49. ISKCON Māyāpur Project

49. ISKCON Māyāpur Project:

“Of all planets in the universe, Jambudvīpa (earth) is the worthiest. Of all places on earth, Bhārata-varśa (India) is supreme. Spiritually, Gauda-maṇḍala (Bengal) is the most exclusive. And of all places in Bengal, Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur is the crest jewel.” (Jaiva Dharma)

In this regard, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “There is no place in the world like Māyāpur.” (Mayapur Journal 2.2)

“The ISKCON Navadvīpa centre is situated on the Rudradvīpa island. Below Rudradvīpa, in Antardvīpa, is Māyāpur. There, Śrī Jagannātha Miśra, the father of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, used to reside. In all these different islands, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as a young man, used to lead His saṅkīrtana party. He thus inundated the entire area with the waves of love of Kṛṣṇa.” (Cc. Ᾱdi 13.30 pur.)

The 9 islands of Navadvīpa represent the 9 forms of devotional service mentioned in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

Although ISKCON is continually expanding and opening new centres throughout the world, Śrīla Prabhupāda always considered Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur to be the world headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness now has its world centre in Navadvīpa, Māyāpur.” (Cc. Ᾱdi 17.23)

Śrīla Prabhupāda envisioned a spiritual city of 50000 devotees living joyously together relishing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and spreading Śrī Caitanya’s teaching by their blissful example. This city would be the realization of the dreams of the previous ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda gave specific guidelines for development of the Māyāpur city, and he considered it his most important project. “I consider this Māyāpur Project to be our most important work.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 72/28/6)

“We are going to have a very big project at Māyāpur. We must acquire 350 acres of land from the Government and construct a spiritual town at the expense of Rs. 200 Crores. The plans and contemplations are going on in different phases. Now when Chaitanya Mahāprabhu will be pleased, it will be taken up.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 76/26/8)

“Make everything green there. By utilizing Western talents to develop this place certainly it will be unique in the world.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 75/14/7)

In a letter to Ramesvara Prabhu dated 74/25/10, Śrīla Prabhupāda said the main temple will extend upwards a full 30 stories. He also said he wanted roads, parks, and gardens like the description of Dvārakā in the Kṛṣṇa Book. From all over India and all over the world they will come to see. Kṛṣṇa will supply the money.

“Our Māyāpur program will be a great success. So, we must do it. It will be a world centre for teaching spiritual life. Students from all over the world will come, and we shall revolutionize the atheistic and communistic tendency of rascal philosophers. So, we must be responsible for this great task.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 71/9/1)

“The Śrī Māyāpur Project is the crown jewel of the mission of the previous ācāryas. It is the ultimate abode, the shelter of all living beings, and it offers the fulfilment of the highest hopes of mankind. As an already existing spiritual reality, it can be made manifest to the world in general by the dedicated and enthusiastic efforts of the sincere followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. By full surrender to the will of the Supreme Lord and His representatives, we can accomplish this without a doubt.” (Mayapur Journal 1.1)

“Once Śrīla Prabhupāda said to his Māyāpur managers, ‘I have given you the kingdom of God. Now take it, develop it, and enjoy it." (Prabhupada Lilamrta)