Place

Fourteen Planetary Systems

Part of Devī-dhāma

A planetary-system icon, representing the fourteen planetary systems this zone describes.

The chart shows fourteen planetary systems: seven higher and seven lower. Dhruvaloka and traditional celestial names such as Ravi, Candra, Budha, Śukra, Maṅgala, and Bṛhaspati appear within this Purāṇic framework. These terms should not automatically be equated in every detail with modern astronomy. The inner space they occupy is traditionally measured at about 500,000,000 yojanas — roughly 4 billion miles — across, floating within the vastly larger coverings around it.

Within the cross-section of the material universe — the vertical stratification of all fourteen worlds. shows the same Bhūrloka plane laid out horizontally, as a lotus of islands and oceans; the two are one place read two ways, not competing maps.

It refuses the flat idea that "the material world" is one undifferentiated place — even matter has its own internal hierarchy, without any of it being outside the system entirely.

The chart's point is not to give a modern map of space. It is to show that even the material cosmos is layered and ordered.

Source: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; chart explanation · Direct scriptural support

Ūrdhva-loka — the seven heavens

  • SatyalokaAbode of Lord Brahmā

    The highest of the fourteen planetary systems in this cosmological model — the abode of Brahmā, creation's architect.

  • TapolokaAbode of the four Kumāras

    Abode of the four Kumāras and great ascetics — sustained by disciplined austerity rather than pleasure.

  • JanalokaAbode of great sages

    Abode of sages born of pure intention rather than ordinary birth.

  • MaharlokaAbode of Bhṛgu Muni and sages

    Abode of Bhṛgu Muni and great sages, said to survive even partial cosmic dissolution — what endures when lesser things are swept away.

  • SvarlokaAbode of the demigods

    Abode of the demigods, Indra's heaven — pleasure earned through merit, but still temporary, still bound by karma.

  • BhuvarlokaIntermediate realm

    The intermediate atmospheric realm — neither fully earthbound nor fully liberated.

  • BhūrlokaEarth is here

    Earth and mortal beings

    Earth itself — the planetary system human life occupies, where karma is made, not just experienced.

Adho-loka — the seven nether worlds

  • Atala

    Ruled by an aspect of Māyā's lineage — the seduction of power without the wisdom to hold it.

  • Vitala

    Ruled by an aspect of Śiva with attendant Bhūtagaṇas — intensity turned inward, requiring discipline to master.

  • SutalaAbode of Bali Mahārāja

    Abode of Bali Mahārāja, where Viṣṇu Himself chose to remain as gatekeeper for his devotion — surrender can turn even a "lower" realm into the Lord's own chosen residence.

  • Talātala

    Ruled by Maya Dānava, architect of illusion — skill and craft without the wisdom to guide it.

  • Mahātala

    Abode of many-hooded Nāga serpents — ancient knowledge, coiled and watchful, kept close rather than shared.

  • Rasātala

    Abode of the Dānavas and Daityas — raw, unrefined strength that hasn't yet found its right direction.

  • Pātāla

    The lowest realm, abode of the Nāgas including Vāsuki, adorned with brilliant jewels — even in the deepest place, there is unexpected beauty.

Also in this realm