History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c95.31

v7.c95.31

The word 'antarikṣa' (atmospheric region) occurs at least a hundred times in the Ṛgveda. Sometimes we have phrases like (*tisraḥ pṛthvīḥ*) meaning the three worlds including the earth (Ṛg I. 34. 8), while in other passages reference is made to lower, middle and highest pṛthivī as in Ṛg. I. 108. 9 (*yad indrāgnī avamasyām pṛthivyām madhyamasyām paramasyām uta sthaḥ*) meaning thereby the earth, antarikṣa and heaven. Antarikṣa is often called 'rajas' as the region of dust, mists and clouds in Ṛg. I. 35. 2 and 9).