—

चिन्मयं व्यापि यत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ५॥

cinmayaṃ vyāpi yatsarvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram
tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrigurave nama: 

Salutations to my guru who taught me ‘That’ which is ‘Pure Consciousness’ that pervades all three worlds (bhu, svarga, patala – representing all 14 bhuvanas), along with sentient and insentient. 

—

Let us expound the meaning of the above verse:

Understanding the Cosmic Realms: Lokas and Bhuvanas

In Hindu cosmology, existence is intricately structured into realms known as lokas. These vast planes of being are not merely physical locations but represent dimensions of consciousness and existence where beings dwell, shaped by their actions and karmic journey.

The verse cinmayaṃ vyāpi yatsarvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram mentions the trailokya—the three primary lokas:

1. Bhu-loka: The earthly realm, encompassing all physical and material existence, where humans, animals, and other earthly beings reside.
2. Bhuvar-loka: The intermediary space between Earth and the higher realms, often associated with celestial phenomena and the energies surrounding the earthly plane.
3. Swar-loka: The celestial or heavenly sphere, home to divine beings and higher consciousness.

Together, these lokas encapsulate a vast and diverse cosmos. But within these larger divisions lies a more nuanced map—the bhuvanas.

Exploring the Bhuvanas

The bhuvanas provide a more detailed understanding of the cosmic structure within the broader categories of lokas. They are traditionally divided into 14 realms—seven higher realms (upari lokas) and seven lower realms (adholokas), as follows:

Higher Bhuvanas (Upari Lokas):

These belong to the upper dimensions and are associated with elevated spiritual consciousness:

1. Satya-loka (Brahma-loka): The realm of ultimate truth and pure consciousness.
2. Tapa-loka: The realm of intense penance and spiritual austerity.
3. Jana-loka: The abode of sages and learned beings.
4. Mahar-loka: A transitional realm between earthly experiences and divine consciousness.
5. Swar-loka (Svarga-loka): The heavenly realm of gods and celestial beings.
6. Bhuvar-loka (Antariksha-loka): The atmospheric realm, home to spirits and intermediary energies.
7. Bhu-loka: The physical realm of Earth, where humans and other earthly creatures reside.

Lower Bhuvanas (Adho Lokas):

These belong to the lower dimensions and represent realms of lesser spiritual evolution:

8. Atala: The first of the subterranean worlds.
9. Vitala: The second subterranean world.
10. Sutala: The realm of Bali, a benevolent demon king.
11. Talatala: The fourth subterranean dimension.
12. Mahātala: The fifth dimension, associated with serpent beings.
13. Rasātala: The sixth dimension, home to demonic entities.
14. Pātāla: The seventh and lowest realm, inhabited by serpent beings (Nagas).

Together, these bhuvanas depict a complex, layered universe, with each realm playing a role in the cosmic cycle of existence.

The Unifying Fabric: Cinmaya

Despite the apparent fragmentation into lokas and bhuvanas, the ultimate truth remains singular. The verse emphasizes that everything across the three realms (trailokyaṃ)—both sentient (sacara) and insentient (acara)—is pervaded (vyapi) by a single underlying essence: cinmaya, pure consciousness.

This cinmaya is the eternal, divine energy that weaves through every aspect of existence. It unifies the diverse elements of the cosmos, transcending boundaries and distinctions to reveal the interconnectedness of all life.

Salutations to the Guru, the enlightened guide who reveals this profound truth of oneness to the seeker. Through the Guru’s wisdom, one learns to look beyond the layers of lokas and bhuvanas and recognize the divine consciousness that permeates all.