Bhuvanam

In Hindu mythology, Bhuvanam or Bhuvana is the second of the seven layers or realms in the universe, existing beneath the Svarga Loka or the heavenly realm and above the Prithvi or the physical earth. It represents every living being and the natural world. The Vayu Purana describes Bhuvana as a circle of pleasing expanse. This idea of Bhuvanam as the embodiment of the world and its inhabitants can be seen in various aspects of Hindu culture, from art and architecture to literature and mythology.

In Hindu philosophy, Bhuvanam holds spiritual significance as the plane of living beings. It represents the kshetra (body or physical form) as opposed to the atman (self or soul) which is eternal and transcendental. The Bhagavad Gita explains that while the atman is constant and eternal, the body (bhuvana) is temporary and subject to change. Understanding the distinction between the bhuvana and the atman is an essential part of attaining spiritual growth and self-realization in Hinduism.

Cultural name • Root: Sanskrit root • Not directly from Vedas, Upanishads, or other scriptures.