Tuesday, March 4, 2014

HINDUISM DECODED--PLANETS OTHER THAN EARTH AND OUR SUN-LOKAS.#DECODING #HINDUISM


All Creations of God stretch Infinitely,
All Times, Past, Present and Future,
Worlds imagined and unimagined..
Everything that Can be,
Everything that Cannot be,
All exist somewhere..
Beyond this world are myriad worlds,
And beyond all worlds,
Is the One that is Eternal..

The Hindu New Year starts with Chaitra Navratri and it is 5115th Year of the Era of Kaliyuga.

Hindu scriptures have always used mind-boggling numbers for the Age of the Universe and the Gods inhabiting it. For example, Brahma, the Creator-God, has an impressive life span that runs into trillions of Solar Years!

The 'Chemical locha' in my brain makes me look for a scienctific sub-text in every religious text that I read. How can it be, that the demi-gods and their Superior gods have such long time-spans that make them seem almost IMMORTAL to us??

For some time now, I have been nursing this notion- COULD the multi-limbed gods and goddesses with super-human abilities, space-crafts and atomic-weaponry, be actually super-advanced ALIENS with a keen interest in our world??

                                                                         
Supreme Lord and the Holy Trinity. What I propose here is a new understanding of the DEMI-GODS as denizens of the same Universe living on different planets called LOKAS.

They have access to highly advanced Science (that we percieve as supernatural abilities) and a much better grasp of the Supreme Lord's Cosmic Plan! Of course, they are Spiritually more advanced too and perform their individual roles in running the Universe impeccably viz. Indra-the Lord of Rain, Varun-the Lord of Oceans and Yamaraj-the Lord of Death.

Could the Scientific advancement of these beings have resulted in their extended life-spans as well?? To us, the World seems to be ending, but our Brahma has JUST hit Middle-age, and is currently near the Noon of the 1st Day of the 51st year of his life!

By my calculation, Lord Brahma's current age of 50 Deva Years (~155 Trillion Human Years) + Half a Day (~1.85 Billion Years) amounts to the massive figure of 155.521852 Trillion Solar Years which would also be the Age of OUR Universe approximately!!

It is noteworthy that unlike any other belief system in the World, Hindu Cosmology talks about Time frames that are even FURTHER in the mists of time than the approximations arrived at by current Science (Age of Universe - 14 Billion years).

Whether we consider them advanced aliens or demi-gods, these beings would be FAR FAR Superior to us in Scientific as well as Spiritual pursuits and we should keep that in our mind while reading about their super-human feats in the ancient chronicles. Respecting the authority of these same sources, in this post, let us embark on a journey of Scriptural Space-Exploration.



Do Aliens Exist?
Our planet is the only KNOWN planet which has given birth to Life; however, it does not follow that it is the ONLY one capable of supporting Life!

There are Billions and Billions of Stars in each Galaxy; Billions of Galaxies in each Universe, and as we learnt in the 2nd post (Black Holes and Bhagavatam), Billions of Universes in the Material Creation!! It is more likely than not, that Life in its myriad forms exists in not just one but many other planets as yet undiscovered by the human race.

Scientifically, it is still undetermined whether the universe exists by itself or is just one of the countless trillions within a larger Multiverse, itself contained within the Omniverse that is the Material World.

Even if we forget the Multi-verse and Parallel Universes we encountered in a previous post, there are still enough planets within our OWN Universe, which could be inhabited by alien species. Here, I would quote my favorite author, Arthur C. Clarke to put a very valid point across-

Almost certainly there is enough land in the sky to give every member of the human species, his own private world! But how many of those potentially habitable worlds are ALREADY inhabited, we have no way of knowing!

Yet, as he quite eloquently states, the barriers of distance are crumbling; one day SOON we may meet our Equals, or our Masters, among the stars.
Sadly, Human race today, is like the proverbial Frog-in-the-well. We have been cocooned by our Atmosphere and sheltered from the harsh realities of Universe for so long, that we just can't remember how things are outside of it. But there are entire Solar Systems, Galaxies and even Universes that are inaccessible to us right now and it would be good to remember the plausability of Life existing somewhere out there.
Different Worlds in Our Universe
Let us begin our journey with a brief insight into our current place in the Universe by means of this animation:
YOU TUBE ANIMATION
It would be immediately clear from this video that we are an extremely tiny and insignificant part of this gigantic Universe and there are billions and zillions of worlds out there about which we have absolutely no clue even today. Fortunately for us, the Ancients were NOT as short-sighted or limited by Scientific Theories as we are today, and have described planets, galaxies and even multiple Universes in this Material Realm which would act like what Science calls an Omniverse.

The Puraans give THREE different divisions of our Universe and label them as the:

  • Urdhva-loka (Highest abodes),
  • Madhya or Bhu-loka (Middle ones), and
  • Adho-loka (the Lower realms).

Various scriptures talk about these different realms within Material Creation. In the Great War of Mahabharat, when Arjuna faltered in his duty, Lord Krishna gave him the Divine discourse of Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta, and let him have a glimpse of His Supreme Virat-Roop.

In this Universal Form of the Lord, Arjun could see the entire cosmos. Eternity manifests itself in endless ways on endless planes of existence and from head to toe, Arjuna saw the body of Lord Krishna encompassing 14 different planetary dimensions!!


Virat Roop of Lord Vishnu

Let us try to understand what the fourteen planetary systems or Lokas refer to and what is their geographical and spatial arrangement.




Lokas in Our Universe


Each Universe is shaped like an egg (Brahmand) and within it exist the three levels of Lokas. There are 14 planetary systems comprising the three Lokas and below them exist the 28 different Hells. It is interesting to note that various Puraans claim the original abode of Shiva to be at the boundary of this Universe and NOT Kailash.


Brahmand and its Lokas



The Vayu Puraan, Chapter 39 sheds more light on the details of this place and says that beyond Brahmaloka and beneath the upper crust of the Cosmic Egg – in between these two is the PURA (Shiva’s city), his divine abode MANOMAYA (consisting of the mind).


This, then is the Original and Supreme abode of Shiva where He resides till the end of Creation and is visited by the other gods in their space-crafts (aliens again?). This would also make sense, since geologically, the Himalayas (of which Mount Kailash is a part), did not rise up till about 5o million years ago!
The Hari-vamsha says that Higher planetary systems are the realms of Devas, Angels, Spirits and Manes; Middle Planets (Bhu-Loka) the abode of mortal beings like Humans and animals; and the Lower planets are populated by the Demons and Nagas. Since the names in the Image above may not be very clear, I am jotting down the 14 systems here:

Higher Lokas - Lower Lokas
Satyaloka
1
Atal
Tapoloka
2
Vital
Janloka
3
Sutal
Maharloka
4
Rasatal
Swargaloka
5
Talatal
Bhuvarloka
6
Mahatal
Bhuloka
7
Patal
All these planets are within the material world and under the control of Devi Durga, therefore the Material Creation is also known as Devi-dham.

Development of higher consciousness, starts with human beings, and further increases among the denizens of higher planetary systems. Our Earth is situated close to the middle of these planetary systems and represents the Mortal Realms known as the Bhu Mandala.

Jain Scriptures also describe a similar form known as the Lok-purush or the Cosmic Man. The torso and head of the Cosmic Man contain a series of heavenly realms where the inhabitants experience lives of pleasure. The legs represent a series of seven hells, which offer an endless variety of torments.


Lokas in Jain cosmology



For us, the most important part of the universe, is the disk at the Loka-purush's waist, representing the MIDDLE-WORLD, where humans live and great teachers can be born. In this post, I shall take you through the 14 planetary systems starting with the Top planets first and gradually progressing to the Lower ones.



URDHVA-LOKA or The Higher Planets
The Higher Planets are abodes of super-intelligent, super-human, semi-divine and spiritually advanced beings. Loosely they may be understood as the Heavenly planets compared to the Middle Realm of Earth-like planets and the lower Hellish realms.


Comparative arrangement of Lokas






This group contains SIX planetary systems shown in the image above as the top six Lokas. The lowest of these, the Bhuvar-Loka, lies immediately above the Earthly Realm or Bhu-Loka.




SATYA-LOKA

The HIGHEST planet in the Material Realm is the abode of Lord Brahma, the progenitor of this universe. Along with him are present, his consort Saraswati and other spiritual entities who, after eons of spiritual penance have been able to transcend the bonds of Material world and reach this plane by traversing through the Milky Way.


Satya-Loka or Brahma-Loka



At the time of final dissolution of the material planets the residents here transform their subtle bodies into spiritual bodies and enter the eternal Vaikuntha planets which begin 26,200,000 yojanas ABOVE the Satyaloka.




TAPO-LOKA

This is the abode of the four Kumars named Sanat, Sanak, Sanandan, and Sanatan and is located 120,000,000 yojanas below the Satya-Loka.

They are the first incarnations of Lord Vishnu and represent the Gyan-shakti (power of knowledge) of the Lord. They are collectively referred to as the Kumars because they are immortal and live for the entire duration of universal time, yet retain their appearance of 5 year old kids!


The 4 Kumars preaching Supreme Knowledge


Because of their pure nature, they have easy access to the Brahma-Loka as well as the Spiritual Realm and regularly visit Lord Vishnu in the Vaikuntha.




JANA-LOKA & MAHAR-LOKA

The next Loka lies 80,000,000 yojanas below the Tapaloka and is the abode of great rishis. 20,000,000 yojanas below Janaloka is the Maharloka which is another abode of great saints and sages.

These Lokas are populated by mystics who can move between any planets within the material universe at speeds unthinkable to modern Science and the greatest of sages, such as Bhrigu Muni, live in this place. The inhabitants have a life span of one whole day of Brahma (4.32 Billion years)!


Sages of Jana-Loka and Mahar-loka worshipping the Lord


When the fire of devastation reaches this planet the residents transport themselves to Satyaloka where they live further before the highest of planets is also destroyed. They then transform their subtle bodies to spiritual and enter the spiritual realms.

Here, by means of his Karma, a soul can either go higher, up to Satyaloka and become Brahma's associate, or down, to the level of the Devas or demigods.



SWARGA-LOKA


The abode of the 33 Vedic gods also known as the Trayastriṃśa in Buddhist cosmology is located on the peak of Mount Meru, the central mountain of the world, at a height of 80,000 yojans.

This Loka corresponds to the concept of Heaven as described in the Western sense of the term. Here the King of the Gods, Indra rules with his brothers and companions. His entourage comprises of Angels, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Maruts, Vasus and other divine beings.



The Heavenly Realm



This is one of the most opulent planetary system with unimaginable riches, wish-fulfilling trees, supersonic space-crafts, ability to travel in different dimensions, long life-spans, and freedom from disease and disability. The duty of these Demi-gods is to manage the affairs of the universe, protecting its inhabitants against the demons.

The capital city of this world is Amravati - Abode of the Immortals. Indra and his fellow-residents obtain all the pleasures of life because of the wish-fulfilling cow Kamdhenu. This divine cow, the three-headed White Elephant Airavat as well as the Flying Horse Uchhaihshrava (~Greek Pegasus) were the riches Indra obtained after the Churning of the Cosmic Ocean.


Indra riding the winged-horse Ucchaihshrava



However, the 33 gods do not have a completely worry-free life here. In particular, they find themselves frequently challenged by the Asuras who dwell at the foot of Sumeru, plotting for ways to overthrow the Devas and take over their kingdom.


Devas getting ready for a battle with Asuras
Image courtesy Grant Morrison's 18 Days
{Art by Mukesh Singh}


Scriptural references make it equivalent to the Biblical Heaven or Islamic Jannat where the good souls go after death to reap the benefits of their good Karma.

If they become advanced in devotional service, they can advance to one of the higher Munilokas but if they become attached to material enjoyment, they will degrade into a lower position of a semi-divine being of even a Human again.




BHUVAR-LOKA

This planetary system roughly corresponds to our Solar System and contains Five major planets plus the Sun-God. However, there are two planets outside the Solar System included in this - Dhruva Loka or Pole Star and the realm of the Sapta-rishis or Big Dipper.

These Lokas are the abodes of Semi-divine beings who are one notch higher than the Humans. They assist the demigods in various ways and sometimes interact with the humans. By advancement in their service they can become a Demigod or by indulging in enjoyment, be born as a Human on the Earthly Realms.


Dhruv-Loka

It is the planetary complex revolving around the Polestar that is said to be 10,000,000 yojans below the Maharloka. It is described as the center of a bright ring of stars identified with our galaxy, Milky Way.

In every material universe, there is one Vaikunth planet with an ocean of milk where Lord Vishnu resides on an island called Shvetadvipa. In our Universe, this planet is situated in the Eastern side of Dhruvaloka and is the abode of Lord Kshirodakshayi Vishnu!


Brahma and the demigods meditating on Lord Vishnu at the Shvet-dvipa in Dhruv Loka



This transcendental island is 200,000 square miles and covered with desire trees for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord who resides here with Goddess Lakshmi and other pure, transcendental entities.

As it is a spiritual planet, it is eternal and therefore remains when all other planets within the material universes are destroyed. It is believed to be the pivot for all material stars and planets with even the Sun, revolving at the speed of 16,000 miles per second around the Dhruvaloka.

As mentioned in a previous post {Black Holes and Bhagavatam}, this Loka is located at the Galactic Center which is formed by a Super-massive Black Hole which may act as a portal between the Physical and Spiritual Realms.


Sapta-rishi Loka

The abode of the Seven Great Seers or the Sapta-rishis located 100,000 Yojans below the Dhruva-Loka.

The seven rishis are the most advanced spiritual guides for Humanity and have been present at all major time periods of our History. Astronomically, their abode is recognized in the form of the Big Dipper or Ursa Major constellation and it always revolves around the Dhruv-Loka or Pole Star.


Sapta-rishi Loka revolves around the Pole Star


Rishi Vasishth was the preceptor of the Solar Dynasty or Suryavansh while Vishwamitra was the guru of Lord Rama. There are numerous stories and legends in the ancient scriptures which relate the immense services these rishis have provided to different rulers on our planet since the beginning of time.


Nakshtara-Loka

Nakshatra Mandala is the stellar neighborhood of the Solar System perceived as the starry night sky. It is generally equated with the Zodiac Map around the Earth and represents the different constellations visible to us from Earth.


Nakshatra-Mandal




Lokas of Solar Planets

The next Lokas are those of the major Solar planets viz. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn which are the abodes of the divine-beings called Budh, Shukra, Mangal, Brihaspati and Shanaichar respectively.


The Lokas of Solar Planets


An alternate view is that these are spherical shell regions in which the respective planet's orbits are situated and these shells contain one after the other in the order of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These are believed to be located at a respective distance of 2,00,000 Yojans each.



Surya-Loka

Similarly, the Surya-Loka refers to the sphere of the Sun-god and the Solar neighborhood. It is located at a height of 1,00,000 Yojans above the Earth.

The Most importnt thing about this Loka is that it is situated bang in the middle of the Bhuloka and Bhuvarloka, rotating through the time circle of the zodiac. Thus, it represents not only the center of the Solar System, but ALSO the center of the Universe!!


Surya-Loka represents the center of our Universe


Since all observable data has shown the Universe to be expanding all around us, it MAY in fact BE true that our Solar System occupies the central position in the Egg-shaped Universe that we exist in. Those interested in knowing more can go through this article by Dr. Russel Humphrey - {Our-galaxy-is-the-centre-of-the-universe-quantized-redshifts-show}.

It is not so easy to determine the real space structure of the universe because there's no INDEPENDENT measure of distance in the universe. Hence, the astronomers have to look at a map of redshifts and directions in the sky from where the light has come. Then to get the distance to the source galaxy they have to assume the Hubble law.

Such observations have confirmed that numerical values of galaxy redshifts are ‘quantized’, tending to fall into distinct groups. According to Hubble’s Law, redshifts are proportional to how far a Galaxy is from us and an analysis of these shifts shows that galaxies tend to be grouped into (conceptual) spherical shells concentric around our home galaxy, the Milky Way.



Chandra-Loka

Chandra/Soma is the Sanskrit name of the Moon-god and hence, this Loka includes the satellite of Moon as well as its orbital neighborhood.

It should be remembered that when the scriptures talk about the Sun or the Moon-gods, it does not imply that the Star and the Satellite themselves are revered as Gods! There are deities who have been given the responsibility of these Heavenly bodies and THEY are the ones referred to by these terms.


Chandra-Loka, abode of the Moon-god



Moon influences the tidal processions and growth of vegetation therefore it is considered the life-giver for all living beings on earth. Here the celestial, intoxicating beverage called Soma is also available which is consumed by Indra and other Devas especially when they are getting ready for a battle.



Rahu

Rahu is the North node of the Moon's orbit while its counterpart Ketu is the southern one. It is said to be situated 80,000 miles above the three previous Lokas and is responsible for causing the Solar and Lunar eclipses.

Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu are identified with the Ascending and Descending Nodes of the Moon which are the points where the orbits of Sun and Moon intersect and if the alignment is correct, either a Solar or Lunar eclipse may occur.


Rahu and Ketu as Nodes of the Lunar orbit



Thus, these are not imaginary entities which periodically swallow the Sun and the Moon to cause an eclipse but ACTUAL positions contributing to the eclipses. The ancients were after all NOT crazy and the myths actually have underlying science inherent in them.


Siddhaloka, Charanaloka, & Vidyadharaloka

These planets are spread from above the Antariksh to the orbit of the Moon. Their residents are born with all the mystic siddhis naturally, including the ability to travel to other planets without using mechanical contraptions.


Vidyadhars/Angels visit Earth as messengers



The Vidyadhars are winged-creatures corresponding to the western concept of Angels and Siddhas are advanced beings who do not need wings to fly on account of their mystic Yogic powers. Chaarans spend most of their time traveling between the different planetary systems, eulogizing the Lord.

To me, the above mentioned three dimensions seem to represent the DIVISIONS of ATMOSPHERE which is quite neatly divided into three bands as well!



The Layers of Atmosphere between Sun and Earth



It is quite possible, that the three Lokas mentioned here, actually refer to the Atmospheric layers of Thermosphere, Mesosphere and Stratosphere and these entities exist there in an ethereal form.



Antariksh

The sky called Antariksh is the lowest of the higher Lokas and exists immediately above the Earth realm. It extends as far as the wind blows and clouds float in the sky and within it are the residences of Yakshas, Rakshashas, Pisachas, Ghosts, and other etheral beings.

Now that we are done with the Higher planets, let's move on to the Middle level Earth-like worlds known as th Mrityu-Loka or Bhu-Loka.



MADHYA-LOKA or The Middle Planets

The Bhumandala comprises of SEVEN Planets giving rise to the Mortal Realm. These are:
  • Jambu-dvipa,
  • Plaksha-dvipa,
  • Salmali-dvipa,
  • Kusha-dvipa,
  • Krauncha-dvipa,
  • Shaka-dvipa,
  • Pushkar-dvipa

We have already identified JAMBUDWEEP as our planet, in a previous post {Jambudvip - The Global Island}. The other six planets are arranged in a concentric fashion around the central planet Earth.


Dvipas in their orbits with Earth in the Centre



I wouldn't go much into the details of the different planets here because the descriptions more or less follow the same pattern as those of the Earth. All these planets have land surrounded by huge oceans and comprise of Humanoid species.

However, the denizens here live longer and are more materially opulent than the denizens of our world becuase right from Plaksh-dvipa to Shak-dvipa, there is a perpetual Treta-Yuga which is a more conducive age than our present Kailyuga.

I hope most of you would have grasped the point to be noted here - Besides Earth, there are SIX more planets which have Human-beings/Humanoids inhabiting them!

The significance of this information is huge!! If only we could identify these planets, we would be able to identify the location of OTHER intelligent species similar to us as well. I for one would be most eager to join if someone with access to astronomical resources needed for this endeavor decides to take the initiative..

Till then, let us do what we can and learn more about the other Lokas.


ADHO-LOKA or The Lower Planets


About 70,000 Yojans below the earth begin the seven lower planetary systems. It should be remembered that these planets may be LOWER in spatial co-ordinates but are materially MORE opulent than even the Higher Planets hence they are known as the Bila-Swarga!

These geographically lower worlds are:
  • Atal
  • Vital
  • Sutal
  • Talatal
  • Mahataal
  • Rasaatal
  • Pataal

The residents here enjoy a standard of material comfort UNMATCHED by even the higher planets because the denizens of these worlds are concerned only with Material enjoyment and have very loittle Spiritual inclination.

These lower worlds are dark planets, devoid of any Sunshine and are hence artificially-lit by means of huge reflecting surfaces in the form of crystals and gems! Since time is not divided into days and nights due to no sunshine reaching these planets, they have no fear produced by time.

These planets are the residence of Daityas, Danavas, Panis, Nivat-kavachs, Rakshasas, Kalkeyas, Nagas, Uragas who are all engaged in illusory material enjoyment with no thought of spiritual liberation. All residents bathe in elixirs which free them from any anxiety or physical disease, as well as any signs of physical aging.



Rakshas denizens enjoy all Material opulences




The visual beauty of these artificial heavens surpasses even that of the higher planets and hence they are known as Bila-Swarga. There are incredible feats of architecture in their cities bedecked with valuable jewels.

This sensual atmosphere completely captures the mind, allowing no thoughts but those directed toward fulfillment of pleasure. Demon live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, always engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births.

There are some details which are worth mentioning here-

  • The planet Sutal is the abode of Bali Maharaj, the most benevoent and just king of the Asura race, who was blessed by Lord Vishnu to become the Indra for the next Manvantar.
  • In the Lower planets of Mahataal and Pataal, reside the Nagas or the semi-human serpent people. The Nagaloka is a splendid place with unimaginable riches. All darkness is banished here because of the brilliantly glowing jewels on the hoods of the huge serpents. The King of the Nagas, Vasuki resides here in his capital Bhogavati.



    Naga city of Bhogavati



    • Buddhist texts mention eight major kings of the Nagas - Vasuki, Takshak, Nanda, Upananda, Sagar, Balvan, Anavatapta and Utpal. The same are also referred to as the 'Eight Dragon Kings' in Chinese and Japanese legends.
    • Below the lowest planet of Pataal, is the planet of the Manes or ancestors who are known as the Pitras.


    Texts like the Mahabharat repeatedly give incidents of Nagas emerging from under the ground (inspired probably by their tendency to live in burrows) and Naga princesses abducting handsome men deep down under water. Maybe a thorough underwater exploration can help shed some light on the possible existence of portals between these worlds and our Earth.

    Till now, we have encountered planets with advanced beings having multiple limbs who can transport themselves from one place to another in a fraction of a second (Vaikunth-Loka). We saw planets where people travel on airplanes and space-crafts rather than ground-cars (Swarga-Loka) and also read about planets that do not need the Sun for survival (Bila-Swarga)

    Beneath all these, and slightly above the Garbhodak ocean, are the Naraklokas, or the hellish planets.
    




    NARAK-LOKA or The Hellish Planets

    Narak is the Hindu counterpart of Christian Hell and Islamic Dozakh.

    This place acts as a purgatory for the souls who have commited the most abominable actions on the earthly plane. Unlike the Eternal Hell of Western religions though, this place is temporary and once the soul has learnt its lesson, it is free to move back into the regular dimension.


    Lowest of all are the Planets of Hell



    There are 28 different hells described in the Vedic literature and these planets are: Raurav, Sukar, Rodha, Tal, Vishsan, Mahajwal, Taptakumbh, Lavan, Vilohit, Rudhiramabh, Vaitarni, Krimish, Krimibhojan, Asipatravana, Krishna, Lalabhaksha, Darun, Puyuvah, Pap, Vahnijwal, Adhahshira, Sandansh, Kalsutra, Tamas, Avichi, Swabhojan, Apratishthit and Aprachi.


    The different Hells



    The ancient sages have made provisions of expiation for those sinners who feel guilty in their conscience after committing their sins. Only those sinners who do not expiate for their sins fall into these hells. Although life here seems to go on for an eternity, in actual fact the duration of one's Karmic sentence here may be only seconds or moments.

    All these Hells are under the domain of Surya-putra Yamaraj where he delivers judgement according to the record kept by his assistant Chitra-gupta.



    Yamraj in his Court of Justice
    Image courtesy Dominique Amendola



    As I understand, the sins are paid off in hell only when you have achieved the human form at the end of the 84 lakh births you have taken.. at all other times, the soul is immediately transferred to a new body as soon as it leaves the previous one.

    Below these planets is the Garbhodak Ocean which forms the bottom of the Universal Egg or the Brahm-and.



    Foundation of Our Universe
    At the base of our Universe lies the immense Garbhodak Ocean on which reclines the second form of Lord Vishnu - Shri Garbhodakshayi Vishnu, resting on the Eternal serpent, Ananta-Shesha. {For details check this link - Creation by Brahma}.


    Final arrangement of the Lokas



    Anant-Shesh has thousands of hoods and each of the hoods carries a bright gemstone that illuminates the azimuths. At the end of every Kalpa, Brahma goes to sleep and rests for the night.

    The time has come now for the Maha-pralaya when fiery poison emanates from Ananta's thousands of hoods and destroys all Creation. This is the Sankarshan form of the Lord from whose eyebrows appears the three-eyed Rudra who destroys the three worlds and dances the dance of destruction known as the Tandav.


    Lord Sankarshan destroys the creation at the end of Brahma's day


    From all that we have read about the different Lokas, Bhu-Loka or the Earth-Realm seems to be sort of a Launch-pad from where you can reach the other worlds based on your Karma.

    Through GOOD Karma and right inclination, one can ascend to the Spiritually advanced Higher planets; through OKAYish Karma, indulgence of senses and unbridled desires, one can descend to the Spiritually deprived but Materially advanced Lower planets. And through really really really BAD Karma, one may have to suffer in one of the Hellish planets!

    This, I believe is the central learning from all this knowledge. Even if you are a Deva or a Rishi, there's no guarantee that you won't be born as a Rakshas or an ant or a bacteria in your next birth! There are numerous instances where a Divine being was cursed to be born as a Human or an animal because of his bad Karma.

    The only certain way to get out of this Samsara or the Never-ending Cycle of Birth and Death is to keep the Lord in your heart in every action that you do, in every thought that comes to your mind, and in every breath that you take.

    I conclude this post with a statement from the Brahma-Vaivarta Puraan -
    Harer naam Harer naam Hare naam Kevalam,
    Kalau na asti eva na asti eva na asti eva gatih anyathha!

    Only the name of Hari, Only the name of Hari, Only the name of Hari,
    There's no other delieverance, no other deliverance, no other deliverance in this Age of Kali!


    Americas -The Patala Of Hinduism Mayas .Connection of South America and Vedic India

    by Gene D. Matlock
    India's Conquest of the Americas.
    Kanchi Periyavar mentions this fact in the Book Deivathin Kural in Tamil( Free download of the Book is available in this site),with astonishing evidence from the Vedic Texts.
    The Mayan civilization as well as the Egyptian Civilizations often intrigued me.
    Their method of worship of the Sun, the reverence for the Dead and some cultural practices are very close to Hinduism.
    Now on to this information in the article.


    Patala, Hinduism

    The World as described in the Purans
    Patala Loka“The Vedas tell a number of valid facts about ancient America . They call Mexico and Central America Patala. In Sanskrit, Patala means ‘one of the seven regions under the earth and the abode of serpents’ According to the myths, an eagle named Garuda transported thousands of ancient mariners, called snakes (Nagas, there in its beak. Although I feel they came here in ocean-going ships, the implication is clear that they could have flown here as well. The legends of the O’odhams of Arizona describe such a sky-born ship. They call it Nah-Big, a term definitely derived from the Sanskrit Nag-Bhaga or Snake God. One cannot help but become impressed when he reads the O’odham stories of the Nah-Big. It is clear that it was some kind of flying ship. The O’odhams even speak of it as being propelled by an energy generator having positive (male) and (female) female poles…
    In the Mayan-derived dialects along Mexico’s northern east coast down to and including the Central America republics, Patal means ‘abandoned or deserted land; without people.’
    Naga-like derivatives also exist in Mexico . In Sanskrit, Nag-asta means Western Naga Land . The Mayan lowlands down to and including Costa Rica are called Nacaste.
    According to Hindu legends, a naga could turn into a human being. In Mexico, a nagual was a were-animal. Nagual derived from the Sanskrit Nag-Baal, meaning Snake Demon.


    Hindus Conception of WorldThe Hindu Naga Mayas also belonged to a powerful Dravidian group of Nagas called Asuras. Whether or not the Asuras were demi-gods or demons depended on one’s point of view. The leader of these Naga Asuras was the Hindu (really a Bulgarian) god of precious metals, wealth, traders and even agriculturists (really a group) named Kubera or Khyber (Kheever). For Christians and Jews he was Heber. This Kubera, Khyber, or Heber was leader of a horde called Yakshas or Yakhas (Biblical Joktan?). They were reputed to be both superior mentally and materially. Their servants were called Guhyakhas (Yakha shit). Today, in Judaism, which evolved from the Kubera teachings, the term has changed to Goy, but the meaning has never changed. The Kubera hordes, composed of Yakshas or Yakhas and their Guyakha underclass captured most of India’s undesirables, the unredeemably savage and cannibilistic Rakshasas, exiling them to Ceylon or Lanka. Later, they exiled them to Patala, supposedly in air ships.
    The Mayas had their own nation in Lanka, also named Maya, with a sub-group called Laks (Mexico’s Lacandones). It is a strange anomaly that Rama, Lenka (Lanka), and Lacandon Mayan peoples exist in Meso-America, including the inhabitants of Yucatan (Yakhustan; Joktan?)…
    In India, many Hindus love to mention them as a superior race of people who came to them from Uttara Kuru ( Siberia and the North Pole). Yet, the Kurus (Ari) and Ramas were just the Indian people themselves who once inhabited the whole of the Eastern Hemisphere — Kurus the north, and Ramas, the Indian sub continent itself. In the mythologies of all the world, the Kurus (Turks) and the Hindus (Ramas) are the Holy Twins. Although both groups were partners (twins) in international trading, the Kurus (Turks) provided the shipping and the Ramas their services as warrior traders. The Ramas were ferocious warriors, just as they were described in the Mahabharata.
    It just so happens that the Carib (Cariva) Indians of the Caribbean islands claimed that their creator gods were the Kuru Rumani. The Mexicans will tell you that the state of Veracruz derives its name from Ver a Cruz (Seeing at a Cross), but such a name is preposterous for a variety of reasons. The people of Vera Cruz are really descendants of Carib Indians, called Vira–Kurus (Hero Kurus). Emperor Moctezuma of Mexico himself told the Spaniards that the Mexican royal family descended from a ruling eastern caste called Colhua, the only way the Aztecs could pronounce Kaurava.

    The Hindus of antiquity had an ancient astro-geographical map with four lotus petals pointing in the cardinal directions, called Mt. Meru (the world mountain). The point of the left petal fell on a seaport called Ketumala or Chetumala. Both pronunciations were used. The lower center petal was Jambudvipa (subcontinent India ).”


    More at:
    Chetumal is even now a safe port in what is presently Belize, Central America. (See the illustrations below). The name of this port of Chetumal has never changed in all these thousands of years. According to the available evidence,  the Chetumala depicted on the point of the left petal of the Mt. Meru drawing. But the skeptics and so-called 'historians and mytholigists' who are dead set against India knowing the truth about herself, for foolish reasons only they can know, insisted that the Central American Chetumal was just a coincidence.
    You will notice that just to the left of the Chetumal petal there is a body of water called the Kashyapa Sea . A meaning of Kashyapa is 'sea turtle; tortoise.' We now call the Kashyapa Sea the Caribbean Sea . It is commonly known that more sea turtles of different species inhabit Meso--America and Eastern Central America than any other place in the world. One species in the region, the Hawksbill, has always been hunted for its beautiful shell which, for thousands of years, has been used to make fine ornaments. In ancient days, there were uncountable millions of Hawksbills in the Caribbean Sea . Because of centuries of feverish and constant harvesting, the Hawksville population has shrunk to an estimated 22,000 nesting females. Belize itself is a composite Sanskrit word Bala= Facing the East; The Rising Sun. Isha or Isa = God Shiva. Belize indeed faces the east.
    But not even this is enough proof for those wanting to keep India hidden under the rug. So now it's time to reveal something that no rug can ever hide. Chetumala or Ketumala is not the official name of the left petal. It is the official name of the harbor itself. The full territory was called Aparagoyana or just Goyana ( Guyana )! Apara=Western; being in the west of; a bad shore. Guh=concealed; hide; keep secret; a hiding place; filth; etc. Yana=journey; going; moving; riding; a vehicle of any kind; ship, etc. (See ancient Geography of Ayodhya, by Dr. Shyam Narain Pande; p. 8, plus 87 other references listed in the Internet.)
    Aparagoyana ( Guyana ) clearly tells us that the Guhyakas and the Rakshasas were being exiled to Guyana because the civilized world was ashamed of them. Today, the name Guyana has shrunk to just the top right half of South America, but a sizable portion of the territory still retains enough of the ancient name of the left petal to let us know that the total region was in no way named Ketu Mal but Apara-Guyana. On the map itself, you will see Guyana as the first nation. The second nation's name has been changed to Suriname, which is also derived from Sanskrit. Suri is a name of God Krishna. Nama=Named. The third one at the right is French Guiana or French Guyana.
    It is a fascinating anomaly about these nations that the majority population is of East Indian descent. People of African descent come next. After that, mixed races, European (mostly Portuguese) and Chinese.

    So that seafarers could know for sure when they were following the trade winds correctly to Central America, the old Hindu legends gave extremely exact information to let them know they were sailing between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. According to any of the 87 descriptions of Apara-Goyana or Guyana you can find in the websites describing it, 'When the sun rises in Jambudvípa, it is the middle watch of the night in Aparagoyana; sunset in Aparagoyana is midnight in Jambudípa, and sunrise is noon in Jambudípa, sunset in Pubbavideha and midnight in Uttara Kuru.' How can any astro-geographical description be more accurate than that?
    So now, my Hindu friends, you have this part of your history back. And the orthodox historian villains are growling, 'Curses, foiled again.!' It's not so preposterous as Kubera 'spending ten thousand years with his head below water,' either. It is one hundred percent fact. No skeptic or religio-cultural enemy of India can ever twist this truth to mean something it is not. The truth of Idia's dominance and colonization of the ancient Americas is nakedly exposed to the whole world. If you don't take the initiative and start rewriting your history books right now, you have no one but yourselves to blame when the self-worshiping 'rational' academics try to cannibalize you!
    Original Article

    HINDUISM DECODED-Deity Worship in the Vedic Tradition #DECODING #HINDUISM

    There are temples in India which are older over Five Thousand years.
    Some of them are damaged.
    When a modern building built with the latest Technology do not seem to last for fifty years,these temples are a tribute to the Technology and skill of our ancestors.
    Temple for Balarama
    Dauji Temple
    Near Gokul, in Village Baladeva (District Mathura), Shri Dauji Temple is situated 21 km southeast of Mathura, on the other side of Yamuna river. The name Dauji means ‘Elder Brother’. Here in the temple two metre (6×6″) Deity of Lord Balrama was installed by King Vajranabha.
    Near Gokul, in Village Baladeva (District Mathura), Shri Dauji Temple is situated 21 km southeast of Mathura, on the other side of Yamuna river. The name Dauji means ‘Elder Brother’. Here in the temple two metre (6×6″) Deity of Lord Balrama was installed by King Vajranabha.

    seven kilometers south of Gokula, not far from Mathura, is the Dauji temple. Dauji is the Deity of Lord Balarama that was originally installed 5,000 years ago by King Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson. From Lord Krishna and His queen Rukmini was born the great warrior Pradyumna, one of His prominent sons, who married the daughter of Rukmi, Rukmavati. They gave birth to Anirudha. Anirudha married Rukmi’s son’s daughter, Rachana, and from her was born Vajra, who would remain among the few survivors of the Yadus’ battle. (Bhagavatam 10.90.35-37)
    In fact, King Vajra established a number of Krishna Deities in the area. The present Dauji temple that we see today was built 200 years ago by Shyama Das of Delhi. Many people also attend this temple to get darshan of the single Deity of the 6 feet tall Lord Balarama. From the other side of the temple you can see the Deity of Revati, Lord Balarama’s wife. Nearby is the Balabhadra Kund or Kshira (milk) Sagara (sea) where the Deity of Lord Balarama had been hidden during the Moghul invasion. Near this kund is a temple to Harideva, and in the bazaar is another temple to Krishna as Banke Bihari.”
    Old Krishna Temple
    Krishna temple
    There is also much history on the site of Krishna’s birth, the Krishna Janmasthana in Mathura. Historical records indicate that the first temple here was also built by King Vajranabha. This temple lasted for many years. The next temple was supposedly built by King Vikramaditya in 400 BCE. That was destroyed by the infamous Mahmud Ghazni in 1017-18. Ancient descriptions relate that such a magnificent building would have taken 200 years of great toil by the world’s greatest craftsmen. Thereafter, a third temple was built by a citizen named Jajja during the time of King Vijayapalavadeva, ruler of Mathura, according to an inscription on a stone slab discovered in the area. Sri Chaitanya visited this temple during His visit in 1515. Unfortunately, that was destroyed by the Muslim Sikander Lodi shortly thereafter. The next temple was built by Raja Virsinghadeva Bundela during the reign of Jehangir (around 1650). It is said that this temple stood 250 feet tall and was a stately structure made of intricately carved red sandstone, costing some 33 lakhs of rupees. But again it was destroyed by the fanatic Muslim Aurangzeb in 1669-70. Then it its place a mosque was built, which still stands today. The next temple over the place of Krishna’s birth appeared later in the mid-20th century.
    Varaha Avatar by Sudhamshu. Varaha Image (Not the Mathura Temple) : Source : http://www.flickr.com/photos/sudhamshu/3338614940/
    Also in Mathura, not far from the Dwarkadish Mandira, there is the temple of white Sweta-Varaha, and another of Adi-Varaha. According to local history as explained by local pandits, back in Satya-yuga this Deity had been given to Lord Indra who worshiped Him in Swarga, his heavenly abode. The Deity was later taken by Ravana when he defeated Indra who took Him to Sri Lanka. Then, after Ravana was defeated by Lord Ramachandra, the Deity was taken to Ayodhya by Lord Ramachandra. Lord Ramachandra gave it to His brother Satrughna who brought it to Mathura when he was dispatched to conquer Madhu Daitya and Lavanasura. After defeating the demonic father and son, Madhu and Lavanasura, he installed the Deity of Adi-Varaha here. This story is more fully explained in Chapter 163 of the Varaha Purana.
    Source:
    http://www.stephen-knapp.com/antiquity_of_deity_worship_in_vedic_tradition.htm

    Sunday, March 2, 2014

    HINDUISM DECODED-Jesus Christ and the genocide,DO NOT TELL ANYBODY -RELIGION OF PEACE?#DECODING #HINDUISM

    Jesus Christ and the impending genocide

    Jesus Christ on the Cross

    Christian propagandists claim that Jesus Christ is a symbol of love and compassion. However, The Bible tells a different story. In Drunk with Blood – God’s Killings in the Bible (pp. 271-274), Steve Wells admirably summarizes the biblical verses that portray Jesus as a bloodthirsty genocidal maniac. Wells is the creator of the famed Skeptic’s Annotated Bible website and funnily informs that he has “spent way too much time analyzing the three worst books (The BibleThe Quran, andThe Book of Mormon) ever written.”
    Let us now turn to Wells’ analysis of genocide that The Bible warns Jesus is going to unleash upon us. According to The Bible, Jesus would return to the earth holding a sickle in his hand (Revelation 14:14). An angel would tell him that it is time to start a bloody genocide. Another sickle-wielding angel would join Jesus and the duo would start a violent carnage. The blood they spill would cover the ground up to the horses’ bridles in a space of 1,600 furlongs (Revelation 14:15-20).
    Now, 1,600 furlongs is about 320 kilometers, and a horse’s bridle is 1.5 meters high or so. If we take the bloodbath to be circular with a diameter of 320 kilometers, then the total volume is 1.2 x 1014 liters. Since an adult has about 5 liters of blood, that gives us 2.4 x 1013 (24 trillion) people. That is 4,000 times more people than what inhabit the earth now. Perhaps Jesus would wait till the population explodes to 24 trillion before unleashing this genocide. My Lord, thy mercy is limitless!
    Wells points out that there is another way to estimate the number of dead on the doomsday. This revised estimate might appeal to those who abhor population explosion. According to this contradictory biblical prophecy, Jesus would unleash the might of the sword and hunger to annihilate a fourth of the population (Revelation 6:8). Assuming that the much awaited Second Coming of Jesus happens today, a fourth of the seven billion human beings (i.e., 1.75 billion) would be slaughtered.
    Jesus would then let loose four angels, who would massacre one-third of the remaining population (i.e., 1.75 billion). Jesus won’t take the chill pill yet. He would instead command 200 million fire-breathing horsemen to massacre a third of the survivors. In all, 4.7 billion humans would be killed when Jesus returns.
    No matter whether one subscribes to the lower limit of 4.7 billion or the upper limit of the incredible 24 trillion, Jesus would be winning the Olympic gold for committing genocides if there were one. Other genocidal maniacs pale in comparison: Hitler killed six million, Mao Tse-tung killed 45 million, and Stalin deliberately killed an estimated six million civilians. But remember, these 20th century monsters used modern weaponry and an industry-grade killing apparatus. Jesus, on the other hand, simply relies upon a Bronze Age weapon – a sickle, and yet beats these 20th century wimps hands down.
    Hail Jesus! You are my superstar!
    Now imagine a Hindu scripture endorsing such genocides by a Hindu God or Goddess. Christian propagandists and their leftist minions would’ve taken Hinduism to task. But then Christianity, which actually sanctifies genocides, is portrayed as the ‘religion of love.’ The shameless pseudo-intellectual Amartya Sen even infamously proclaimed that indoctrinating children in the violent teachings of Christianity in schools is “perfectly acceptable whereas teaching them the wisdom of Hinduism and its harmonious teachings is not. Sen also perversely claimed that Christian indoctrination creates a “tolerant atmosphere.”
    Perhaps, Sen hopes that he wouldn’t be among the 4.7 billion victims of Jesus. Alas, I have bad news for the shameless Sen. The Bible says that only 144,000 male Jewish virgins would survive the slaughter (Revelation 14:3-4). Unless Sen is a Jewish virgin male, I am sorry to say that his hopes are misplaced.
    Kalavai Venkat is a Silicon Valley-based writer, an atheist, and a practicing orthodox Hindu, and author of the forthcoming book What Every Hindu Should Know About Christianity
    - See more at: http://www.indiafacts.co.in/jesus-christ-impending-genocide/#sthash.v59F9OMG.dpuf