51. Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

51. Temple of the Vedic Planetarium:

“Practically this institution is the real United Nations. We have the co-operation from all nations, all religions, and all communities. It will be an international institute. To see the planetarium and how things are universally situated has nothing to do with sectarian ideas. It is a scientific presentation of spiritual life.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 76/26/6)

“Temple of Vedic Planetarium” will establish Vedic principles of life using scholarly methodology. It will scientifically educate its visitors on 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. Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted a scientific presentation of Vedic Culture, that would dispel all thoughts that it was mythological.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said the temple complex in Śrī Māyāpur Dhāma should be called “Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.” Giving this name indicates that Śrīla Prabhupāda saw the Vedic planetarium as a main feature of the temple. Besides a facility for darśana and deity worship, he wanted to use the temple to teach the public:

1. The hierarchical structure of creation with Kṛṣṇa at the top.

2. Our position in that creation.

3. The scientific validity of the Vedic view of reality.

4. Kṛṣṇa is the origin of creation.

Śrīla Prabhupāda indicated a model of the universe would be within the main temple. He wanted the experience of the planetarium to be integral with darśana of the deities. This experience generates appreciation of the Lord as the ultimate reality, greater than the greatest, and yet appearing before us in the transcendental deity form.

In traditional temples, darśana of the deity is given only within an exclusive sanctum sanctorium, far removed from the world. In contrast, the deities of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium would be seen in the broadest possible framework. Not only would They be seen within an enclosed sanctum sanctorium, but They would also be seen in Their splendorous manifestation within and without the cosmic creation.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said the temple dioramas should show the Vedic conception of the universe which includes the different planes of existence, beginning from the lower, middle, and upper planets of the material world, then to Śiva’s abode, Vaikuṇṭha and then Goloka Vṛndāvana.

goloka-nāmni nija-dhāmni tale ca tasya

devī-maheśa-hari-dhāmasu teṣu teṣu

te te prabhāva-nicayā vihitās ca yena

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

“Lowest of all is located Devī-dhāma (the mundane world). Next above it is Maheśa-dhāma (the abode of Maheśa). Above Maheśa-dhāma is placed Hari-dhāma (the abode of Hari), and above them all is located Kṛṣṇa‘s own realm named Goloka. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who has allotted their respective authorities to the rulers of those graded realms. (Brahmā-saṁhitā 43)

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s general instructions for the Vedic Planetarium are to establish the scientific basis of Vedic culture. He also wanted to revive and establish Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s saṅkīrtana movement as the prime benediction for humanity at large. The prime aim in the Māyāpur Temple of Vedic Planetarium is to show the relation between the Vedic picture of the universe and the world of our experience.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: “The planetarium should be based on the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. An escalator will take them up to the different planetary systems. We shall show the Vedic conception of the planetary system within this material world and above this material world. Just like they come here to see the Taj Mahāl, the whole world will come here to see the architectural culture, the civilization culture, the philosophical culture, and the religious culture by practical demonstration.

“It will be unique. There is no such thing all over the world. We will not only show them a museum, but we will educate people to that idea. As soon as the temple is finished, people will come like anything.” (Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes taken from ISKCON Temple of Vedic Planetarium by Pāda Sevānam dāsa)

“Jayapataka Swāmi said, ‘We should exhibit the farce of modern science, and how every philosophy and science group is just cheating the public. Then we should exhibit how Kṛṣṇa consciousness is showing the real way.’ In response, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, ‘Yes, do that in this Vedic Planetarium.’” (Srila Prabhupada Tapes 76/3/18)

Śrīla Prabhupāda once said that Bombay was his office, Vṛndāvana was his home and Māyāpur was his place of worship. “Māyāpur is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s place of worshiping Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He worshiped Lord Caitanya through His deity form, kīrtana, transcendental book distribution, and by offering the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. On the other hand, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is offering Śrīla Prabhupāda the glory of building the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. When we see such transcendental competition of service and love---between the Lord and his pure devotee-- we realize how insignificant our own service is.

“By building this temple the whole world will come to know Māyāpur, which means they will establish a relationship with the Lord (sambandha). And service to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu will begin from this big temple in Māyāpur (abhideya). This will result in experiencing an unlimited ocean of sweet kīrtana for the Lord (prayojana).” (Jananivāsa Dāsa Mayapur Journal 6.3)