Svarga
The term Svarga ( Sanskrit : स्वर्ग) or Swarga Loka designates one of the 'Seven Heavenly Worlds' ( lokas ) in the beliefs of Hinduism . These heavenly worlds are located above the world mountain Meru and describe paradise-like realms in which the righteous are allowed to spend their time until the next rebirth. These have not yet achieved final liberation from the cycle of rebirths ( samsara ) and access to the eternal paradise of Vishnu ( vaikuntha ) is still closed to them.
The capital of this paradise is Amaravati , the gatekeeper is the mythical elephant Airavata , the mount ( vahana ) of the former high god Indra , who now only rules over the demigods ( devas ) in the intermediate world of the svarga .
The demon ( asura ) Naraka , after he has already brought the earth under his power, also soars to become lord of the heavenly world. However, he is killed by Krishna with his throwing disc ( chakra ).
See also
literature
- Hans Wilhelm Haussig (Ed.): Gods and Myths of the Indian Subcontinent (= Dictionary of Mythology . Department 1: The ancient civilized peoples. Volume 5). Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1984, ISBN 3-12-909850-X .