Bhagavatapurana 5.24: caturviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

5.24.1

/0 śrī-śuka uvāca
adhastāt savitur yojanāyute svarbhānur nakṣatravac caratīty eke yo 'sāv amaratvaṃ grahatvaṃ cālabhata bhagavad-anukampayā svayam asurāpasadaḥ saiṃhikeyo hy atad-arhas tasya tāta janma karmāṇi copariṣṭād vakṣyāmaḥ //

1. Sri Suka said:—Tenthousand yojanas below the Sun, some say, Rahu makes his circuit in the form of a Nakshatra (planet); for, he attained immortality and became a planet through the grace of the Lord, though he was by nature a wicked asura, born of Simhika, and by nature unworthy of that attainment; and of his birth and deed, O Son, we shall tell you later on.

5.24.2

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yad adas taraṇer maṇḍalaṃ pratapatas tad vistarato yojanāyutam ācakṣate dvādaśa-sahasraṃ somasya trayodaśa-sahasraṃ rāhor yaḥ parvaṇi tad-vyavadhāna-kṛd vairānubandhaḥ sūryā-candramasāv abhidhāvati //

2. The Sphere of the burning Sun which we see yonder is, they say, ten thousand yojanas in extent; the sphere of Soma 12 thousand yojanas, that of Rahu is 13 thousand, who cherishes enmity towards Surya and Chandra on account of the interruption caused by them and assails them on full-moon or new-moon days.

5.24.3

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tan niśamyobhayatrāpi bhagavatā rakṣaṇāya prayuktaṃ sudarśanaṃ nāma bhāgavataṃ dayitam astraṃ tat tejasā durviṣahaṃ muhuḥ parivartamānam abhyavasthito muhūrtam udvijamānaś cakita-hṛdaya ārād eva nivartate tad uparāgam iti vadanti lokāḥ //

3. Observing that plight of both the Sun and the Moon the glorious Lord has appointed His Sudarsana for their protection, the most favourite weapon of the Lord, irresistible by its splendour

and constantly moving about; Rahu stands against it for a while trembling with a heart full of fear, only at a distance, and withdraws himself; this occurrence, the world calls an eclipse.

5.24.4

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tato 'dhastāt siddha-cāraṇa-vidyādharāṇāṃ sadanāni tāvan mātra eva //

4. Below that again are the abodes (regions) of Siddhas, Charanas and Vidyadharas—all at the same distance of tenthousand yojanas.

5.24.5

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tato 'dhastād yakṣa-rakṣaḥ-piśāca-preta-bhūta-gaṇānāṃ vihārājiram antarikṣaṃ yāvad vāyuḥ pravāti yāvan meghā upalabhyante //

5. Still lower down is the region of the sky, the sporting field of Yakshas, Rakshas, Pisachas, Ghosts, and Demons reaching down to the point where the wind blows and clouds are met with.

5.24.6

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tato 'dhastāc chata-yojanāntara iyaṃ pṛthivī yāvad dhaṃsa-bhāsa-śyena-suparṇādayaḥ patattri-pravarā utpatantīti //

6. Below that lies this earth at the distance of a hundred Yojanas *i. e.*, the space where swans, eagles, kites, and other chief birds are soaring.

5.24.7

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upavarṇitaṃ bhūmer yathā-sanniveśāvasthānam avaner apy adhastāt sapta bhū-vivarā ekaikaśo yojanāyutāntareṇāyāma-vistāreṇopakḷptā atalaṃ vitalaṃ sutalaṃ talātalaṃ mahātalaṃ rasātalaṃ pātālam iti //

7. The description is already given of the earth in respect of its position and arrangement; and below thee arth there are seven openings each as broad as it is long and separated from the other by a distance of ten thousand yojanas, namely, Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, and Patala.

5.24.8

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eteṣu hi bila-svargeṣu svargād apy adhika-kāma-bhogaiśvaryānanda-bhūti-vibhūtibhiḥ susamṛddha-bhavanodyānākrīḍa-vihāreṣu daitya-dānava-kādraveyā nitya-pramuditānurakta-kalatrāpatya-bandhu-suhṛd-anucarā gṛha-pataya īśvarād apy apratihata-kāmā māyā-vinodā nivasanti //

8. In these nether swargas are had pleasures and enjoyments, wealth and joys and power, much more than in swarga proper, in rich mansions and most beautiful gardens and parks where dwell Ditijas, Danavas and Kadru's offspring as lords with their ever-rejoiced and affectionate wives, children, kinsmen, friends and servants, engaged in wonderful diversions of Maya.

5.24.9

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yeṣu mahārāja mayena māyāvinā vinirmitāḥ puro nānā-maṇi-pravara-praveka-viracita-vicitra-bhavana-prākāra-gopura-sabhā-caitya-catvarāyatanādibhir nāgāsura-mithuna-pārāvata-śuka-sārikākīrṇa-kṛtrima-bhūmibhir vivareśvara-gṛhottamaiḥ samalaṅkṛtāś cakāsati //

9. In these regions, O great king, by Maya, the master of Maya, are created cities, which shine resplendent with wonderful mansions ramparts, towers, courts, temples, quadrangles, enclosures and other edifices, beautifully wrought with excellent gems of various kinds, and adorned with special constructions to exhibit the works of art namely, couples of Nagas and Asuras, pigeons, parrots, Sarikas and also with the grand palaces of the rulers of these regions.

5.24.10

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udyānāni cātitarāṃ mana-indriyānandibhiḥ kusuma-phala-stabaka-subhaga-kisalayāvanata-rucira-viṭapa-viṭapināṃ latāṅgāliṅgitānāṃ śrībhiḥ samithuna-vividha-vihaṅgama-jalāśayānām amala-jala-pūrṇānāṃ jhaṣakulollaṅghana-kṣubhita-nīra-nīraja-kumuda-kuva-laya-kahlāra-nīlotpala-lohita-śatapatrādi-vaneṣu kṛta-niketanānām eka-vihārākula-madhura-vividha-svanādibhir indriyotsavair amara-loka-śriyam atiśayitāni //

10. The gardens here infinitely surpass the celestial world in splendour with the bewitching beauty of trees embraced by soft and tender creepers, having their branches charmingly bent with the (heavy) clusters of flowers and bunches of fruits and lovely shoots; also with lakes and ponds and rivers full of crystal waters frequent-

ed by various birds in pairs that make their homes in beds of lotuses, lilies, Kalharas, blue lilies, red lotuses which are agitated by fishes that jump up in sport—these gardens afford feasts to the senses, as one uninterrupted field of sports resounding with many kinds of sweet sounds, and other contributions to joy.

5.24.11

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yatra ha vāva na bhayam aho-rātrādibhiḥ kāla-vibhāgair upalakṣyate //

11. In these regions indeed no fear is felt on account of the changes as days and nights in the divisions of time.

5.24.12

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yatra hi mahāhi-pravara-śiro-maṇayaḥ sarvaṃ tamaḥ prabādhante //

12. There indeed the gems on the hoods of the great serpent dispel all darkness.

5.24.13

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na vā eteṣu vasatāṃ divyauṣadhi-rasa-rasāyanānna-pāna-snānādibhir ādhayo vyādhayo valī-palita-jarādayaś ca deha-vaivarṇya-daurgandhya-sveda-klama-glānir iti vayo 'vasthāś ca bhavanti //

13. Those that dwell in these regions have no anxieties or diseases; are not overtaken by old age bringing on wrinkles and grey-hairs or by dotage and other mental or bodily affections; do not suffer loss of complexion, from bad smell in their body, sweating, fatigue and weariness; and are not subject to the different conditions of age as boyhood and old age.

5.24.14

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na hi teṣāṃ kalyāṇānāṃ prabhavati kutaścana mṛtyur vinā bhagavat-tejasaś cakrāpadeśāt //

14. There is nothing to interrupt those auspicious things other than the splendour of the Lord's power in the form of *Chakra*.

5.24.15

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yasmin praviṣṭe 'sura-vadhūnāṃ prāyaḥ puṃsavanāni bhayād eva sravanti patanti ca //

15. When the Lord's power (Chakra) enters those regions Asura women have through fear their pregnancy affected resulting in miscarriage and abortion.

5.24.16

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athātale maya-putro 'suro balo nivasati yena ha vā iha sṛṣṭāḥ ṣaṇ-ṇavatir māyāḥ kāścanādyāpi māyāvino dhārayanti yasya ca jṛmbhamāṇasya mukhatas trayaḥ strī-gaṇā udapadyanta svairiṇyaḥ kāminyaḥ puṃścalya iti yā vai bilāyanaṃ praviṣṭaṃ puruṣaṃ rasena hāṭakākhyena sādhayitvā sva-vilāsāvalokanānurāga-smita-saṃlāpopagūhanādibhiḥ svairaṃ kila ramayanti yasminn upayukte puruṣa īśvaro 'haṃ siddho 'ham ity ayuta-mahā-gaja-balam ātmānam abhimanyamānaḥ katthate madāndha iva //

16. Again in the region of Atala dwells Bala, the Asura, Maya's son; and he created ninety-six magical performances [*Illusions* (Mayas)] some of which are even to-day known and practised by jugglers; when he yawned, from his mouth issued three groups of women called *Svairinyah*, *Kaminyah*, *Pumschalyah* who strengthen with a preparation called *hatakarasa* any person that may enter their region and delight him, at their will, with their sportful glances, love, lovely smiles and conversations and embraces and other charming acts. When that *rasa* is imbibed the individual thinks himself to be a god and Siddha and thinking himself to be as strong as ten thousand great elephants indulges in self-boasting like one blind with intoxication.

5.24.17

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tato 'dhastād vitale haro bhagavān hāṭakeśvaraḥ sva-pārṣada-bhūta-gaṇāvṛtaḥ prajāpati-sargopabṛṃhaṇāya bhavo bhavānyā saha mithunī-bhūta āste yataḥ pravṛttā sarit-pravarā hāṭakī nāma bhavayor vīryeṇa yatra citrabhānur mātariśvanā samidhyamāna ojasā pibati tan niṣṭhyūtaṃ hāṭakākhyaṃ suvarṇaṃ bhūṣaṇenāsurendrāvarodheṣu puruṣāḥ saha puruṣībhir dhārayanti //

17. Below that (*Atala*), in the region of *Vitala* the glorious god Hara called Hatakesvara (the ruler of gold, or the lord of gold)

shines surrounded by his retinue *viz.*, hosts of *Bhutas* and for the purpose of developing the creation of progenitors, the god *Bhava* (Siva) with his consort remains exemplifying the house-holder's life; and from this region a great river called Hataki issues charged with the energy of god Siva and his consort; here the Fire (naturally) kindled by the wind, absorbs by his force the water of that river and from it (Fire) issues gold called Hataka; and it is worn in the form of ornaments by both men and women in the harems of the great Asuras.

5.24.18

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tato 'dhastāt sutale udāra-śravāḥ puṇya-śloko virocanātmajo balir bhagavatā mahendrasya priyaṃ cikīrṣamāṇenāditer labdha-kāyo bhūtvā vaṭu-vāmana-rūpeṇa parākṣipta-loka-trayo bhagavad-anukampayaiva punaḥ praveśita indrādiṣv avidyamānayā susamṛddhayā śriyābhijuṣṭaḥ sva-dharmeṇārādhayaṃs tam eva bhagavantam ārādhanīyam apagata-sādhvasa āste 'dhunāpi //

18. Still lower down, in *Sutala*, is Bali (the great devotee), of extensive learning and of hallowed name, son of Virochana, who was deprived of his lordship over the three worlds by the glorious Lord who intended to do good to Mahendra and who had assumed a personal form as the son of *Aditi* and went to him in the form of a dwarf and brahmacharin. By the grace of the same Lord he has been placed in this region and again endowed with overflowing wealth and prosperity not enjoyed by Indra and others; and by means of his righteous conduct and duties he continues to worship the same most worshipful Lord and even now dwells there free from fear.

5.24.19

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no evaitat sākṣātkāro bhūmi-dānasya yat tad bhagavaty aśeṣa-jīva-nikāyānāṃ jīva-bhūtātma-bhūte paramātmani vāsudeve tīrthatame pātra upapanne parayā śraddhayā paramādara-samāhita-manasā sampratipāditasya sākṣād apavarga-dvārasya yad bila-nilayaiśvaryam //

19. It should not be thought that only this *i.e.*, his Lordship over the nether region and nothing else, is the most important and final fruit of his gift of land to the glorious Vasudeva the supreme Atman, who is the life and ruler of all embodied beings, the most holy recipient that ever came, a gift which was made with absolute faith and regard and resignation of mind and to one who is the direct way (guide) to *Moksha*.

5.24.20

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yasya ha vāva kṣuta-patana-praskhalanādiṣu vivaśaḥ sakṛn nāmābhigṛṇan puruṣaḥ karma-bandhanam añjasā vidhunoti yasya haiva pratibādhanaṃ mumukṣavo 'nyathaivopalabhante //

20. The person who being beside himself (*i.e.*, even unconsciously) utters but once the name of the Lord while sneezing, falling, or tumbling down, or in any other similar condition, shakes off wholly the bonds of Karma, for which purpose many seeking after salvation try to find remedy in quite other ways.

5.24.21

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tad bhaktānām ātmavatāṃ sarveṣām ātmany ātmada ātmatayaiva //

21. [That indeed is not the proper fruit of his having bestowed the earth on the Lord, since it is a gift made] to Atman realised only the Supreme Lord who confers Himself on the devotee and who is the one Atman of all.

as Atman, who confers on the wise and on those who are devoted to him and have controlled their mind and heart.

5.24.22

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na vai bhagavān nūnam amuṣyānujagrāha yad uta punar ātmānusmṛti-moṣaṇaṃ māyāmaya-bhogaiśvaryam evātanuteti //

22. The glorious Lord cannot indeed be said for the sake of this gift to have done a favour in bestowing on him that prosperity or Fortune which only deprives him of the opportunities of contemplating Atman and leads man to illusory enjoyments.

5.24.23

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yat tad bhagavatānadhigatānyopāyena yācñā-cchalenāpahṛta-sva-śarīrāvaśeṣita-loka-trayo varuṇa-pāśaiś ca sampratimukto giri-daryāṃ cāpaviddha iti hovāca //

23. It is a well-known fact that by the Lord who avoided other courses and adopted the pretext of asking for a gift, he was deprived of all the three worlds except his body and, being bound fast with the ropes of Varuna, was cast into a mountain cave. Then he (Bali) said (as follows):

5.24.24

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nūnaṃ batāyaṃ bhagavān artheṣu na niṣṇāto yo 'sāv indro yasya sacivo mantrāya vṛta ekāntato bṛhaspatis tam atihāya svayam upendreṇātmānam ayācatātmanaś cāśiṣo no eva tad-dāsyam ati-gambhīra-vayasaḥ kālasya manvantara-parivṛttaṃ kiyal loka-trayam idam //

24. Certainly, it is a pity, that this god called Indra, endowed with superior intellect and having Brihaspati for specially helping him with good counsel, neglected him (Brihaspati, or taking his counsel) and also Upendra and through Upendra begged of me his blessings (his fortune), but not the service of that Lord (Upendra). Of what value is this (kingdom of three worlds) limited in existence to a period of manvantara out of the unlimited Time passing in incalculable velocity?

5.24.25

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yasyānudāsyam evāsmat-pitāmahaḥ kila vavre na tu sva-pitryaṃ yad utākutobhayaṃ padaṃ dīyamānaṃ bhagavataḥ param iti bhagavatoparate khalu sva-pitari //

25. Only His service my grandfather sought after on the death of his father; but not the throne of his father, though free from all fear and offered by the Lord, simply because it was something different from the Lord Himself, and he wanted nothing else.

5.24.26

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tasya mahānubhāvasyānupatham amṛjita-kaṣāyaḥ ko vāsmad-vidhaḥ parihīṇa-bhagavad-anugraha upajigamiṣatīti //

26. Who like myself not having crushed the passions and not having gained the Lord’s grace could possibly hope to walk in or approach the path trodden by that great soul (Prahlada)?

5.24.27

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tasyānucaritam upariṣṭād vistariṣyate yasya bhagavān svayam akhila-jagad-gurur nārāyaṇo dvāri gadā-pāṇir avatiṣṭhate nija-janānukampita-hṛdayo yenāṅguṣṭhena padā daśa-kandharo yojanāyutāyutaṃ dig-vijaya uccāṭitaḥ //

27. His (Bali’s) history will be later on told in detail, at whose

(Bali's) door the glorious Lord Sri Narayana Himself, father of the whole universe full of compassion for His devotees keeps watch with gada in His hand; and by this Lord with His foot, with His great toe, the ten-headed monster (Ravana) was spurned and thrown away at a distance of ten crores of yojanas when he came in as he went about conquering the different directions.

5.24.28

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tato 'dhastāt talātale mayo nāma dānavendras tri-purādhipatir bhagavatā purāriṇā tri-lokī-śaṃ cikīrṣuṇā nirdagdha-sva-pura-trayas tat-prasādāl labdha-pado māyāvinām ācāryo mahādevena parirakṣito vigata-sudarśana-bhayo mahīyate //

28. Still lower down, in the region of Talatala a great Danava (Asura) called Maya is appointed Lord of three cities by the worshipful Siva, the slayer of Tripura Asuras, who intends to make him the ruler of the three worlds (to make the worlds happy); when the three cities were burnt down and he obtained this position through Siva's grace, the great master of all versed in magical arts is protected by the great Siva and shines great free from the fear of Sudarsana.

5.24.29

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tato 'dhastān mahātale kādraveyāṇāṃ sarpāṇāṃ naika-śirasāṃ krodhavaśo nāma gaṇaḥ kuhaka-takṣaka-kāliya-suṣeṇādi-pradhānā mahā-bhogavantaḥ patattri-rājādhipateḥ puruṣa-vāhād anavaratam udvijamānāḥ sva-kalatrāpatya-suhṛt-kuṭumba-saṅgena kvacit pramattā viharanti //

29. Lower still, in the region of Mahatala lives a class called Krodhavasa (the revengeful)--(of serpents born of Kadru and endowed with many hoods). The eminent members thereof *viz.*, Kuhaka, Takshaka and others, all having extensive hoods as well as a huge body always tremble with the fear of Garuda the king of birds, the vehicle of the supreme Person; and at the same time in great attachment to their wives, children, friends, and kinsmen they lead on the other hand a life of careless sportfulness.

5.24.30

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tato 'dhastād rasātale daiteyā dānavāḥ paṇayo nāma nivāta-kavacāḥ kāleyā hiraṇya-puravāsina iti vibudha-pratyanīkā utpattyā mahaujaso mahā-sāhasino bhagavataḥ sakala-lokānubhāvasya harer eva tejasā pratihata-balāvalepā bileśayā iva vasanti ye vai saramayendra-dūtyā vāgbhir mantra-varṇābhir indrād bibhyati //

30. Still lower down, in the region of Rasatala are found Daityas, the well-known Panies, Nivatakavachas, Kaleyas and those known as the residents of Hiranyapura, all enemies of the gods, possessed by birth of great strength and enterprising spirit; and they have their pride of strength subdued only by the prowess of Hari the great Maker of all the worlds and dwell there like reptiles living in holes. These indeed are kept in terror of Indra by the Vedic words uttered by Indra's messenger Sarama.

5.24.31

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tato 'dhastāt pātāle nāga-loka-patayo vāsuki-pramukhāḥ śaṅkha-kulika-mahāśaṅkha-śveta-dhanañjaya-dhṛtarāṣṭra-śaṅkhacūḍa-kambalāśvatara-devadattādayo mahā-bhogino mahāmarṣā nivasanti yeṣām u ha vai pañca-sapta-daśa-śata-sahasra-śīrṣāṇāṃ phaṇāsu viracitā mahā-maṇayo rociṣṇavaḥ pātāla-vivara-timira-nikaraṃ sva-rociṣā vidhamanti //

31. Still lower, *i. e.*, in the lowermost region of Patala live the chiefs of the Naga race (serpents) headed by Vasuki, with the eminent members named *Sankha, Kulika, Maha-Sankha, Sveta, Dhritarashtra, Sankachuda, Kambala, Aswahara, Devadatta*

and others, possessed of extensive hoods, highly revengeful; in their hoods which are a thousand are set big jewels of great effulgence by which the collected darkness in the pit of Patala is completely dispelled.