Question: In Bhagavad Gita introduction, hardbound 19th page Prabhupada refers to ananda-maya and cin-maya planets. Could you please describe what these are from the universal structure perspective. Also, what is the difference between the two? Who goes to these planets upon leaving their body?
In the effulgent rays of the spiritual sky there are innumerable planets floating. The brahma-jyotir emanates from the supreme abode, Krsnaloka, and the ananda-maya, cin-maya planets, which are not material, float in those rays. The Lord says, na tad bhasayate suryo na sasanko na pavakah/yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama. One who can approach that spiritual sky is not required to descend again to the material sky. In the material sky, even if we approach the highest planet (Brahmaloka), what to speak of the moon, we will find the same conditions of life, namely birth, death, disease and old age. No planet in the material universe is free from these four principles of material existence.
Answer by Romapada Swami: These two terms [“the ananda-maya, cin-maya planets”] are generic; they refer in general to the Spiritual Planets.
These two terms do not refer to different planets in the spiritual realm;they refer to two of the spiritual aspects, namely ananda and cit, found therein.
According to the devotee’s mood and qualification, the fortunate soul who attains the spiritual realm will attain the particular spiritual planet suited for their pure bhakti.
