Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1085

c4.1085

ATALA. This is one of the seven sections of Pātāla. The seven sections are: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talātala, Mahātala, Rasātala, Pātāla. Of them Atala has been described as follows: Atala is the first world of Pātāla. There reigns Bala, the son of Maya who is the famous but haughty magician. He has created 96 Mayas who are capable of granting all kinds of desires. Even now certain persons who are interested in the practice of Black magic, learn some of these 96 arts and practise them. When this mighty fellow opens his mouth for yawning, three groups of women known as Puṁścalīs, Svairiṇīs and Kāminīs emerge from his mouth. He has with him a rasāyana called hāṭaka which he can easily entice and seduce all who enter Atala and to strengthen them for satisfying his lust. After enticing them with it, he enjoys uncontrolled pleasure with them, showering on them his amorous glances, bewitching smiles and embraces. (Devī Bhāgavata, Aṣṭama Skandha).