theist Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 We hear and read that the Earth planet is the center of the universe and even that some spot on earth is more specifically the center. What does this mean to you? Do you take it literally or in some way metaphorically? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narasingh Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Our literal perception has already been suggested to be insufficient based on the Vedanta, as well as Tattva Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami and corroberated by Srila Prabhupada in his numerous purports of Shashtra. What we experience as literal is already questionable due to our imperfect senses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Not quite clear on your answer and how it relates to the question. Please simplify it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchandra Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 We hear and read that the Earth planet is the center of the universe and even that some spot on earth is more specifically the center. What does this mean to you? Do you take it literally or in some way metaphorically? Planet Earth is the center of the universe in that sense that from here the human beings move up to the heavenly planets or go to the 7 lower planetary systems. And as soon the results of their pious and impious activities is used up, they return to the Earth to start a next chapter. It seems that on the heavenly planets the enjoyment is so intense that although there're pious souls, they cannot become detached from material sense enjoyment and actually situated in pure devotional service. Opposite is true on the lower planets, sinful life and suffering is of such kind that you cannot easily perform bhakti-yoga. So they all have to return, either to go back to Godhead or to start a new chapter of a material career - in heaven or lower planets. In this sense the Earth is a real center of the universe. If the Earth is also mathematically the center is rather unplausible because in vedic culture everything is connected with functionality. Since planet Earth is moving we cannot be exactly in the center of the universe. At present, Earth orbits the Sun once for every roughly 366.26 times it rotates about its axis. This length of time is a sidereal year, which is equal to 365.26 solar days. The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.4° away from the perpendicular to its orbital plane, producing seasonal variations on the planet's surface with a period of one tropical year (365.24 solar days). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narasingh Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Theist, as we become aware of our pure conscious state, we will be obligated to question all literal ideologies; that which is literal has its base in our mundane perceptions. We must search for the spirit of existence. As my statement relates to your question, it means that your query must need a metaphorical address. I only gave my answer to your second question. To your first question; prakata (Gokul) Vrndavana is identical to aprakata (Goloka) Vrndavana; (Goloka) Vrndavana is the ultimate center; (Gokul) Vrndavana is displayed on earth; Earth is now the center of the universe (said in a metaphorically literal way ). Goloka=Center=Gokula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Planet Earth is the center of the universe in that sense that from here the human beings move up to the heavenly planets or go to the 7 lower planetary systems. And as soon the results of their pious and impious activities is used up, they return to the Earth to start a next chapter. It seems that on the heavenly planets the enjoyment is so intense that although there're pious souls, they cannot become detached from material sense enjoyment and actually situated in pure devotional service. Opposite is true on the lower planets, sinful life and suffering is of such kind that you cannot easily perform bhakti-yoga. So they all have to return, either to go back to Godhead or to start a new chapter of a material career - in heaven or lower planets. In this sense the Earth is a real center of the universe. If the Earth is also mathematically the center is rather unplausible because in vedic culture everything is connected with functionality. Since planet Earth is moving we cannot be exactly in the center of the universe. At present, Earth orbits the Sun once for every roughly 366.26 times it rotates about its axis. This length of time is a sidereal year, which is equal to 365.26 solar days. The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.4° away from the perpendicular to its orbital plane, producing seasonal variations on the planet's surface with a period of one tropical year (365.24 solar days). So Suchandra sees a meaning different then a mathematical one. I agree myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Theist, as we become aware of our pure conscious state, we will be obligated to question all literal ideologies; that which is literal has its base in our mundane perceptions. We must search for the spirit of existence. As my statement relates to your question, it means that your query must need a metaphorical address. I only gave my answer to your second question. To your first question; prakata (Gokul) Vrndavana is identical to aprakata (Goloka) Vrndavana; (Goloka) Vrndavana is the ultimate center; (Gokul) Vrndavana is displayed on earth; Earth is now the center of the universe (said in a metaphorically literal way ). Goloka=Center=Gokula Thanks. Now I hear ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarva gattah Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 We hear and read that the Earth planet is the center of the universe and even that some spot on earth is more specifically the center. What does this mean to you? Do you take it literally or in some way metaphorically? http://books.google.com.au/books?id=9oi64rTVwNMC&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=prabhupada+earth+planet+is+center+of+the+universe&source=web&ots=0mTjA479j4&sig=DodIRWhuwSbZHvPjWTtieLR9rWg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA57,M1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchandra Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Thanks. Now I hear ya. Prabhupada, May 17, 1975, Perth, "Millions of tons of water are floating in the air. That we see daily. So similarly, all these planets are floating by His arrangement. Not only floating. Making center that polestar, all the planets are moving around it, even the sun. So it is by His arrangement". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primate Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 If we assume that ultimately everything is one absolute unitary whole or consciousness (Advaita), then how could there be a (non-illusory) center of the universe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic Yogi Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 The Vedic text Vayaviya Tantra says that Naimisaranya would be the center or "hub" of the universe. In the Vayaviya Tantra, it is said that Brahma, the engineer of this particular universe, contemplated a great wheel which could enclose the universe. The hub of this great circle was fixed at a particular place known as Naimisaranya. Naimisaranya is on the Earth SB 1.1.4 purport, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Prabhupada, May 17, 1975, Perth, "Millions of tons of water are floating in the air. That we see daily. So similarly, all these planets are floating by His arrangement. Not only floating. Making center that polestar, all the planets are moving around it, even the sun. So it is by His arrangement". Yeah that is what the Bhagavatam says. I don't accept the cosmology of the SB myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted January 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 If we assume that ultimately everything is one absolute unitary whole or consciousness (Advaita), then how could there be a (non-illusory) center of the universe? You don't need Advaita for that. Some speculate that the material sky is unlimited which leads to the same conclusion about the center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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