Stories of the Brahma Purana Part-VII

According to Romaharshana, the Earth is a complex realm divided into seven distinct regions or continents, known as dvipas. Each of these dvipas is surrounded by seven oceans, making for a truly intricate cosmology.

Jambudvipa stands at the heart of this vast expanse. In its center lies the majestic Mount Sumeru. To the south of Sumeru, you'll find the towering peaks of Himavana, Hemakuta, and Nishadha, while to the north, there are the formidable mountains of Nila, Shveta, and Sringi.

Jambudvipa itself is further subdivided into several regions or varshas, each with its own unique characteristics. For instance, Mount Sumeru stands proudly in the middle of Ilavritavarsha. To the south of Sumeru is Bharatavarsha, a land rich in history and significance. To the east lies Bhadrashvarsha, and to the west, Ketumalavarsha. Meanwhile, to the south, one encounters the enchanting Harivarsha, while to the north lies the captivating Ramyakavarsha. Traveling even further north, you'll discover Hiranmayavarsha and, beyond that, Uttara Kuruvarsha.

At the peak of Mount Sumeru, the great creator Brahma's city gleams. This is the place where the sacred river Ganga descends from the heavens and branches into four tributaries. Sita flows gracefully eastwards, Chakshu journeys westwards, Bhadra flows steadfastly northwards, and Alakananda meanders southwards into Bharataavarsha.

**Bharataavarsha and Its Divisions:**

Bharataavarsha, being a significant part of Jambudvipa, bears its own fascinating tapestry of regions. It consists of nine distinctive dvipas. Among them, you'll find the likes of Indradvipa, Soumya, Gandharva, Varuna, and others. The ninth dvipa is unique, as it is completely encircled by the ocean.

To the east of Bharataavarsha resides the Kiratas, while to the west, the Yavanas claim their abode. The land of Bharataavarsha itself is graced with seven prominent mountain ranges: Mahendra, Malya, Sahya, Shuktimana, Riksha, Vindhya, and Pariyatra.

**The Underworld (Patala) and Hells (Naraka):**

Beneath the terrestrial realm lies the enigmatic underworld, known as Patala. This subterranean expanse is made up of seven distinct regions: Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Sutala, Talatala, Rasatala, and Patala. Inhabitants of this realm include daityas, danavas, and serpents known as sarpa.

Despite its subterranean location, the underworld boasts an unparalleled beauty that rivals even the celestial realms. It's a land of opulent palaces and resplendent jewels. In these hidden depths, the sun rises without scorching heat, and the moon's rays bear no chill. Lush forests are populated with exquisite trees, and tranquil ponds bloom with vibrant lotus flowers. The melodious songs of cuckoo birds echo through this subterranean paradise.

Deep beneath the underworld lies the slumbering form of a magnificent serpent known as Shesha or Ananta. Its thousand hoods are adorned with precious jewels, and in truth, this great serpent represents one of the many forms of Lord Vishnu.

Furthermore, the cosmos doesn't shy away from its darker side. Hells, presided over by Yama, the god of death, exist to balance the scales of justice. These hells are brimming with weapons, fire, and poisons, where sinners are sent to face the consequences of their deeds. The sins that warrant punishment in these hells range from lying and murder to acts like selling wine or hair, and even studying under one's own son. The severity of punishment corresponds to the gravity of the sin. However, there's a path to redemption – penance, or prayashchitta, can cleanse one of their sins. The highest form of penance is said to be prayer to Lord Krishna.

**Hierarchy of Realms (Lokas):**

The cosmos is an intricately layered realm, with each layer serving its unique purpose and inhabited by distinct beings. It encompasses the realms of Bhuloka (Earth), Bhuvarloka, Svarloka (Heaven), Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka, and Satyaloka.

Bhuloka extends upwards until it reaches the regions of the sky that are illuminated by the radiant rays of the sun and the moon. Beyond this expanse lies Bhuvarloka, where sages of great wisdom reside.

Above Bhuvarloka, you'll encounter the lunar circle, followed by a succession of realms associated with celestial bodies. These include Mercury (Budha), Venus (Shukra), Mars (Mangala), Jupiter (Brihaspati), Saturn (Shani), the Great Bear constellation (saptarshi), and the Pole Star (Dhruva).

The region between the solar circle and Dhruvaloka is known as heaven (Svarloka or svarga). Beyond Dhruvaloka lie Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka, and Satyaloka, each existing in its own unique celestial splendor. Importantly, at the culmination of a cosmic age (kalpa), the realms of Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, and Svarloka are subject to destruction. However, the higher realms remain unscathed, emphasizing their enduring nature.

**Significance of the Sun (Surya):**

Romaharshana offers profound insights into the significance of Surya, the sun god. Surya is not merely a celestial body; it represents a divine force governing the cosmos.

Surya is associated with twelve adityas, each embodying a distinct facet of his divine persona. These adityas are Indra, , Dhata, Parjanya, Tvashta, Pusha, Aryama, Bhaga, Vivasvana, Vishnu, Amshumana, Varuna, and Mitra. These adityas play pivotal roles in various cosmic functions, symbolizing the intricate interplay of forces that sustain the universe.

Each aditya corresponds to a specific month of the year, and they collectively oversee natural phenomena and celestial bodies. For instance, Indra shines in the month of Ashvina, while Dhata presides over Kartika. Parjanya governs the month of Shravana, and Tvashta's influence is felt in Falguna. Each aditya contributes to the cosmic order.

Surya is also known by twelve other names, each signifying a distinct aspect of his radiance. These names include Aditya, Savita, Mihira, Arka, Prabhakara, Martanda, Bhaskara, Bhanu, Chitrabhanu, Divakara, and Ravi.

The narrative culminates with an exploration of the veneration of Surya, particularly in the form of Konaditya, also known as Konarka. Devotees pay homage to Surya by facing east and crafting a lotus flower on the ground with red sandalwood. This lotus flower, adorned with eight petals, cradles a copper vessel containing offerings of paddy, sesame, red sandalwood, red flowers, and sacred grass. Through these rites, adherents implore Surya to descend upon the lotus they've created.

Worshipping Konaditya in this prescribed manner is believed to expunge the sins of seven previous generations, signifying the power of divine grace and the opportunity for redemption.