Sumeru, the 14 lokas and Mahameru
In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda, there are fourteen worlds, seven higher ones (Vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (Pātālas), viz. bhu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas, and satya above and atala, vitala, sutala, rasaataala, talatala, mahaatala, patala and naraka below. Lets talk about Vyahrtis first. The 7 Upper lokas 1 Satya-loka : Brahma’s loka. Satya-loka planetary system is not eternal. Abode of Truth or of Brahma, where atman are released from the necessity of rebirth. 2 Tapa-loka : Abode of tapas or of other deities. Ayohnija devadas live here. 3 Jana-loka : Abode of the sons of God Brahma. 4 Mahar-loka : The abode of great sages and enlightened beings like Markendeya and other rishies. 5 Svar-loka : Region between the sun and polar star, the heaven of the god Indra. Indra, devatas, Rishies, Gandharvas and Apsaras live here: a heavenly paradise of pleasure, where all the 330 million Hindu gods (Deva) reside ...