different qualities of life on the different planetary systems also? Prabhupada: Yes, as far as possible.

Reporter: Would you tell us something about the Vedic city which is being constructed in Mayapur? Pusta Krsna: He wants to know something about the Ved ic city which is being constructed in Mayapur. Prabhupada: Yes, not Vedic city. Vedic planetarium. We have asked government to give us 350 acres of land in Mayapur to construct Vedic planetarium, 350 feet high. I shall exhibit there all the planetary system, Dhurloka, Goloka ...

goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya devi-mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tes /I te te prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Lowest of all is located Devi-dhama [mundane world}, next above it is Mahesa-dhama [abode of Mahesa); above Mahesa-dhama is placed Hari -d hama (abode of Hari) and above them all is located Krsna's own realm named Coloka. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who has a llotted their respective authorities to the rulers of those graded realms. (Sri Brahma Samhita - Text 43)

you all together make this Vedic planetarium very OIce, so that people will come and see. From the de-scription of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, you prepare this VedIC planetarium.

2

A prime aim in the Mayapur temple of Vedic Plan-etarium is to show the relation between the Vedic picture of the universe and the world of our experi-ence. In doing this, we will need to draw information from the following SDurces: (1) The writings of Srila Prabhupada, including his translation, with commen-tary, of the Srimad-Blwgavatam, (2) other writings in the Vedic tradition, (i .e. Surya-siddlwllta, Briltat Bilagavatamrita) and (3) modem Western science.

The Vedic literature describes the material cosmos as an unlimited ocean situated within a small part of the unlimited spiritual world. Within this ocean there are innumerable universes, or brahmalldas, which can be compared to spherical bubbles of foam grouped in clusters. Each of these universal globes consists of a series of spherical coverings and an inner, inhabited portion. Within the inner region of the brahmallda, the most striking feature is Bhu-mandala, or the earthly plan-etary system. Bhu-mandala is described as a flat disc with a diameter of 500 million yojalll1s, or 4 billion miles (using eight miles per yojana). The surface of this disc is marked with a series of ring-shaped oceans and islands surrounding a central island called Jambudvipa. In SB.2.5.4Op SriIa Prabhupada refers to this as the area of the universe, and it seems that Bhu-mandala is indeed one of the most signifi-cant and frequently mentioned features in the Vedic account of the universe. Its size is on the scale of the solar system as a whole, as conceived in modem Western astronomy. The Fifth Canto gives specific figures for the size, shape, and position of many of the geographic structures of Bhu-mandala. The most striking charac-teristic of these structures is that although their description employs names for familiar features of earthly geography, such as mountains, oceans, and islands, they are all on the same cosmic scale as Bhu-mandala itself. The highly rational philosophical discussions in the Bhagavatam indicate that it was not written by some kind of mad fanatic who was devoid of common sense. We suggest, therefore, that the descriptions in the Bhagavatam of gigantic sizes refer to an actually existing world that is built on the scale of the solar system and that contains features built on a similar scale.

Figure 1.

In Figure 1 we are looking down on the center of Bhu-mandala at an angle of 45 degrees from a dis-tance of some 600 million miles. We can discern five ring-shaped structures surrounding a central region that is too far away to see clearly. The intervals between the dvipas are occupied by oceans, each of which has the same width as the dvipa it surrounds. Going from the outside in, these are respectively the dvipas, or islands, named Puskaradvipa, Sakadvipa, Krauncadvipa, Kusadvipa, and Salmalidvipa. Plaksadvipa and Jambudvipa appear to be merged together at the center.

Figure 2.

In Figure 2 we have moved in to a distance of about 150 million miles from the center of Bhu-mandala . Now Krauncadvipa, Kusadvipa and Salmalidvipa have expanded in apparent size, and the ring of Plaksadvipa has become visible within Salmalidvipa. We can also begin to discern the central island of Jambudvipa within Plaksadvipa.

In Figure 3 we have moved in to a distance of 15 million miles. Jambudvipa and the surrounding salt water ocean are now clearly visible. Jambudvipa is described as a disc-shaped island 100,000 yojalll1s, or 800,000 miles, in diameter. The most striking feature of Jambudvipa is a central structure called Mount Meru, which is 84,000 yojalllIs high. Jambudvipa is divided into nine regions, or varsas by a series of mountain ranges. We see a more detailed view of the central region of Ilavrta-varsa.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of Jambudvipa, at a distance of some 3 million miles.

The smaller mountain ranges form the boundaries of the nine varsas. This picture is drawn according to the descriptions given in the Fifth Canro of the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Figure 4.

Ths concept proposes that the cosmOlOgIcal system of the Bhagavatam is a simplified description of the universe as it appears from the viewpoint of demi-gods, rsis, and highly elevated human beings, who are the principal characters in this work. In contrast, our familiar conception of the earth globe is a valid account of our immediate environs as they appear from the viewpoint of persons with ordinary human senses. How this earth relates to Bhu-mandala as a whole .... Srila Prabhuapada refers to Bharata-varsa as India, and he points out that the demigods aspire to take birth there. In SB 2.7.1Op this earth planet is identified with Bharata-varsa. The idea that Bharata-varsa once referred to the entire earth is also indicated in SB 4.22.36p. In SB 1.12.5 the earth ruled by Maharaja Yudhisthira is referred to as Jambudvipa, and in SB 4.12.16 the earth ruled by Dhruva Maharaja is referred to as Bhu-mandala itself. Going further, SB 5.1.22 states that Maharaja Priyavrata ruled all the planets of the universe and Srila Prabhupada points out that it is difficult for us to understand just where Maharaja Priyavrata was situated.

All of these statements can be reconciled if we adopt the idea that the earth of the Bhagavatam is the disc of Bhu-mandala, but that onJy a small portion of this earth is accessible to the limited senses of modern-day human beings. In previous yugas larger regions of Bhu-mandala were accessible, and people experi-enced a correspondingly larger earth. Thus, in Maharaja Yudhisthira's time, at the end of the Dvapara-yuga people had access to the entire region of Jambudvipa, and people living in the Satya-yuga during the time of Dhruva Maharaja had access to the whole of Bhu-mandala.

vedic cosmography-

and astronomy based on discussions with Sadaputa Prabhu

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maYfl2ur Flam

WEST BENGAL INDIA

PANCA TATTYA 1 GURU PARAMPARA 2. RADHA-M ADHA v A 3.

SRILA PRA[lHUPADA 4. LORD NRSIMHADEVA 5.

andYRAHLADA MAHARAJ . YAJNASHALA6.

SCIENCE MUSEUM (a) 7. DOMED PLANETARJUM (b) .

THEATRE (c) . EXHIBITIONS (d) .

RINGED PLANETARIUM 8. GARUDA STHAMBA 9.

RECEPTION 10. DEITY STORAGE 11.

FOOT WASH 12. MANAGEMENT and LIFE MEMBERSHIP 13.

INFORMATION and PREACHING BOOTHS 14. RAISED PLATFORM 15.

GRAND PARIKRAMA 16. INFORMAL GARDENS 17.

RING ROAD IS. THEME PARK 19.

TOILETS - MALE 20. TOILETS - FEMALE 21.

PUJARI RESIDENCE 22. ENTRANCE PLAZA 23.

DEVOTEE and VIP ENTRANCE 24. MOAT 25.

As the complex hLls been titled the Temple of Vedic Planetarium, it has been conceived that the whole temple environment be seen as a mOdel of the universe, accordi ng to the

vedic description. This also been integrated with the Vastu -Puru sha Mandala.

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Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni are mu ch more than simply Sanskrit names for tlle notes o f the musica l sca le. Tiley embody the complete Vedic cos mological and spiritual world view and prov ide a working knowled ge ,)f creative potency . nlese sa me seven sound s offer a mea ns for withdrawing the so ul 'from the entang lement of matte r, fo r they ho ld the key to the crea tion and annhilation o f the material unive rse.

'Vibration' is defined as a patte rn of osc illations (peri-odic alternating quantiti ve cha nges) in a med ium, indu ced by the passage of ene rgy th ro ug h the mediuIll.

For example, when a s tone is drop ped into tlle quiet wate rs of a lake, the water is the m edium. The splash of the falling stone injects mechanical energy IIlto tile water, indu cing It to Vibrate in wave; tllis energy trave ls through the water in the fo rm o f ripples, or oscillations, that spread out from the po int of impact. These waves are alternating (up and down) changes in a quantitative, or measurable, aspect of the water: its depth. The cross-sec tion of the waves, and the concentri c circles made by them, is the pa tte rn

TIle alternating qualitative changes a re vibrations in atmospheric pressure; in o the r words, a wave of sound is composed of a compress io n o f the a ir immediately fo llowed by a rarefaction (rarefaction is the opposite of compress ion) TIle pattern is bo th the exac t degree and m,lnne r of compress ion and rarefaction, and the geometri c design of the so und vibrations se t up in the acoustic space enclosing the v ibrati on. TIlerefo re a sound vibration (nada) is d efined as a periodic pattern of alternating changes in atmospheric pressure indu ced by the pa ssage o f mechani ca l ene rgy thro ugh the air.

'Modulation' is the superimpos itio n o f one vibration upon another. An example would be to drop a large stone, thi s time, into the ocean . The ocea n is already full of waves (vibrations), but the s tone dropping into tile ocea n generates a new set o f waves that is superimposed upon tlle already ex is ting, and far more powerful set of vibrations is called the carrier, and tlle modulating vibra tion is called tlle s igna L

Below a re two chosen wave en ve lopes, based on an exponentia l curve. A 'SclLrodinger' wave eq uation, based on probability distribution, desribes how a pa rti-cle ex ists in space. When tilese curves are re fl ec ted in the ir y-a xis and then the two curves are superimposed , the rhytilmic forma tion g ives the basis for the temple design, whereby the separa te st ructures work toge tlle r as a s ingle harmonio us unit producing a co-ordinated aestiletic environment.

aesthetic concept

generation

7

General Concept Outside temple

Prep a ra tion / ed uca tion Science Museum (collections) Dome-sha ped Planetarium Theatre Philosophical

Inside temple Meditation/vision of universe Design concept

visual with sound & light effects progress at own pace, not in groups narration in writing or in booklet use tape recorders for detailed narration

Advantages or sequential "experience"

Inside Temple Concept Effect-message

Journey through the Universe & Beyond Voyage through the real world Journey thrugh space and time (to see liIas, historical

highlights) Voyage to Krishna

Constraints traffic flow related structural maintenance, etc.

Exhibition Methodology Each exhibit is walk through, environmental Possible transition methods

Curved passages with continuous audio messages Series of doors / gates to allow longer presentation

Sound and light effects should be mostly continuous Initial entry to an area includes presentation, with

varied time to go to the next area Subject Matter

Devi dham Garbhodak Naraka Loka Bila Svarga Earth Earthly dhams (Ayodhya, Dvaraka, Mathura, Vnndavan, Mayapur)

Svarga Sveta Dvipa Mahar/tapa/jnana/satya loka

Mahesh dham Brahmajyoti Hari dham Goloka dham

Ayodhya DvarClka Mathllrd Vrndavan MaYClpllr

1. Museum While many science centers have collections, they are usually not extensive, nor are they the focal point of an institutions offerings. However, as far as this planetarium presentation is concerned, it should be considered important that a 'collections area' is established. This will very much support the authenticity and antiquity of the Vedic civilization, which otherwise predominantly conflicts with western scholars' views. In order to properly present the Vedic view, and at the same time expose the modern concepts of the universe, we should explore the following areas of study. 1. Vedic vs Modern Astrology

2. Vedic vs Modern Cosmology (life comes from life)

3. Creation vs Evolution

4. Paleontology (the record of the rocks)

5. Cognitive science (Mind/Body and Soul/Mind)

6. Parapsychology (mystic siddhis) 7. Archeology (ancient civilization)

8. Linguistics (indo-European languages)

9. Economics (simple-living and high-thinking).

10. Environmental Studies (Vedic ecology)

The result of this is that a link would be made between the reality we observe in day-to-day life and the reality presented in Bhagavatam. It would be a complete uniformed, consistent and systematic presentation of the Absolute Truth, as it is.

2. Dome-shaped Planetarium In the dome-shaped planetarium will be the universe, depicted as a multi-level, multi-dimensional system. It is not possible to make a three dimensional model of such a system, although it can be explained with the combination of audio-visual. The size of the plan-etarium is to seat about 100-150 people and it is planned to have a conventional horizontal dome using a Digistar type projector, which has considerable computer graph-ics capability . Slides and video projection units will support the normal shows and be projected directly onto the dome. There will be some specific, more scholarly presentations, as well as presentations for a general audience.

3. Theatre The main theatre should be able to seat up to 350 people, and be used for the major film and video presentations, live drama and a combination of both. The theatre will be organised in such a way that it will accomodate both

small (100 or less) audiences as well as the larger 350 people for the major presentations, such as live dance, theatre, etc. {the video presentations produced can be shown on smaller screens in smaller video rooms that will be available depending upon the size and scope of the audience.

4. Philosophical Experience The philosophical experience has mainly been conceived to prepare one for what is to come ... entering the central structure and ascending the Vedic planetarium. Through a multi-media presentation, this area will be used to set the scene, by edu-taining the participant - answering the four fwldamental questions of Iife-

Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Who is God?

This will prepare one to take full benefit of the journey that's about to proceed. Following this, a brief animated account, with reference to the exhibitions in the planetarium could show Narada Muni and Gopakumar's experiences while travelling through the universe, from Bri/Ult Bhagavatamrita. This would give some structure through a parallelled format for our guests simulated journey.

Ringed Planetarium The planetarium of dioramas and exhibits will be i.n a ringed format around the temple proper, thus "Temple of Vedic Planetarium". It will show through sculptered exhibits and other 2 and 3-D visual aids, the different experiencable realities of the universe and beyond. TIle participants will move along the ringed floor to experi-ence the situations and events of life on the lower--middle-upper material planetary systems. Then onto Mahesh Dham, the Brahmajyoti, Vaikuntha and Goloka. The Goloka Dhama exhibits would be sub-divided into 4 areas. Ayodhya, Dvaraka, Mathura and Vmdavan, with the respective deities of Lord Rama, the Lord with His queens. Lord with Balaram, Krsna with the cowherd boys and Krsna with Radharani. In another area again would be the Lord in Navadwipa/Mayapur. Radha, Krsna and the gopis on one side/ Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates on the other. This is a scene from the Caitanya Mangala, by Locan das Thakur. It is meant to show that Radha and Krsna became Lord Caitanya and that the gopis became the associates of Lord Caitanya on Earth. TIle pOint is that Lord Caitanya has descended from the hight point in the spiritual sky to preach Krsna Consciousness. Therefore, this preach-ing and kirtan is the highest service. HeR', within the midst of Vmdavan, will be a Pancha-tattva kirtan scene. TIle highest goal is sankirtan.

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planetarium

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