The Hindu Multiverse - Knowing the 14 Lokas
Did you know Hinduism has already explained the multiverse long before Marvel popularized it?
We have 3 spheres, called the upper worlds, middle worlds & lower worlds.
These are split into 14 main Lokas, i.e., planes of existence stacked on top of each other, like Asgard & Midgard, and each is home to different beings.
Again, it’s important to note here that these aren’t strictly “evil” or “good” places like the Christian concepts of heaven or hell.
Rather, they’re all stages in your soul’s journey to become better through good karma, one birth after another so that you can finally get moksha.
Some theories even suggest that these are just 14 states of our mind, and depending on how we think & act, we move between all of them throughout the day - so the more calm & kind we act, the higher we go.
In any case, within & beyond these 14 lokas, ancient texts like Sthiti, Utpatti, Nirvana Prakaranam - all confirm that we have infinite parallel universes & realities, some with & without Gods, too - ultimately all of them being part of one pure consciousness, which we call “the Bhraman,” and its more personal version “The Paramatman.”
- - - -
Exploring the Hindu Multiverse (Part 2 - The Upper Realms)
To begin the journey, we are in the Bhur Loka along with millions of other life forms - this is the material world that’s full of suffering & attachment.
Just above us, we have the Bhuvar Loka, also known as the Pitru Loka, governed by Lord Yama, who weighs our merits after death & enables us to ascend or descend depending on our karma.
Above is the Svar Loka, occupying the space between the Sun & the Dhruv tara, the North Star, ruled by Lord Indra, and home to 330 Million Hindu Gods. At this level, you’ve conquered your emotions & cut off all attachments.
Even above is the Mahar Loka, which hosts great rishis like Markandeya and other rishis, who can live for millions of thousands of years because of meditation - but we’re still not there yet.
Above are the Jana & Tapa Lokas, inhabited by mystics, healers & extraordinary souls who have gotten there because of extremely rigorous spiritual exercise.
Finally, we have the Satya Loka, also called Samadhi, where our atman is united with the infinite Bhraman forever & we are free from the cycle.
In the next episode, I’m covering the lower realms of the Hindu multiverse, so hit that follow button!
- - - -
Exploring the Hindu Multiverse (Part 3 - The Lower Realms)
Below our Bhur Loka, we have the Atala & Vitala Lokas, governed by Bala & serpents called the Nagas respectively.
These 2 lokas are said to have people who are controlled by their egos & ignorance, and who are not actively pursuing spiritual healing & growth.
Further down, we have Sutala Loka, the home of Asuras i.e. demons who are at odds with the Devas, and this realm is ruled by King Bali.
If you look below, you’ll end up at Talatala Loka, ruled by the demon Maya, which translates to illusion. The souls in this realm are chasing material happiness, so they’re distracted & can’t achieve spiritual growth as they become possessive & stubborn.
Below we have Mahatala Loka, home to Nagas & hooded figures who are controlled by anger, emotions & temptations.
Even further down, we have the Rasatala, which is a dark and murky place housing powerful demons, asuras, and serpents.
At the bottom, we have Patala-loka, ruled by the serpent Vasuki, the lowest realm, filled with darkness & evil entities. Interestingly enough, there is still a possibility for those in this realm to rise up through good karma.
So those were the 14 Lokas or realms which make up the Hindu multiverse.
I’m covering many more such interesting concepts ahead so hit that follow button!