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We shall proceed to
symbolism behind the system of the worlds. First there are the
worlds denoted by the three vyāhŗtis, bhūĥ, bhuvaĥ and
svaĥ. Bhūĥ also known as pŗthvi is the earth, bhuvaĥ
is the mid-region antarikşha and suvaĥ,
otherwise called dyauĥ, is the heaven. Beyond that
is the fourth vyāhŗti-the vast world of Light, mahas.
And still higher there are three vyāhŗtis, jana, tapas, and
satya signifying the three uncreated or typal worlds. Though
the veda refers to the seven principles of Existence, the
seven principles of Cosmic order, the sevenfold Existence,
Consciousness, Force or Consciousness-Force, the seven worlds or
guardians of the worlds, the seven hills, seven rivers, seven
sisters, seven rays and seven rişhis, still it constantly
speaks of the first three worlds denoted by the triple bhūĥ
etc., and their Gods. And that is so because the three worlds,
earth etc., are what concern us primarily, nearer to us relatively
speaking, than the higher worlds. And this triple world is termed
as the aparārdha, lower half. That is why more riks
are devoted to Agni who is the nearest to us and who presides over
the Earth. And most riks laud Indra the Lord of this triple
world. Beyond these worlds and their Gods, effulgent in the
supreme parārdha, upper half, is Sūrya, Sun - celebrated in
the vedās as the One God of all the Gods and of all the
worlds; to attain him is all tapas austerity undertaken,
all sacrifice offered. Yet riks devoted to this God, Lord
Savitŗ, are but few in number. It is only the Gods of our
triple world that are the main hosts in the yajňa
sacrifice. This division of the
triple world, bhuĥ the Earth, bhuvaĥ the Mid-region
and dyauĥ or svaĥ or suvaĥ the Heaven, comes
down from the perception of the rişhis. And this outer
triple world, it must be noted, is symbolic of its corresponding
inner triple in the subtle bodies of the human beings. This world-bhūĥ
earth of the physical senses-is the symbol of the plane of the
gross physical consciousness in the waking state known as
annamaya. dyauĥ, Heaven, is the symbol of the
consciousness where is dominant the Pure Mind with an existence of
its own, independent of the outer world. In between the Heaven and
Earth, the mid-region antarikşha or bhuvaĥ
symbolises prāņa, the principle of Life-force pregnant with
consciousness linking the physical with the mental consciousness
i.e., Matter and Mind, Earth and Heaven. Thus the three worlds,
denoted by the triple vyāhŗti of bhūĥ, bhuvaĥ and
suvaĥ, are the manifestations of the principles of matter,
life and mind in the macrocosm and the microcosm. Such in brief is
the statement in essence of the symbolism of the world-order.
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