Storia do Mogor 251.1

251.1

The Hindus suppose there are fourteen worlds — that is, seven above and six below this earth ; the one in which we live makes the fourteenth. They state their position in the following manner [108]. The lowest of all is, they say, Hell ; the next above is another world called Magadalam (Mahatala) ; the next is Saladaland (Sutala) ; then Backchadaland (? Gabhastimat), which is a world of quicksilver, and they also assert it to be the world of snakes. The one which comes next is Chuduland (? Nitala), and above it is Vedeland (Vitala) ; then between it and our earth is Adaland (Atala). Next comes our terrestrial world, within which, they say, are seven seas, one of salt water, one of melted sugar, one of toddy-spirit, one of butter, one of curds, and one of milk. In this last, according to them, dwells their Vishnu, and there a very beautiful serpent with five heads forms his bed. Finally, they say there is one more sea, the last of all, which is of very pure and crystal-like water.