Hindu cosmology talks about many planes (multiple worlds) of existence called lokas.
They are classified into higher and lower realms of existence.
When one thinks of the lower planes of existence one thinks about hellish landscape where the
residents are subjected to eternal torment.
But is that an accurate portrayal?
What really happens in the lower realms of existence in the hindu cosmology.
Are they allegories from which we can learn something?
Before we jump in, i’d like to clarify two important points.
Vedanta much like the tenets of the ancient wisdom we discuss here considers most of these spheres
of existence to be temporary.
Only reality is the supreme absolute or what we call the god energy (the brahman, oversoul).
Remember also, that the Puranas are bhakti oriented texts (they do talk about the vedantic
concepts) but there is a heavy devotional component to it.
When people talk about Hindu cosmology people usually talk about 14 worlds (lokas) divided
into seven higher realms and seven lower subterreanean realms of existence.
Before we look at these, an interesting fact is that the Puranic texts actually talk about
a host of other worlds (not just 14) .
For example, the Sivapurana talks about the 14 worlds comprising our universe as being
brahmas worlds - manifested by the creative power.
The sivapurana then goes on to talk about 14 vishnu worlds and another 28 worlds beyond
those 14.
It talks about the pure world of Shiva that exists beyond these 56 worlds.
As fascinating as that is, we will discuss that for another day.
Coming back to the 14 worlds that comprise our universe (the creative worlds): According
to the Siva purana the 14 worlds comprising our universe are created by Brahma - the creative
power.
The lower worlds are seven and the upper worlds are also seven in number.
The seven higher realms start from bhuhloka the earth and move up to satyaloka (the abode
of the creator god brahma).
They are inhabited by saints and other realized beings.
What is really interesting is what happens in these lower realms of existence according
to some of these texts..
Let us take a look at two puranic texts (the shiva purana and the bhagavatha purana) to
see the description of these lower worlds of existence (lokas).
According to the sivapurana, the seven nether worlds are Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Rasatala,
Tala, Talatala and the Patala.
The sivapurana describes the nether worlds in this way.
... The surfaces of all are grounds of gems.
The palaces are full of gems and their terraces are made of gold.
Narada, a saint, who came to heaven from the nether region announced in the middle of the
celestial assembly that the nether worlds (patala) are more beautiful than heaven.
He says - There, in all sorts of ornaments, lustrous
jewels are present.
They are delightful.
What is there equal to it?
The nether region is here and there brightened up by the daughters of Daityas and Danavas.
Even to the liberated soul, the nether region is pleasing.
Which liberated soul does not like it?
There during (he daytime there are no sun’s rays, nor the moon’s rays during the night.
There is neither chillness nor bright sunlight.
There is only the lustre of the jewels.
All sorts of foodstuffs and drinks are consumed there by extremely joyous persons.
The time that passes by is not known there at all.
It then talks about beautiful rivers and lakes...sounds of musical instruments everywhere.
Contrary to endless pain and suffering, these worlds seem to be heaven for those concerned
with the material.
The Bhagavatha purana, another ancient text, in fact calls the lower seven lokas Bila Svargas
or subterranean heavens.
A quick detour - A few verses did touch upon the beings that are described in these regions
- daityas danavas and so on.
We will later look at what these symbolize in a later video but for now it is essential
to understand that all these beings - devas, danavas, daityas, asuras etc that we encountered in all these books
are sibling races - descendants of daughters of daksa - who was the created son of brahma
- the creative energy.
Sivapurana has this to say Devas, sages, demons, trees, birds and
mountain-creepers born of the daughters of Dak?a filled the entire space between Patala
and Satyaloka
Everyone sentient being has a potential for good and evil (dharma and adharma) - we will
discuss that later.
Coming back to the Bhagavatha purana - The Bhagavatha Purana calls out the seven subterranean regions as Atala, Vitala,
Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala.
The ordering is slightly changed from that of the sivapurana.
The regions are described as veritable heavens.
“Therein reside Daityas, Danavas and Serpents in extremely rich mansions,
gardens, parks and play-grounds which surpass the heavenly world in their exuberance of
sensuous enjoyments, affluence, joy and richness.
They are householders whose affectionate wives, children, relatives always enjoy a highly
delightful life.
Their desires are never thwarted even by the lord of the gods.
They divert themselves with their skills in Maya which is the art again of creating illusions.”
It goes to say that - Maya, ( the architect) of miraculous powers has built cities in these
regions.
They shine resplendent with wonderful mansions, defence-walls, gates, town-halls, temples,
big quadrangles and houses construct- ed with excellent precious-stones of various types
It talks about the the gardens that exceed the splendour of those in the land of gods
with their glorious beauty, giving delight to minds and senses
The Bhagavatha Purana says - It is said that here (in this netherworld) no fear is noticed (to have been caused) due
to the divisions of time such as day and night.
The crest jewels on the hoods of great serpents dispel all the darkness there.
In terms of the condition of the inhabitants of this world.
Due to the intake of herbs, elixirs, food, drinks and bath of miraculous efficacy,
the inhabitants of these regions do not suffer from mental worries and physical ailments.
They are immune from wrinkles, grey hair and old age.
Nor are they affected by bodily changes due to age (from childhood to old age) .
So, these are the descriptions of the seven lower realms of existence in Hindu cosmology.
They seem pretty heavenly according to our current conditioning.
Now, what do we make out of this?
What are they allegories for?
Why are the lower realms of existence so much spectacular than the higher realms of existence
If we look at the lokas from the perspective of collective consciousness we arrive at a
fascinating conclusion.
The ancient wisdom states that we are all deluded by the illusion.
There is an internal conflict between the part of us that is attracted to material world
and the part of us that yearns for liberation.
If you look at the conflict, we arrive at a conclusion.
These lower worlds depict a shift towards more materialism.
As you move to the lower planes of existence you shift more towards materialism and get
trapped by it.
They truly are subterranean heavens for the materially inclined.
However, the more one gets ensnared in material world the more one gets deluded by maya and
the more difficult it is to break out and attain salvation.
Who is not tempted at the prospect of a relatively eternal life that you can spend with your
loved ones without fear of death or disease....
Who can cast that off for the search of the ultimate truth?
A gurantee of spending relative eternity with loved ones, in paradise free of any concerns
is the concept of heaven as we know it.
A seeker would question that too.
That is not the ultimate answer.
Questions would arise - Why is this happening?
What is the creative force behind this?
Above all, for a true seeker this also gets boring real quick.
The conversation in kathopanishad comes to mind.
The exchange is between nachiketa, a young boy and yama the god of death.
Nachiketa asks Yama as one of the boons to explain what happens to the soul on its finally
leaves the physical world.
He is not talking about the intermediate death in the cycle of birth and death.
He knows that because he is dead and talking to Yama.
He asks about liberation.
Yama implores nachiketa not to ask this question.
He promises him great wealth, vast kingdoms, immortal progenies and many other material
pleasures.
. Nachiketa responds by saying that the joys felt in the material world is an imagined
joy appearing to arise from objects which are falsely considered as the source of joy
.Nachiketa refuses all the wealth declring that the ultimate truth is what he seeks
Then Yama accedes that Nachiketa is a true seeker and talks about the ultimate reality
and the realization of the oneness of the Atman with the Brahman (the oversoul, the supreme absolute, the god energy) .He
concludes that in finality on realizing the essential unity of being, having known the
Supreme absolute (the Brahman), one becomes the Self of all beings.
With this I end my thoughts on the description of the netherworlds in Hindu cosmology.
As always known is a drop and the unknown an ocean.
Peace