Vedic Mythology c4.5

c4.5

Heaven or *div* is also commonly termed *vyoman*, sky, or as pervaded with light, the 'luminous space', *rocana* (with or without *divaḥ*). Designations of the dividing firmament besides the 'vault' are the 'summit' (*sānu*), 'surface' (*viṣṭap*), 'ridge' (*pṛṣṭha*), as well as the compound expressions 'ridge of the vault' (1, 125⁵ cp. 3, 2¹²) and 'summit of the vault' (8, 92²)³. Even a 'third ridge in the luminous space of heaven' is mentioned (9, 86²⁷). When three heavens are distinguished they are very often called the three luminous spaces (*trī rocanā*), a highest (*uttama*), a middle, and a lowest being specified (5, 60⁶). The highest is also termed *uttara* and *pārya* (4, 26⁶; 6, 40⁵). In this third or highest heaven (very often *parame rocane* or *vyoman*) the gods, the fathers, and Soma are conceived as abiding.