VCA 4.A. The Terminology of Three and Fourteen Worlds

Along this vertical direction, the universe is divided into three and also fourteen subdivisions. The three subdivisions are called the three worlds: lower, middle, and upper. These worlds are often referred to by the names Bhuh, Bhuvah, and Svah, as well as the names Patala, Martya, and Svarga (SB 3.11.28p). However, these two sets of names are not synonymous. Svah and Svarga both denote the realm of the demigods, which lies above Bhu-mandala. Bhuh or Bhurloka refers to the earthly planetary system, including Bhu-mandala and this earth (SB 4.20.35p), and Bhuvah or Bhuvarloka refers to a planetary system lying between Bhuh and Svar (SB 2.5.40p). Apparently, human beings live in both the Bhuh and Bhuvah systems (SB 1.9.45p).

Going from lowest to highest, the fourteen subdivisions are Patala, Rasatala, Mahatala, Talatala, Sutala, Vitala, Atala, Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, Svargaloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka. The word Patala is sometimes used to refer collectively to the seven lower planetary systems from Patala up to Atala. These are all described as discs lying below Bhu-mandala and parallel to it. The words Martya and Martyaloka also designate the Bhurloka system and refer to the fact that this system is a place of suffering and death. The six planetary systems from Bhuvarloka to Satyaloka are known as the higher planets. Srila Prabhupada also uses the terminology "upward" planetary systems for Bhurloka through Satyaloka, and "downward" planetary systems for Atala through Patala (SB 2.1.26p).

We have already noted that the three worlds-Patala, Martya, and Svarga-are also sometimes known as three kinds of Svargas, or heavenly regions (SB 5.17.11p). These three Svargas are explicitly defined as follows in the Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrtam of Srila Sanatana Gosvami: "(1) Vila-svarga: Atal, Bital, Sutal, Talatal, Mahatal, Rasatal, and Patal.... (2) Bhauma-svarga: Jambu, Plaksha, Shalmali, Kusha, Crouncha, Shaka, and Puskara.... (3) Divya-svarga: the world of the devatas" (BB, p. 107). Here the three subdivisions Bila-svarga, Bhauma-svarga, and Divya-svarga correspond exactly to Patalaloka, Martyaloka, and Svargaloka.