Significance of Heavenly region
The Heavenly region in Jainism, Purana, Vedanta, and Dharmashastra is depicted as a divine or celestial space that represents spiritual elevation and the rewards of righteous living. In these traditions, it refers to both actual realms inhabited by deities and metaphorical states of existence achieved through devotion, meditation, and virtuous actions. Individuals may attain these elevated states after death or through their earthly lives, characterized by joy, peace, and honor, contrasting with lower realms inhabited by demons.
Synonyms: Celestial realm, Spiritual domain, Paradise, Nirvana, Utopia
In Dutch: Hemelse regio; In Finnish: Taivaallinen alue
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Heavenly region'
In Hinduism, the Heavenly region signifies elevated spiritual realms attained through virtuous actions, meditation, or devotion, contrasting earthly existence and inhabited by divine beings, offering joy, abundance, and rewards for righteousness and generosity.
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The exalted spaces above, characterised by excellent paths and celestial cars inhabited by virtuous beings.[1] (2) States of existence where beings dwell for extended periods, such as sixty or eighty-thousand years.[2] (3) The celestial domains inhabited by the gods, contrasting with the lower realms occupied by demons.[3] (4) The divine places designated for those who engage in making gifts of food, characterized by luxury and abundance.[4] (5) The spiritual state or place that one can attain after death through righteous living and fulfillment of household duties.[5]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The exalted state that Alika attained after her penance and devotion, symbolizing spiritual success.[6] (2) The higher realms that are inaccessible to common individuals but can be attained through worship and devotion.[7] (3) A realm inhabited by deities that contrasted with the earthly realm ruled by King Divodasa.[8]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The elevated state or space where individuals who understand the creation process are honored.[9]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) A reference to the divine or celestial abode where good souls or gods reside.[10]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The state or place that is sought after for liberation from worldly existence.[11]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A reward promised by Krishna to the flower-seller for his devotion, signifying a spiritual elevation after his earthly life.[12]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) Divine places where souls experience transcendental joy, often as a result of hearing the Bharata.[13]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Spiritual realms achieved through acts of giving, as described in various texts and translated into spiritual rewards.[14] (2) The elevated state or place in the afterlife that a woman attains through her virtuous actions alongside her husband.[15] (3) The realms of existence believed to be associated with divine beings, which individuals can attain through righteous actions.[16] (4) A figurative expression denoting the spiritual planes where divine beings reside, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony for their sustenance.[17] (5) A term used to describe spiritual realms, often contrasted with earthly existence, and associated with the rewards of superior merit.[18]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A spiritual realm described in relation to the process of the libations, indicative of a higher state of existence following the ritual.[19] (2) The space that the meditative focus of the king refers to, characterized by divinity and associated with the Vaishvanara-Self.[20] (3) A profound state of existence associated with the ultimate realization of the Self as Brahman, reached consciously or unconsciously.[21] (4) The spiritual domain that one can access through proper meditation and understanding of divine forces in the Heart.[22] (5) The spiritual realm from which the two libations return to the earthly world.[23]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) A conceptual space viewed as a source of divine offerings, likened to a sacrificial fire where elements like faith are contributed.[24]
Jain concept of 'Heavenly region'
In Jainism, the Heavenly region signifies a celestial space where deities resided in past lives and the divine realm from which Sambhuta originated before his reincarnation as Brahmadatta in the mortal world.
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) A divine or celestial space where gods existed in a former life.[25] (2) The divine area from which Sambhuta descended to be born in a mortal form as Brahmadatta.[26]