Recent articles on The Sun have unveiled the inherent ability of impressions (formed at first sight) to err, with regard to what it really is that the Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is declaring about our universe. Specifically, the descriptions of Bhu-mandala can, very easily, be misunderstood as propounding the flat Earth model. However, just as Rajasekhara Dasa Brahmachari explained in his February 25th article, titled "Flat Earth Theory - Completely Flattened", Srila Prabhupada completely demolished this notion:
Prabhupāda: "Jagad-anda. Jagad-anda means universe. Brahmanda or jagad-anda. Anda. Anda means it is egg-shaped, round, egg-shaped. Therefore it is called anda, brahmanda. Bhu-gola. Gola means round. I have heard that before the science, the people were under the impremssion that this world is square. Is it not?"Devotees: "Flat."Prabhupada: "Flat. Flat, yes. But in the Vedic sastra, millions of years ago it is mentioned: bhu-gola. Gola means round. Just see. And these rascals say that formerly people were not so intelligent. They are intelligent because they are thinking that this world is flat. And those who have spoken millions of years ago, "It is round," they will have less intelligence. Just see. Bhu, gola. Gola means round. Bhu-gola. Similarly, jagad-anda. Abda means round, just like egg. Anda means egg. Jagad-anda. This universe is egg-shaped. And we can see also, the sky is round. This is the wall of this universe."
(Lecture, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 1.43, London, July 30, 1973)
Furthermore, the following video was made and presented by Sadaputa Dasa (ACBSP) to many world scientists in Washington, DC. It clears up the whole issue and it is definitely worth watching:
Conversely, you could read an article adapted from that video here.
In conclusion, we should never forget that Prabhupadas books are there to ultimately convince us of taking up the performance of the Yuga-Dharma, the chanting of:
Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare
Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare
And of course, this will make you happy – Srila Prabhupada has guaranteed it!!
''Kṛṣṇa is therefore known as sruteksita, He who is seen through the ears. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.11) If we do not see God, it is because we don't hear Him. And we do not hear him because our desire is impure:
Kṛṣṇa, or God, is situated in everyone's heart. As you become purified, He speaks. He speaks always, but in our impure condition, we cannot hear.
(Srila Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture in Deli, November 16, 1973).'' [extracted from page 147 of Substance and Shadow - Suhotra Swami]
