Vedic Cosmology

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Introduction

The first eight chapters of Vedic Cosmology primarily take the form of a debate. On one side are the "Points" representing many of today's ostensibly Vedic-scientific theories. The response comes from our humble self in the form of "Brahmanda Saksat Tika" or "BST" for short, meaning "Vedic Cosmology taken literally. It should be mentioned that the discussions herein are not merely exercises in theoretical argumentation. Indeed the views expressed in "Points" do weigh heavily at present despite the fact that they are influenced by modern scientific theories which contradict Vedic literature. Thus these crucial issues and their conclusions will determine the degree to which we have understood His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's instructions on Vedic cosmology and the means of receiving transcendental knowledge.

The "Notes" sections at the end of the earlier chapters provide further evidence via BST as reference information. Throughout the book whenever the terms "Prabhupada" or "Srila Prabhupada" are sent hey refer to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He is also the translator and commentator of Srimad-Bhagavatam (45 volumes), Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya-caritamrta (17 volumes) and dozens of other Vedic translations.

Chapter Nine and Ten provide Srila Prabhupada's unedited words on the subject of building a Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur along with an analysis of the planetarium's correlative constituent-the Bhu-Mandala planetary system. Since this cherished desire of His Divine Grace remains yet unfulfilled, ISKCON devotees worldwide share its legacy as His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami nicely expresses it:

Chapter Eleven comprises all the cosmological topics contained within the Fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, both its texts and Srila Prabhupada's purports.

Chapter Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen comprise the available English translated texts by Western scholars of three famous Jyoti Sastras namely Surya-Siddhanta, Siddhanta-Siromani, and The Aryabhatiya Although Srila Prabhupada did not recommend that these be consulted, they are nonetheless being used by some of today's Vedically-oriented writings, even antithetically to the direct meaning of the Srimad-Bhagavatam's statements. Thus these nineteenth century texts are included as a reference to prevent their misuse.