Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

LOKA

Swarga Go forth, go forth on those ancient paths on which our ancient fathers passed beyond. There you shall see the two kings, Yama and Varuna, rejoicing in the sacrificial drink. Unite with the fathers, with Yama, with the reward of your sacrifices and good deeds, in the highest heaven. Leaving behind all imperfections, go home again, merge with a glorious body.

7

6

Sathya-Loka

(Brahma-Loka) abode of Brahma. Translation to this world exempts beings from the process of rebirth.

5

Tapa-Loka

(Abode of deities — Vairagis are semi divine beings or Manes unconsumable by fire, and capable of translation to Satya-Loka). Manes are described in Kasi-Khanda as ascetics, mendicants, anchorites and penitents, who have completed a course of rigorous austerities.

— Rig Veda : hymn to the dead man (Wendy Doniger O' Flaherty)

Jana-Loka

4

(Abode of Brahma's sons, Sanaka, Sananda, Sanat- kumara)

Saptaloka Seven steps to heaven

3

Mahaa-Loka (Abode of Bhrigu (Vedic sage) and other saints supposed to be co-existent with Brahma)

The purpose of life or creation is to

grow consciously towards the Divine, our Source — as the flower unfolding its beauty to "the sun. — Prabhushri.

Swa-Loka

2

(Heaven of Indra, between Sun and the polar star)

1

Bhuva-Loka

(Space between Earth and Sun, regions of Munis, Siddhas)

Bhoo-Loka (Earth)

Loka : A world, a division of the universe. Triloka (three worlds) are heaven, earth and hell. There are also other interpretations, e.g., at the end of each Kalpa, or day of Brahma, the first three worlds are destroyed.

Hierarchy of Lokas as enumerated by Sankhya and Vedaanta schools

The correspondence is as follows 'Om' - Deva loka, the sphere of angels or gods and goddesses. 'ma' - Asura loka, realm of demons. 'ni' - Nara loka, sphere of human beings. 'pad' - Trison loka, the sphere of animal na- tures.. 'me' - Preta loka, the ghost land. 'hum'- Bikku loka, realm of utter darkness."

"Planes of Existence" 'Om Mani Padme Hum' is a great Bud- dhist mantra , that reveals six planes of ex- istence or consciousness. In this mantra there are six syllables that correspond to the six planes of existence, viz. deva-loka, asura-loka, nara-loka, trison-loka, preta- loka, bikku-loka. A person using this mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum', relates himself to all these lokas and sends thoughts of compassion to them. Through this mantra he also relates himself to the whole universe and sends love and goodwill to other fellow beings in this universe.

— Haridas Chaudhuri - "The Essence of Spiritual Philosophy"

’Om Mani Padme Hum'