Loka

Key takeaways

Loka belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Loka to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Loka from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Loka (Sanskrit: लोक) is a concept in Hinduism and other Indian religions, that may be translated as a planet, the universe, a plane, or a realm of existence. In some philosophies, it may also be interpreted as a mental state that one can experience. A primary concept in several Indian religions is the idea that different lokas are home to various divine beings, and one takes birth in such realms based on their karma.

Etymology The term loka is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root lok, which means "to see", "to perceive", or "to look". In scriptural explanations, a loka is understood as a realm of experience.

Hinduism

Three lokas

A foundational arrangement of the lokas in Hinduism appear in the Vedic scriptures as trailokya or triloka, or the three realms (or worlds). The three worlds refer to: Bhurloka (Earth), Svarga (heaven), and Naraka or Patala (hell or the underworld).

Bhurloka In the Narada Purana, Bhurloka is identified with the planet Earth, the world of human beings. It is described to be split up into seven regions, referred to as dvipas (islands). These regions are known as Jambudvipa, Plakshadvipa, Shalmaladvipa, Kushadvipa, Kraunchadvipa, Shakadvipa, and Pushkaradvipa. Of special significance is the Indian subcontinent, referred to as Bharatavarsha, which is a land where the fruits of one's actions allows one passage into either Svarga or Naraka. Bhurloka also has seven oceans, namely, Lavana, Ikshu, Sura, Sarpih, Dadhi, Dughdha, and Jala.

Svarga

Generally translated as heaven, Svarga is identified with the realm of Indra and the devas in contemporary Hinduism. The Vedas offer the reward of Svarga as one's destination for the proper practice of sacrificial rituals on earth. In Vedic mythology, Svarga is filled with the nectar of immortality, amrita, with lakes containing lotuses, pools of wine, milk, and ghee, as well as streams that are replete with honey. It is abundant with food and refreshments, and equal opportunity is offered to all of its denizens. It is described to be an infinite, complete, as well as an immortal realm, offering pleasure to those rare few who are able to ascend to it. It is sometimes associated with Pitṛloka, the realm of one's ancestors, but this association is not present in all literature.

Naraka

Naraka is generally translated as hell, and refers to the loka that humans are sent to, to be punished for their sins. Ruled by Yama, sinners are offered appropriate punishments for their sins on earth, and after a period of time, reborn on earth with bad vipāka, which is the effect of bad karma. The Bhagavata Purana enumerates the following 28 Narakas: Tamisra, Andhatamisra, Raurava, Maharaurava, Kumbhipaka, Kalasutra, Asipatravana, Sukaramukha, Andhakupa, Krimibhojana, Samdamsa, Taptasurmi, Vajrakantaka-salmali, Vaitarani, Puyoda, Pranarodha, Visasana, Lalabhaksa, Sarameyadana, Avichi, Ayahpana, Ksharakardama, Raksogana-bhojana, Sulaprota, Dandasuka, Avata-nirodhana, Paryavartana, and Suchimukha. The Brahmanda Purana conceives them to be Bhūta (past), Bhavya (future), and Bhavat (present) The scholar Deborah Soifer describes the development of the concept of lokas as follows:

The concept of a loka or lokas develops in the Vedic literature. Influenced by the special connotations that a word for space might have for a nomadic people, loka in the Veda did not simply mean place or world, but had a positive valuation: it was a place or position of religious or psychological interest with a special value or function of its own. Hence, inherent in the 'loka' concept in the earliest literature was a double aspect; that is, coexistent with spatiality was a religious or soteriological meaning, which could exist independent of a spatial notion, an 'immaterial' significance. The most common cosmological conception of lokas in the Veda was that of the trailokya or triple world: three worlds consisting of earth, atmosphere or sky, and heaven, making up the universe."

Fourteen lokas

Commentators during the classical Puranic period expanded the three realm model into a fourteen realm model, further subdivided into seven higher worlds (urdhva loka) and seven descending worlds (adholoka). The seven upper realms, above earth, consist of Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, Svarloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka. As the realms increase, they are characterized by purity and dissolution of materialistic attachments. The lower realms, collectively known as patala (underworlds), are Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, and Patala. The underworlds can be considered as various hells. In each of these realms are different deities and beings 'living out their karmic trajectories". Those beings in the higher realms have attained a temporary spiritual liberation due to their positive merits for having strengthened their detachment to the mind, ego and sense objects. However, ultimate liberation (moksha) is regarded as the highest goal in human life, in which one achieves ultimate union with God. Moksha, in turn, requires total detachment from worldly objects and desires.

Lokas:

Satya-loka (Brahma-loka) Tapa-loka Jana-loka Mahar-loka Svar-loka (Svarga-loka) Bhuvar-loka Bhu-loka Atala-loka Vitala-loka Sutala-loka Talatala-loka Mahatala-loka Rasatala-loka Patala-loka Another lineup of the fourteen lokas is stated as follows:

Bhur-loka Bhuvar-loka Suvar-loka Mahar-loka Janar-loka Tapar-loka Satya-loka Brahma-loka Pitri-loka Soma-loka Indra-loka Gandharva-loka Rakshasa-loka Yaksha-loka

Buddhism

Six lokas

In the Tibetan and Tantric schools, "Six Lokas" refers to a Bönpo and Nyingmapa spiritual practice or discipline that works with chakras and the six dimensions or classes of beings in the Bhavachakra. In Buddhist cosmology, Kama-Loka, Rupa-Loka, Arupa-Loka are the realms that are inhabited by various beings. Additionally, those who inhabit these realms will identify with the characteristics of that realm. For example, a being that resides in Kama-loka experiences predominantly sensual desires, whereas a being in Rupa-loka will experience deep meditation. Various early suttas also suggest that there is a close relationship between psychology and cosmology, equating to different levels of existence in the cosmos, which can be interpreted as the afformentioned lokas.

Three lokas

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Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Loka

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Loka claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Loka before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Loka ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Loka

In research: Loka appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Loka in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Loka is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Buddhist cosmology, Hindu cosmology, Jain cosmology, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Loka outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

How to study Loka in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Loka means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Loka out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Loka in simple terms?

Loka (Sanskrit: लोक) is a concept in Hinduism and other Indian religions, that may be translated as a planet, the universe, a plane, or a realm of existence. In some philosophies, it may also be interpreted as a mental state that one can experience.

Why does Loka matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Loka?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Loka.