ones (underworlds). The earth is the lowest of the 7 higher worlds. The higher worlds are the 7 vyahrtis, viz. bhu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas , and satya (the world  ruled by Brahma ); and the lower ones (the “seven undreworlds” or paatalas) are atala, vitala, sutala, rasaataala, talatala, mahaatala,