Vishnupurana 2.7.p1

2.7.p1

Maitreya said:—The entire earth has been described to me by you. O Brahman, I wish to hear now, O Muni, an account of the regions above the world, the Bhuvar-loka, the situation and dimension of the heavenly bodies. Do you relate them to me, O great sage. Parāçara said—The terrestrial sphere (or Bhurloka) comprising the oceans, rivers and mountains extends as far as it is illuminated by the rays of the sun and the moon. The atmospheric sphere (or the Bhuvar-loka), of the same extent both in diameter and circumference, spreads upwards, O twice-born one, as far as the heaven. The solar region is situated a hundred thousand yojanas from the earth; and the region of the moon is situated at an equal distance from the sun. About the same distance above the moon is situated the orbit of all the lunar constellations. And two hundred thousand yojanas, upwards, O Brahman, is situated the region of the planet Budha (Mercury). And at the same distance above that is situate the planet Sukra (Venus). And at the same distance above that is Angaraka (Mars). And at the same distance above that is the priest of gods (Vrihaspati or Jupiter). And Sani (Saturn) is two hundred and fifty thousand yojanas above Jupiter. O foremost of twice-born ones, one hundred thousand leagues above that is the region of seven Rishis. And at a similar distance above that is Dhruva (the pole-star) the axis of the circle of planets. Thus I have described to you, O great Muni, the elevation of three spheres, which constitute the region of the fruits of works. And the land of works is also here namely Bhārata. At a distance of one Koti yojanas above Dhruva is Maharloha (the region of saints) the inhabitants of which live for a Kalpa (or a day of Brahmā). And at a distance of two Koti yojanas above that is Janaloka where reside the pure-minded sons of Brahmā, Sananda and others, of whom I had described to you before, O Maitryeya. And at a distance of eight Koti yojanas is Tapa-loka where reside the celestials named Baibhrajas, unconsumable by fire. At six times the distance from Tapa-loka is situated Satya-loka, wherein the inhabitants do not know death and which is otherwise named Brahmā-loka. Wherever earthly object exists which may be trodden by feet, that makes up Bhur-loka whose dimensions I have already described to you. The region that extends from the earth to the sun is called Bhur-loka, inhabited by the Siddhas, Munis and others and which is called the second sphere, O foremost of sages. The distance, between the Sun and Dhruva which extends over fourteen hundred thousands leagues, is called Swar-loka by those who are conversant with the position of planets. These three spheres are called transitory, O Maitreya and three, Jana, Tapa and Satya, are termed durable. And Mahar-loka, which is situated between these two, partakes of the nature of the both and though it becomes devoid of all beings at the end of Kalpa it is not finally destroyed. I have thus described to you, O Maitreya, the seven Lokas, and the seven Pātālas constituting the extent of the whole world.