Editing Svarga (section)

== Literature ==

=== ''Vedas'' ===
In the hymns of the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'', Svarga is conceptualised as Pitrloka, the land where one hopes to meet one's departed ancestors. It is the abode that is rewarded for the one who performs sacrifices. The sacrifices that one performs are stated to journey directly to heaven, and are stored to await the sacrificer on his arrival. One hymn describes Svarga to be a realm that contains water-lilies and lotuses, lakes of butter with banks of honey, along with streams flowing with a number of foods such as wine, milk, curds, and water. Offering gifts to guests is also stated to be a path that secures heaven.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OUloBHBEyOcC&dq=svarga+heaven&pg=PA59 |title=The Atharva-Veda Described: With a Classified Selection of Hymns, Explanatory Notes and Review |date=1897 |publisher=Christian Literature Society for India |pages=59–60 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Brahma Sutras|''Vedanta Shutra'']] explains the concept of [[Transmigration of a soul|transmigration]] from Svarga to Bhuloka. It indicates that a ''[[jiva]]'' (life force) that has performed sacrifices and [[Dāna|charitable acts]] ascends to Svarga, and when departing the abode and returning to earth, it descends as a raincloud, and is precipitated upon the earth as rain. When man consumes the food that is watered by the rain, it enters his semen, and during intercourse, enters a woman, to be reborn. It described "sampata" to be the term for the concept that allows one to ascend to heaven. It also states that the one who was of good conduct in Svarga attains the birth of a [[Brahmin]], [[Kshatriya]], or a [[Vaishya]], and that others are condemned to lesser births, such as other animals or outcastes.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P7ZDAAAAYAAJ&dq=svarga+upanishads&pg=PA563 |title=The Taittirīya-upanishad |date=1903 |publisher=Printed at the C. T. A. Printing Works |pages=561–563 |language=en}}</ref>

The ''[[Mundaka Upanishad]]'' affirms that the performance of Vedic rituals is necessary to attain Svarga.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Satchidanandendra |first1=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMkbWhjE2M4C&dq=one+attains+svarga&pg=PA29 |title=The Method of the Vedanta: A Critical Account of the Advaita Tradition |last2=Saraswati |first2=Swami Satchidanandendra |date=1997 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1358-8 |pages=29 |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Puranas'' ===
The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' states that Svarga is the realm for the one who is able to discriminate between right and wrong acts, and loves other people, engaging in good deeds for them. The good, the virtuous, and the devoted are described to be able to achieve the abode. It is stated to be a realm of gratification, where one is able to appreciate divine music, divine beauty, and divine objects, all of which are enough for any man. The duration of one's stay in this [[loka]] is determined by the [[Punya (Hinduism)|''punya'']] (virtue) one has accumulated. High intellect is not deemed to be sufficient to enter the abode if one lacks the necessary level of spirituality.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sinha |first=Purnendu Narayana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIBBAAAAYAAJ&dq=svargaloka+puranas&pg=PA236 |title=A Study of the Bhagavata Purana: Or, Esoteric Hinduism |date=1901 |publisher=Freeman & Company, Limited |pages=236 |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Ramayana'' ===
The acquisition of [[Punya (Hinduism)|punya]] and the performance of good deeds is stated to be a prerequisite of attaining Svarga in the ''[[Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Guruge |first=Ananda W. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQ4qAAAAYAAJ&q=svarga+ramayana |title=The Society of the Ramayana |date=1960 |publisher=Saman Press |pages=269 |language=en}}</ref>

The epic describes the legend of King [[Trishanku]], who had been promised a place in Svarga by the sage [[Vishvamitra]]. The sage engaged in a solitary [[yajna]] to achieve this, not joined by other sages due to instructions from Sage [[Vasishtha|Vasishta]]. Due to the power of the sage's ceremony, the king ascended to the gates of Svarga. The devas reported this to Indra, who angrily kicked Trishanku from the abode because of his low birth, sending him hurtling towards the earth. Vishvamitra was able to halt his fall mid-way during his descent, and so the king was left suspended in the air. Indra opted to create a new Svarga below his own Svarga as a compromise, just for the residence of Trishanku. In retort, Vishvamitra created a new Indra and devas to occupy the new heaven with the king. Terrified of the powers of the sage, Indra relented, and personally carried Trishanku to the real Svarga on his own golden ''[[vimana]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Triśaṅku |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc242012.html |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Mahabharata'' ===
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the prince [[Arjuna]] is escorted to Svarga by [[Mātali|Matali]], the charioteer of [[Indra]], the prince's father. During the journey, he witnesses thousands of flying celestial cars, ''vimana''s. He observes that there is neither sun nor moon that is necessary to offer light in this realm, as it is entirely self-luminous. He takes note of the residents of Svarga: [[Rishi|rishis]], heroes who had died in battle, those who had performed severe austerities, [[Gandharva|gandharvas]], [[Guhyaka|guhyakas]], as well as [[Apsara|apsaras]]. He passes through the several successive regions of heaven until he arrives at Amaravati, the capital of Indra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Indralokagamana Parva: Section XLII |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03042.htm |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

In Amaravati, Arjuna beholds the gardens of Nandana, the favourite resort of the apsaras. He observes that sacred trees and flowers of all seasons bloom. He is eulogised by various classes of beings, such as deities like the [[Ashvins]] and the [[Maruts]], the royal sages, headed by [[Dilīpa|Dilipa]], and exalted [[Brahmin|Brahmanas]]. He is treated to the most sacred and profane music of the finest gandharva, [[Tumburu|Tumvuru]], and observes the dances of the most enticing apsaras, such as [[Menaka]], [[Rambha (apsara)|Rambha]], and [[Urvashi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Indralokagamana Parva: Section XLIII |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03043.htm |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

The ''Mahabharata'' suggests the existence of several forms or regions of Svarga, each headed by a deity, such as [[Surya]], [[Kubera]], and [[Varuna]]. Indra is stated to sate all the desires of the residents. Men and women enjoy each other's pleasures without restriction, and there is no form of jealousy between the sexes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sutton |first=Nicholas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFyUHC-ORp4C&dq=svarga+mahabharata&pg=PA261 |title=Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata |date=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1700-5 |pages=261 |language=en}}</ref> 

In the text, [[Nahusha]] opines to [[Yudhishthira|Yudhisthira]] that offering charity, speaking pleasing words, honesty, and ''[[ahimsa]]'' allows one to achieve heaven.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sutton |first=Nicholas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFyUHC-ORp4C&dq=svarga+mahabharata&pg=PA261 |title=Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata |date=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1700-5 |pages=84 |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Bhagavad Gita'' ===
{{Hindu mythology}}
In the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', it is indicated that Svarga is not the everlasting destination of those who had accumulated ''punya.''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/875441094 |title=The Bhagavadgita: with the commentary of Sri Sankaracharya |date=2013 |publisher=Samata Books |others=Alladi Mahadeva Sastri |isbn=978-81-85208-08-4 |location=Madras |oclc=875441094}}</ref>

<blockquote>{{Blockquote|text=They, having enjoyed that spacious world of Svarga, their merit (punya) exhausted, enter the world of the mortals; thus following the Dharma of the Triad, desiring (objects of) desires, they attain to the state of going and returning.|title=[[Bhagavad Gita]]|source=Verse 9.21}}</blockquote>