[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s20.355 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.355 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.355 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s20.355](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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. - [Previous: v1.c3.s20.354](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.354) - [Next: v1.c3.s20.356](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.356) - [Up: v1.c3.s20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.355](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.355) · Pramāṇa