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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.
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.
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 11th and the 17th
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.
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This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2014 issue of the Back To Godhead International
