The 14 worlds according to Hinduism

The Tula Mala began sometime ago and I thought it approproate to write a few lines on it.

The first day (which normally falls on mid October) of Tula Masa is significant for people living in the Cauvery basin as it is on this day that Cauvery can be seen gushing afresh (like a spring) from a small enclosed area in Talacauvery, Coorg District, Karnataka.

This rare occurrance is seen by thousands of devotees when the Cauvery bubbles forth from the spring at the exact time pre-determined by priests of the famed Talacauvert temple which is 8 kms from Bhagamandala and 48 kms from Madikeri. This day is called Tulasankramana and Snana (bathing) at the Cauvery during the Masa (this time it is froim October 17 to November 12) is considered sacred. Therefore, we can find devotees thronging to temple town situated on the Cauvery such as Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra, T Narsipur, Erode, Poompuhar, Srirangam.   

According to Hindu mythology, the Ganga will be present in the Cauvery during the Tula Masa. There is also a belief that the holu waters from the 14 worlds will come to the Cauvery during this period. Taking a bathe in the Cauvery during Tula Masa is said to cure a person of all sins committed unintentionally.

The Puranas and Rig Veda contain a lot of details about holy rivers and tanks and Theerthas (places associated with water considered holy).

14 worlds

Of the 14 worlds, seven are said to be above the earth and seven below. Here is the list of the worlds.

The worlds are: Bhu Loka-the place touched by our foot, Bhuvarloka-space between Sun and earth which is believed to be the place where saints live, Swarga Loka-the land of Gods and Goddesses, Mahar Loka-This is the holy land where Vishnu lives, Jana Loka-the place where dead souls are there, Tapa Loka-as the name suggests it is the place of tapas or meditation where Maharishis live, Satya Loka-Brahma lives here. 

The other seven worlds are: Athalam-where Yama, the God of death lives, Vithalam-Shiva stays here with Parvathi, Suthala-Bali Chakravarthy stays here, Talathalam-the place of Mayamayi, Mahathalam-serpets live here and Pathalam- place of Yama and Nagas. 

The is another interpretation of these worlds related to a human body.

The Puranas and Hindu cosmology details the worlds and also the time lines of life.

(EOM)