Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 5 · Chapter 24

The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

5.24.1

श्रीशुक उवाच अधस्तात्सवितुर्योजनायुते स्वर्भानुर्नक्षत्रवच्चरतीत्येके योऽसावमरत्वं ग्रहत्वं चालभत भगवदनुकम्पया स्वयमसुरापसद: सैंहिकेयो ह्यतदर्हस्तस्य तात जन्म कर्माणि चोपरिष्टाद्वक्ष्याम: ॥ १ ॥

sri-suka uvaca adhastat savitur yojanayute svarbhanur naksatravac caratity eke yo ’sav amaratvam grahatvam calabhata bhagavad-anukampaya svayam asurapasadah saimhikeyo hy atad-arhas tasya tata janma karmani coparistad vaksyamah.

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, some historians, the speakers of the Puranas, say that 10,000 yojanas (80,000 miles) below the sun is the plane known as Rahu, which moves like one of the stars. The presiding deity of that plane, who is the son of Simhika, is the most abominable of all asuras, but although he is completely unfit to assume the position of a demigod or planeary deity, he has achieved that position by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Later I shall speak further about him.

5.24.2

यददस्तरणेर्मण्डलं प्रतपतस्तद्विस्तरतो योजनायुतमाचक्षते द्वादशसहस्रं सोमस्य त्रयोदशसहस्रं राहोर्य: पर्वणि तद्‌व्य‍वधानकृद्वैरानुबन्ध: सूर्याचन्द्रमसावभिधावति ॥ २ ॥

yad adas taraner mandalam pratapatas tad vistarato yojanayutam acaksate dvadasa-sahasram somasya trayodasa-sahasram rahor yah parvani tad-vyavadhana-krd vairanubandhah surya-candramasav abhidhavati.

The sun globe, which is a source of heat, extends for 10,000 yojanas (80,000 miles). The moon extends for 20,000 yojanas (160,000 miles), and Rahu extends for 30,000 yojanas (240,000 miles). Formerly, when nectar was being distributed, Rahu tried to create dissension between the sun and moon by interposing himself between them. Rahu is inimical toward both the sun and the moon, and therefore he always tries to cover the sunshine and moonshine on the dark-moon day and full-moon night.

5.24.3

तन्निशम्योभयत्रापि भगवता रक्षणाय प्रयुक्तं सुदर्शनं नाम भागवतं दयितमस्त्रं तत्तेजसा दुर्विषहं मुहु: परिवर्तमानमभ्यवस्थितो मुहूर्तमुद्विजमानश्चकितहृदय आरादेव निवर्तते तदुपरागमिति वदन्ति लोका: ॥ ३ ॥

tan nisamyobhayatrapi bhagavata raksanaya prayuktam sudarsanam nama bhagavatam dayitam astram tat tejasa durvisaham muhuh parivartamanam abhyavasthito muhurtam udvijamanas cakita-hrdaya arad eva nivartate tad uparagam iti vadanti lokah.

After hearing from the sun and moon demigods about Rahu’s attack, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, engages His disc, known as the Sudarsana cakra, to protect them. The Sudarsana cakra is the Lord’s most beloved devotee and is favored by the Lord. The intense heat of its effulgence, meant for killing non-Vaisnavas, is unbearable to Rahu, and he therefore flees in fear of it. During the time Rahu disturbs the sun or moon, there occurs what people commonly know as an eclipse.

5.24.4

ततोऽधस्तात्सिद्धचारणविद्याधराणां सदनानि तावन्मात्र एव ॥ ४ ॥

tato ’dhastat siddha-carana-vidyadharanam sadanani tavan matra eva.

Below Rahu by 10,000 yojanas (80,000 miles) are the planes known as Siddhaloka, Caranaloka and Vidyadhara-loka.

5.24.5

ततोऽधस्ताद्यक्षरक्ष: पिशाचप्रेतभूतगणानां विहाराजिरमन्तरिक्षं यावद्वायु: प्रवाति यावन्मेघा उपलभ्यन्ते ॥ ५ ॥

tato ’dhastad yaksa-raksah-pisaca-preta-bhuta-gananam viharajiram antariksam yavad vayuh pravati yavan megha upalabhyante.

Beneath Vidyadhara-loka, Caranaloka and Siddhaloka, in the sky called antariksa, are the places of enjoyment for the Yaksas, Raksasas, Pisacas, ghosts and so on. Antariksa extends as far as the wind blows and the clouds float in the sky. Above this there is no more air.

5.24.6

ततोऽधस्ताच्छतयोजनान्तर इयं पृथिवी यावद्धंसभासश्येनसुपर्णादय: पतत्‍त्रिप्रवरा उत्पतन्तीति ॥ ६ ॥

tato ’dhastac chata-yojanantara iyam prthivi yavad dhamsa-bhasa-syena-suparnadayah patattri-pravara utpatantiti.

Below the abodes of the Yaksas and Raksasas by a distance of 100 yojanas (800 miles) is the plane earth. Its upper limits extend as high as swans, hawks, eagles and similar large birds can fly.

5.24.7

उपवर्णितं भूमेर्यथासन्निवेशावस्थानमवनेरप्यधस्तात् सप्त भूविवरा एकैकशो योजनायुतान्तरेणायामविस्तारेणोपक्‍ल‍ृप्ता अतलं वितलं सुतलं तलातलं महातलं रसातलं पातालमिति ॥ ७ ॥

upavarnitam bhumer yatha-sannivesavasthanam avaner apy adhastat sapta bhu-vivara ekaikaso yojanayutantarenayama-vistarenopaklpta atalam vitalam sutalam talatalam mahatalam rasatalam patalam iti.

My dear King, beneath this earth are seven other planes, known as Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. I have already explained the situation of the planeary systems of earth. The width and length of the seven lower planeary systems are calculated to be exactly the same as those of earth.

5.24.8

एतेषु हि बिलस्वर्गेषु स्वर्गादप्यधिककामभोगैश्वर्यानन्दभूतिविभूतिभि: सुसमृद्धभवनोद्यानाक्रीडविहारेषु दैत्यदानवकाद्रवेया नित्यप्रमुदितानुरक्तकलत्रापत्यबन्धुसुहृदनुचरा गृहपतय ईश्वरादप्यप्रतिहतकामा मायाविनोदा निवसन्ति ॥ ८ ॥

etesu hi bila-svargesu svargad apy adhika-kama-bhogaisvaryananda-bhuti-vibhutibhih susamrddha-bhavanodyanakrida-viharesu daitya-danava-kadraveya nitya-pramuditanurakta-kalatrapatya-bandhu-suhrd-anucara grha-pataya isvarad apy apratihata-kama maya-vinoda nivasanti.

In these seven planeary systems, which are also known as the subterranean heavens (bila-svarga), there are very beautiful houses, gardens and places of sense enjoyment, which are even more opulent than those in the higher planes because the demons have a very high standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and influence. Most of the residents of these planes, who are known as Daityas, Danavas and Nagas, live as householders. Their wives, children, friends and society are all fully engaged in illusory, material happiness. The sense enjoyment of the demigods is sometimes disturbed, but the residents of these planes enjoy life without disturbances. Thus they are understood to be very attached to illusory happiness.

5.24.9

येषु महाराज मयेन मायाविना विनिर्मिता: पुरो नानामणिप्रवरप्रवेकविरचितविचित्रभवनप्राकारगोपुरसभाचैत्यचत्वरायतनादिभिर्नागासुरमिथुनपारावतशुकसारिकाकीर्णकृत्रिमभूमिभिर्विवरेश्वरगृहोत्तमै: समलङ्कृताश्चकासति ॥ ९ ॥

yesu maharaja mayena mayavina vinirmitah puro nana-mani-pravara-praveka-viracita-vicitra-bhavana-prakara-gopura-sabha-caitya-catvarayatanadibhir nagasura-mithuna-paravata-suka-sarikakirna-krtrima-bhumibhir vivaresvara-grhottamaih samalankrtas cakasati.

My dear King, in the imitation heavens known as bila-svarga there is a great demon named Maya Danava, who is an expert artist and architect. He has constructed many brilliantly decorated cities. There are many wonderful houses, walls, gates, assembly houses, temples, yards and temple compounds, as well as many hotels serving as residential quarters for foreigners. The houses for the leaders of these planes are constructed with the most valuable jewels, and they are always crowded with living entities known as Nagas and Asuras, as well as many pigeons, parrots and similar birds. All in all, these imitation heavenly cities are most beautifully situated and attractively decorated.

5.24.10

उद्यानानि चातितरां मनइन्द्रियानन्दिभि: कुसुमफलस्तबकसुभगकिसलयावनतरुचिरविटपविटपिनां लताङ्गालिङ्गितानां श्रीभि: समिथुनविविधविहङ्गमजलाशयानाममलजलपूर्णानां झषकुलोल्लङ्घनक्षुभितनीरनीरजकुमुदकुवलयकह्लारनीलोत्पल लोहितशतपत्रादिवनेषुकृतनिकेतनानामेकविहाराकुलमधुरविविधस्वनादिभिरिन्द्रि-योत्सवैरमरलोकश्रियमतिशयितानि ॥ १० ॥

udyanani catitaram mana-indriyanandibhih kusuma-phala-stabaka-subhaga-kisalayavanata-rucira-vitapa-vitapinam latangalingitanam sribhih samithuna-vividha-vihangama-jalasayanam amala-jala-purnanam jhasakulollanghana-ksubhita-nira-niraja-kumuda-kuva-laya-kahlara-nilotpala-lohita-satapatradi-vanesu krta-niketananam eka-viharakula-madhura-vividha-svanadibhir indriyotsavair amara-loka-sriyam atisayitani.

The parks and gardens in the artificial heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper heavenly planes. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and therefore they appear extraordinarily beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the pleasure of sense gratification. There are many lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, kahlaras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravakas and many other water birds nest in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses.

5.24.11

यत्र ह वाव न भयमहोरात्रादिभि: कालविभागैरुपलक्ष्यते ॥ ११ ॥

yatra ha vava na bhayam aho-ratradibhih kala-vibhagair upalaksyate.

Since there is no sunshine in those subterranean planes, time is not divided into days and nights, and consequently fear produced by time does not exist.

5.24.12

यत्र हि महाहिप्रवरशिरोमणय: सर्वं तम: प्रबाधन्ते ॥ १२ ॥

yatra hi mahahi-pravara-siro-manayah sarvam tamah prabadhante.

Many great serpents reside there with gems on their hoods, and the effulgence of these gems dissipates the darkness in all directions.

5.24.13

न वा एतेषु वसतां दिव्यौषधिरसरसायनान्नपानस्‍नानादिभिराधयो व्याधयो वलीपलितजरादयश्च देहवैवर्ण्यदौर्गन्ध्यस्वेदक्लमग्लानिरिति वयोऽवस्थाश्च भवन्ति ॥ १३ ॥

na va etesu vasatam divyausadhi-rasa-rasayananna-pana-snanadibhir adhayo vyadhayo vali-palita-jaradayas ca deha-vaivarnya-daurgandhya-sveda-klama-glanir iti vayo ’vasthas ca bhavanti.

Since the residents of these planes drink and bathe in juices and elixirs made from wonderful herbs, they are freed from all anxieties and physical diseases. They have no experience of grey hair, wrinkles or invalidity, their bodily lusters do not fade, their perspiration does not cause a bad smell, and they are not troubled by fatigue or by lack of energy or enthusiasm due to old age.

5.24.14

न हि तेषां कल्याणानां प्रभवति कुतश्चन मृत्युर्विना भगवत्तेजसश्चक्रापदेशात् ॥ १४ ॥

na hi tesam kalyananam prabhavati kutascana mrtyur vina bhagavat-tejasas cakrapadesat.

They live very auspiciously and do not fear death from anything but death’s established time, which is the effulgence of the Sudarsana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5.24.15

यस्मिन् प्रविष्टेऽसुरवधूनां प्राय: पुंसवनानि भयादेव स्रवन्ति पतन्ति च ॥ १५ ॥

yasmin praviste ’sura-vadhunam prayah pumsavanani bhayad eva sravanti patanti ca.

When the Sudarsana disc enters those provinces, the pregnant wives of the demons all have miscarriages due to fear of its effulgence.

5.24.16

अथातले मयपुत्रोऽसुरो बलो निवसति येन ह वा इह सृष्टा: षण्णवतिर्माया: काश्चनाद्यापि मायाविनो धारयन्ति यस्य च जृम्भमाणस्य मुखतस्त्रय: स्त्रीगणा उदपद्यन्त स्वैरिण्य: कामिन्य: पुंश्चल्य इति या वै बिलायनं प्रविष्टं पुरुषं रसेन हाटकाख्येन साधयित्वा स्वविलासावलोकनानुरागस्मितसंलापोपगूहनादिभि: स्वैरं किल रमयन्ति यस्मिन्नुपयुक्ते पुरुष ईश्वरोऽहं सिद्धोऽहमित्ययुतमहागजबलमात्मानमभिमन्यमान: कत्थते मदान्ध इव ॥ १६ ॥

athatale maya-putro ’suro balo nivasati yena ha va iha srstah san-navatir mayah kascanadyapi mayavino dharayanti yasya ca jrmbhamanasya mukhatas trayah stri-gana udapadyanta svairinyah kaminyah pumscalya iti ya vai bilayanam pravistam purusam rasena hatakakhyena sadhayitva sva-vilasavalokananuraga-smita-samlapopaguhanadibhih svairam kila ramayanti yasminn upayukte purusa isvaro ’ham siddho ’ham ity ayuta-maha-gaja-balam atmanam abhimanyamanah katthate madandha iva.

My dear King, now I shall describe to you the lower planeary systems, one by one, beginning from Atala. In Atala there is a demon, the son of Maya Danava named Bala, who created ninety-six kinds of mystic power. Some so-called yogis and svamis take advantage of this mystic power to cheat people even today. Simply by yawning, the demon Bala created three kinds of women, known as svairini, kamini and pumscali. The svairinis like to marry men from their own group, the kaminis marry men from any group, and the pumscalis change husbands one after another. If a man enters the plane of Atala, these women immediately capture him and induce him to drink an intoxicating beverage made with a drug known as hataka (cannabis indica). This intoxicant endows the man with great sexual prowess, of which the women take advantage for enjoyment. A woman will enchant him with attractive glances, intimate words, smiles of love and then embraces. In this way she induces him to enjoy sex with her to her full satisfaction. Because of his increased sexual power, the man thinks himself stronger than ten thousand elephants and considers himself most perfect. Indeed, illusioned and intoxicated by false pride, he thinks himself God, ignoring impending death.

5.24.17

ततोऽधस्ताद्वितले हरो भगवान् हाटकेश्वर: स्वपार्षदभूतगणावृत: प्रजापतिसर्गोपबृंहणाय भवो भवान्या सह मिथुनीभूत आस्ते यत: प्रवृत्ता सरित्प्रवरा हाटकी नाम भवयोर्वीर्येण यत्र चित्रभानुर्मातरिश्वना समिध्यमान ओजसा पिबति तन्निष्ठ्यूतं हाटकाख्यं सुवर्णं भूषणेनासुरेन्द्रावरोधेषु पुरुषा: सह पुरुषीभिर्धारयन्ति ॥ १७ ॥

tato ’dhastad vitale haro bhagavan hatakesvarah sva-parsada-bhuta-ganavrtah prajapati-sargopabrmhanaya bhavo bhavanya saha mithuni-bhuta aste yatah pravrtta sarit-pravara hataki nama bhavayor viryena yatra citrabhanur matarisvana samidhyamana ojasa pibati tan nisthyutam hatakakhyam suvarnam bhusanenasurendravarodhesu purusah saha purusibhir dharayanti.

The next plane below Atala is Vitala, wherein Lord Siva, who is known as the master of gold mines, lives with his personal associates, the ghosts and similar living entities. Lord Siva, as the progenitor, engages in sex with Bhavani, the progenitress, to produce living entities, and from the mixture of their vital fluid the river named Hataki is generated. When fire, being made to blaze by the wind, drinks of this river and then sizzles and spits it out, it produces gold called Hataka. The demons who live on that plane with their wives decorate themselves with various ornaments made from that gold, and thus they live there very happily.

5.24.18

ततोऽधस्तात्सुतले उदारश्रवा: पुण्यश्लोको विरोचनात्मजो बलिर्भगवता महेन्द्रस्य प्रियं चिकीर्षमाणेनादितेर्लब्धकायो भूत्वा वटुवामनरूपेण पराक्षिप्तलोकत्रयो भगवदनुकम्पयैव पुन: प्रवेशित इन्द्रादिष्वविद्यमानया सुसमृद्धया श्रियाभिजुष्ट: स्वधर्मेणाराधयंस्तमेव भगवन्तमाराधनीयमपगतसाध्वस आस्तेऽधुनापि ॥ १८ ॥

tato ’dhastat sutale udara-sravah punya-sloko virocanatmajo balir bhagavata mahendrasya priyam cikirsamanenaditer labdha-kayo bhutva vatu-vamana-rupena paraksipta-loka-trayo bhagavad-anukampayaiva punah pravesita indradisv avidyamanaya susamrddhaya sriyabhijustah sva-dharmenaradhayams tam eva bhagavantam aradhaniyam apagata-sadhvasa aste ’dhunapi.

Below the plane Vitala is another plane, known as Sutala, where the great son of Maharaja Virocana, Bali Maharaja, who is celebrated as the most pious king, resides even now. For the welfare of Indra, the King of heaven, Lord Visnu appeared in the form of a dwarf brahmacari as the son of Aditi and tricked Bali Maharaja by begging for only three paces of land but taking all the three worlds. Being very pleased with Bali Maharaja for giving all his possessions, the Lord returned his kingdom and made him richer than the opulent King Indra. Even now, Bali Maharaja engages in devotional service by worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the plane of Sutala.

5.24.19

नो एवैतत्साक्षात्कारो भूमिदानस्य यत्तद्भ‍गवत्यशेषजीवनिकायानां जीवभूतात्मभूते परमात्मनि वासुदेवे तीर्थतमे पात्र उपपन्ने परया श्रद्धया परमादरसमाहितमनसा सम्प्रतिपादितस्य साक्षादपवर्गद्वारस्य यद्ब‍िलनिलयैश्वर्यम् ॥ १९ ॥

no evaitat saksatkaro bhumi-danasya yat tad bhagavaty asesa-jiva-nikayanam jiva-bhutatma-bhute paramatmani vasudeve tirthatame patra upapanne paraya sraddhaya paramadara-samahita-manasa sampratipaditasya saksad apavarga-dvarasya yad bila-nilayaisvaryam.

My dear King, Bali Maharaja donated all his possessions to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vamanadeva, but one should certainly not conclude that he achieved his great worldly opulence in bila-svarga as a result of his charitable disposition. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the source of life for all living entities, lives within everyone as the friendly Supersoul, and under His direction a living entity enjoys or suffers in the material world. Greatly appreciating the transcendental qualities of the Lord, Bali Maharaja offered everything at His lotus feet. His purpose, however, was not to gain anything material, but to become a pure devotee. For a pure devotee, the door of liberation is automatically opened. One should not think that Bali Maharaja was given so much material opulence merely because of his charity. When one becomes a pure devotee in love, he may also be blessed with a good material position by the will of the Supreme Lord. However, one should not mistakenly think that the material opulence of a devotee is the result of his devotional service. The real result of devotional service is the awakening of pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which continues under all circumstances.

5.24.20

यस्य ह वाव क्षुतपतनप्रस्खलनादिषु विवश: सकृन्नामाभिगृणन् पुरुष: कर्मबन्धनमञ्जसा विधुनोति यस्य हैव प्रतिबाधनं मुमुक्षवोऽन्यथैवोपलभन्ते ॥ २० ॥

yasya ha vava ksuta-patana-praskhalanadisu vivasah sakrn namabhigrnan purusah karma-bandhanam anjasa vidhunoti yasya haiva pratibadhanam mumuksavo ’nyathaivopalabhante.

If one who is embarrassed by hunger or who falls down or stumbles chants the holy name of the Lord even once, willingly or unwillingly, he is immediately freed from the reactions of his past deeds. Karmis entangled in material activities face many difficulties in the practice of mystic yoga and other endeavors to achieve that same freedom.

5.24.21

तद्भ‍क्तानामात्मवतां सर्वेषामात्मन्यात्मद आत्मतयैव ॥ २१ ॥

tad bhaktanam atmavatam sarvesam atmany atmada atmatayaiva.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, sells Himself to His devotees such as Narada Muni. In other words, the Lord gives pure love to such devotees and gives Himself to those who love Him purely. Great, self-realized mystic yogis such as the four Kumaras also derive great transcendental bliss from realizing the Supersoul within themselves.

5.24.22

न वै भगवान्नूनममुष्यानुजग्राह यदुत पुनरात्मानुस्मृतिमोषणं मायामयभोगैश्वर्यमेवातनुतेति ॥ २२ ॥

na vai bhagavan nunam amusyanujagraha yad uta punar atmanusmrti-mosanam mayamaya-bhogaisvaryam evatanuteti.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead did not award His mercy to Bali Maharaja by giving him material happiness and opulence, for these make one forget loving service to the Lord. The result of material opulence is that one can no longer absorb his mind in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5.24.23

यत्तद्भ‍गवतानधिगतान्योपायेन याच्ञाच्छलेनापहृतस्वशरीरावशेषितलोकत्रयो वरुणपाशैश्च सम्प्रतिमुक्तो गिरिदर्यां चापविद्ध इति होवाच ॥ २३ ॥

yat tad bhagavatanadhigatanyopayena yacna-cchalenapahrta-sva-sariravasesita-loka-trayo varuna-pasais ca sampratimukto giri-daryam capaviddha iti hovaca.

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead could see no other means of taking everything away from Bali Maharaja, He adopted the trick of begging from him and took away all the three worlds. Thus only his body was left, but the Lord was still not satisfied. He arrested Bali Maharaja, bound him with the ropes of Varuna and threw him in a cave in a mountain. Nevertheless, although all his property was taken and he was thrown into a cave, Bali Maharaja was such a great devotee that he spoke as follows.

5.24.24

नूनं बतायं भगवानर्थेषु न निष्णातो योऽसाविन्द्रो यस्य सचिवो मन्त्राय वृत एकान्ततो बृहस्पतिस्तमतिहाय स्वयमुपेन्द्रेणात्मानमयाचतात्मनश्चाशिषो नो एव तद्दास्यमतिगम्भीरवयस: कालस्य मन्वन्तरपरिवृत्तं कियल्लोकत्रयमिदम् ॥ २४ ॥

nunam batayam bhagavan arthesu na nisnato yo ’sav indro yasya sacivo mantraya vrta ekantato brhaspatis tam atihaya svayam upendrenatmanam ayacatatmanas casiso no eva tad-dasyam ati-gambhira-vayasah kalasya manvantara-parivrttam kiyal loka-trayam idam.

Alas, how pitiable it is for Indra, the King of heaven, that although he is very learned and powerful and although he chose Brhaspati as his prime minister to instruct him, he is completely ignorant concerning spiritual advancement. Brhaspati is also unintelligent because he did not properly instruct his disciple Indra. Lord Vamanadeva was standing at Indra’s door, but King Indra, instead of begging Him for an opportunity to render transcendental loving service, engaged Him in asking me for alms to gain the three worlds for his sense gratification. Sovereignty over the three worlds is very insignificant because whatever material opulence one may possess lasts only for an age of Manu, which is but a tiny fraction of endless time.

5.24.25

यस्यानुदास्यमेवास्मत्पितामह: किल वव्रे न तु स्वपित्र्यं यदुताकुतोभयं पदं दीयमानं भगवत: परमिति भगवतोपरते खलु स्वपितरि ॥ २५ ॥

yasyanudasyam evasmat-pitamahah kila vavre na tu sva-pitryam yad utakutobhayam padam diyamanam bhagavatah param iti bhagavatoparate khalu sva-pitari.

Bali Maharaja said: My grandfather Prahlada Maharaja is the only person who understood his own self-interest. Upon the death of Prahlada’s father, Hiranyakasipu, Lord Nrsimhadeva wanted to offer Prahlada his father’s kingdom and even wanted to grant him liberation from material bondage, but Prahlada accepted neither. Liberation and material opulence, he thought, are obstacles to devotional service, and therefore such gifts from the Supreme Personality of Godhead are not His actual mercy. Consequently, instead of accepting the results of karma and jnana, Prahlada Maharaja simply begged the Lord for engagement in the service of His servant.

5.24.26

तस्य महानुभावस्यानुपथममृजितकषाय: को वास्मद्विध: परिहीणभगवदनुग्रह उपजिगमिषतीति ॥ २६ ॥

tasya mahanubhavasyanupatham amrjita-kasayah ko vasmad-vidhah parihina-bhagavad-anugraha upajigamisatiti.

Bali Maharaja said: Persons like us, who are still attached to material enjoyment, who are contaminated by the modes of material nature and who lack the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, cannot follow the supreme path of Prahlada Maharaja, the exalted devotee of the Lord.

5.24.27

तस्यानुचरितमुपरिष्टाद्विस्तरिष्यते यस्य भगवान् स्वयमखिलजगद्गुरुर्नारायणो द्वारि गदापाणिरवतिष्ठते निजजनानुकम्पितहृदयो येनाङ्गुष्ठेन पदा दशकन्धरो योजनायुतायुतं दिग्विजय उच्चाटित: ॥ २७ ॥

tasyanucaritam uparistad vistarisyate yasya bhagavan svayam akhila-jagad-gurur narayano dvari gada-panir avatisthate nija-jananukampita-hrdayo yenangusthena pada dasa-kandharo yojanayutayutam dig-vijaya uccatitah.

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, how shall I glorify the character of Bali Maharaja? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the three worlds, who is most compassionate to His own devotee, stands with club in hand at Bali Maharaja’s door. When Ravana, the powerful demon, came to gain victory over Bali Maharaja, Vamanadeva kicked him a distance of eighty thousand miles with His big toe. I shall explain the character and activities of Bali Maharaja later (in the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam).

5.24.28

ततोऽधस्तात्तलातले मयो नाम दानवेन्द्रस्त्रिपुराधिपतिर्भगवता पुरारिणा त्रिलोकीशं चिकीर्षुणा निर्दग्धस्वपुरत्रयस्तत्प्रसादाल्लब्धपदो मायाविनामाचार्यो महादेवेन परिरक्षितो विगतसुदर्शनभयो महीयते ॥ २८ ॥

tato ’dhastat talatale mayo nama danavendras tri-puradhipatir bhagavata purarina tri-loki-sam cikirsuna nirdagdha-sva-pura-trayas tat-prasadal labdha-pado mayavinam acaryo mahadevena pariraksito vigata-sudarsana-bhayo mahiyate.

Beneath the plane known as Sutala is another plane, called Talatala, which is ruled by the Danava demon named Maya. Maya is known as the acarya (master) of all the mayavis, who can invoke the powers of sorcery. For the benefit of the three worlds, Lord Siva, who is known as Tripurari, once set fire to the three kingdoms of Maya, but later, being pleased with him, he returned his kingdom. Since that time, Maya Danava has been protected by Lord Siva, and therefore he falsely thinks that he need not fear the Sudarsana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5.24.29

ततोऽधस्तान्महातले काद्रवेयाणां सर्पाणां नैकशिरसां क्रोधवशो नाम गण: कुहकतक्षककालियसुषेणादिप्रधाना महाभोगवन्त: पतत्‍त्रिराजाधिपते: पुरुषवाहादनवरतमुद्विजमाना: स्वकलत्रापत्यसुहृत्कुटुम्बसङ्गेन क्‍वचित्प्रमत्ता विहरन्ति ॥ २९ ॥

tato ’dhastan mahatale kadraveyanam sarpanam naika-sirasam krodhavaso nama ganah kuhaka-taksaka-kaliya-susenadi-pradhana maha-bhogavantah patattri-rajadhipateh purusa-vahad anavaratam udvijamanah sva-kalatrapatya-suhrt-kutumba-sangena kvacit pramatta viharanti.

The planeary system below Talatala is known as Mahatala. It is the abode of many-hooded snakes, descendants of Kadru, who are always very angry. The great snakes who are prominent are Kuhaka, Taksaka, Kaliya and Susena. The snakes in Mahatala are always disturbed by fear of Garuda, the carrier of Lord Visnu, but although they are full of anxiety, some of them nevertheless sport with their wives, children, friends and relatives.

5.24.30

ततोऽधस्ताद्रसातले दैतेया दानवा: पणयो नाम निवातकवचा: कालेया हिरण्यपुरवासिन इति विबुधप्रत्यनीका उत्पत्त्या महौजसो महासाहसिनो भगवत: सकललोकानुभावस्य हरेरेव तेजसा प्रतिहतबलावलेपा बिलेशया इव वसन्ति ये वै सरमयेन्द्रदूत्या वाग्भिर्मन्त्रवर्णाभिरिन्द्राद्ब‍िभ्यति ॥ ३० ॥

tato ’dhastad rasatale daiteya danavah panayo nama nivata-kavacah kaleya hiranya-puravasina iti vibudha-pratyanika utpattya mahaujaso maha-sahasino bhagavatah sakala-lokanubhavasya harer eva tejasa pratihata-balavalepa bilesaya iva vasanti ye vai saramayendra-dutya vagbhir mantra-varnabhir indrad bibhyati.

Beneath Mahatala is the planeary system known as Rasatala, which is the abode of the demoniac sons of Diti and Danu. They are called Panis, Nivata-kavacas, Kaleyas and Hiranya-puravasis (those living in Hiranya-pura). They are all enemies of the demigods, and they reside in holes like snakes. From birth they are extremely powerful and cruel, and although they are proud of their strength, they are always defeated by the Sudarsana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules all the planeary systems. When a female messenger from Indra named Sarama chants a particular curse, the serpentine demons of Mahatala become very afraid of Indra.

5.24.31

ततोऽधस्तात्पाताले नागलोकपतयो वासुकिप्रमुखा: शङ्खकुलिकमहाशङ्खश्वेतधनञ्जयधृतराष्ट्रशङ्खचूडकम्बलाश्वतरदेवदत्तादयो महाभोगिनो महामर्षा निवसन्ति येषामु ह वै पञ्चसप्तदशशतसहस्रशीर्षाणां फणासु विरचिता महामणयो रोचिष्णव: पातालविवरतिमिरनिकरं स्वरोचिषा विधमन्ति ॥ ३१ ॥

tato ’dhastat patale naga-loka-patayo vasuki-pramukhah sankha-kulika-mahasankha-sveta-dhananjaya-dhrtarastra-sankhacuda-kambalasvatara-devadattadayo maha-bhogino mahamarsa nivasanti yesam u ha vai panca-sapta-dasa-sata-sahasra-sirsanam phanasu viracita maha-manayo rocisnavah patala-vivara-timira-nikaram sva-rocisa vidhamanti.

Beneath Rasatala is another planeary system, known as Patala or Nagaloka, where there are many demoniac serpents, the masters of Nagaloka, such as Sankha, Kulika, Mahasankha, Sveta, Dhananjaya, Dhrtarastra, Sankhacuda, Kambala, Asvatara and Devadatta. The chief among them is Vasuki. They are all extremely angry, and they have many, many hoods—some snakes five hoods, some seven, some ten, others a hundred and others a thousand. These hoods are bedecked with valuable gems, and the light emanating from the gems illuminates the entire planeary system of bila-svarga.