[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904) › c5.s9.352.4 # An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s9.352.4 An Index to the Names in the Mahābhārata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s9.352.4 - **Language:** English ### [c5.s9.352.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352.4) Rasātala is the seventh stratum below the earth; here dwells Surabhi, the mother of kine, born of the amṛta; her milk springs from the essence of the six different kinds of tastes; she sprang of old from the mouth of Brahmán, who was gratified with drinking the amṛta and vomited the best of things (i.e. the cow and the brahman, PCR.). A jet of her milk created the Milky Ocean (kshīranidhi), covered with white foam that is the food of the ascetics (munisattamāḥ) Phenapāḥ ("Foam-drinkers"); the very gods fear them because of their austerities. From Surabhi are born the four kine that support the quarters (diçām pālyāḥ): in the East Surūpā, in the South Hamsikā, in the West Subhadrā, in the North (dharmyam Ailavīlasañjñitam) Sarvakāmadugha. The gods and the Asuras, making Mandara their pole, churned the Ocean, and obtained Vāruṇī, Lakshmī, amṛta, Uccaiḥçravas, and Kaustubha. Surabhī milks sudhā to those who live on sudhā (i.e. the Nāgas, PCR.), svadhā to those who live on svadhā (i.e. the Pitrs, PCR.), and amṛta to those who live on amṛta (i.e. the gods, PCR.). The gāthā that was sung by the dwellers of Rasātala in days of old is still heard to be recited in the world by persons of learning: "Neither in the Nāga-loka, nor in Svarga, nor in a vimāna, nor in heaven (Tripishṭape) is residence so happy as in Rasātala" (V, 102). The city of Bhogavatī resembles Indra's city Amarāvatī; it is ruled over by Vāsuki, the king of the Nāgas; here dwells Çesha (b); - [Previous: c5.s9.352.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352.3) - [Next: c5.s9.352.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352.5) - [Up: c5.s9.352](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c5.s9.352.4) · Pramāṇa