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| Lokas |
Taken from the book: The Religious Aspects Of Hindu Philosophy Stated And Discussed. [archive.org]
According to many authorities, the universe is divided into three worlds (Tri-loka)—viz. heaven, earth, and hades. By others a division into only two is sanctioned, of which one includes the earth. In this division the worlds are classified as the upper and lower. In the upper worlds are included, first, Bhur-lok, the earth : then, Bhuvar-lok, the residence of the Munis, the region between the earth and sun : Swar-lok is the heaven of Indra: next comes Maha-lok, the abode of Bhrigu and other saints : Jana-lok, the residence of the sons of Brahma : Tapa-lok, the residence of the ” Vairagis:” and lastly, Satya-lok or Brahma-lok, the dwelling-place of Brahma himself. The lower worlds are beneath the earth : they are also seven in number, are placed one beneath the other, and constitute the residence of various evil beings. Their names are Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Rasatala, Talatal, Mahatal, and Patal. These reappear also in Puranic theology. In various texts, other regions are spoken of which must be considered subdivisions of those now enumerated. Thus in ascending to the heaven of Indra, the soul of the devout worshipper passes first to the realm of fire : thence to the regents of the day : thence to the abode of the gods ; thence, through the region of air, to the moon; thence to the realm of lightning. Above this is the realm of Varuna: and finally, follows the region of Indra. In the Upanishads but few references are made to this subject; yet the same classification seems to have prevailed in their day. Allusions are made to the ” seven retributive worlds of happiness :” and Brahma Loka is several times named : as also Pitri Loka.
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