http://truth.prabhupada.org.uk/bogus-gurus-book-changers-flat-earthers-smashed
There are three deviant philosophical concepts originating from international jewry’s agent Thomas Hertzig (Tamal Krishna). Two of them are firmly established as fundamental principles in ISKCON and the third is gradually being propagated for full acceptance:
That a conditioned soul can be worshiped as a pure devotee or spiritual master.
That Prabhupada’s original authorized books can be changed unlimitedly at the whim of any conditioned soul.
That the earth is a flat plane extending the full width of the universe.
These speculations are primarily based upon three different conversations between Thomas Hertzig and Prabhupada and are used as a form of ultimate authority on the above mentioned topics, even though they contradict the standard truths previously spoken by Prabhupada.
These conversations should be totally rejected as the primary source for understanding the above mentioned philosophical concepts as they completely break the fundamental principle required for the successful transmission of spiritual knowledge between the spirtual master and disciple.
TRANSLATION: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
PURPORT: The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple. No one can be spiritually realized by manufacturing his own process, as is the fashion of the foolish pretenders. The Bhagavatam says: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam–the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master, but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is 4.34
Regarding your question of the planetary systems, the planets are arranged in each universe in layers like the petals of a lotus. But in each layer there is mixed both heavenly, hellish and middle planets. On the outside layer there are these three kinds of planets, on the middle layers there are the three kinds of planets and on the inner-most layer there are found these three kinds of planets. Above these layers, in the center, is the Brahmaloka where Lord Brahma, the creator is residing. So the earth planet and the moon planet are both on the same layer but the earth is middle planet and the moon is heavenly planet.
Prabhupada Letter to: Rupanuga Los Angeles, 20 December, 1968
