Urdhvaloka, Ūrdhvaloka, Urdhva-loka: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Urdhvaloka means something in 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.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक) refers to the “upper regions”, as discussed in chapter 2 of the (third section of the) Bṛhadbrahmasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text containing over 4600 Sanskrit verses dealing primarily with Vaiṣṇava theology and practical matters concerning the Śrī-Vaiṣṇava community but also discussing aspects of Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy.—Description of the chapter [ūrdhvaloka-varṇana]: As a means of keeping in mind the goloka-regions just described, there are corresponding mundane symbols which may be used and this chapter commences by describing the one used for recalling Bṛndāvana. [...] The remainder of the chapter turns to the realms which are increasingly sublime, and describes those aspects of deity which are to be found there—Vaikuṇṭha (79-95), Viṣṇuloka (96-110a), Śvetadvīpa (110b-135) and the Milk Ocean (136-151).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक).—The “upper world” or ūrdhvaloka is above mount Meru. Starting from below, this world can be divided into the following heavens:
- kalpa,
- graiveyaka,
- anudiśa,
- anuttara,
- siddhakṣetra.
The Śvetāmbaras do not acknowledge the anudiśa. The heavens of graiveyakas, anudiśas and anuttaras are also known as Kalpātīta heavens.
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक) refers to the “upper world”, according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“Above this Human World, is the Upper World (i.e., ūrdhvaloka), magnificent, 7 rajjus high less 900 yojanas. In this there are 12 heavens: Saudharma, Īśāna, Sanatkumāra, Māhendra, Brahmaloka, Lāntaka, Śukra, Sahasrāra, Ānata, Prāṇata, Āraṇa, and Acyuta. The 9 Graiveyakas are as follows: Sudarśana, Suprabuddha, Manorama, above those Sarvabhadra, Suviśāla, Sumanas, and above those Saumanasa, Prītikara, and Āditya. Above those are the 5 named Anuttara. Beginning from the east the palaces are named Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparājita, and Sarvārthasiddhaka in the center. Twelve yojanas above is Siddhaśilā, 45 lacs of yojanas long and wide. Three gavyūtas immediately above, in the (upper) sixth part of the fourth gavyūta are the Siddhas at the end of Lokāgratā.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
ūrdhvalōka (ऊर्ध्वलोक).—m (S) The worlds above; the several heavens. 2 (Popularly.) Swarga, the heaven of Indra.
ūrdhvalōka (ऊर्ध्वलोक).—m The world above, the heavens, the svarga.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक).—the upper world, heaven.
Derivable forms: ūrdhvalokaḥ (ऊर्ध्वलोकः).
Ūrdhvaloka is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ūrdhva and loka (लोक).
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक).—[masculine] the upper world, heaven.
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक):—[=ūrdhva-loka] [from ūrdhva] m. the upper world, world above, heaven.
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक):—(ū + lo) m. die obere Welt, der Himmel [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 87.] [Vopadeva’s Grammatik 5, 5.]
Ūrdhvaloka (ऊर्ध्वलोक):—m. Oberwelt , der Himmel.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Ūrdhvalōka (ಊರ್ಧ್ವಲೋಕ):—[noun] the region above the earth; the heaven.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Urdhva, Loka.
Starts with (+0): Urdhvalokana, Urdhvalokavarnana.
Full-text (+169): Anudisha, Vaira, Arcis, Arcimali, Sphatika, Somarupa, Anuttara, Pishaca, Mahoraga, Krishnaraji, Vimanavasin, Anga, Urdhvalokavarnana, Bhuta, Gandharva, Kinnara, Subhadraka, Manushya, Svarupaka, Kilbisha.
Relevant text
Search found 13 books and stories containing Urdhvaloka, Ūrdhvaloka, Urdhva-loka, Ūrdhva-loka, Ūrdhvalōka; (plurals include: Urdhvalokas, Ūrdhvalokas, lokas, Ūrdhvalōkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Jain Science and Spirituality (by Medhavi Jain)
4.2. Universe in Jain Philosophy < [Chapter 5 - Science in Jainism]
1.1. Substance (Introduction) < [Chapter 5 - Science in Jainism]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 3.1 - The lower world (adholoka) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]
Verse 4.19 - The sixteen Kalpa, nine Graiveyaka and five Anuttara < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Rig Veda 10.15.1 < [Sukta 15]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Appendix 1.1: Cosmography < [Appendices]
Part 32: Description of the Upper World (ūrdhvaloka) < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 1 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 20 - Jaina Cosmography < [Chapter VI - The Jaina Philosophy]