11    Description of Bhuvan Kosha

Earth is stated to be spread over seventy thousand yojanas with a height of ten thousand yojanas. (Yojana is 15km. approx). Underneath the Earth are stated to be seven underground worlds with ten thousand yojanas each viz. Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Mahatala, Sutala, Talatala and Rasatala /Patala. These Patalas are described as of black, yellow, red, white, stony, kankar (brownish sediment) or gold colours. Underneath the Patalas is surmised as Sesha Nag or Ananta Deva holding the entire weight of Earth. It is further stated that some one lakh yojanas higher than Earth is Surya Mandala.; some one lakh yojanas above the Surya Mandala is the Chandra Mandala from where Nakshatras shine about a lakh yojanas there-beyond. The Planet of Budha (Mercury) is two lakh yojanas higher than that of the Nakshatras. The planet of Shukra (Venus) is two lakh yojanas above that of Budha. Mangal is two lakh above Sukra and like-wise two lakhs each are Brihaspati (Jupiter) and Shanaischara above each other. Saptarshi loka is situated one lakh yojanas from that of Saturn and Dhruva loka is further up by one more lakh yojanas. Thus Dhruva is the ultimate of ‘Bhurbhuvah Swaha’or the highest point of Thee Lokas, beyond Earth. Some one crore yojanas beyond Dhruva is ‘Maharloka’where Siddha ganas like ‘Kalpaanta jeevi’ Bhrigu. ‘Janaloka’ is situated two crore yojanas above Maharloka resided by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanaatana and Sanat Kumaras and Siddha Purushas like the Sanaka brothers stay. Eight crore yojanas above the Jana loka is ‘Tapoloka’where Devatas reside. Some nintysix crore yojanas far beyond Tapoloka is the Satya loka or Brahma loka. From Bhulok to Surya Mandala is known as Bhuvar loka and from Surya loka to Dhruva loka is called Swargaloka which is of fifteen lakh yojana area. This region is popularly called the place where Brahmanda was cut, from where the ‘Pancha Bhutas’of ‘Prithivyaapastejovaayurakaasas’got materialised. Around all these is said to spread ‘Ahamkar’which created Maha Tatwa and Prakriti and far away from these manifestations is the Unique Paramatma of ‘Vyaktaavyata’ Supreme Being.                Surya Deva’s Chariot has a length of nine thousand yojanas and width of double the size, has seven horses named after seven ‘Chandaas’ viz. Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnik, Jagati, Trishthup, Anushthup and Pankti; and is responsible for denoting ‘Samvatsaras; ‘Ayanas’, Ritis (seasons), months, days and nights. The view of ‘Sishumara’ or the dolphin like group of planets and Stars which is some thirteen lakh yojanas away on the sky is stated to be the Swarupa of Vishnu Himself, with Dhruva at the tail which is self-revolving and rotating Chandra, Surya and other planets. The Chariot of Surya visions every month the Maharshis in various lokas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, etc besides being the embodiment of Vedas and the ‘Pratyakta Deva’percievable to the entire Srishti of the Super Lord’s making. Similarly the chariots of Chandra and other planets were described by Agni Deva: Chandra has a tricycled chariot with ten horses moving freely among the nakshatra lokas. Agni Deva informed Sage Vasishtha that as many as 30,333        Devatas enjoyed Chandra’s nector-like ‘Kalas’; for example, on Amavasya day, Pitrugana were able to enjoy one ‘Rashmi’(moon ray) called ‘Ama’and were able absorb to only two ‘kalas’. Budha’s chariot is made of Vayu and Agni with eight horses; Shukra has an eight horsed chariot, like in the case of Brihaspati and Shanaischara as well as Rahu and Ketu. Prithvi comprises Seven Dwipas surrounded by Seven Oceans, the Dwipas being Jambu, Plaksha, Shalmali, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaka and Pushkara. The Oceans are Lavana, Ikshu, Sura, Ghrita, Dadhi and Jala. Jambu Dwipa in which Bharat is situated surrounded with salty water and is popular as ‘Karma Bhumi!’



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