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Question to Hindus :)

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
'According to some Puranas, the Brahmanda is divided into fourteen worlds. Seven are upper worlds, Bhuloka (the Earth), Bhuvarloka, Svarloka, Maharloka, Janarloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka, and seven are lower worlds, Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala.'

Loka - Wikipedia

In my opinion. :innocent:
 
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Terese

Mangalam Pundarikakshah
Staff member
Premium Member
There are many lokas in Hindu thought but not the names you mentioned. Naraka-loka is hell, Bhu-loka is the earth, Suvar-loka is where the devas reside, Siva-loka is Lord Siva's abode, Brahma-loka (also named Satya-loka) is Brahma's abode. These lokas are all in the material universe.

Outside of the material universe is the eternal spiritual abode Sri Vaikuntham, Lord Vishnu's abode. :D
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
There are many lokas in Hindu thought but not the names you mentioned. Naraka-loka is hell, Bhu-loka is the earth, Suvar-loka is where the devas reside, Siva-loka is Lord Siva's abode, Brahma-loka (also named Satya-loka) is Brahma's abode. These lokas are all in the material universe.

Outside of the material universe is the eternal spiritual abode Sri Vaikuntham, Lord Vishnu's abode. :D
Do you know how many realms of existence Hindu teaching speaks of? In Buddhism it is 31 realms of existance. But the explanation you gave sound somewhat similar :)
 

Terese

Mangalam Pundarikakshah
Staff member
Premium Member
Do you know how many realms of existence Hindu teaching speaks of? In Buddhism it is 31 realms of existance. But the explanation you gave sound somewhat similar :)
I'm not knowledgable of the amount of all the lokas, but i can give you scriptural reference that could aid you :D

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.36 to 2.5.38-2.5.41:

yasyehāvayavair lokān
kalpayanti manīṣiṇaḥ
kaṭy-ādibhir adhaḥ sapta
saptordhvaṁ jaghanādibhiḥ
|| (SB 2.5.36)

Great philosophers imagine that the complete planetary systems in the universe are displays of the different upper and lower limbs of the universal body of the Lord.

bhūrlokaḥ kalpitaḥ padbhyāṁ
bhuvarloko 'sya nābhitaḥ
hṛdā svarloka urasā
maharloko mahātmanaḥ
|| (SB 2.5.38)

The lower planetary systems, up to the limit of the earthly stratum, are said to be situated in His legs. The middle planetary systems, beginning from Bhuvarloka, are situated in His navel. And the still higher planetary systems such as Suvarloka and Maharloka, occupied by the demigods and highly cultured sages and saints, are situated in the chest of the Supreme Lord.

grīvāyāṁ janaloko 'sya
tapolokaḥ stana-dvayāt
mūrdhabhiḥ satyalokas tu
brahmalokaḥ sanātanaḥ
|| (SB 2.5.39)

From the forefront of the chest up to the neck of the universal form of the Lord are situated the planetary systems named Janaloka and Tapoloka, whereas Satyaloka, the topmost planetary system, is situated on the head of the form. The spiritual planets, however, are eternal.

tat-kaṭyāṁ cātalaṁ kḷptam
ūrubhyāṁ vitalaṁ vibhoḥ
jānubhyāṁ sutalaṁ śuddhaṁ
jaṅghābhyāṁ tu talātalam
mahātalaṁ tu gulphābhyāṁ
prapadābhyāṁ rasātalam
pātālaṁ pāda-talata
iti lokamayaḥ pumān
|| (SB 2.5.40-2.5.41)

Know from me that there are seven lower planetary systems out of the total fourteen. The first planetary system, known as Atala, is situated on the waist; the second, Vitala, is situated on the thighs; the third, Sutala, on the knees; the fourth, Talātala, on the shanks; the fifth, Mahātala, on the ankles; the sixth, Rasātala, on the upper portion of the feet; and the seventh, Pātāla, on the soles of the feet. Thus the infinite form of the Lord is full of all planetary systems.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I'm not knowledgable of the amount of all the lokas, but i can give you scriptural reference that could aid you :D

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.36 to 2.5.38-2.5.41:

yasyehāvayavair lokān
kalpayanti manīṣiṇaḥ
kaṭy-ādibhir adhaḥ sapta
saptordhvaṁ jaghanādibhiḥ
|| (SB 2.5.36)

Great philosophers imagine that the complete planetary systems in the universe are displays of the different upper and lower limbs of the universal body of the Lord.

bhūrlokaḥ kalpitaḥ padbhyāṁ
bhuvarloko 'sya nābhitaḥ
hṛdā svarloka urasā
maharloko mahātmanaḥ
|| (SB 2.5.38)

The lower planetary systems, up to the limit of the earthly stratum, are said to be situated in His legs. The middle planetary systems, beginning from Bhuvarloka, are situated in His navel. And the still higher planetary systems such as Suvarloka and Maharloka, occupied by the demigods and highly cultured sages and saints, are situated in the chest of the Supreme Lord.

grīvāyāṁ janaloko 'sya
tapolokaḥ stana-dvayāt
mūrdhabhiḥ satyalokas tu
brahmalokaḥ sanātanaḥ
|| (SB 2.5.39)

From the forefront of the chest up to the neck of the universal form of the Lord are situated the planetary systems named Janaloka and Tapoloka, whereas Satyaloka, the topmost planetary system, is situated on the head of the form. The spiritual planets, however, are eternal.

tat-kaṭyāṁ cātalaṁ kḷptam
ūrubhyāṁ vitalaṁ vibhoḥ
jānubhyāṁ sutalaṁ śuddhaṁ
jaṅghābhyāṁ tu talātalam
mahātalaṁ tu gulphābhyāṁ
prapadābhyāṁ rasātalam
pātālaṁ pāda-talata
iti lokamayaḥ pumān
|| (SB 2.5.40-2.5.41)

Know from me that there are seven lower planetary systems out of the total fourteen. The first planetary system, known as Atala, is situated on the waist; the second, Vitala, is situated on the thighs; the third, Sutala, on the knees; the fourth, Talātala, on the shanks; the fifth, Mahātala, on the ankles; the sixth, Rasātala, on the upper portion of the feet; and the seventh, Pātāla, on the soles of the feet. Thus the infinite form of the Lord is full of all planetary systems.
Thank you :) this help to understand differences in Buddhism and Hindu :)
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
Could anyone translate each of these words into their English meanings please, as think it explains the deeper meaning of the levels? :)

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

In my opinion. :innocent:
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Could anyone translate each of these words into their English meanings please, as think it explains the deeper meaning of the levels? :)

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

In my opinion. :innocent:
Maybe this can explain some of it What Are The 14 Lokas Or Worlds According To Hindu Mythology - OnlinePrasad.com blog
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
In Buddhism, we have the teaching of Cosmology and the Arupaloka, Rupaloka, and Kamaloka.
This 3 Arupaloka, Rupaloka and Kamaloka describe the different realm of existence.

The Immaterial World (arupa-loka).
The Fine-Material World (rupa-loka)
The Sensuous World (kama-loka).

My question is, do some of the Hindu teachings speak about this?
I tried to find answer online, but maybe i was not searching right :)

Link: The Thirty-one Planes of Existence

Cosmology varies by school, so you will get a variety of answers. Various scriptures mention various ideas about it. None are totally correct or absolute for everyone, as that isn't how Hindus generally think. We follow our own sampradayas, (schools, or lineages) as belief, and consider other sampradayas as to be followed by others. From that, I only know about mine. We have 3 primary worlds, but they don't correspond to your 3. Ours are bhuloka, (first world) or gross physical plane, antarloka, (2nd world or astral plane) and Sivaloka (3rd world of light, causal plane). My sampradaya focuses more on the practical, easy to understand, rather than philosophy. The sanctified Hindu temple is where these three worlds best meet. Beings from all three worlds congregate there. So when the bells ring, the flame is waved, the incense is burned, it's like a call to action, for all to come, to see who is their, to get blessings, and give blessings.

So it's not some distant philosophical treatise, but a practical understanding of how to connect to inner worlds.
 
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Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Cosmology varies by school, so you will get a variety of answers. Various scriptures mention various ideas about it. None are totally correct or absolute for everyone, as that isn't how Hindus generally think. We follow our own sampradayas, (schools, or lineages) as belief, and consider other sampradayas as to be followed by others. From that, I only know about mine. We have 3 primary worlds, but they don't correspond to your 3. Ours are bhuloka, (first world) or gross physical plane, antarloka, (2nd world or astral plane) and Sivaloka (3rd world of light, causal plane). My sampadaya focuses more on the practical, easy to understand, rather than practice. The sanctified Hindu temple is where these three worlds best meet. Beings from all three worlds congregate there. So when the bells ring, the flame is waved, the incense is burned, it's like a call to action, for all to come, to see who is their, to get blessings, and give blessings.

So it's not some distant philosophical treatise, but a practical understanding of how to connect to inner worlds.
Thank you :) Yes Hindus have many different teachings(schools) and maybe this looks confusing for people outside of Hindu teaching. Can someone realize enlightenment through any of the Hindu schools? or are some of the schools not concerned with enlightenment? (more about how to live as a human ?)
 

SalixIncendium

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि
Staff member
Premium Member
As already mentioned, your answer will depend on which Hindu philosophy or school one follows.

In Advaita Vedanta, my flavor of Hinduism, there are three levels of reality.
  • Paramartika - The Absolute Reality. The highest universal principle. Brahman.
  • Vyavaharika - Relative reality. The reality perceived by humans in the waking state.
  • Pratibhasika - Apparent but untrue or illusory reality. The man walking down a dark path and recognizing a coiled rope as a snake is a good example of this. I sort of lump the dream state into this level of reality as well.
I also recognize the four states of reality represented in the symbol ॐ.
  • The bottom curve is our waking state - relative reality - representative of the gross body
  • The curve to the right is our dream state - my perceived reality while dreaming - representative of the subtle body
  • The top curve is our sleep state - representative of the causal body
  • The curve below the dot is maya - the veil of ignorance to...
  • The dot - turiya - pure consciousness
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Thank you :) Yes Hindus have many different teachings(schools) and maybe this looks confusing for people outside of Hindu teaching. Can someone realize enlightenment through any of the Hindu schools? or are some of the schools not concerned with enlightenment? (more about how to live as a human ?)
Again, it would depend on the school ... all would have moksha as a stated goal for sure. But as to which are successful or not, we'd need an enlightened person to look into each particular lineage, and see it all from the inside. But no enlightened person would think that was a valid use of their time, as they'd be working within their own lineage to help others to moksha.

I've been taught simply that there are 14 different nadis within the sushumna (the inner current within the spine that kundalini travels up) that kundalini can follow. Nothing more specific than that, but 14 is enough to know that there are several other valid paths. I think it's wise to not know which ones, as that would aggravate the ego into looking at ones that aren't.

But you're right, what schools are focused on does vary some.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Again, it would depend on the school ... all would have moksha as a stated goal for sure. But as to which are successful or not, we'd need an enlightened person to look into each particular lineage, and see it all from the inside. But no enlightened person would think that was a valid use of their time, as they'd be working within their own lineage to help others to moksha.

I've been taught simply that there are 14 different nadis within the sushumna (the inner current within the spine that kundalini travels up) that kundalini can follow. Nothing more specific than that, but 14 is enough to know that there are several other valid paths. I think it's wise to not know which ones, as that would aggravate the ego into looking at ones that aren't.

But you're right, what schools are focused on does vary some.
Is sushumna similar to Chakra system?
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Is sushumna similar to Chakra system?
No. Shushumna is the nerve current within the spine (the physical correspondence) to which the chakras are aligned. Ever wonder why yogis sit straight? Visualise the spine as a culvert or an empty tube. The ida current and the pingala current crisscross as they follow the sushumna. So it's a conduit.

(I have no idea really, not speaking from personal experiential knowledge.)

This article might help. Nadi (yoga) - Wikipedia

But again, it's all intellectual at this point. People can sound like they have a lot of knowledge by regurgitating others, and that too can go down a lineage, like a gossip trail.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
No. Shushumna is the nerve current within the spine (the physical correspondence) to which the chakras are aligned. Ever wonder why yogis sit straight? Visualise the spine as a culvert or an empty tube. The ida current and the pingala current crisscross as they go follow. So it's a conduit.

(I have no idea really, not speaking from personal experiential knowledge.)
The energy produced in meditation does arise along the spine yes :) so here Buddhism and Hindu teaching see same :) You spoke more about kundalini energy then :)
The Yogis in Buddhism does teach the erect spine in meditation too :)
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
The energy produced in meditation does arise along the spine yes :) so here Buddhism and Hindu teaching see same :) You spoke more about kundalini energy then :)
The Yogis in Buddhism does teach the erect spine in meditation too :)
In case you didn't notice, I added a link to the post above. I think it goes into both Buddhist and Hindu understandings.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
For an advaitist like me, there is only one world but two perspectives - Vyavaharika and Paramarthika.
Can someone realize enlightenment through any of the Hindu schools? or are some of the schools not concerned with enlightenment? (more about how to live as a human ?)
All paths in Hinduism can lead to 'moksha', 'nirvana'. There were, we are told, paths, which did not believe in enlightenment, but they did not survive (Charvak, Lokayat,Ajivaka). We have only hazy knowledge about them. Buddha mentions some of them in his 'Samannaphala Sutta' etc. - (and only God knows as to how many others were there).
01_6 (Contemporaries of Buddha), Ajita Kesakambali - Wikipedia, Makkhali Gosala - Wikipedia, Pakudha Kaccayana - Wikipedia, Purana Kassapa - Wikipedia, Mahavira - Wikipedia, Sanjaya Belatthiputta - Wikipedia
Note: Nigantha Natiputta may not have been Mahavira of the Jains, but belonged to that school.

If you have time, you could also read Kosha - Wikipedia. You would find similarities with Buddhism. After all, both religions are from one stem.
 
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