Writings in Krishna Consciousness: ToVP

http://tovp.org/media-gallery/videos/

The construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (ToVP) – the biggest Vedic temple in the world - is well underway in the holy town of Mayapur in the east-Indian state of West Bengal. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Sri Krishna Himself in the role of His own devotee, appeared in Mayapur in A.D. 1486. He inaugurated the sankirtan movement. This movement has since spread all over the world due to the unyielding dedication of His devotees. The most recent and notable of His stalwart devotees was His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Prabhupada, between 1966 and 1977, singlehandedly established ISKCON – an international organization meant to carry Lord Chaitanya’s mission all over planet earth. While ISKCON continues to expand the sankirtan movement’s enlightening influence in various ways, construction of the ToVP is certainly its biggest project today. Once the ToVP starts functioning, the roaring and benevolent waters of Krishna’s Holy Names will quickly inundate the world.

Future Rests on the Past

The ToVP construction is far from complete and so can be said about the astronomical mission of the sankirtan movement. But from their current state we can say with certainty that the future of both is magnificent. Future rests on the past. Just like tall buildings owe their height to deep underground foundations, deep appreciation of the past inspires a stupendous future.

The Vedic culture is the oldest spiritual tradition known to man. In fact, the Vedic literature itself asserts that its tradition is timeless. In His introduction to transcendental knowledge, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna (BG 4.1):

çré-bhagavän uväca

imaà vivasvate yogaà

proktavän aham avyayam

vivasvän manave präha

manur ikñväkave 'bravét

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Çré Kåñëa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvän, and Vivasvän instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikñväku.

Srila Prabhupada infers in his purport that this knowledge has been extant in the human society for at least two million years. The sacred parampara (disciplic succession) system keeps the knowledge flowing from one generation to the next. But this current of spirituality cannot be taken for granted. The carriers of this system at any time in history are always up against the ever present opposing undercurrent of materialism that characterizes this material world. Time and again this untiring and sinister current sidelines the spiritual current and becomes prominent in the world. These are the toughest times for the bearers of the parampara system.

To set things right sometimes Krishna personally reveals true spiritual knowledge. About 5000 years ago he spoke the Gita to Arjuna in the dramatic setting of an all-encompassing world war.

sa eväyaà mayä te 'dya

yogaù proktaù purätanaù

bhakto 'si me sakhä ceti

rahasyaà hy etad uttamam

[Because it has been lost in the course of time …] I will tell you this very ancient science of one’s relationship with the Supreme. You will be able to understand the transcendental mystery of this science because you are My devotee as well as My friend. (BG 4.3)

And then 500 years ago Lord Chaitanya revealed the Gita once again by spectacularly living and emphatically teaching its practical message of devotion. But at other times it’s up to the acaryas - the extraordinary links in the parampara chain - to keep the message alive and distribute it profusely in society. The TOVP is a tribute to the glorious acaryas of Lord Chaitanya's super-excellent Gaudiya Vaishnav parampara.

It’s not easy to keep a flame burning amidst turbulent winds. It's tougher still to light more lamps in the process. While all links in the parampara are great, those who operate in turbulent anti-spiritual times and in the process create a blazing spiritual movement are definitely extra-special. We hail them as our acaryas, to glorify whom no words are enough.

After Lord Chaitanya and the six goswamis of Vrindavan left this world, by an inconceivable arrangement of the Lord the movement gradually disintegrated. By the 1700s, the ruling Moghul invaders had wantonly destroyed many temples in Vrindavan. Devotees were living under the constant threat of Moghul cruelty. During these oppressive times, Srila Vishwanath Charavarty Thakur single-handedly held fort for Gaudiya Vaishnavism in Vrindavan. His literary work, full of esoteric realizations about Vrindavan, was produced despite the times. His ardent follower, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana, when the very authenticity of Gaudiya Vishnavism was at stake, produced his landmark commentary on the Vedanata Sutra – the Govinda Bhashya. Despite strangling opposition these acaryas not only kept the tradition alive but also produced literature which is today the signature of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

By the 1800s, the British were ruling India. Their goal was to obliterate Vedic literature and culture. The British run education taught that the Vedic literature is full of fantastic mythological narrations with no connection to reality. This education influenced many young Indian intellectuals and made them reject Vedic schools of thought; the youth could hardly appreciate Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Most significantly, the state of Gaudiya Vaishnavism itself was pathetic. Many groups proclaiming to be Gaudiya Vishnavas had cropped up. But their behavior and philosophical understanding was far removed from the pure teachings of Lord Chaitanya. In fact they were known for indulging in obnoxious activities including illicit sexual relationships. Amidst such harsh and filthy anti-spiritual circumstances appeared the lotus - Srila Sacchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur. Against these strong opposing currents, he struggled hard to establish the pure and original teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He wrote extensively, preached door-to-door in villages, and published authentic philosophical works of the six goswamis. His son, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur carried forward his father’s mission with fiery zeal. Against all odds, he established the Gaudiya Math and its 64 branches all over India. His foremost disciple Srila A. C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada established ISKCON. Volumes of literature are available describing his monumental life and spectacular success. But we must not forget the unimaginable hardships that he underwent all his life just to serve his spiritual master and Lord Chaitanya. We must also never forget the driving force behind his struggles – his compassion for us.

If we deeply appreciate what these exalted acaryas have done for Krishna, the world, and us, we will always worship them within our hearts with intense gratitude and warm affection. The TOVP will express these highly elevated spiritual feelings by placing fifteen acaryas on the main altar. This will be the first time in Gaudiya Vaishnav history that so many past acaryas – from the six goswamis to Srila Prabhupada - will permanently reside on the main altar of a temple. Work on the deities of the acaryas has commenced. Dedicated artists are working hard using latest technology and a lot of research to create life-like deities. The fine details of each deity will portray the mood, personality, and if possible the prominent teachings of the acarya. Unlike the Lord, who can accomplish everything effortlessly, these acaryas toiled unimaginably hard. They used their spiritual acumen while depending on the Lord’s mercy alone. They accomplished what is ordinarily impossible. The TOVP is a salute to their sacrifice and contribution. Indeed, the sankirtan mission is growing all over the world on the philosophical, institutional, literary, and cultural foundation that they have laid. The ToVP is also rising on this foundation.

Taking Shape

Phase One of the TOVP construction is near completion. It consists of the RCC framework of columns, the brickwork, and the massive domes that will be the most striking feature of the temple. The RCC framework is complete. The spaces are now well-defined. The hugeness is now apparent. The brickwork has started defining the building’s edges. It has started looking more like a temple now than a mere construction site. The domes are growing. The central and the largest dome is being built in terms of rings of steel and concrete. As I write, the third ring is under construction. The domes will be ready by the first quarter of 2015. Apart from this, the best waterproofing company in the world is using the best technology to protect the superstructure against cracks and water seepage. The goal is to construct a building that will last for at least 1000 years without needing renovation. The massive structure of the TOVP is already visible from miles away. The residents there could already see Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi, now they can also see his gift to Lord Chaitanya.

Phase Two will be all about the finishing – both interior and exterior. There will be at least 22 packages of finishing work including carpentry, woodwork, flooring, doors, and windows. Also included are the astonishing gold work, marble cladding, and the kalash on top of each of the three domes. Apart from the gold inlays inside the temple, the domes will themselves be decorated by a mesh of gold work on the outside. Spotless white marble has started arriving from Vietnam. It will be used both for the interiors and the exteriors of the temple. Exquisite and rare dark blue marble has arrived from Bhutan for embellishing the gorgeous altar in the central dome. Work on the kalash design has started. Kalash is the Sanskrit word for a pitcher. It symbolizes abundance, new life, and growth. The kalash on top of TOVP’s central dome will be four storeys (68 feet) tall. It will be coated with the extremely hard ceramic material known as titanium nitride (TiN). TiN looks like gold and lasts very long. Using TiN will make the kalash maintenance free.

The team of artists working on the ToVP is considering every minute detail of the various aspects of its design. Each component, no matter how minute or how large, gets painstaking attention before getting finalized. The temple site is clean. The construction work is of the highest quality. This high quality is ensured not only by strict monitoring of the work but also by inspiring the workers. Recently all the workers attended a class on the importance and significance of the project.

As is widely known, from the top of the central dome will hang the world’s largest and the one-of-its-kind chandelier. The chandelier will depict the structure of the universe as described by the Srimad Bhagavatam. It will also depict the spiritual world beyond the universe leading up to the highest spiritual planet – Goloka Vrindavan. Visitors will be able to study the universe from multiple levels. At each level will be galleries and exhibits to explain the various aspects of the universe along with its purpose. The highest level will take visitors on a tour of the spiritual world. Detailed design discussions for the chandelier are underway. This chandelier was one of Srila Prabhupada’s most dear ideas.

It’s only a matter of time before the magnificent, exquisite, and sparkling TOVP will adorn the bank of the Ganges right where Lord Chaitanya inaugurated the sankirtan movement.

Srila Prabhupada’s Desire

Srila Prabhupada used to say that he works in Bombay, stays in Vrindavan, and worships the Lord in Mayapur. On Lord Chaitanya’s order, the six goswamis discovered and excavated many holy places in Vrindavan. Vrindavan is Krishna’s town. Similarly, recent Gaudiya acaryas have contributed immensely to Mayapur – Lord Chaitanya’s town. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur discovered Lord Chaitanya’s birthplace. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur discovered many other pastime places of Lord Chaitanya and founded the Gaudiya Math with one of it’s prominent branches - the Sri Chaitanya Math - in Mayapur. Similarly, the ToVP will be Srila Prabhupada’s most striking contribution to Mayapur. It’s Srila Prabhupada’s most ambitious project. It’s at Srila Prabhupada’s place of worship. It will be Mahaprabhu’s home.

Centuries ago, grand temples were constructed by devoted kings. For example, the massive Ranganath Swamy (a reclining form of Lord Vishnu) Temple in Trichy in the south-Indian state of Tamil Nadu was built between the 11^th and the 17^th century A.D. During this period, the rulers of the region changed, but all of them gave paramount importance to the temple construction. Times have changed. The rulers of the India don’t build temples anymore. Temples are now built by raising funds from the general public. Mayapur is the international headquarters of ISKCON. Consequently, the TOVP is not a local temple of Mayapur. It’s not even an Indian temple. Due the interconnected nature of the modern times, and the international outreach of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, the TOVP is an international temple. The general public for the TOVP is the entire population of earth.

Srila Prabhupada taught his followers to desire big for the service of Krishna. In the same spirit, the TOVP was one of Srila Prabhupada’s grandest desires. It is yet unfulfilled. Desires of pure devotees are fulfilled by the Lord Himself. For example, years before Srila Prabhupada started ISKCON, he had a desire to build a grand temple in Juhu, Mumbai. Years later the landmark Sri Sri Radha Raasbihari Temple manifested. Similarly, “when” is the only question to ask about the TOVP, not “if”. The TOVP team would like to relocate the deities - the Pancha Tattva, Sri Sri Radha Madhav and the asta sakhis, and Lord Nrsimhadeva - into the TOVP by 2022. When devotees of the Lord come together and cooperate in the spirit of gratitude and love, anything is possible.

Future in the Making

Today, the most prominent and powerful stream of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Pramapara is represented by Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON. The TOVP will be its dam. From this dam, innumerable streams will burst forth in various directions. They will irrigate the whole world with the nourishing waters of the Holy Names. Apart from redirecting waters to otherwise arid places, a typical dam also prevents floods. The TOVP will cause floods – roaring and benevolent floods of the Holy Name sankirtan:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare.

With TOVP, Mayapur will soon become the spiritual capital of the world. Its towering domes will not only be visible from miles away to the naked eye, but also all over the world via mass media. Its spectacular construction, vibrant culture, scientific education, and breathtaking beauty will attract millions. Even today Mayapur sees four million annual visitors. This number will shoot up exponentially. The number of devotees of Lord Krishna will thus shoot up proportionally. Mayapur will become the new Mecca and Vatican of the world. The acaryas who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the world will see the fruits of their sacrifice. It will bring joy to their hearts, and tears to their eyes. Can there be a greater gain?

The inauguration of the TOVP will open a new chapter in history. It will partition the history of the world into two – history before the TOVP, and history after it.

---

http://tovp.org/media-gallery/