Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

THE WORLDS (LOKAS) 25
with the three highest spheres, and the fourth, which is
of a mixed character. When the jīva has received his
reward he is reborn again on earth. For it is not good
action, but the knowledge of the Ātmā which procures
Liberation (mokṣa). Above Svarloka is Maharloka, and
above it the three ascending regions known as the
janaloka, tapoloka, and satyaloka, each inhabited by
various forms of celestial intelligence of higher and
higher degree. Below the earth (Bhah) and above the
nether worlds are the Hells 1 (commencing with Avichi),
and of which, according to popular theology, there are
thirty-four 2 though it is elsewhere said 3 there are as
many hells as there are offences for which particular
punishments are meted out. Of these six are known as
the great hells. Hinduism, however, even when popular,
knows nothing of a hell of eternal torment. To it
nothing is eternal but the Brahman. Issuing from the
Hells the jīva is again reborn to make its future. Below
the Hells are the seven nether worlds, Sutala, Vitala,
Talātala, Mahātala, Rasātala, Atala, and Pātāla, where,
according to the Purāṇ as, dwell the Nāga serpent divinities,
brilliant with jewels, and Dānavas wander, fascinating
even the most austere. Yet below Pātāla is the
form of Viṣṇ u proceeding from the dark quality (tamoguṇ
ah), known as the Seṣa serpent or Ananta bearing
the entire world as a diadem, attended by his Śakti
Vāruṇ ī, 4 his own embodied radiance.
1 Ganabheda of Vahni-Purāṇa.
2 Devī-Purāṇa.
3 Viṣṇu-Purāṇa
4 Not “the Goddess of Wine,” as Wilson (Viṣṇu-Purāṇa) has it.