THE DHAMS

DEVI DHAMA Devi dhama is the abode of Durga devi, the personification of material nature and the wife of Lord Shiva. Her abode is the material universe, which is divided into three regions of upper, middle and lower, planets. It can also be divided into fourteen planetary systems, seven below the earth and six above it. It is here that the various incarnations of the Lord and His eternal servitors take place, which are meant to liberate the fallen conditioned souls from their bondage to material nature.

MAHESH DHAMA The next highest dhama is Mahesh dhama, the eternal abode of Lord Sada-Shiva. This abode lies between the material and spiritual worlds and above the Causal Ocean, where Maha-Vishnu, the first purusa-avatar of the Lord and the cause of material creation, resides. In Mahesh dhama, Lord Shiva and his eternal wife, Goddess Parvati, live under a huge banyan tree surrounded by their eternal associates, who are exalted saints and sages. Here Lord Shiva the greatest Vaisnava, eternally serves Lord Sankarasana, an expansion of Lord Balarama the brother of Lord Krsna.

AYODHYA DHAMA Ayodhya dhama is the eternal abode of Lord Ramachandra; and where He, His brothers, Laksmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna; His consort Sita; and His eternal devotees like Hanuman and others are worshipped in awe and reverence. Here the Lords Ramayana pastimes are displayed.

HARI DHAMA Hari dhama, the eternal abode of Hari, which is also called Vaikuntha, the place where there are no anxieties. Here the four armed Narayana form resides with His eternal consort Laksmiji. They are surrounded by their eternal servitors who constantly fan their Lord, offer Him prayers, and render Him service throughout the day.

GOLOKA DHAMA Goloka dhama,the largest planet in the spiritual sky, is where the devotes who are related to the Lord as friends, parents, or conjugal lovers eternally serve Him. Goloka has three distinct divisions: Vrindavana where Krsna is worshipped in His original form as a cowherd boy, Dwaraka, where Krsna is worshipped as the King of His citizens and the Lord of His 16,108 wives, and Navadvipa, where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is worshipped by His male associates, who are constantly chanting the holy names of the Lord. (Text COM:2158765) -----------------------------------------

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