The Universe, Summarized in 90 sec
If you think you have big problems, here’s some cosmic tea: We’re a speck in the vast Hindu multiverse.
Right now, you’re sitting in Bharat Varsha, a region that once stretched far beyond today’s India – spanning modern-day Iran to Southeast Asia. Bharat Varsha is just one of the nine varshas, or regions, within Jambudweepa, each worshipping different forms of Narayana.
These regions are separated by eight mighty mountain ranges, including our Himalayas. At the core is Mount Meru, considered the cosmic center and a gateway to other parts of the universe. All of this exists within Jambudweepa, an enormous island surrounded by an ocean of saltwater. And that’s not all! Beyond Jambudweepa lie seven more massive islands, each encircled by oceans made of unique substances – like Plaksha Dweepa, which has an ocean of sugarcane juice!
Together, these islands make up Bhurloka, also called karma bhumi, the realm where we play out our karma.
But the Hindu cosmos doesn’t stop there. Our universe contains 14 primary realms, or lokas. Above us, we have six heavenly realms. Bhuvarloka is considered the celestial plane near Earth, and Svarloka is ruled by Indradev, home to gods and divine beings. Then come Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka, and Satyaloka, where great sages and spiritually advanced souls reside for thousands of years.
Pitrloka is a unique realm where our ancestors’ souls pause on their journey.
Beneath us lie the darker realms known as the netherworlds: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, and Patala. Powerful beings, serpents, and asuras dwell here. And then there’s Naraka, a collection of hellish realms overseen by Yama, where souls face karmic consequences – like ‘kumbhipaka,’ a punishment where a soul is boiled for specific actions.
All of these realms rest upon Ananta Shesha, the cosmic serpent, created by Lord Brahma. Brahma himself emerged from a lotus growing from Lord Vishnu’s navel.
And here’s where it gets mind-blowing: our universe, or Brahmanda, is just one cosmic egg in a multiverse. Each Brahmanda has its Brahma and Garbhodakasayi Vishnu, originating from Mahavishnu, the source of all universes.
Beyond all material realms are divine spaces like Dwarika Dhama and Ayodhya Dhama on Earth, sacred abodes for worship. Above everything lies Vaikuntha – the ultimate spiritual realm, free from sorrow, where pure bliss and peace reign.
Curious to know how to reach there?