Part 29 (1/2)

THE PaTaLAS

*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 cla.s.ses of women spring into existence viz:

1. Svairini (self willed loose women), 2. Kamini (pa.s.sionate 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 Praj.a.pati 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 Praj.a.pati 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 wors.h.i.+ps 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.)