176
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 7, Ch. 4]
opulent than the lower planetary system in which we live. Viśvakarmā, the famous heavenly architect, is known as the constructor of many wonderful buildings in the upper planets, where there are not only beautiful buildings, but also many opulent gardens and parks, which are described as  nandana-devodyāna , gardens quite fit to be enjoyed by the demigods. This description of the upper planetary system and its opulences is to be understood from authoritative scriptures like the Vedic literatures. Telescopes and the other imperfect instruments of scientists are inadequate for evaluating the upper planetary system. Although such instruments are needed because the vision of the so-called scientists is imperfect, the instruments themselves are also imperfect. Therefore the upper planets cannot be appraised by imperfect men using imperfect man-made instruments. Direct information received from the Vedic literature, however, is perfect, We therefore cannot accept the statement that there are no opulent residences on planets other than this earth.
TEXTS 9-12
यत्र विद्रुमसोपाना महामारकता भुवः । 
  यत्र स्फाटिककुञ्जानि वैदूर्यस्तम्भपङ्क्तयः ॥ ९ ॥ 
  यत्र चित्रवितानानि पञ्चरागासनानि च । 
  पयःफेननिमाः शय्या पुक्तादामपरिच्छदाः ॥ १० ॥ 
  क्लजद्भिर्नूपुरैर्व्यः शब्दयन्त्य हतस्ततः । 
  रत्नस्थलीषु पश्यन्ति सुदतीः सुन्दरं मुखम् ॥ ११ ॥ 
  तस्मिन्महेन्द्रमवने महाबलो 
  महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् । 
  रेमेऽभिवन्द्याङ्घ्रियुगः सुरादिभिः 
  प्रगापितैरुजितचण्डशासनः ॥ १२ ॥
yatra vidruma-sopānā 
  mahā-mārakatā bhuvaḥ 
  yatra sphāṭika-kuḍyāni 
  vaidūrya-stambha-paṅktayaḥ