Brahmaloka, Brahma-loka, Brahman-loka: 25 definitions

Introduction:

Brahmaloka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) also called Satyaloka, is the abode of Brahmā, as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.1.—Accordingly, “sages of edified souls, engaged in truthful rites, powerful and blessed, performed a great sacrifice at the confluence of Gaṅgā and Kālindī (Yamunā) in the most sacred city of Prayāga, a great holy centre, the path that leads to Brahmaloka”.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to fourteen Brahmā worlds, as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.17. Accordingly, “[...] fourteen worlds beginning with Pātāla and ending with Satya are evolved out of the five elements, such as the Earth etc. These are called Brahmā’s worlds (brahmaloka)”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक).—The abode of Brahmā; the eternal world;1 thirteen crores and fifteen niyuktas of yojanas from the Bhūloka and one crore and 500 niyuktas above the Satyaloka;2 baths in Agastyesvaram and Devatīrtham lead one to;3 Viraja became Ekārṣṭaka here;4 hearing of the legend of Brahmadatta takes one to;5 Yayāti went from Devaloka to;6 the giver of Hiraṇyagarbha enjoys the world of;7 the giver of the brahmavaivarta purāṇa on the Full Moon day of Māgha reaches this;8 residence of the Brahmaṛṣis;9 fire reduced to ashes would not become fire again; so also the person reaching this loka would not have rebirth: advaita mokṣa;10 Brahmā, Purohita at;11 the last place where Vaitātrika Devas went and became one with God during the Pralaya.12

  • 1) Matsya-purāṇa 86. 6; 178. 76; Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 31. 23; XI. 23. 30; Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 27.
  • 2) Ib. 61. 87; 101. 112, 220; 65, 141; 106. 20; 108. 12; 111. 33, 49.
  • 3) Matsya-purāṇa 191. 16, 24.
  • 4) Ib. 15. 24.
  • 5) Ib. 21. 41.
  • 6) Ib. 36. 2.
  • 7) Ib. 194. 28; 205. 8; 275. 26.
  • 8) Ib. 53. 34-6.
  • 9) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 35. 97; Vāyu-purāṇa 61. 87.
  • 10) Ib. 7. 32; 21. 70; 22. 20.
  • 11) Ib. 65. 68 and 77.
  • 12) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 5. 110; II. 6. 31.
Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Samkhya (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Samkhya glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Sāṃkhya philosophy

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to the world of Brāhma and represents a division of the divine creation (daivasarga or ūrdhvasarga) according to the Sāṃkhyakārikā. The daivasarga is one of the three types of elemental creation, also known as bhautikasarga.

The Sāṃkhyakārikā by Iśvarakṛṣṇa is the earliest extant text of the Sāṃkhya school of philosophy and dates from the 4th century CE. It contains 72 Sanskrit verses and contents include epistemology and the theory of causation.

Samkhya book cover
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Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Prabhupada Books: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) and Virajānadī are shelters for living entities (disgusted with material life) both situated between Vaikuṇṭhaloka and Brahmāṇḍa.—The spiritual world is a manifestation of spiritual energy and is known as Vaikuṇṭhaloka, “the place where there is no anxiety”. The material world, known as Brahmāṇḍa is the creation of the external energy. Between the two creations-the material creation and the spiritual creation-is a river known as Virajā as well as a place known as Brahmaloka. Virajā-nadī and Brahmaloka are shelters for living entities disgusted with material life and inclined to impersonal existence by way of denying material variegatedness. Since these places are not situated in the Vaikuṇṭḥalokas, or the spiritual world, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu proclaims them to be external.

Source: Devotees Vaishnavas: Śrī Garga Saṃhitā

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to the “realm of Brahmā”, in which a kṣaṇa (‘moment of time’) equals four yugas on the earth, according to the Gargasaṃhitā chapter 6.3. Accordingly, “[...] by his mystic power he [viz., Raivata] traveled to Brahmaloka. His intention to ask for a proper husband for his daughter, he bowed before the demigod Brahmā. [...] Śrī Brahmā said: O king, a moment in this realm of Brahmaloka is equal to four yugas on the earth. Your children, grandchildren, and other relatives are no longer on the earth. We do not hear anything of the descendents of your children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren. The dynasty no longer exists. [...]”.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to “abode of Lord Brahmā, which is within this material universe”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to:—(or Satyaloka) The abode of Lord Brahmā within this material universe. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

Vaishnavism book cover
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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to “(world?) of Brahmā”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] He who loves prosperity ought not to live in a country devoid of a Jyotiṣaka. He (the Jyotiṣaka) forms as it were the eye of the land and where he dwells, sins exist not. A learned Jyotiṣaka not only escapes hell but (after death) goes to the Brahma-loka [i.e., brahmaloka] and obtains salvation”.

Jyotisha book cover
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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) is part of the six groups of Gods inhabiting the Kāmadhātu (the first of the three worlds), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32-34. The six classes of gods of the desire realm (kāmadhātu), attached to the five desirable objects, will fall into the hells (niraya) and be subjected to all the sufferings.

According to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV):—The gods of the Brahmaloka have three places of birth (janmasthāna): i) the heaven of the Brahmakāyikas, the birthplace of the lesser Brahmās; ii) the heaven of the Brahmapurohitas, the birthplace of the noble Brahmās; iii) the heaven of the Mahābrahmās, also called the birthplace of intermediate dhyāna (dhyānāntara).

In the world of the Brahmā gods (brahmaloka), the life-span does not surpass a half kalpa; and this brahmadeva [Baka] is alone in having an immense longevity. Thus he conceived a wrong view (mithyādṛṣṭi) and said: “I alone am eternally subsistent (nityastha).”

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to the “world of Brahmā”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “At that time, the Brahmā Prabhāvyūha, being surrounded (parivṛta) and followed by sixty-eight hundred thousand Brahmās, teleported from the world of Brahmā (brahmaloka) to the presence of the Lord, bowed down at his feet, circumambulated him three times (tri-pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya), and sat down on a side. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
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Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to a heavenly abode (kalpa) inhabited by Kalpopapanna gods, according to Jain cosmological texts in both the Śvetāmbara and Digambara tradition. The Kalpopapannas (‘those born in the heavens’) represent a sub-species of the Vaimānika gods, which in turn represents the fourth main classification of devas (gods). This kalpa is also known as Brahmalokakalpa. In this specific kalpa, instead of bodily coition, a more and more refined sort of sexual satisfaction takes its place. The associated leśyā is lotus-pink. There are ten such kalpas being ruled over by sixty-four Indras (heavenly kings).

In Jain iconography, the associated animal symbol of the Brahmaloka-kalpa is a goat (prakrit: chagala, sanskrit: chāgala). These animals are depicted in a cosmological text of the Śvetāmbara tradition known as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna (“jewel of the compilation”), also known as the Trailokyadīpikā (“illumination of the triple world”), written by Śrīcandra in the 12th century.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to the “world of Brahmā”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “This world totters to the limit of the world of Brahmā (brahmaloka-avasāna) with the fear of the beginning of a frown, and mountains immediately fall asunder by force of [the fact that] the earth is overcome by the weight of the heavy feet, of those heroes who are all led to death by the king of time in [the space of] some days. Nevertheless, desire is intense only in a living being who is bereft of sense”.

General definition book cover
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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

brahmaloka : (m.) the brahma world.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka refers to: the Br. world, the highest world, the world of the Celestials (which is like all other creation subject to change & destruction: see e.g. Vism. 415=KhA 121), the abode of the Br. devas; Heaven.—It consists of 20 heavens, sixteen being worlds of form (rūpa-brahmaloka) and four, inhabited by devas who are incorporeal (arūpa°). The devas of the Br. l. are free from kāma or sensual desires. Rebirth in this heaven is the reward of great virtue accompanied with meditation (jhāna) A. I, 227 sq. ; V, 59 (as included in the sphere called sahassī cūḷanikā lokadhātu).—The brahmās like other gods are not necessarily sotāpannā or on the way to full knowledge (sambodhi-parāyaṇā); their attainments depend on the degree of their faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, & Saṅgha, and their observance of the precepts.—See e.g. D. III, 112; S. I, 141, 155, 282; A. III, 332; IV, 75, 103; Sn. 508, 1117; J. II, 61; Ps. I, 84; Pv. II, 1317; Dhs. 1282; Vbh. 421; Vism. 199, 314, 367, 372, 390, 401, 405, 408, 415 sq. , 421, 557; Mhbv 54, 83, 103 sq. , 160; VbA 68; PvA. 76; VbhA. 167, 433, 437, 510. See also Cpd. 57, 141 sq. ; Kirfel, Kosmographie 26, 191, 197, 207, and cp. in BSk. literature Lal. Vist. 171. The Br. -l. is said to be the one place where there are no women: DhA. I, 270.—yāva Brahmalokā pi even unto Br. ’s heaven, expression like “as far as the end of the world” M. I, 34; S. V, 265, 288.—°ûpaga attaining to the highest heaven D. II, 196; A. V, 342; Sn. 139; J. II, 61; Kvu 114.—°ûpapatti rebirth in Heaven Sn. 139.—°parāyana the Br. -loka as ultimate goal J. II, 61; III, 396.—°sahavyatā the company of the Br. gods A. IV, 135 sq.

Note: brahmaloka is a Pali compound consisting of the words brahma and loka.

Pali book cover
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Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

brahmalōka (ब्रह्मलोक).—m (S) The heaven of Brahma.

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Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक).—the world of Brahman.

Derivable forms: brahmalokaḥ (ब्रह्मलोकः).

Brahmaloka is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and loka (लोक).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक).—m.

(-kaḥ) A division of the universe, the supposed eternal residence of the spirits of the pious. E. brahman Brahma and loka a world.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक).—m. the supposed eternal residence of the spirits of the pious, [Sundopasundopākhyāna] 4, 25; Mahābhārata 12, 3996, in Chr. 94. Lokāloka, i. e.

Brahmaloka is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and loka (लोक).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक).—[masculine] the world of Brahman.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक):—[=brahma-loka] [from brahma > brahman] m. (also [plural]) the world or heaven of Brahmā (a division of the universe and one of the supposed residences of pious spirits), [Atharva-veda]; etc.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक):—[brahma-loka] (kaḥ) 1. m. The highest part of the universe.

[Sanskrit to German]

Brahmaloka in German

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Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmaloka in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Brahmalōka (ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಲೋಕ):—

1) [noun] the world or heaven of Brahma; the supposed residence of pious spirits.

2) [noun] (jain.) one of the sixteen heavens.

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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