Different realms in the Universe
Dr. Shanker Adawal (Jyotishaacharya, PHD, MBA)
HOME
In the Bhagavad Gita, we find a statement that there are three divisions of
material planes (regions) or planets in our universe. They are “urdhva-loka”
(highest), “madhya-loka” (middle), and “adho-loka” (lower). Above the urdhva-
lokas are the coverings of the material universe, beyond which lie the eternal
realms of existence. Within these three spheres of existence are 14 main regions
with different standards of life and duration of existence. The 14 regions are
named as follows, from highest to the lowest: 1. Satyaloka, 2. Tapaloka, 3.
Janaloka, 4. Maharloka, 5. Svarloka, 6. Bhuvarloka, 8. Atalaloka 9. Vitalaloka, 10.
Sutalaloka, 11. Talatalaloka, 12. Mahatalaloka, 13. Rasatalaloka, and 14.
Patalaloka.
Satyaloka
This is the abode of Lord Brahma, the progenitor of this material universe. Here, there are
some types of air-planes controlled by mantra, not by any mechanical means. The residents
have mind and intelligence, but no material gross bodies. They feel compassion for those
suffering in the lower regions, but do not suffer from fear, old age, or death. At the time of
final dissolution of the material planets, the residents here transform their subtle bodies into
spiritual bodies and enter the eternal Vaikuntha region or plane. Great yogis finally reach
this highest plant through the Milky Way, which is the ”highway” to this most elevated
planet, where the duration of life is calculated as 15,480,000,000,000 Years.
Tapaloka
This is the abode of the four Kumaras named Sanat, Sanaka, Sanandana, and Sanatana. In
this port of the universe, many great sages also reside due to their advancement through
spiritual austerity. The enjoyment available to the residents is inconceivable to us, as it is
beyond anything within our experience. When there is annihilation of the material universe,
the residents here also transform their subtle bodies to spiritual and enter the spiritual
world.
Janaloka
This planet, sill above the heavenly realms, is another abode of great saints and sages. This
region is populated by mystics, who move to higher levels, and eventually transform their
subtle bodies to spiritual, when the fire of devastation consumes the material possessions.
These residents can move between any region within the material universe as mystic
“spacemen” at speeds unthinkable to us.
Maharloka
When fully purified from material desire and contamination through sacrifice, penance, and
charity, one can reach the heavenly planes, and if advance further can pass through the
higher orbits to reach Maharloka. The greatest of sages, such as Bhrigu Muni, live in this
place. It is situated beyond the “Sisumara”, which is the pivotal point for the turning of the
universe. Advanced yogis reach this region and live here for 4,300,000,000 solar years.
When the fire of devastation almost reached this region, the residents transport themselves
to Satyaloka where they live further before this highest plateau of region is destroyed. They
then transform their subtle bodies to spiritual and enter the spiritual realms.
Dhruvaloka
In every material universe is one Vaikuntha region with an ocean of milk where Lord Vishnu
resides on an island called Svetadvipa. This region is Dhruvaloka. Living here are
personalities completely pure. In our universe, this planet is seen as the polestar and is
situated above the planes of the Seven Rishis. As it is a spiritual body, it is eternal and
therefore remains when all other planes within the material universes are destroyed. It is
said that this region is the pivot for the orbits of all material stars and planets. All planets
travel at high speeds in orbit, including the sun, which travels 16,000 miles per second in its
orbit around Dhruvaloka. The planets of the seven sages are stars just below this plane that
also orbit Dhruvaloka. They are always concerned with the welfare of the living entities
within this material world and send emissaries to bring spiritual knowledge at various times
and circumstances.
Sanaischara (Saturn)
Saturn is considered an inauspicious planet astrologically, as it gives painful lessons to us
here on earth. It is situated 1,600,000 miles beyond Jupiter and passes through one sign of
the zodiac every 30 months.
Brithaspati (Jupiter)
Jupiter is considered the most auspicious heavenly planet and is generally considered
favorable astrologically, depending on placement at the time of our births here on earth. It
is a planet of devas, and situated 1,600,000 miles beyond Mars.
Angaraka (Mars)
Mars is considered to be a malefic planet, which creates lack of rainfall on earth and almost
always is capable of creating unfavorable influences. It is situated 1,600,000 miles beyond
Mercury.
Buddha (Mercury)
Mercury is said to be the son of the Moon and is 1,600,000 miles beyond the planet Venus.
As does Venus, it sometimes movies behind the Sun, sometimes in front, and sometimes
along with it. Generally the influence of Mercury is said to be auspicious astrologically,
except when not moving with the Sun. At such times, this planet causes great storms on
earth.
Beneath the higher worlds, in the sky, are the residences of the Yakshas, Rakshashas,
Pisachas, ghosts, and other ethereal beings. This realm extends as far as the wind blows
and the clouds move in the sky.
Sukra (Venus)
Venus is considered an auspicious and favourable planet. It is said to bring rainfall, another
reason for it being considered auspicious to sustain life on earth.
Chandraloka (Moon)
The Moon is one of the four very important residences of the demigods. Those who worship
the demigods. Those who worship the demigods through sacrifice aimed at great material
enjoyment are promoted to the Moon. Here the celestial, intoxicating beverage called
“soma” is available. It is not possible to enter into or even see the actual heavenly
dimensions of this planet with our present human eyes. The Moon passes through the entire
zodiac in approximately one month. He influences the growth of vegetation and therefore
considered the life-giver for all living beings on earth.
Surya (Sun)
The Sun is the sources of light and heat for our universe. Modern science considers many
stars also to be Suns, but in the vedic literature, they are considered to be planets of
varying material elements, (not the centre, as is the Sun). Surya, the sun god, is considered
an expansion of Lord Narayana (a form of Lord Vishnu). Sun controls the seasons here on
earth. It is situated between Bhuloka and Bhuvarloka, rotating through the time-circle of the
zodiac. Yogis practicing Hatha or Ashtanga yoga, or those performing agnihotra sacrifices,
worship the Sun form their benefit. The demigods belonging to the Sun region have bodies
made of fire, necessary for life here.
Rahu
Rahu is said to be an invisible planet, which is situated 80,000 miles below the Sun. It
causes solar and lunar eclipses, as Rahu, along with Ketu, are the North and South nodes of
the Moon respectively.
Siddhaloka, Caranaloka, & Vidyadharaloka
These regions are 80,000 miles below Rahu. The residents of these regions are born with
natural mystic powers, including the ability to fly without mechanical means, even to other
planets. They have all the mystic siddhis, and being materially perfect beings can control
gravity, time, and space. Their arts, culture, and sciences are far superior to the knowledge
possessed by us here as in the earthly realm.
Yakshaloka & Rakshashaloka
Beneath these higher plateau in the sky called “antariksha”, are the residences of the
Yakshas, Rakshashas, Pisachas, ghost, under the other etheral beings. This realm extends
as far as the wing blows and clouds are in the sky. Above this there is no air.
All the regions in the material world will, in course of time, be annihilated. This annihilation
of the material world is the exact reverse of the process of creation. Everything ultimately
rests within the Supreme Absolute.
Bhu-mandala (Middle Earth)
The planetary systems of the middle of the earth (Bhumandala or Bhuloka) are abodes of
both standards of living such as we enjoy on our planet, as well as some heavenly abodes,
where living being may “stop” on the way to, or from, births in the heavenly planetary
systems. There are seven planetary systems, which are divided by seven oceans. The
names of the planetary systems are Jambu, plaksha, Salmali, kusha, Krauncha, Shaka, and
Pushkara. Each system is twice as large as the one preceding it, and each ocean between
the systems are made respectively of salt water, sugarcane juice, liquor, ghee, milk,
emulsified yogurt, and sweat water.
Bhumandala is shaped like a lotus flower and the seven planetary systems are in the whorl
of the lotus. The radius of Bhumandala extends as far as the sunshine, and the limits of our
vision here to see the stars and moon. As the sun shine reaches from a distance of
93,000,000 miles, this is the radius of the plane of the Bhumandala.
Lower Regions
Below the earth are seven other systems called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala,
Rasatala, and Patala. These lower planes are the same size as the earth and begin 560,000
miles below earth. Sunshine does not reach these areas. These regions are populated by
persons of great power and opulence, yet of demoniac consciousness, who have reached
here through austerity aimed at material enjoyment without spiritual development. They do
not become old and diseased and fear only the time factor, which ultimately must destroyed
their abodes. Therefore they are given the name of “bilasvarge”, or subterranean heavenly
planets.
The residence here enjoy a standard of material comfort more opulent then even the higher
planets, due to their desires for high standards of sensual enjoyment wealth, and influence.
The residents are known as Daityas, Danavas, and Nagas and are all engaged in illusory
material enjoyment with no thought of spiritual liberation. There are incredible feats of
architecture in their cities bedecked with valuable jewels in houses, gardens, compounds,
etc. All residents drink juices and bathe in herbal elixirs, which free them from any anxiety
or physical disease, as well as any sigh of physical aging. The visual beauty of these
artificial heavens surpasses that of the higher planets and this sensual atmosphere
completely capture the mind, allowing no thoughts but those directed toward sensual
pleasure and happiness. Since time is not divided into days and night due to sunshine NOT
reaching these planets, they have no fear produced by time. Only at the time of dissolution
do anxiety and fear consume them.
Narakaloka, the Hell
Beneath the patalaloka, and slightly above the water of the Garbhodaka ocean, are the
Narakalokas, or the hell. These regions indicate of different degrees of suffering for those
who must endure life there. Here on earth, we can see many hellish circumstances of
suffering for people, but nothing like what is experienced on these planets. They are said to
be a place of rectification for those who commit the most abominable actions while living as
humans on the earthly plane. Although life here seems like it goes on for an eternity, in
actual fact the duration of one’s “karmic sentence” here may be only seconds or moments.
There are 28 different hellish planets described in the Vedic literatures. These descriptions
of the material creation, as well as the spiritual planets, may be found in several Vedic
literatures to a far greater depth.
All of the planetary systems in the material world will, in course of time, be annihilated. This
annihilation takes place in two ways. Partial annihilation occurs every 4,300,000,000 solar
years, or at the end of each day on Satyaloka. This extends from the hellish regions through
all lower planetary systems up to the heavenly planets. The highest regions are not
annihilated at this time. The entire cosmic manifestation is wound up in the universal form
of God every 8,600,000,000x30x12x100 solar years. The spiritual world, which is never
annihilated, simply absorbs the material creation. It is described that before the destruction,
there is no rain for hundreds of years everything dries up and dies due to continuous
sunshine. The sum becomes 12 times as powerful as was previously. Then there are
horrendous rains that absorb everything into water. The mortal bodies of living entities,
including all vegetation, merge into the earth. The earth merges into its subtle sensation of
fragrance. Fragrance merges into water, and water merges into its quality of taste. That
taste merges into fire, which merges into form. Form merges into touch and touch into
ether. Ether finally merges into the sensation of sound. The senses all merge into their
origins, the presiding devas and demigods, then they merge into the controlling mind which
merges into ego in the mode of goodness. Sound becomes one with ego in the mode of
ignorance, and ego (the first of all the physical elements), merges into the total nature. The
total material nature dissolves into the modes (goodness, passion, and ignorance). These
modes then merge into the unmanifest form of nature, and that unmanifest form merges
into time. Time merges into the Supreme Godhead, present as Maha Vishnu, the original
creator of the cosmic manifestation. The origin of all life merges into God, the unborn
Supreme Soul, who remains one without a second, and from whom all creation and
annihilation takes place. This annihilation of the process of creation. Everything ultimately
rests within the Supreme Absolute.
Shanker Adawal
Profile: www.connectingmind.com
Research work and articles on Bhrigu Nadi astrology: www.shankerstudy.com
www.shankarsastro.com
Published articles on Articlesbase.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/shanker-adawal/149926
or search keyword "shanker adawal" in google search for published articles
Join my Facebook Group for free Astro Queries: www.facebook.com/adawal
Published articles on Newspapers: http://tinyurl.com/2wyxtfk
Year 2012 for you: http://tinyurl.com/2012foryou