Our Home in the Universe, According to the Puranas
BY: ABHAYA MUDRA DASI
Apr 19, 2013 — BLAGOEVGRAD, BULGARIA (SUN) — Feature article from the Astrological Newsletter.
Although a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes an illustration requires clarification. The drawing above represents my graphic understanding of the Shrimad Bhagavatam's concept of the Bhu-Mandala, upon which we reside.
Mount Sumeru: In the middle we see Mount Sumeru. This great mountain is wider at the top, yet it is also flat. Mount Sumeru stands as the center (or stigma, a flower's reproductive organ) of the lotus that is Bhu-Mandala. Further, the petals of the lotus can be seen dividing the different regions into the seven islands of Bhu-Mandala. Mount Sumeru is surrounded by other mountains that have very sharp peaks. As the Bhagavatam explains:
"There are other mountains beautifully arranged around the foot of Mount Meru like the filaments around the whorl of a lotus flower. Their names are Kuranga, Kurara, Kusumbha, Vaikanka, Trikuta, Shishira, Patanga, Ruchaka, Nishadha, Sinivasa, Kapila, Shankha, Vaidurya, Jarudhi, Hamsa, Rishabha, Naga, Kalanjara and Narada." (5.16.26)
The flat peak of Mount Sumeru is the sitting place of Lord Brahma, the creator of this Universe. Nearby are also the sitting places for each one of the dig-palas or deities of the eight directions, namely:
Indra (east)
Varuna (west)
Kuber (north)
Yamaraja (south)
Ishana (northeast)
Agni (southeast)
Alakshmi (southwest)
Vayu (northwest)
Each one of these demi-godly dig-palas are masters of opulent cities that lie in the eight directions. The directions of each of their cities are the basis of the kalachakra or the adjunct horoscope called the "Wheel of Time" in jyotish shastra. Additionally, each one of these eight directions, like the eight petals of the lotus, underscores the principles of vastu-shastra or Vedic architecture based upon knowledge of directions. In this way we can understand how the demi-gods who control the directions influence our lives. Jyotish is therefore a means of living in harmony with the elements that surround us. Mount Sumeru is golden in color and reflects everything around it—and for this reason it is not easily seen. Traveling there is impossible for us because of the severe winds blowing on all sides.
The description of Mount Meru is given in many Puranas including the Devi Purana (8.7.1-12) wherein the cities atop the golden mountain are identified by name:
"The Personality of Godhead Lord Narayana said: Jathara and Devakuta are the two mountains situated on the east of Sumeru; their dimensions towards the north are eighteen thousand yojanas wide and two thousand yojanas high. On the west of Meru, are situated the two famous lofty mountains Pavamana and Pariyatra; their length and height are well known. On the south of Meru are situated the two lofty mountains Kailasha and Karavira. On the north, again, of the Sumeru mountain, are situated the mountains Shringa-giri and Makara-giri. Thus the golden Sumeru Mountain surrounded by these eight mountains shines like the Sun."
In the centre of the Sumeru there is a divine city built by the creator demi-god Lord Brahma, ten thousand yojanas in dimensions. The learned sages who know everything from the highest to the lowest describe that as square in dimensions and all made of gold. On the top of Sumeru are situated the eight golden cities, one for each of the eight lokapalas (digpalas) , which are all subservient to Brahmapuri. The demi-gods of the four directions; namely east, west, north and south, and of the four corners; namely north-east, north-west, south-west, south-east, occupy these cities. The dimensions of each of these eight cities are two thousand yojanas and a half. In fact, there are nine cities there including the Brahmapuri. Now hear the names of these nine cities in due order. The first is Manovati, the second is Amaravati, the third is Tejovati, and next come in order Samyamani, Krishnangana, Shraddhavati, Gandhavati, and Mahodaya, the ninth is Yashovati. The demi-gods of the puris are Brahma, Indra, Agni and the other digpalas in due order."
In Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhaktivedanta Purport to 1.12.5) Shrila Prabhupada discusses how the fame of King Yudhisthira reached the upper planets, although these lokas are inaccessible to ordinary mortals.
"Only a rich and great man's name and fame are known all over the world, and the name and fame of Maharaja Yudhisthira reached the higher planets because of his good administration, worldly possessions, glorious wife Draupadi, the strength of his brothers Bhima and Arjuna, and his solid sovereign power over the world, known as Jambudvipa. Here the word lokah is significant. There are different lokas or higher planets scattered all over the sky, both material and spiritual. A person can reach them by dint of his work in the present life, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (9.25). No forceful entrance is allowed there. The tiny material scientists and engineers who have discovered vehicles to travel over a few thousand miles in outer space will not be allowed entrance. That is not the way to reach the better planets. One must qualify himself to enter into such happy planets by sacrifice and service. Those who are sinful in every step of life can expect only to be degraded into animal life to suffer more and more the pangs of material existence, and this is also stated in Bhagavad-gita (16.19). Maharaja Yudhisthira's good sacrifices and qualifications were so lofty and virtuous that even the residents of the higher celestial planets were already prepared to receive him as one of them."
Illavrita-varsha: At the bottom of Mount Meru is Illavrita-varsha, one of the residences of Lord Shiva. The scorching rays of the Sun do not reach here, and thus it remains always very cool and pleasant and surrounded by lush greenery. Naturally, the inhabitants of Illavrita-varsha are always very blissful and content.
Jambu-dvipa: In the illustration above there are another nine tracts of land on the main island of Jambu-dvipa divided by great mountains. These islands surrounding Mount Sumeru are circular in shape and form the middle of the lotus flower of Bhu-mandala or the Earthly plane. Bharata-varsha or the Earth as we know it today is located on the very southern side of Jambu-dvipa. For the sake of distinguishing their exact location, the continents have been drawn a bit exaggerated in size so the observer can distinguish their exact location. Today's India is located in the exact middle of the Bharata-varsha region of Jambu-dvipa. Thus, by locating India we can easily obtain map projections of the upper celestial regions as well as to the lower regions of the Universe. Note that Jambu-dvipa is surrounded by ocean of salt water.
Plaksha-dvipa: The second island surrounding the ocean of salt is Plaksha-dvipa, which is named for the fig trees growing there. On this island there seven minor islands. In the illustration we see them as divided by mountains that start the formation of the petals of the analogous lotus flower of the Universe. The inhabitants of Plaksha-dvipa live one thousand years and they are in no way less than demigods. The climate of this region is quite hot in comparison to the atmosphere on Jambu-dvipa. For this reason the inhabitants worship the Sun god there as their main deity. The Sun is well visible on this island. Plaksha-dvipa is surrounded by an ocean of sugarcane juice that is darker in appearance than the salt water ocean. Sweet taste is produced due to the influence of Jupiter and his orbit is quite visible in this region.
Salmali-dvipa: The next island is Salmali-dvipa, the residence of Garuda. There are seven continents on Salmali-dvipa. Here the inhabitants worship Chandra the demi-god of the Moon as his orbit is prominent over this island. The island is surrounded by an ocean of liquor that is similar in appearance to the salt water ocean, but which has different characteristics or movements.
Kusha-dvipa: The fourth consecutive island has the ocean of liquor on one side and an ocean of liquid ghee on the other. This island is called Kusha-dvipa for the kusha grass that grows there. This island is very hot and from a distance it appears as though the whole island is red and as if the kusha grass is ablaze. The island of Kusha-dvipa is divided by seven continents. The inhabitants there worship Agni the demi-god of fire as they are always engaged in fire yagnas. The ocean of clarified butter is used to expand the offerings to Agni. Ghee remains in its liquid form only at higher temperatures which shows that the atmosphere here is not suitable for the bodies of the human inhabitants of Jambu-dvipa. Only with proper yogic practices can someone approach these planes that are situated nearer to the Sun.
Krauncha-dvipa: The next island, Krauncha-dvipa, is surrounded by an ocean of milk which is very pleasant in appearance. The island is named after the great mountain Krauncha that forms most of the surface of this island. We easily see the mountain in the distance on the illustration that forms a rim all around the other previously mentioned islands. This mountain is full of different gems since great pressure is needed for their creation. The inhabitants of the seven continents of this island worship the demigod of water Varunadeva. This island is very close to the Sun and is bathed in watery condensation that is the fuel of the Sun God.
Shaka-dvipa: The sixth consecutive island is called Shaka-dvipa, so-named for the fragrant oak trees that grow in abundance on the island. This island is surrounded by an ocean of churned yogurt which reflects the rays of the Sun. The inhabitants on Shaka-dvipa worship the demigod of air Vayu. They are aware of the rapid and incessant movements of the Sun whose great force is felt through the agent of touch or the element air as he races across the sky.
Pushkara-dvipa: The seventh island is called Pushkara-dvipa. The petals of the lotus of the Universe start here as testified to by the many lotus blossoms for which this island is famous. Although the seven islands of the previously mentioned dvipas only gave indications of the lotus petals, these petals actually become distinct here on the island of Pushkara-dvipa. The petals are one hundred million in number and they are beautifully stacked one on top of the other. We can observe the extensions of the petals at the upper portion of the illustration. The lotus flower is the sitting place of Lord Brahma. Thus the entire Bhu-mandala is his sitting place but his capital Brahma-pura is in the very center of the earthy plane on mount Sumeru. The demigods live in the region which is situated above Bhu-mandala called Svarga-loka. Many of the main demigods live atop high mountains like Sumeru and Manasottara.
Manasottara: In the middle of Pushkara-dvipa there is a mountain called Manasottara. The demi-god of the Sun travels on top of this mountain which he uses as a base for creating the seasons. Since Mount Sumeru is aligned with the height of the Sun's orbit, when the Sun travels on the very top of the Manasottara Mountain his movement creates the day for the demigods. And when he slides down on the mountain's slope it becomes their night. The alignment of the height of the Sun with Mount Meru along with the Moon and Rahu creates the eclipses.
Movements of the Sun: Surya Narayana in his chariot travels from east to west although in the illustration he seems to travel from west to east. This illusion is created due to the circular shape of Bhu-Mandal:
"Although the Sun moves counterclockwise, facing the constellations, with Sumeru Mountain on its left, it also moves clockwise and appears to have the mountain on its right because it is influenced by the dakshinavarta wind." (SB 5.25.8-9)
We can observe that as he travels in his direction his light definitely travels from east to west thus creating day and night for the inhabitants of Bhu-Mandala. The size of the Moon is twice the size of the Sun. His orbit is higher than that of the Sun as seen in the illustration. Yet, the Moon's orbit travels in an angle of 5 degrees. Thus, not on all amavashyas (moonless days) there is an eclipse but only on those amavashyas when the orbit of the Moon has the same height as the orbit of the Sun.
Movements of the Moon: The Moon moves at a slower speed in comparison to the speed of the Sun. But when the Moon's speed is compared to the movement of the stars he is quicker than the Sun. This is because the Moon travels from west to east just like the nakshatras. The Moon is traveling quicker through the zodiac but his speed is minute when compared to the speed of the Sun. This difference in speed in comparison to the Sun is the cause for the Moon's different phases. When he is in front of the Sun he is growing (shukla paksha) and when he is behind he is diminishing (krishna paksha). The refection of the Sun's light on the surface of the Moon depending on the distance between the two creates the full, the crescent or the moonless nights. In our illustration, the Moon is waning. Although the Moon appears to be in front of the sunshine he is dimensionally closer to the viewer than the Sun. The illustration shows how the sunshine reflection on the Moon's surface has created its tithis or phases. In the case of the illustration it is 8th day of the waning Moon, near the mid-point between purnima and amavashya.
The Celestial Ganga: Close to the Moon we observe streaks of light moving upwards. This is the Milky Way or the celestial Ganga. Known as the Mandakini in the upper regions, her sacred waters are carried in billions of golden pots through space by countless demigods in their spaceships. While descending down into this plane, Ganga first lands upon Mount Meru and is carried down to Jambu-dvipa by the mercy of Lord Shiva.
On the level of Mount Meru (and moving in the distance beyond the orbit of the Sun) is the ocean of sweet water. Still, even beyond that is an area which is as wide as middle portion of Bhu-mandala. It is inhibited by varieties of living entities that are not of a high order. There is a portion of land in that area that is of the same perimeter and is made of gold. Its purpose is to contain and distribute the sunshine throughout the universe. Whoever has gone there has not returned because the senses lose their abilities to perceive. In the illustration the golden tract of land is represented in a shape inverted upwards which clearly depicts how the Universe is shaped as a globe. As seen in the illustration we perceive the globe from inside.
Beyond this golden land is the Loka-loka Mountain. This mountain is as tall as the Universe. In the illustration we can see the Loka-loka Mountain representing the enormous lotus petals of the universe and extending beyond the nakshatras or the stars. The Loka-loka Mountain divides those areas that are illuminated by sunshine and those places that are not. The lands that are not illuminated by sunshine are not visible in the illustration. The planes beyond the nakshatras are also not visible and for this reason other planets like Mercury Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are not illustrated. The configuration of the stars visible is the sky in the sign of Pisces or Meena-rashi. On our plane we interact with Svarga-loka and the planes that are located under the Earth's crust (which comprise altogether eight planes). The planes of the great rishis and yogis like Tapaloka, Maharloka and others, are not accessible to our senses.
From understanding the illustration above we can clearly see how the Universe is shaped like a lotus flower. Although at first the illustration may seem to be merely a technical drawing, it helps in contemplating the structure of the Universe as it was created by Lord Brahma through the inspiration the lotus-like Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna.
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