Whether it is Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, or any other religion, the concept of something beyond this world is taught and is regarded as the goal of every human. In the Vedanta Sutra, the first aphorism states “Athato-brahma-jijnasa, " meaning “now that you have got this human of life, you should inquire about the Absolute Truth”. This is the purpose of all the revealed scriptures – elevating the human consciousness to attain a better destination, not to stay in one state.
Material existence is divided into three realms or divisions. Each realm is known as “Loka” in Sanskrit. The direct translation of this word is “Planet,” which is further taken as “Planetary system.” The three worlds are home to various living entities based on their levels of consciousness. This article describes the primary concept of all three planetary systems through the lens of different religions.
Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma has a lot to say about the positioning of the whole cosmic manifestation and we get a detailed description of it. The Vedic texts explain the universe being arranged as three spheres namely the lower world, the intermediate world, and the upper world. The Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.23 states:
samāgatāḥ sarvata eva sarve
vedā yathā mūrti-dharās tri-pṛṣṭhe
nehātha nāmutra ca kaścanārtha
ṛte parānugraham ātma-śīlam
“The human beings on earth are situated at the beginning of the intermediate worlds, but living beings like Brahmā and his contemporaries live in the upper worlds, of which the topmost is Satyaloka. In Satyaloka the inhabitants are fully cognizant of Vedic wisdom, and thus the mystic cloud of material energy is cleared.”
The Upper world is also known as Urdhvaloka or Svargaloka, the intermediate realm as Madhyaloka or Bhuloka, and the lower world as Adhaloka or Patala Loka. All these planets have been created by Lord Brahma who is born from the navel of Lord Vishnu while He lies in the causal ocean (Ksheera Sagar). Each world contains many planetary systems with innumerable planets, Suns and Moons floating in the sky.
Svarga Loka – The Svarga Loka is situated above the Sumeru Parvat, a sacred mountain made of glistening gold. It is said to be the stairway to heaven. These are the heavenly abodes for the demigods and those who have accumulated tremendous pious activities in their past lifetimes. The topmost planet is the Brahmaloka where Brahma and his contemporaries live the most luxurious life. All the living beings in the Svarga Loka live a very long duration of life and have relative freedom from disease and old age. The great sages and saints who perform vigorous austerities and penances are promoted to this loka where they enjoy the results.
Martya Loka – The Martya Loka is positioned below the heavenly planets and makes the middle planetary system. It is the realm of humans, animals, and plants. These living entities experience three-fold miseries and are endangered by birth, death, old age, and disease. They are generally driven by the mode of passion and are thus kept in this loka. Having a sense of freedom and knowledge, they can choose either to downgrade themselves to the lower planets or to elevate to the higher planets. This depends on the activities they engage in, whether sinful or pious.
Patala Loka – The Patala Loka is the lower world in which beings other than humans reside - Daityas, Danavas, and Nagas. Beneath the earthly dimension, it is also called bila-svarga (underground heavenly planets). Bila means dark, a den, or grotto. Instead of sunlight, they are lit by shining jewels on the heads of serpents. The demons living there can enjoy heavenly sense-gratification because of their karma. Living entities who engage in sinful and abominable activities are brought to this loka and punished severely.
According to Jain Cosmology, the universe was not created by anyone, rather, it is eternal with no beginning or end. The Jain texts describe the shape of the cosmos as a man standing with his legs apart and his arms resting on the waist. Just like Hindu cosmology, Jainism also believes in three planetary systems – the universe being broad at the top, narrow at the middle, and again becoming broader at the end. The three parts of the Universe are:
Urdhva Loka – This is the Upper world where demigods live. There are extraordinary facilities there and the demigods and their associates live long and pure lives. They are powerful, sense-controlled, and experience happiness. Although there is attachment and pride in these higher realms but very negligible as compared to the lower planets.
Madhya Loka – This is the middle dimension which is inhabited by humans, plants, and animals. This is the place of austerities and penances.
Adho Loka – Adho Loka is the lower world which consists of seven hells which are ruled by demigods and where hellish beings reside. The living entities are sent to these planets as a result of their previous Karma and suffer until all their results have been exhausted.
The concept of three worlds or Tri loka in Buddhism is based on the living beings’ migration from one state to another which is dependent on three conditions – charity, morality, and their meditative advancement. The three realms are:
Kama Loka – This is the desire realm (the lowest) which is populated by ghosts, humans, animals, and lower demigods. These residents are bound by the basic desire for sense gratification which becomes the cause of their suffering. They take birth here as a result of their Karma.
Arupa Loka – This is the formless realm which belongs to Devas who in their previous lives accumulated lots of pious credit and now enjoy the fruits of their activities. The beings here possess no form and are possessed entirely of mind i.e. subtle body. They are not wholly conscious and cannot hear the Dhamma teachings.
Rupa Loka – As the name suggests, this is the form realm which is inhabited by beings with a form, though subtle, which is beyond the vision of the residents of Kama Loka. These beings are not subject to extreme pains and pleasures and do not have sexual distinctions. Their minds are sharp like the Dhyanis.
If we closely observe, we will find many commonalities in the concept of “three worlds” in the view of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. All three religious texts talk of three divisions of existence where beings traverse through the realms based on their Karma (previous activities) and spiritual advancement. This also unfolds the nature of the material cosmology being like the Ferris Wheel in which the living entities go through repeated birth, disease, old age, and death until they become liberated. Thus the goal is to transcend the material realm. Hindu texts aim at “Moksha”, Jainism strives for “Kevala”, and Buddhism aims at “Nirvana”.
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