Danda 1995 - Suhotra Maharaja Archives

Answer by Suhotra SwamiMay 18, 1995Sambhu is a form of Siva who expands from Lord Sankarsana as He glancem at theMaya-sakti. Siva, the tamo-guna avatara, enshrines all the jivas who emanatefrom Lord Sankarsana in ahankara (false ego), which is produced of ignorance.Verses 8-10 of the Br.S. describe the "shrine" that bears the jivas on their wayto Maya as *linga*. *Linga* means "divine halo," "masculine symbol" or "malegenerating organ." This is the Sivalinga, so widely worshiped in India. This*linga* unites with the *yoni* (female generating organ) of Prakrti toimpregnate the jiva-souls into the material energy. Due to beány enshrined inegoism, these jivas think themselves the lords of the material world.DHRUVALOKAQuestion from Bhagavat Dharma dasJune 1, 1995In the CC Adi. 5.22 purport 25th paragraph it is mentioned: "A purifiedmaterialist who has performed many sacrifices, undergone severe penances etc.can reach such planets as Druhvaloka, and if he becomes still more qualifiedthere, he can penetrate still higher orbits and pass through the navel of theuniverse to reach Maharloka..." Isn't it that Dhruvaloka is a spiritual planet,and Maharloka a material one? How can an advanced materialist go to a spiritualplanet? Can you please elaborate on this?Answer by Suhotra SwamiJune 6, 1995In contrast to the information about the position of Dhruvaloka that is given inthe purport you have cited, we find the following statement in the purport of SB2.2.22.>>The topmost planetary systems consist of planets like Brahmaloka andDhruvaloka (the polestar), and all of them are situated betone Maharloka.Those who are righteous in performing devotional service but who are not purecan attain the planetary system of the polestar, or Dhruvaloka, where DhruvaMaharaja is presiding. He is a great devotee of the Lord, and he has a specialplanet, which is called the polestar.Dhruva Maharaja was offered Dhruvaloka, a planet that was never resided uponby any conditioned soul. Even Brahma, although the topmost living creaturewithin this universe, was not allowed to enter the Dhruvaloka.Sisumara or Dhruvaloka can never be reached by anyone but the Vaisnavas, aswill be described by the following slokas.