In Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, Tri Loka the “three worlds” explains the structure of existence beyond earth. These realms, whether Svarga, Martya, and Patala in Hinduism, or Kama, Rupa, and Arupa in Buddhism, reflect how karma shapes rebirth and spiritual progress. Jainism also defines Urdhva, Madhya, and Adho Lokas within an eternal universe. The idea of Tri Loka shows that all beings journey through different realms until they transcend material existence and reach liberation.
Across Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, one ancient idea connects them all the concept of Tri Loka, or “three worlds.” Think of it as a cosmic map: higher worlds for divine beings, the middle world for humans, and lower realms for those weighed down by negative karma.
Whether it is Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, or any other religion, the concept of something beyond this world is taught and is regarded as the goal of every human. In the Vedanta Sutra, the first aphorism states “Athato-brahma-jijnasa, meaning “now that you have got this human of life, you should inquire about the Absolute Truth”. This is the purpose of all the revealed scriptures elevating the human consciousness to attain a better destination, not to stay in one state.
Material existence is divided into three realms or divisions. Each realm is known as “Loka” in Sanskrit. The direct translation of this word is “Planet,” which is further taken as “Planetary system.” The three worlds are home to various living entities based on their levels of consciousness. Exploring Tri Loka helps us see how different traditions view life, suffering, and the ultimate goal of freedom.
Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma has a lot to say about the positioning of the whole cosmic manifestation and we get a detailed description of it. The Vedic texts explain the universe being arranged as three spheres namely the lower world, the intermediate world, and the upper world. The Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.23 states:
samāgatāḥ sarvata eva sarve
vedā yathā mūrti-dharās tri-pṛṣṭhe
nehātha nāmutra ca kaścanārtha
ṛte parānugraham ātma-śīlam
In Hinduism (Sanātana Dharma), the universe is described as a vast cosmic structure divided into three realms, known as Tri Loka. These are:
1. Urdhva Loka (upper worlds or heavenly realms)
2. Madhya Loka (middle worlds or earthly realm)
3. Adho Loka (lower worlds or subterranean realms)
According to Vedic texts such as the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, human beings live in the middle realm, while divine beings, sages, and higher gods dwell in the upper worlds, and beings bound by negative karma inhabit the lower regions. Each loka reflects the level of consciousness and karma of its residents.
The upper worlds, also called Svarga Loka, lie above the Sumeru Parvat, a sacred mountain made of glistening gold. It is said to be the stairway to heaven. These are the heavenly abodes for the demigods and those who have accumulated tremendous pious activities in their past lifetimes. The highest of these worlds is the Brahma Loka (Satya Loka) where Brahma and his contemporaries live the most luxurious life. All the living beings in the Svarga Loka live a very long duration of life and have relative freedom from disease and old age. The great sages and saints who perform vigorous austerities and penances are promoted to this loka where they enjoy the results.
The Martya Loka is positioned below the heavenly planets and makes the middle planetary system. It is the realm of humans, animals, and plants. These living entities experience three-fold miseries and are endangered by birth, death, old age, and disease. They are generally driven by the mode of passion and are thus kept in this loka. Having a sense of freedom and knowledge, they can choose either to downgrade themselves to the lower planets or to elevate to the higher planets. This depends on the activities they engage in, whether sinful or pious.
The Patala Loka is the lower world in which beings other than humans reside - Daityas, Danavas, and Nāgas (serpent beings). Beneath the earthly dimension, it is also called bila-svarga (underground heavenly planets). Bila means dark, a den, or grotto. Instead of sunlight, they are lit by shining jewels on the heads of serpents. The demons living there can enjoy heavenly sense-gratification because of their karma. Living entities who engage in sinful and abominable activities are brought to this loka and punished severely.
Hinduism teaches that the Tri Loka is not a permanent destination—rather, it is part of the cycle of samsāra (birth and rebirth). The ultimate goal is to transcend all three worlds and attain moksha (liberation), uniting the soul with the eternal Absolute.
In Hinduism, Tri Loka refers to the three realms of existence: Urdhva Loka (heavenly worlds), Madhya Loka (earthly realm), and Adho Loka (subterranean realms).
Urdhva Loka, also known as Svarga Loka, is the higher realm where demigods, sages, and Brahma reside. It is a place of prosperity and longevity, but not eternal liberation.
Madhya Loka, or Martya Loka, is the middle realm where humans, animals, and plants live. It is considered the realm of choice, where karma determines ascent to higher worlds or descent to lower ones.
Adho Loka, also called Pātāla, is the lower world beneath earth, inhabited by Nāgas, Daityas, and other beings. Souls with sinful karma are sent here for punishment or limited enjoyment.
The Tri Loka represents different stages of consciousness and karma. It shows how beings experience joy or suffering across realms, while the ultimate goal is to transcend all three worlds and attain moksha (liberation).
No. Svarga Loka is a temporary heavenly realm earned through good karma, while moksha is eternal liberation beyond the cycle of birth and rebirth.
According to Hindu texts, the three worlds were created by Lord Brahma, who manifested from the navel of Lord Vishnu during cosmic creation.
In Jain cosmology, the universe was not created by anyone, it is eternal, and without beginning or end. Unlike Hinduism, which describes cosmic creation by Brahma, Jainism teaches that the universe has always existed and follows its own natural laws.
The cosmos is visualized in the shape of a cosmic man (loka-purusha) standing with his legs apart and his arms resting on the waist. Just like Hindu cosmology, Jainism also believes in three planetary systems the universe being broad at the top, narrow at the middle, and again becoming broader at the end. This form represents the three main divisions of existence, collectively called Tri Loka. The three parts of the Universe are:
1. Urdhva Loka (upper worlds)
2. Madhya Loka (middle worlds)
3. Adho Loka (lower worlds)
This realm is home to celestial beings (devas) who live long, blissful lives. While there is some degree of attachment and pride here, it is far less than in lower realms. The beings enjoy subtle pleasures but are not liberated—they remain bound by karma until their spiritual journey is complete.
This is the middle world which is inhabited by humans, plants, and animals. It is considered the most important realm because only here can souls practice self-discipline, penance, and spiritual effort to progress toward liberation (kevala jñāna).
Adho Loka is the lower world which consists of seven hells which are ruled by demigods and where hellish beings reside. The living entities are sent to these planets as a result of their previous Karma and suffer until all their results have been exhausted.
Jainism emphasizes that liberation cannot be achieved in the upper or lower worlds—only in the human realm of Madhya Loka. By practicing non-violence, austerity, and self-realization, souls can break free from the endless cycle of rebirth and attain kevala (pure knowledge).
The Jain concept of Tri Loka describes Urdhva Loka (upper realms of gods), Madhya Loka (middle realm of humans and animals), and Adho Loka (lower realms or hells).
Jain texts describe the universe in the shape of a cosmic man (loka-purusha), with three main divisions representing the three worlds.
Urdhva Loka is the upper world where celestial beings live long, blissful lives, but remain bound by karma until liberation is attained.
Madhya Loka is the middle world, inhabited by humans, animals, and plants. It is the only realm where souls can practice austerities and achieve liberation.
Adho Loka consists of seven hells where beings suffer due to bad karma. These states are temporary, and souls eventually move on after karmic debts are cleared.
No. According to Jainism, liberation (moksha or kevala jñāna) can only be attained in the human realm of Madhya Loka.
The concept of three worlds or Tri loka in Buddhism is based on the living beings’ migration from one state to another which is dependent on three conditions – charity, morality, and their meditative advancement. Unlike Hinduism and Jainism, Buddhism emphasizes the mind’s role in determining rebirth and the path to liberation (Nirvana).
The three realms in Buddhist cosmology are:
1. Kāma Loka (Desire Realm)
2. Rūpa Loka (Form Realm)
3. Arūpa Loka (Formless Realm)
This is the desire realm (the lowest) which is populated by ghosts, humans, animals, and lower demigods. These residents are bound by the basic desire for sense gratification which becomes the cause of their suffering. They take birth here as a result of their Karma.
As the name suggests, this is the form realm which is inhabited by beings with a form, though subtle, which is beyond the vision of the residents of Kama Loka. These beings are not subject to extreme pains and pleasures and do not have sexual distinctions. Their minds are sharp like the Dhyanis.
This is the formless realm which belongs to Devas who in their previous lives accumulated lots of pious credit and now enjoy the fruits of their activities. The beings here possess no form and are possessed entirely of mind i.e. subtle body. They are not wholly conscious and cannot hear the Dhamma teachings.
Buddhism teaches that all realms, including heavenly and formless worlds, are impermanent. The ultimate goal is Nirvana, the cessation of suffering, which transcends the cycle of birth and death in all three worlds.
In Buddhism, Tri Loka consists of Kāma Loka (Desire Realm), Rūpa Loka (Form Realm), and Arūpa Loka (Formless Realm), reflecting different levels of consciousness.
Kāma Loka is the lowest realm, inhabited by humans, animals, ghosts, and lower deities. Beings here are driven by desire and sensory pleasures.
Rūpa Loka is the Form Realm where beings have subtle bodies and experience refined pleasures beyond physical desires.
Arūpa Loka is the Formless Realm, a state of pure consciousness for beings with advanced meditative attainment, free from physical suffering.
Beings are reborn into one of the three worlds based on their actions (karma), morality, and meditative progress.
The ultimate goal is Nirvana, transcending all three worlds and ending the cycle of birth, suffering, and death.
No. All three realms are impermanent, and beings continue to cycle through them until they achieve enlightenment.
The concept of Tri Loka, or the “three worlds,” is a shared thread across Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. While the structure and details differ, all three traditions describe existence in upper, middle, and lower realms, where beings experience life based on karma, moral conduct, and spiritual development.
✔️In Hinduism, the realms are Svarga Loka, Martya Loka, and Patala Loka, highlighting the cycle of birth and the path to moksha.
✔️In Jainism, the Urdhva, Madhya, and Adho Lokas emphasize the human realm as essential for attaining kevala jñāna (pure knowledge).
✔️In Buddhism, Kāma, Rūpa, and Arūpa Lokas reflect different levels of consciousness, with Nirvana as the ultimate liberation.
🔸Tri Loka spans three realms: upper, middle, and lower, across Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
🔸Karma governs rebirth: good deeds elevate, bad deeds lower the soul.
🔸Human life is central: it provides the opportunity for spiritual advancement.
🔸Religious texts provide guidance: Bhagavatam, Jain Agamas, Buddhist Canon describe each realm’s structure.
🔸Ultimate goal differs: Moksha (Hinduism), Kevala (Jainism), Nirvana (Buddhism).
🔸Cycle of samsāra: all three traditions emphasize the impermanence of worldly and heavenly realms.
🔸Spiritual practice matters: ethical conduct, austerities, and meditation determine progress.
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