Question: In a poster illustrating the interior of a universe, we find bhuvarloka has rakshasas and ghosts, while svargaloka is shown to be the abode of demigods and demons. How to understand why demons are shown to reside in higher planets, as Krishna says those in goodness go higher and ignorance go lower?
Answer by Romapada Swami: What you are stating is correct. The drawing is misleading, in this regard: demons do not reside in the heavenly planets. Rather they reside in the lower planets. Some of them reside in subterranean heavens, also called bila-svarga which are imitation heavenly planets. The demons and danavas have a very high standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and influence and therefore they are attracted to the illusory material enjoyment and happiness.
Raksasas, on the other hand, reside within the bhuvarloka region, while Raksasas primarily reside in the lower planetary region. Some Raksasas also keep residence in the Antariksa region, which is above Bhumandala but below Svarga. The Antariksa region can be considered to be within Bhuvarloka. Please refer to the sections from Srimad Bhagavatam cited below for verification.
Chapter Summary of 5.24 and other references describing the Bhuvarloka Region
This chapter describes the planet Rähu, which is 10,000 yojanas (80,000 miles) below the sun …. Rahu is situated below the sun and moon [note: Both the sun and the moon are within the Svarga or heavenly region]. It is between these two planets and the earth.
Below Rahu by another 1,000,000 yojanas are the planets of the Siddhas, Caranas and Vidyadharas, and below these are planets such as Yaksaloka and Raksaloka. Below these planets is the earth, and 70,000 yojanas below the earth are the lower planetary systems-Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. Demons and Raksasas live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, always engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births. The sunshine does not reach these planets, but they are illuminated by jewels fixed upon the hoods of snakes. Because of these shining gems there is practically no darkness. Those living in these planets do not become old or diseased, and they are not afraid of death from any cause but the time factor, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
{BG 9.25 purport}: “…one can go to many ghostly planets and become a Yaksa, Raksa or Pisaca. Pisaca worship is called “black arts” or “black magic.”}
{SB 11.24.12}: “Heaven was established as the residence of the demigods, Bhuvarloka as that of the ghostly spirits, and the earth system as the place of human beings and other mortal creatures.
NOTE: Between Bhuvarloka and Bhurloka is antariksa, an interplanetary space where living beings like Raksasas, Yaksas, Pisacas and ghosts reside. They often descend on earth and are generally inimical to humans. Usually they will be born later as humans.
Ghosts – “Living entities who are associates of Rudra develop in the third mode of material nature, or ignorance. They are situated in the sky between the earthly planets and the heavenly planets.” (SB 3.6.29)
“Beneath Vidyadhara-loka, Caranaloka and Siddhaloka, in the sky called antariksa, are the places of enjoyment for the Yaksas, Raksasas, Pisacas, ghosts and so on. Antariksa extends as far as the wind blows and the clouds float in the sky. Above this there is no more air.” (SB 5.24.5)
The heavenly places of enjoyment are divided into three groups: the celestial heavenly planets, the heavenly places on earth, and the bila heavenly places, which are found in the lower regions
In these seven planetary systems, which are also known as the subterranean heavens[bila-sarga] , there are very beautiful houses, gardens and places of sense enjoyment, which are even more opulent than those in the higher planets because the demons have a very high standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and influence. Most of the residents of these planets, who are known as Daityas, Danavas and Nagas, live as householders. Their wives, children, friends and society are all fully engaged in illusory material happiness. The sense enjoyment of the demigods is sometimes disturbed, but the residents of these planets enjoy life without disturbances. Thus, they are understood to be very attached to illusory happiness.
My dear King, in the imitation heavens known as bila-svarga there is a great demon named Maya Danava, who is an expert artist and architect. He has constructed many brilliantly decorated cities. There are many wonderful houses, walls, gates, assembly houses, temples, yards and temple compounds, as well as many hotels serving as residential quarters for foreigners. The houses for the leaders of these planets are constructed with the most valuable jewels, and they are always crowded with living entities known as Nagas and Asuras, as well as many pigeons, parrots and similar birds. All in all, these imitation heavenly cities are most beautifully situated and attractively decorated.
The parks and gardens in the artificial heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper heavenly planets. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and therefore they appear extraordinarily beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the pleasure of sense gratification. There are many lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, kahlaras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravakas and many other water birds nest in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses.
