Loka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loka, a word in Sanskrit, in Hinduism and Hindu mythology, means world, abode, or place or plane of existence.
Traditionally in the Puranas there are seven lokas, Bhuloka (earth), Bhuvarloka (air), Svarlokaor Svargaloka (heaven), Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka (abode of tapas) and Satyaloka (abode of Truth), also called Brahmaloka or the world of Brahma.
The concept of Lokas was adopted by Theosophy, and can be found in the writings of Blavatsky. There is also reference to kamaloka (world of desires) as a sort of astral plane or temporary after-life state, according to the teachings of Blavatsky, Leadbeater, and Steiner.
In contemporary Vedanta these Theosophical ideas in turn influenced Indian conceptions, so that the Lokas are equated with Theosophical-style planes (see Sivananda link below)
