4
The Sky Beyond The Universe

If even the higher planets in this universe are sub-
ject to birth and death, why do great yogis strive for
elevation to them? Although they may have many
mystic powers, these yogis still have the tendency to
want to enjoy the facilities of material life. On the
higher planets, it is possible to live for incredibly
long lifetimes. The time calculation on these planets
is indicated by Si Krsna:

sahasra-yuga-paryantam
ahar yad brahmano viduh

ratrim yuga-sahasrantam
te*ho-ratra-vido janah

“By human calculation, a thousand ages taken to-
gether is the duration of Brahma’s one day. And such
also is the duration of his night.” (Bg. 8.17)

One yuga covers 4,300,000 years. This number
multiplied by one thousand is calculated to be twelve
hours of Brahma on the planet Brahmaloka. Similarly,
another twelve hour period covers the night. Thirty
such days equal a month, twelve months a year, and
Brahma lives for one hundred such years, Life on
