Loka
Loka (
Hinduism
Three lokas
The most common classification of lokas in Hinduism is the Trailokya, or the three worlds.[3]
The concept of the three worlds has a number of different interpretations in Hindu cosmology.
In
Bhuloka
In the Narada Purana, Bhuloka is identified with the planet Earth, the world of human beings. It is described to be split up into seven regions, referred to as dvipas (islands). These regions are known as Jambudvipa, Plakshadvipa, Shalmaladvipa, Kushadvipa, Krounchadvipa, Shakadvipa, and Pushkaradvipa. Of special significance is the Indian subcontinent, referred to as Bharatavarsha, which is a land where the fruits of one's actions allows one passage into either Svarga or Naraka. Bhuloka also has seven oceans, namely, Lavana, Ikshu, Sura, Sarpih, Dadhi, Dughdha, and Jala.[6]
Svarga
Generally translated as heaven, Svarga is identified with the realm of Indra and the devas in contemporary Hinduism. The Vedas offer the reward of Svarga as one's destination for the proper practice of sacrificial rituals on earth.[7] In Vedic mythology, Svarga is filled with the nectar of immortality, amrita, with lakes containing lotuses, pools of wine, milk, and ghee, as well as streams that are replete with honey. It is abundant with food and refreshments, and equal opportunity is offered to all of its denizens.[8] It is described to be an infinite, complete, as well as an immortal realm, offering pleasure to those rare few who are able to ascend to it. It is sometimes associated with Pitṛloka, the realm of one's ancestors, but this association is not present in all literature.[9]
Naraka
Naraka is generally translated as hell, and refers to the loka that humans are sent to, to be punished for their sins. Ruled by Yama, sinners are offered appropriate punishments for their sins on earth, and after a period of time, reborn on earth with bad vipāka, which is the effect of bad karma.[10] The Bhagavata Purana enumerates the following 28 Narakas: Tamisra, Andhatamisra, Raurava, Maharaurava, Kumbhipaka, Kalasutra, Asipatravana, Sukaramukha, Andhakupa, Krimibhojana, Samdamsa, Taptasurmi, Vajrakantaka-salmali, Vaitarani, Puyoda, Pranarodha, Visasana, Lalabhaksa, Sarameyadana, Avichi, Ayahpana, Ksharakardama, Raksogana-bhojana, Sulaprota, Dandasuka, Avata-nirodhana, Paryavartana, and Suchimukha.[11]
The Brahmanda Purana conceives them to be Bhūta (past), Bhavya (future), and Bhavat (present)[12]
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 or 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."[13]
Fourteen lokas
In the
-
Higher seven Lokas
-
The lower seven Lokas
Lokas:
- Satya-loka (Brahma-loka)
- Tapa-loka
- Jana-loka
- Mahar-loka
- Svar-loka (Svarga-loka)
- Bhuvar-loka
- Bhu-loka
- Atala-loka
- Vitala-loka
- Sutala-loka
- Talatala-loka
- Mahatala-loka
- Rasatala-loka
- Patala-loka
Another lineup of the fourteen lokas is stated as follows:[17]
- Bhur-loka
- Bhuvar-loka
- Suvar-loka
- Mahar-loka
- Janar-loka
- Tapar-loka
- Satya-loka
- Brahma-loka
- Pitri-loka
- Soma-loka
- Indra-loka
- Gandharva-loka
- Rakshasa-loka
- Yaksha-loka
Gallery
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Map 2: Intermediate neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.
-
Map 3: Local neighbourhood of the Earth according to one Hindu cosmology.
Buddhism
Six lokas
In the Tibetan and Tantric schools, "Six Lokas" refers to a
Three lokas
There is a cosmological view in Buddhism called
Jainism
In
- Urdhva Loka - the realms of the gods or heavens
- Madhya Loka – the realms of the humans, animals and plants
- Adho Loka – the realms of the hellish beings or the infernal regions
Jain cosmology uses the terms loka and aloka to describe the inhabitable and uninhabitable spaces in the universe. The philosophy describes how inhabitable space (loka) will never penetrate into the uninhabitable space (aloka) and vice versa, both of which are a subdivision of space (ākāśa).[22] In Jain cosmology, on achieving moksha, the soul becomes free of the wordly realm once the fruits of all good and bad karmas have been received.[23]
Theosophy
The concept of lokas was adopted by
References
- ^ a b c d Lin, Qian (2022). On the Early Buddhist Attitude Toward Metaphysics. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. pp. 143–162.
- ^ a b c Haag, James W (2012). HINDU COSMOGONY/ COSMOLOGY. Routledge, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN. pp. 503–504.
- ^ "Loka" in the Encyclopedia Britannica
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-11-18). "Trailokya: 21 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ISBN 978-1-64805-686-4.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2013-05-25). "Geography". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ISBN 978-0-7007-1267-0.
- ISBN 978-81-7024-867-5.
- ISBN 978-0-415-07310-3.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2009-03-29). "Naraka, Nāraka: 33 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ^ "Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapter 26". 2012-11-13. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-06-20). "Vaivasvata Manvantara: the Mārīca creation [Chapter 38]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ISBN 978-0-7914-0799-8 p. 51 [1]
- ^ "What are the functions of each of the 14 lokas?". Quora. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
- ^ Mishra, R.C (2013). Moksha and the Hindu Worldview. New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications. p. 28.
- ^ Mishra, R.C (2013). Moksha and the Hindu Worldview. New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications. p. 37.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2008-06-21). "Loka: 45 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- ^ Desired Realms (Rupa Loka, Arupa Loka ,Kama Loka)
- ^ "triloka". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
- ^ Jain cosmology
- ^ Shah, Natubhai (1998). p. 25
- ^ Balcerowicz, Piotr (2021). Beginnings of Jaina Ontology and Its Models. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. pp. 657–697.
- ^ Mishra, R.C (2013). Moksha and the Hindu Worldview. Sage Publications. p. 28.