Q: The Americans sent a spacecraft that circled the moon. How is this possible?
A: Why not?
Q: According to my understanding it is not possible to enter Chandra loka without the proper sukriti.
A: That restriction applies at the adhidaivika level. It is not possible to enter Candra-loka without puṇya. The spacecraft operates at the adhibhautika level. The physical surface of the moon is an inhospitable environment, with extreme temperature variation and the conditions are unsuitable for ordinary life. Space missions have reached this surface and returned verifiable data, which is publicly available from agencies such as NASA. This confirms that what is being accessed is a physical object.
Q: What is the adhidaivika level?
A: The distinction can be understood through an analogy. We speak of the sthūla-śarīra (gross body) and the sūkṣma-śarīra (subtle body). The gross body is perceptible to the senses, whereas the subtle body is not.
Similarly, the moon that is accessible to observation and travel is the adhibhautika moon, i.e. the physical object. The adhidaivika moon is the presiding reality associated with it, which is not accessible through the senses.
The scriptures describe Bhūmi devī, who went and prayed to Brahmā. We live on earth but she is not available to sensory perception.
The adhidaivika reality is beyond the range of the senses. Its existence is established through śāstra, not through observation.
Śrī Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā states that Candraśekhara Ācārya, the maternal uncle of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, was an incarnation of the moon-deity (Candra). Is the deity Candra described in this article the same as the one identified in the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā in relation to Candraśekhara Ācārya? If not- can you please clarify why is that so?
“112. The learned devotees know that Candraśekhara Ācārya was an incarnation of the moon-god, and Śrīmān Uddhava dāsa was an empowered incarnation of the moon-god.
113. Lord Caitanya personally affirmed that Candraśekhara Ācārya was an incarnation of the moon-god…”
What is the original? Please provide that and not the English translation. Then I can reply
Here is it:
चन्द्रशेखराचार्यश्चन्द्रो ज्ञेयो विचक्षणैः ।
श्रीमानुद्धवदासोऽपि चन्द्रावेशावतारकः ॥ ११२
अतश्चैतन्यहरिणा कथितोऽयं निशापतिः ।
श्रीमद्विश्वेश्वराचार्यो यः प्रागासीद् दिवाकरः ॥ ११३
Yes you are correct. He is called candra, meaning candra deva
But according to the classical understanding, Candradeva is regarded as an exalted jīva — nevertheless still a conditioned and bound soul under the influence of the guṇas. The devatās are not necessarily eternally liberated. However, Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s maternal uncle could not be of such a category; he must be a nitya-pārṣada. This is where my confusion arises. If Candradeva is indeed nitya-siddha, then what is the proper criterion for distinguishing which devas are nitya-mukta and which are merely highly empowered beings who are not liberated or not pure devotees?
Devatas can merge into the eternal associates of Bhagavan when it is time for their Lila. This is described in Krsna Lila.
What about the people living there and their mansions and soma juice..is t also adhidaivika..how do nayayikas or other darsanas explain this aspect?
Yeah adhidaivika. Nyaya does not bother with other planets- it is a philosophy for the earth.
Can you pls elaborate on this adhidaivik aspect of devas? Are not these mansions made of pancabhutas like earth etc,how then can they be not visible to our eyes.. atleast the earth element part of their mansions if not soma juice..as per nasa there is nothing but dust
Why can’t we see devas? By definition it is adhidaivika reality- it takes qualification to see them.
Arjuna was given special eyes to see visvarupa. Why?
Yes, it’s amazing that our eyes can’t see some earthly elements too which we can’t conceive of.But Viswarupa is not pancabautik form.
Vishwarupa shows the vishwa! Vishwa is made of pancabhutas