Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.355

v1.c3.s20.355

1. Nāka denotes the ‘firmament’ in the Rigveda¹ and later.² It is often used with the epithet ‘highest’ (*uttama*)³ or ‘third’ (*tṛtīya*)⁴ referring to the threefold division of heaven, parallel to the threefold division of earth, atmosphere, and sky (Div). The Nāka is said to be on the third ridge (*pṛṣṭha*), above the luminous space (*rocana*) of the sky.⁵ Elsewhere⁶ the series earth, atmosphere, sky, and the firmament (*nāka*), heaven (*svar*), the celestial light (*jyotis*), occurs. The word *nāka* is explained in the Brāhmaṇas⁷ as derived from *na*, ‘not,’ and *aka*, ‘pain,’ because those who go there are free from sorrow.