Text 116] Life’s Ultimate Goal 73

gavam eva tu goloko
durarohd hi sa gatih

sa tu lokas tvayd krsna
sidamanah krtatmana

dhrto dhrtimatda vira
nighnatopadravan gavam

When the King of heaven, Indra, surrendered to Krsna after Krsna raised
Govardhana Hill, Lord Indra stated that above the planetary systems wherein
human beings reside is the sky, where birds fly. Above the sky is the sun and its
orbit. This is the entrance to the heavenly planets. Above the heavenly planets are
other planets, up to Brahmaloka, where those advancing in spiritual knowledge
reside. The planets up to Brahmaloka are part of the material world (Devi-dhama).
Because the material world is under the control of Devi, Durga, it is called Devi-
dhama. Above Devi-dhama is a place where Lord Siva and his wife Umi reside.
Those brightened by spiritual knowledge and liberated from material contamina-
tion reside in that Sivaloka. Beyond that planetary system is the spiritual world,
where there are planets called Vaikuntha-lokas. Goloka Vrndavana is situated
above all the Vaikuntha-lokas. Goloka Vrndavana is the kingdom of Srimati
Radharani and the parents of Krsna, Maharaja Nanda and mother YaSsoda. In this
way there are various planetary systems, and they are all creations of the Supreme
Lord. As stated in Brahma-sarmhita:

goloka-nadmni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya
devi-mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tesu

te te prabhava-nicayd vihitas ca yena
govindam adi-purusarn tam aham bhajami

Thus Goloka Vrndavana-dhama is situated above the Vaikuntha planets. The
spiritual sky containing all the Vaikuntha planets is very small compared to Goloka
Vrndavana-dhama. The space occupied by Goloka Vrndavana-dhama is called
mahdkdsa, or ‘the greatest sky of all.” Lord Indra said, “We asked Lord Brahma
about Your eternal planet, but we could not understand it. Those fruitive actors
who have controlled their senses and mind with pious activities can be elevated
to the heavenly planets. Pure devotees who are always engaged in Lord
Narayana’s service are promoted to the Vaikunthalokas. However, my Lord Krsna,
Your Goloka Vrndavana-dhama is very difficult to attain. Yet both You and that
supreme planetary system have descended here upon this earth. Unfortunately, |
have disturbed You by my misdeeds, and that was due to my foolishness. | am
therefore trying to satisfy You by my prayers.”

Sri Nilakantha confirms the existence of Goloka Vrndavana-dhama by quoting
the Rg-samhitd (Rg Veda 1.21.154.6):
