Time and Creation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_cosmology

Hindu cosmology

In Hindu cosmology the universe is cyclically created and destroyed in the timespan of 8.64

billion years. Deeply rooted in Hindu literature including Vedas and Puranas, it is believed time

is divided into four epochs or Yuga, of which we occupy the final. In roughly 432,000 years the

final Avatar Kalki will end time. Narayana destroys all this existence while creating a new

existence. Time starts over.

Hindu cosmology also describe the aspects of evolution, astronomy, astrology, creation etc.

Contents

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1 Description

2 Further elaborations from the Vedic texts

o 2.1 Rig Veda

o 2.2 The Puranas

3 Multiverse in Hinduism

4 Reception

5 See also

6 Notes

7 References

8 Further reading

9 External links

Description[edit]

The Hindu cosmology and timeline is considered by some the closest to modern scientific

timelines[1] and even more which might indicate that the Big Bang is not the beginning of

everything,[2] but just the start of the present cycle preceded by an infinite number of universes

and to be followed by another infinite number of universes.[3]

The Rig Veda questions the origin of the cosmos in: "Neither being (sat) nor non-being was as

yet. What was concealed? And where? And in whose protection?…Who really knows? Who can

declare it? When was it born, and when came this creation? The devas were born later than this

world's creation, so who knows from where it came into existence? None can know from where

creation has arisen, and whether he has or has not produced it. He who surveys it in the highest

heavens, He alone knows-or perhaps does not know." (Rig Veda 10. 129)[4]

Large scale structure of the Universe according to one Hindu cosmology.

Map 2: Intermediate neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.

Map 3: Local neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.

The Rig Veda's view of the cosmos also sees one true divine principle self-projecting as the

divine word, Vaak, 'birthing' the cosmos that we know, from the monistic Hiranyagarbha or

Golden Womb. The universe is considered to constantly expand since creation and disappear into

a thin haze after billions of years.[citation needed] An alternate view is that the universe begins to

contract after reaching its maximum expansion limits until it disappears into a fraction of a

millimeter.[citation needed] The creation begins anew after billions of years (Solar years) of non-

existence.

The puranic view asserts that the universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an eternally

repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, a universe endures for about 4,320,000,000

years (one day of Brahma, the creator or one kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water

elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, named

pralaya (literally especial dissolution in Sanskrit, commonly translated as Cataclysm), repeats

for 100 Brahma years (311 Trillion, 40 Billion Human Years) that represents Brahma's lifespan.

Brahma is regarded as a manifestation of Brahman as the creator.

In current occurrence of Universe, we are believed to be in the 51st year of the present Brahma

and so about 156 trillion years have elapsed since he was born as Brahma. After Brahma's

"death", it is necessary that another 100 Brahma years (311 Trillion, 40 Billion Years) pass until

a new Brahma is born and the whole creation begins anew. This process is repeated again and

again, forever.

Brahma's day is divided in one thousand cycles (Maha Yuga, or the Great Year). Maha Yuga,

during which life, including the human race appears and then disappears, has 71 divisions, each

made of 14 Manvantara (1000) years. Each Maha Yuga lasts for 4,320,000 years. Manvantara is

Manu's cycle, the one who gives birth and governs the human race. before & after each

manvantara there's a sandhikal as long as krutyuga & in that time there is all water on earth. Each

Maha Yuga consists of a series of four shorter yugas, or ages. The yugas get progressively worse

from a moral point of view as one proceeds from one yuga to another. As a result, each yuga is

of shorter duration than the age that preceded it. The current Kali Yuga (Iron Age) began at

midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar (Year 6898 of

the Holocene Era.) kalpa=ahoratra of brahma. Space and time are considered to be maya

(illusion). What looks like 100 years in the cosmos of Brahma could be thousands of years in

other worlds, millions of years in some other worlds and 311 trillion and 40 billion years for our

solar system and earth. The life span of Lord Brahma, the creator, is 100 'Brahma-Years'. One

day in the life of Brahma is called a Kalpa or 4.32 billion years.[5][6] Every Kalpa creates 14

Manus one after the other, who in turn manifest and regulate this world. Thus, there are fourteen

generations of Manu in each Kalpa. Each Manu's life (Manvantara) consists of 71 Chaturyugas

(quartets of Yugas or eras).[7] Each Chaturyuga is composed of four eras or Yugas: Satya, Treta,

Dwapara and Kali.[7] If we add all manvantaras(4320000x71x14), as long as 4 chaturyuga will be

missing because sandhikaal after and before each manvantara (so 15 sandhikaal).

The span of the Satya Yuga is 1,728,000 human years, Treta Yuga is 1,296,000 human years

long, the Dwapara Yuga 864,000 human years and the Kali Yuga 432,000 human years.[8]

When Manu perishes at the end of his life, Brahma creates the next Manu and the cycle

continues until all fourteen Manus and the Universe perish by the end of Bramha's day. When

'night' falls, Brahma goes to sleep for a period of 4.32 billion years, which is a period of time

equal one day (of Brahma) and the lives of fourteen Manus. The next 'morning', Brahma creates

fourteen additional Manus in sequence just as he has done on the previous 'day'. The cycle goes

on for 100 'divine years' at the end of which Brahma perishes and is regenerated. Bramha's entire

life equals 311 trillion, 40 billion years. Thus a second of Brahmā is 98,630 years. Once Brahma

dies there is an equal period of unmanifestation for 311 trillion, 40 billion years, until the next

Bramha is created. During one life of Brahma there are 504 000 Manus (Vedic "Adams") are

changing, there are 5040 Manus are changing during one year of Brahma, and 420 Manus

manifest during one month of Brahmā. (See: List of numbers in Hindu scriptures for more such

numeric details).

The present period is the Kali Yuga or last era in one of the 71 Chaturyugis (set of four

Yugas/eras) in the life one of the fourteen Manus. The current Manu is said to be the seventh

Manu and his name is Vaivasvata.[9]

According to Aryabhata, the Kali Yuga began in 3102 BC, at the end of the Dvapara Yuga that

was marked by the disappearance of Krishna Aryabhata's date is widely repeated in modern

Hinduism.

The beginning of the new Yuga (era) is known as "Yugadi/Ugadi", and is celebrated every year

on the first day (Paadyami) of the first month (Chaitramu) of the 12-month annual cycle. But this

is a disambiguation for beginning of new year in lunisolar calendar followed by most Hindus.

The Ugadi of 1999 begins the year 1921 of the Shalivahana era (5101 Kali Yuga, 1999 AD). The

end of the Kali Yuga is 426,899 years from 1921.[10]

Overview of Yugas:

1. Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga):- 1,728,000 Human years

2. Treta Yuga:- 1,296,000 Human years

3. Dwapara Yuga:- 864,000 Human years

4. Kali Yuga:- 432,000 Human years (as of 2009, 5,111 years have passed; 426,889 years

remain). Kaliyuga started in 3102 B.C.

Further elaborations from the Vedic texts[edit]

Rig Veda[edit]

The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda describes the origin of the universe. The Rig Veda's view of

the cosmos also sees one true divine principle self-projecting as the divine word, Vaak, 'birthing'

the cosmos that we know, from the monistic Hiranyagarbha or Golden Egg.[11] The Universe is

preserved by Vishnu (The God of Preservation) and destroyed by Shiva (The God of

Destruction). These three constitute the holy trinity (Trimurti) of the Hindu religion. Once the

Universe has been destroyed by Shiva, Brahma starts the creation once again. This creation-

destruction cycle repeats itself almost endlessly as described in the section above on Brahma,

Manu and the Yugas.

The Puranas[edit]

The later Puranic view asserts that the Universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an

eternally repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, a universe endures for about

4,320,000,000 years—one day/Kalpa of Brahma, the creator, and is then destroyed by fire or

water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process,

named Pralaya (Cataclysm), repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion, 40 billion human years)

that represents Brahma's lifespan. Brahma is the creator but not necessarily regarded as God in

Hinduism because there are said to be many creations. Instead, he is regarded as a creation of the

Supreme God or Para Brahman.

We are currently believed[12] to be in the 51st year of the present Brahma's life and so about 158.7

trillion years have elapsed since the birth of Brahma. After Brahma's "death", it is necessary that

another 100 Brahma years pass until he is reborn and the whole creation begins anew. This

process is repeated again and again, forever.

Brahma's day is divided in one thousand cycles (Maha Yuga, or the Great Year). Maha Yuga,

during which life, including the human race appears and then disappears, made of 14

Manvantarahas each has 71 divisions. Each Maha Yuga lasts for 4,320,000 years. Manvantara is

Manu's cycle, the one who gives birth and governs the human race.

Each Maha Yuga consists of a series of four shorter yugas, or ages as described earlier. The

degree of happiness, prosperity and righteousness progressively decays as one proceeds from one

yuga to another. Each yuga is of shorter duration than the age that preceded it. The current Kali

Yuga (Iron Age) began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian

calendar. (Year 6898 of the Holocene Era.)

Only some Puranas describe a universe that is cyclical or oscillating and infinite in time. The

universe is described as a cosmic egg that cycles between expansion and total collapse. It

expanded from a concentrated form — a point called a Bindu. The universe, as a living entity, is

bound to the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

The Padma Purana discusses the number of different types of life-forms in the universe.

According to the Padma Purana, there are 8,400,000 life-form species, 900,000 of which are

aquatic ones; 2,000,000 are trees and plants; 1,100,000 are small living species, insects and

reptiles; 1,000,000 are birds; 3,000,000 are beasts and 400,000 are human species. [13]

Multiverse in Hinduism[edit]

The concept of multiverses is mentioned many times in Hindu Puranic literature, such as in the

Bhagavata Purana (400–1000 CE):

Every universe is covered by seven layers — earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false

ego — each ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides

this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore

You are called unlimited (Bhagavata Purana 6.16.37)

After separating the different universes, the gigantic universal form of the Lord, which came out

of the causal ocean, the place of appearance for the first puruṣa-avatāra, entered into each of

the separate universes, desiring to lie on the created transcendental water (Bhagavata Purana

2.10.10)

The number of universes seems to be uncountable, immeasurable, or incalculable according to

the Puranic literature:

Even though over a period of time I might count all the atoms of the universe, I could not count

all of My opulences which I manifest within innumerable universes (Bhagavata Purana

11.16.39)

Analogies to describe multiple universes also exist in the Puranic literature:

What am I, a small creature measuring seven spans of my own hand? I am enclosed in a potlike

universe composed of material nature, the total material energy, false ego, ether, air, water and

earth. And what is Your glory? Unlimited universes pass through the pores of Your body just as

particles of dust pass through the openings of a screened window (Bhagavata Purana 10.14.11)

Because You are unlimited, neither the lords of heaven nor even You Yourself can ever reach the

end of Your glories. The countless universes, each enveloped in its shell, are compelled by the

wheel of time to wander within You, like particles of dust blowing about in the sky. The śrutis,

following their method of eliminating everything separate from the Supreme, become successful

by revealing You as their final conclusion (Bhagavata Purana 10.87.41)

The layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times thicker than the one before,

and all the universes clustered together appear like atoms in a huge combination (Bhagavata

Purana 3.11.41)

Yoga Vashishtha, the text which states conversations between Vashistha, a rig vedic teacher, and

various Gods and Kakbhusundi, a creature which stands outside of normal time and sees all. It

recounts the cyclical nature of time, where Kakabhushundi has seen Ramayan 11 times with

different outcomes and seen Mahabharat 16 times with different results, but, after seeing Daksha

Yagya twice, he did not either care to see it again or saw no point to seeing any more, as it ended

the same way each time. Further conversations talk about the atoms or anu at quantum level and

inside each quantum level are different universes. A sorrowful queen is shown that her husband

is still alive in one of the quantum or atomic universes and ruling wisely and is given the option

to join him there. The idea of Heisenberg's Principle is enunciated when a rishi visits and

illustrates a decision tree by showing how several parallel universes, with all possible results of a

decision, could occur and uses that illustration to explain why he took the decision he did in this

universe.

Reception[edit]

Science writers Carl Sagan and Fritjof Capra have pointed out similarities between the latest

scientific understanding of the age of the universe, and the Hindu concept of a "day and night of

Brahma", which is much closer to the current known age of the universe than other creation

views. The days and nights of Brahma posit a view of the universe that is divinely created, and is

not strictly evolutionary, but an ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth of the universe.

According to Sagan:

The Hindu dharma is the only one of the world's great faiths dedicated to the idea that the

Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite, number of deaths and rebirths. It is the

only dharma in which time scales correspond to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its cycles

run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion years long, longer

than the age of the Earth or the Sun and about half the time since the Big Bang.[14]

Hindu units of time

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vedic and Puranic texts describe units of Kala measurements, from Paramaṇu (about 17

microseconds) to Maha-Manvantara (311.04 trillion years). According to these texts, the creation

and destruction of the universe is a cyclic process, which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts

with the birth and expansion (lifetime) of the universe equaling 311.04 trillion years, followed by

its complete annihilation (which also prevails for the same duration). The current Universe was

created in Padma kalpa, the last day Kalpa of 50th year of Brahma. This is 10.51 billion years

ago. This figure is close to the modern estimated age of the universe in ≈ 13.79 billion years.

Contents

[hide]

Hindu measurements in logarithmic scale (approx.).

Various units of time are used across the Vedas, Puranas, Mahabharata, Suryasidhanta etc.[citation

needed] Especially, Nimesha's multiple, it varies to 3, 10, 15, 18, 20, 27, 30, 45, 48, 60. At the lower

end, these are pretty consistent. The Complete Hindu metrics of time (Kāla Vyavahāra) can be

summarised as below.

Sidereal metrics[edit]

Unit Definition Equivalence (Approx.)

Truti

0.031 µs

Renu 60 Truti 1.86 µs

Lava लव 60 Renu 0.11 ms

Līkṣaka ल 60 Lava 6.696 ms

Lipta ल 60 Leekshaka 0.401 s

Vipala व ल

Pala ल

60 Lipta 24.1056 s Vighaṭi व

Vinādī व

Ghaṭi

60 Vighaṭi 24 min Nādī

Danda

Muhūrta 2 Ghaṭi 48 min

Nakṣatra Ahorātram (Sidereal Day) 60 Ghaṭī 24 h

30 Muhūrta 24 h

Alternate system

Unit Definition Equivalence (Approx.)

Truti

35.5 µs

Tatpara 100 Truti 3.55 ms

Nimesha 30 Tatpara 106.7 ms

Kāṣṭhā 30 Nimesha 3.2 s

Kalā 30 Kāṣṭhā 1.6 min

Muhūrta 30 Kalā 48 min

Nakṣatra Ahorātram (Sidereal Day) 30 Muhūrta 24 h

Small units of time used in the Vedas[edit]

Unit Definition Equivalence (Approx.)

Paramāṇu

26.3 µs

Aṇu 2 Paramāṇu 57.7 µs

Trasareṇu 3 Aṇu 158 µs

Truṭi 3 Trasareṇu 474 µs

Vedha 100 Truṭi 47.4 ms

Lava 3 Vedha 0.14 s

Nimeṣa 3 Lava 0.43 s

Kṣaṇa 3 Nimesha 1.28 s

Kāṣṭhā 5 Kṣaṇa 6.4 s

Laghu 15 Kāṣṭhā 1.6 min

Danda 15 Laghu 24 min

Muhūrta 2 Danda 48 min

Ahorātram (Day) 30 Muhūrta 24 h

Masa (Month) 30 Ahorātram 30 days

Ritu (Season) 2 Masa 2 months

Ayana 3 Rutu 6 months

Samvatsara (Year) 2 Ayana 360 days

Ahorātram of Deva

Lunar metrics[edit]

A Tithi or lunar day is defined as the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the Sun to increase by 12°.[1] Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in duration from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours.[citation needed]

A Paksa (also Pakṣa) or lunar fortnight consists of 15 tithis. A Māsa or lunar month (approximately 29.5 days) is divided into 2 Pakṣas: the one between new

moon and full moon (waxing) is called gaura (bright) or Śukla Pakṣa; the one between full moon and new moon (waning) Kṛṣṇa (dark) paksha

A Ṛtu (or season) is 2 Māsa[2] An Ayana is 3 Ṛtus A year is two Ayanas [1][3]

Tropical metrics[edit]

A Yāma = 1/4 of a day (light) or night [ = 7½ Ghatis ( ) = 3¾ Muhurtas = 3 Horas ( ) ] Four Yāmas make half of the day (either day or night) Eight Yāmas make an Ahorātra (day + night) An Ahorātra is a tropical day (Note: A day is considered to begin and end at sunrise, not

midnight.)

Name Definition Equivalence

Yama ¼ th of a day (light) or night 3 hours

Sāvana Ahorātram व 8 Yamas 1 Solar day

Reckoning of time among other entities[edit]

Among the Pitṛs (forefather)[edit]

1 human fortnight (15 days) = 1 day (light) or night of the Pitṛs. 1 human month (30 days) = 1 day (light) and night of the Pitṛs. 30 days of the Pitṛs = 1 month of the Pitṛs = (30 × 30 = 900 human days). 12 months of the Pitṛs = 1 year of the Pitṛs = (12 months of Pitṛs × 900 human days = 10800

human days). The lifespan of the Pitṛs is 100 years of the Pitṛs (= 36,000 Pitṛ days = 1,080,000 human days =

3000 human years)[citation needed]

1 day of the Devas = 1 human year 1 month of the Devas = 30 days of the Devas 1 year of the Devas (1 divine year) = 12 months of the Devas

Among the Devas[edit]

The life span of any Hindu deva spans nearly (or more than) 4.5 million years. Statistically, we

can also look it as:

12000 Deva Years = Life Span of Devas = 1 Mahā-Yuga.

The Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III explains

the above as follows:

2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = 1 human year or 1 day of the devas 4,000 + 400 + 400 = 4,800 divine years (= 1,728,000 human years) = 1 Satya Yuga 3,000 + 300 + 300 = 3,600 divine years (= 1,296,000 human years) = 1 Tretā Yuga 2,000 + 200 + 200 = 2,400 divine years (= 864,000 human years) = 1 Dvāpara Yuga 1,000 + 100 + 100 = 1,200 divine years (= 432,000 human years) = 1 Kali Yuga 12,000 divine year = 4 Yugas (= 4,320,000 human years) = 1 Mahā-Yuga (also is equaled to 12000

Daiva (divine) Yuga) [2*12,000 = 24,000 divine year = 12000 revolutions of sun around its dual]

For Brahma[edit]

1000 Mahā-Yugas = 1 Kalpa = 1 day (day only) of Brahma

(2 Kalpas constitute a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion human years)

30 days of Brahma = 1 month of Brahma (259.2 billion human years) 12 months of Brahma = 1 year of Brahma (3.1104 trillion human years) 50 years of Brahma = 1 Parārdha 2 parardhas = 100 years of Brahma = 1 Para = 1 Mahā-Kalpa (the lifespan of Brahma)(311.04

trillion human years)

One day of Brahma is divided into 10,000 parts called charaṇas. The charaṇas are divided as

follows:

The Four Yugas

4 charaṇas (1,728,000 solar years) Satya Yuga

3 charaṇas (1,296,000 solar years) Treta Yuga

2 charaṇas (864,000 solar years) Dvapara Yuga

1 charaṇas (432,000 solar years) Kali Yuga

Source: [2]

The cycle repeats itself, so altogether there are 1,000 cycles of Mahā-Yuga in one day of

Brahma.

One cycle of the above four Yugas is one Mahā-Yuga (4.32 million solar years) as is confirmed by the Gītā Śloka 8.17 (statement) "sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad

brahmaṇo viduḥ rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ", meaning, a day of brahma is of 1000 Mahā-Yuga. Thus a day of Brahma, Kalpa, is of duration: 4.32 billion solar years. Two Kalpas constitute a day and night (Adhi Sandhi) of Brahma.

A Manvantara consists of 71 Mahā-Yuga (306,720,000 solar years). Each Manvantara is ruled by a Manu.

After each Manvantara follows one Saṃdhi Kāla of the same duration as a Kṛta Yuga (1,728,000 = 4 Charaṇas). (It is said that during a Saṃdhi Kāla, the entire earth is submerged in water.)

A Kalpa consists of a period of 4.32 Billion solar years followed by 14 Manvataras and Saṃdhi Kalas.

A day of Brahma equals

(14 times 71 Mahā-Yuga) + (15 × 4 Charaṇas)

= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (15 * 4800)

= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (72,000 years)[deva years] / 6 = 12,000[deva years] viz. one maha yuga.

= 994 Mahā-Yuga + 6 Mahā-Yuga

= 1,000 Mahā-Yuga

The Surya Siddhanta definition of timescales[edit]

The Surya Siddhanta [Chapter 14 Mānādhyāyah ( )], documents a comprehensive

model of nine divisions of time called māna ( ) which span from very small time units (Prāņa

[ ] - 4 seconds) to very large time scales (Para [प ] - 311.04 Trillion solar years).[citation needed]

The current date[edit]

Currently, 50 years of Brahma have elapsed. The last Kalpa at the end of 50th year is called

Padma Kalpa. The current universe was created in the beginning of Padma Kalpa, ie 10.51

billion years ago. This is the first 'day' of the 51st year.[4] This Brahma's day, Kalpa, is named as

ShvetaVaraha Kalpa. Within this Day, six Manvantaras have already elapsed[5] and this is the

seventh Manvantara, named as – Vaivasvatha Manvantara (or Sraddhadeva Manvantara). Within

the Vaivasvatha Manvantara, 27 Mahayugas[5] (4 Yugas together is a Mahayuga), and the Krita,[6]

Treta and Dwapara Yugas of the 28th Mahayuga have elapsed. This Kaliyuga is in the 28th

Mahayuga. This Kaliyuga began in the year 3102 BCE in the proleptic Julian Calendar.[7] Since

50 years of Brahma have already elapsed, this is the second Parardha, also called as Dvithiya

Parardha.

The time elapsed since the current Brahma has taken over the task of creation can be calculated

as

432000 × 10 × 1000 × 2 = 8.64 billion years (2 Kalpa (day and night) ) [citation needed] 8.64 × 109 × 30 × 12 = 3.1104 Trillion Years (1 year of Brahma)

3.1104 × 1012 × 50 = 155.52 Trillion Years (50 years of Brahma)

(6 × 71 × 4320000 ) + 7 × 1.728 × 10^6 = 1852416000 years elapsed in first six Manvataras, and

Sandhi Kalas in the current Kalpa

27 × 4320000 = 116640000 years elapsed in first 27 Mahayugas of the current Manvantara

1.728 × 10^6 + 1.296 × 10^6 + 864000 = 3888000 years elapsed in current Mahayuga

3102 + 2015 = 5117 years elapsed in current Kaliyuga.

So the total time elapsed since current Brahma is

155520000000000 + 1852416000 + 116640000 + 3888000 + 5115 = 155,521,972,949,117 years

< as of 2015 AD >

The current Kali Yuga began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BCE in the

proleptic Julian calendar.[8] As per the information above about Yuga periods, only 5,117 years

are passed out of 432,000 years of current Kali Yuga, and hence another 426,883 years are left to

complete this 28th Kali Yuga of Vaivaswatha Manvantara.

Loka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vishvarupa of Vishnu as the Cosmic Man with the three realms: heaven - Satya to Bhuvar loka

(head to belly), earth - Bhu loka (groin), underworld - Atala to Patala loka (legs).

Loka is a Sanskrit word for "world". In Hindu mythology it takes a specific meaning related to

cosmology.

Contents

[hide]

1 Jainism

2 Hindu tradition

3 Buddhism

4 Theosophy

5 Abrahamic religions

6 See also

7 References

Jainism[edit]

Main article: Jain Cosmology

Universe structure as told by Kevalins

In Jain texts, universe is referred to as Loka. Jain Cosmology postulates an eternal and ever-

existing loka which works on universal natural laws, there being no creator & destroyer deity.[1]

According to the Jain cosmology, the universe is divided into 3 parts:

# Three Lokas of Jain Cosmology

01 Urdhva Loka - the realms of the gods or heavens

02 Madhya Loka – the realms of the humans, animals and plants

03 Adho Loka – the realms of the hellish beings or the infernal regions

[2]

Hindu tradition[edit]

Main articles: Urthva lokas and Patala

Large scale structure of the Brahmanda (material sphere-like Universe) according to Hindu

cosmology. Universe contains 7 upper and 7 lower planetary systems. Some scholars are sure

that Seven Heavens and Seven Earthes of Torah/Bible/Quran refer to these same 14 planetary

systems.

Map 2: Intermediate neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.

Map 3: Local neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.

In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda, there are fourteen worlds, seven higher ones

(vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (patalas), viz. bhu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas, and satya

above and atala, vitala, sutala, rasaataala, talatala, mahaatala, patala and naraka below.

The scholar Deborah Soifer describes the development of the concept of lokas as follows:

The concept of a loka or lokas develops in the Vedic literature. Influenced by the special

connotations that a word for space might have for a nomadic people, loka in the Veda did not

simply mean place or world, but had a positive valuation: it was a place or position of religious

or psychological interest with a special value of function of its own.

Hence, inherent in the 'loka' concept in the earliest literature was a double aspect; that is,

coexistent with spatiality was a religious or soteriological meaning, which could exist

independent of a spatial notion, an 'immaterial' significance.

The most common cosmological conception of lokas in the Veda was that of the trailokya or

triple world: three worlds consisting of earth, atmosphere or sky, and heaven, making up the

universe."[3]

# Planetary system name

01 Satya-loka

02 Tapa-loka

03 Jana-loka

04 Mahar-loka

05 Svar-loka

06 Bhuvar-loka

07 Bhu-loka

08 Atala-loka

09 Vitala-loka

10 Sutala-loka

11 Talatala-loka

12 Mahatala-loka

13 Rasatala-loka

14 Patala-loka

Buddhism[edit]

Main article: Six Lokas

Six Lokas refers to a Bönpo and Nyingmapa spiritual practice or discipline that works with

chakras and the six dimensions or classes of beings in the Bhavachakra. And in Buddhist

Cosmology Kama-Loka, Rupa-Loka, Arupa-Loka has interpreted.[4]

Theosophy[edit]

The concept of Lokas was adopted by Theosophy, and can be found in the writings of Blavatsky

and G. de Purucker. There is also reference to kamaloka (world of desires) as a sort of astral

plane or temporary after-life state, according to the teachings of Blavatsky, Leadbeater, and

Steiner.

Abrahamic religions[edit]

The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) refer to "seven heavens" and "seven

earths", a concept that may be akin to the 14 planetary systems (lokas) of the Vedas.