The rest of the Moon-thing series will be background reference quotes from BBTI copyrighted materials (used with permission):
SB 5.22.8
When we take into account that the moon is 100,000 yojanas, or the modern
excursions to the moon could be possible. Since the moon is so
distant, how
space vehicles could go there is a doubtful mystery. Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are
uncertain. We have to accept the calculations of the Vedic literature. These
Vedic calculations are steady; the astronomical calculations made long ago
and recorded in the Vedic literature are correct even now. Whether the Vedic calculations or modern ones are better may remain a mystery for others, but as far as we are concerned, we accept the Vedic
calculations to be correct.
SB 6.9.1
One cannot directly perceive the kingdom of heaven, its king and other inhabitants, or how they perform their various engagements, for no one can
go to the heavenly planets. Although modern scientists have invented many
powerful space vehicles, they cannot even go to the moon, not to speak of
other planets. By direct experience one cannot learn anything beyond the
range of human perception. One must hear from authorities. Therefore Sukadeva GosvAmI, a great personality, says, "What I am describing to you,
O King, is what I have heard from authoritative sources." This is the Vedic
system. The Vedic knowledge is called zruti because it must be
received by
being heard from authorities. It is beyond the realm of our false experimental knowledge.
SB 7.14.36
Another point is that this universe is full of living entities from top to
bottom, on every planet (jIva-rAzibhir AkIrNaH). Modern scientists and so-
called scholars think that there are no living entities on planets other than this one. Recently they have said that they have gone to the moon but did not find any living entities there. But
SrImad-BhAgavatam and the other Vedic literatures do not agree with this foolish conception. There are living entities everywhere, not only one or two but jIva-rAzibhiH--many millions of living entities. Even on the sun there are living entities, although it is a fiery planet. The chief living entity on the sun is called VivasvAn (imaM vivasvate yogaM proktavAn aham avyayam). All the different planets are filled with different types of living entities according to different living conditions. To suggest that only this planet is filled with living entities and that others are vacant is foolish. This betrays a lack of real knowledge.
SB 7.15.50
It may be remarked in this connection that even the modern so-called scientists who are going to the moon are not able to stay there, but are
returning to their laboratories. Therefore, whether one goes to the moon by
modern mechanical arrangements or by performing pious activities, one must
return to earth. That is clearly stated in this verse and explained in Bhagavad-gItA. Even if one goes to the higher planetary systems (yAnti deva-
vratA devAn), one's place there is not secure; one must return to martya-loka. Abrahma-bhuvanAl lokAH punar Avartino 'rjuna: aside from the moon, even if one goes to Brahmaloka, one must return. YaM prApya na nivartante tad dhAma paramaM mama: but if one goes back home, back to Godhead, he need not return to this material world.
SB 8.2.14
SrImad-BhAgavatam presents the total knowledge of the affairs of the universe. It not only describes this universe, but also takes into account the spiritual world beyond the universe. No one can challenge the SrImad-
BhAgavatam's descriptions of the material and spiritual worlds. The attempts
to go from the earth to the moon have failed, but the people of earth can
understand what exists on other planets. There is no need of
imagination;
one may take actual knowledge from SrImad-BhAgavatam and be satisfied.
SB 8.10.38
The sun is first, then the moon, then Mars, Jupiter and so on. The sun is
supposed to be 93,000,000 miles above the surface of the earth, and from the
SrImad-BhAgavatam we understand that the moon is 1,600,000 miles above the sun. Therefore the distance between the earth and the moon would be about 95,000,000 miles. So if a space capsule were traveling at the speed of
18,000 miles per hour, how could it reach the moon in four days? At that
speed, going to the moon would take at least seven months. That a space capsule on a moon excursion has reached the moon in four days is therefore
impossible.
SB 10.3.27
In this connection, it may be noted that the moon is one of the
heavenly
planets. From the Vedic literature we understand that one who goes to the
moon receives a life with a duration of ten thousand years in which to enjoy
the fruits of pious activities. If our so-called scientists are going to the moon, why should they come back here? We must conclude without a doubt that
they have never gone to the moon. To go to the moon, one must have the qualification of pious activities. Then one may go there and live. If one has gone to the moon, why should he return to this planet, where life is of a very short duration?
SB 10.82.2
Vedic astronomers of five thousand years ago could predict eclipses of the
sun and moon just as well as our modern astronomers can. The knowledge of
the ancient astronomers went much further, however, since they
understood
the karmic influences of such events. Solar and lunar eclipses are generally
very inauspicious, with certain rare exceptions. But just as the otherwise
inauspicious EkAdazI day becomes beneficial when used for the
glorification
of Lord Hari, so the time of an eclipse is also advantageous for fasting and
worship.
SB 11.7.49
According to SrIla SrIdhara SvAmI, the sun is a fiery planet and the moon
is a watery planet. This is also confirmed by SrIla JIva GosvAmI and further
illustrates the ignorance of modern science about the actual nature of the
moon planet.
The above article was first published in the mid 1990s in the now defunct soc.religion.vaishnava newsgroup. The following are the Bhaktivedanta sources relating to the moon-thing:
A SYNOPSIS
THESE QUESTIONS DO NOT ARISE
BOOK REFERENCES
LECTURES
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
PRESS INTERVIEW
MOON DISTANCE DIFFERENCE
CONCLUSION
