Urdhva lokas

The urdhva lokas or upper spheres of the world are composed of seven lokas or "world" according to Hindu mythology. The detailed explanation of them is found in Vishnu Purana.

List of lokas
  • Bhūloka - The sphere of the earth or Bhū-loka, comprehending its oceans, mountains, and rivers, extends as far as it is illuminated by the rays of the sun and moon; and to the same extent, both in diameter and circumference, the sphere of the sky (Bhuva-loka) spreads above it (as far upwards as to the planetary sphere, or Swar-loka). Wherever earthy substance exists, which may be traversed by the feet, that constitutes the sphere of the earth (Bhu Loka). ‘Bhu’ means ‘Earth’ and ‘loka’ means the surface of planet Earth, where we live.
  • Bhuva Loka - The region that extends from the earth to the sun, in which the Siddhas and other celestial beings move, is the atmospheric sphere (Bhuva Loka). Bhuva-loka is identified with Earth’s atmosphere and sometimes with the space which is in the immediate neighborhood of Earth.
  • Suva Loka - The interval between the sun and Dhruva, extending fourteen hundred thousand leagues, is called by those who are acquainted with the system of the universe the heavenly sphere (Suva Loka). Suva-loka (alternatively Swar-loka) is beyond Bhuvaloka. Some description makes it a planet inhabited by the Devas with their king Indra. Some references make it equivalent to the Swarga. Some Puranic references equate Suvaloka to the Solar System.
  • Maharloka - Above Dhruva, at the distance of ten million leagues, lies the sphere of saints, or Mahar-loka, the inhabitants of which dwell in it throughout a Kalpa, or day of Brahmā.
  • Janaloka - At twice that distance is situated Janaloka, where Sanandana and other pure-minded sons of Brahmā, reside.
  • Tapoloka - At four times the distance, between the two last, lies the Tapo-loka (the sphere of penance), inhabited by the deities called Vaibhrájas, who are unconsumable by fire.
  • Satyaloka - At six times the distance (or twelve Crores, a hundred and twenty millions of leagues) is situated Satya-loka, the sphere of truth, the inhabitants of which never again know death

These three lower spheres are termed transitory: the three highest, Jana, Tapa, and Satya, are styled durable 4: Maharloka, as situated between the two, has also a mixed character; for although it is deserted at the end of the Kalpa, it was not destroyed yet.

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See also

References

     This article incorporates text from [=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp065.htm The Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840], at sacred-texts.com, a publication from now in the public domain in the United States.

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