*SKANDHA V. CHAP. 24.*
Ten thousand Yojanas below the Sun is Rahu, son of Sinhika. Though an
Asura, by favour of Bhagavan he became a planet and immortal too like
the Devas.
Ten thousand Yojanas below Rahu is the abode of the Siddhas, Charanas
and Vaidyadharas.
Below that is the abode of the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Pisachas, Pretas, and
Bhutas. This abode extends down to the regions of air and clouds.
One hundred Yojanas below that is the Earth. The details of the Earth's
surface have been given above.
Underneath the Earth are the seven Patalas: -- Atala, Vitala, Sutala,
Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. They are ten thousand Yojanas
apart from each other.
In these nether Svargas, Daityas, Danavas and Nagas dwell. Their
enjoyments, power, joys and luxuries are even greater than those of the
Devas of Svarga. Their houses, gardens and playgrounds are very rich.
They are always joyous. They are attached to their wives, sons, friends
and attendants. By the grace of Isvara, their desires are always
gratified.
Maya, the Danava Magician, has built wonderful houses, gardens &c. in
these regions with precious stones.
There are no divisions of time, as the Sun's rays do not enter those
regions and no disturbances from such divisions. All darkness is removed
by the light of the precious stones on the head of the serpent king.
The people of Patala use divine herbs and medicines, and consequently
they have no infirmities, diseases, old age, languor and offensive
secretions.
They have no death except by the Chakra of Bhagavan (_i.e._ final
extinction).
_Atala:_ -- Bala, the son of Maya resides in Atala (Maya is a masculine
form of Maya the root Prakriti). He created here 96 forms of Maya. The
Mayavins (those who practice Magic) still have recourse to those forms.
When he yawns, three classes of women spring into existence viz:
1. Svairini (self willed loose women),
2. Kamini (passionate women) and
3. Punschali (unchaste women).
If any one enters Atala these women completely allure him by their
Hataka (golden) charm, and when the man is completely overcome by their
allurements, he says "I am Isvara", "I am Siddha."
[The women are only forms of Maya because Maya is personified as an
alluring woman. A man in Atala is completely under the domination of
Maya and becomes estranged from spirit. So Maya is all in all to him and
he knows no other.]
_Vitala_: -- Below Atala is Vitala. There Bhava (Siva) the king of Gold
reigns in company with his consort Bhavani, attended by Bhutas. He
remains there for the benefit of the Prajapati creation. The fluid of
intercourse with Bhavani gives rise to a river called Hataki (Golden).
Agni kindled by Vayu drinks up that river and gives out the gold called
Hataka which is used in ornaments by the Asuras who dwell there.
(We have known Siva as the Astral Lord. We find him here engaged in the
work of creation. The text speaks of a mysterious connection between him
and the gold called Hataka. The occult varieties of gold such as
Jamvanada and Hataka form a fit subject of study. Hataka refers to the
Prajapati creation. There is duality in Vitala, as distinguished from
the singleness of Maya in Atala).
_Sutala_: -- Below Vitala is Sutala. There the renowned Bali son of
Virochana still dwells. Vamana, the Dwarf Incarnation of Vishnu, took
away the Triloki from him and replaced him here. His enjoyments even
here are greater than those of Indra. He performs Sva-dharma and
worships Vishnu. His sins are all removed.
(A full account of Bali will be given below.)
_Talatala_: -- Below Sutala is Talatala. Maya, the Danava king, rules
there. His "Three Puras" (abodes) were destroyed by Siva who is hence
called Tripurari. But Siva favoured him again and placed him in
Talatala. He is the preceptor of all Mayavins. He is preserved by Siva
and he has no fear from Sudarsana (the chakra weapon of Vishnu, which
symbolises Time.)
(Bali and Maya, Triloki and Tripura, the seizure of one and the
destruction of the other, the restoration of Bali to Sutala and of Maya
to Talatala, the favour shown to them in those regions, the
correspondences of Sutala and Talatala are worth careful consideration.
In the case of one, Vishnu or the Preservative aspect of the Second
Purusha is the actor, and in the other, Siva, the Destructive aspect.)
_Mahatala_: -- Below Talatala is Mahatala. Many headed serpents, the
progeny of Kadru, dwell there. The chief amongst them are Kuhaka,
Takshaka, Kaliya, Sushena, and others. They are always afraid of Garuda,
the Vehicle of Vishnu, and they are therefore seldom seen to indulge in
pleasure-trips outside.
_Rasatala_: -- Below Mahatala is Rasatala; Daityas, Danavas and Panis,
named Nivatakavachas, Kalakeyas and Hiranyapuravasins dwell there. They
are the enemies of the Devas. They are powerful from their very birth.
They are subdued by the Sudarsana of Vishnu. They are like serpents.
They fear even the threats of Sarama, the bitch of the gods who is
Indra's messenger to them. They fear Indra also.
_Patala_: -- Below Rasatala is Patala. The Nagas dwell there. Vasuki is
their chief. The other principal Nagas are -- Sankha, Kulika, Maha
Sankha, Sveta, Dhananjaya, Asvatara, and Devadatta. Their hood is very
large and they are very furious. Some of them are five headed, some 7
headed, some 10 headed, some a thousand headed. The precious stones on
their hoods dispel all darkness in Patala.