Karshvar
Encyclopedia
In the Avesta
, reference is made to seven karshvar (karšvrə < Modern Persian keshvar), clime
s or zones, organizing the world map into a seven-storied ziggurat
representing the cosmic mountain. The world is referred to as the haft keshvar. The word has also been translated as "region", "state" or "continent
".
The Avesta describes the karshvar as superimposed concentric circles one above the other, with increasing size. These are separated by waters, mountains or forests.
The story of the creation of these seven regions is told in Bundahishn when "rain first fell upon the earth". Man
lives in the karshvar Hvaniratha. Hvaniratha is believed to be "central one" and whose size was as large as all others together.The karshvar Hvaniratha is where "peak of Hara" (Alburz) had "grown from the roots of Elburz mountains".
Sufi traditions postulate an eighth clime, the "heavenly Earth" or "cosmic North".
In Theosophy
, according to H. P. Blavatsky (The Devil's Own, 1891), Ahura
is interpreted as a generic name for the sevenfold Deity, the Ruler of the Seven Worlds, and Hvaniratha is the middle plane (the fourth of seven), corresponding to Earth
.
Avesta
The Avesta is the primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language.-Early transmission:The texts of the Avesta — which are all in the Avestan language — were composed over the course of several hundred years. The most important portion, the Gathas,...
, reference is made to seven karshvar (karšvrə < Modern Persian keshvar), clime
Clime
The seven climes was a notion of dividing the Earth into zones in Classical Antiquity....
s or zones, organizing the world map into a seven-storied ziggurat
Ziggurat
Ziggurats were massive structures built in the ancient Mesopotamian valley and western Iranian plateau, having the form of a terraced step pyramid of successively receding stories or levels.Notable ziggurats include the Great Ziggurat of Ur near Nasiriyah, Iraq; the Ziggurat of Aqar Quf near...
representing the cosmic mountain. The world is referred to as the haft keshvar. The word has also been translated as "region", "state" or "continent
Continent
A continent is one of several very large landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, with seven regions commonly regarded as continents—they are : Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.Plate tectonics is...
".
The Avesta describes the karshvar as superimposed concentric circles one above the other, with increasing size. These are separated by waters, mountains or forests.
- Arezahi,
- Savahi,
- Fradadhafshu,
- Vidadhafshu,
- Vourubaresti,
- Vourugaresti,
- Hvaniratha.
The story of the creation of these seven regions is told in Bundahishn when "rain first fell upon the earth". Man
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
lives in the karshvar Hvaniratha. Hvaniratha is believed to be "central one" and whose size was as large as all others together.The karshvar Hvaniratha is where "peak of Hara" (Alburz) had "grown from the roots of Elburz mountains".
Sufi traditions postulate an eighth clime, the "heavenly Earth" or "cosmic North".
In Theosophy
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
, according to H. P. Blavatsky (The Devil's Own, 1891), Ahura
Ahura
Ahura is an Avestan language designation for a particular class of Zoroastrian divinities.-Etymology:Avestan ahura derives from Indo-Iranian *asura, also attested in an Indian context as RigVedic asura...
is interpreted as a generic name for the sevenfold Deity, the Ruler of the Seven Worlds, and Hvaniratha is the middle plane (the fourth of seven), corresponding to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
.