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 Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, and Svaḥ, as well as the names Patala, Martya, and Svarga (SB 3.11.28p). However, these two sets of names are not synonymous. Svaḥ and Svarga both denote the realm of the demigods, which lies above Bhū-manḍala. Bhūḥ or Bhūrloka refers to the earthly planetary system, including Bhū-manḍala and this earth (SB 4.20.35p), and Bhuvaḥ or Bhuvarloka refers to a planetary system lying between Bhūḥ and Svar (SB 2.5.40p). Apparently, human beings live in both the Bhūḥ and Bhuvaḥ systems (SB 1.9.45p).

Going from lowest to highest, the fourteen subdivisions are Patala, Rasatala, Mahatala, Talatala, Sutala, Vitala, Atala, Bhūrloka, 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 Bhū-manḍala and parallel to it. The words Martya and Martyaloka also designate the Bhūrloka 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 Bhūrloka 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.