सुहृद्भिरनुजीवाद्यैः संयुताश्च गृहेश्वराः । ईश्वरादप्रतिहतकामा मायाविनश्च ते
Surrounded by friends, dependents, and others, they are lords of their homes; their desires are never hindered by any lord, and they are masters of illusion.
निवसन्ति सदा हृष्टाः सर्वर्तुसुखसंयुताः । मयेन मायाविभुना येषु येषु च निर्मिताः
They always dwell there, delighted, enjoying comfort in every season, in cities constructed in each region by Maya, the master of illusion.
पुरः प्रकामशो भक्ता मणिप्रवरशालिनः । विचित्रभवनाट्टालगोपुराद्याः सहस्रशः
In those places, splendid cities are built in abundance, adorned with the finest jewels, with wondrous mansions, towers, and gateways by the thousands.
सभाचत्वरचैत्यादिशोभाढ्याः सुरदुर्लभाः । नागासुराणां मिथुनैः सपारावतसारिकैः
Rich in the beauty of assembly halls, courtyards, shrines, and more—rare even for the gods—these are filled with pairs of Nāgas and Asuras, along with parrots and mynah birds.
कीर्णकृत्रिमभूमिश्च विवरेशगृहोत्तमैः । अलङ्कृताश्चकासन्ति उद्यानानि महान्ति च
The artificial grounds are scattered with the finest dwellings of the lords of the caves, and the great gardens shine, beautifully adorned.
मनःप्रसन्नकारीणि फलपुष्पविशालिभिः । ललनानां विलासार्हस्थानैः शोभितभाञ्जि च
These gardens, vast with fruits and flowers, bring joy to the mind, and are graced with delightful places suitable for the play of women.
नानाविहंगमव्रातसंयुक्तजलराशिभिः । स्वच्छार्णपूरितह्रदैः पाठीनसमलङ्कृतैः
They are filled with various flocks of birds and masses of water, with clear sand filling their depths, adorned with pāṭhīna fish.
जलजन्तुक्षुब्धनीरनीरजातैरनेकशः । कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारनीलरक्तोत्पलैस्तथा
The waters are stirred by many aquatic creatures, and are covered with lotuses, blue lilies, and red lotuses, as well as kumuda and utpala flowers.
तेषु कृतनिकेतानां विहारैः सङ्कुलानि च । इन्द्रियोत्सवकारैश्च तथैव विविधैः स्वरैः
These places, where they have made their homes, are crowded with amusements and sensory delights, as well as with various kinds of music.
अमराणां च परमां श्रियं चातिशयन्ति च । यत्र नैव भयं क्वापि कालाङ्गैर्दिनरात्रिभिः
There, they surpass even the supreme splendor of the immortals, and there is nowhere any fear from time, or from day and night.
यत्राहिप्रवराणां च शिरःस्थैर्मणिरश्मिभिः । नित्यं तमः प्रबाध्येत सदा प्रस्फुटकान्तिभिः
There, by the rays of the jewels set on the heads of the foremost serpents, darkness is always dispelled, ever shining with clear brilliance.
न वा एतेषु वसतां दिव्यौषधिरसायनैः । रसान्नपानस्नानाद्यैर्नाधयो न च व्याधयः
For those dwelling there, no diseases or ailments arise from divine herbs, elixirs, food, drink, or bathing.
वलीपलितजीर्णत्ववैवर्ण्यस्वेदगन्धताः । अनुत्साहवयोऽवस्था न बाधन्ते कदाचन
Wrinkles, gray hair, old age, discoloration, sweat, or foul odors, nor any weakness or decline of youth, ever trouble them.
कल्याणानां सदा तेषां न च मृत्युभयं कुतः । भगवत्तेजसोऽन्यत्र चक्राच्चैव सुदर्शनात्
For them, who are always blessed, there is never any fear of death; except for the divine radiance of the Lord and the Sudarśana discus.
यस्मिन्प्रविष्टे दैतेयवधूनां गर्भराशयः । प्रायो भयात्पतन्त्येव स्रवन्ति ब्रह्मपुत्रक
O son of Brahma, when he enters, the wombs of the wives of the Daityas, out of fear, mostly miscarry and flow out.
अतलवितलसुतललोकवर्णनम् श्रीनारायण उवाच प्रथमे विवरे विप्र अतलाख्ये मनोरमे । मयपुत्रो बलो नाम वर्ततेऽखर्वगर्वकृत्
The Description of Atala, Vitala, and Sutala Worlds. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: In the first delightful cavity, called Atala, there dwells Maya's son named Bala, who is filled with immeasurable pride.
षण्णवत्यो येन सृष्टा मायाः सर्वार्थसाधिकाः । मायाविनो याश्च सद्यो धारयन्ति च काश्चन
He has created ninety-six kinds of magical arts, capable of fulfilling all desires, and some magicians can instantly master them.
जृम्भमाणस्य यस्यैव बलस्य बलशालिनः । स्त्रीगणा उपपद्यन्ते त्रयोलोकविमोहनाः
When this powerful Bala yawns, groups of women arise, enchanting the three worlds.
पुंश्चल्यश्चैव स्वैरिण्यः कामिन्यश्चेति विश्रुताः । या वै बिलायनं प्रेष्ठं प्रविष्टं पुरुषं रहः
These women are renowned as courtesans, independent women, and passionate ones, who, when a man dear to them enters their subterranean abode in secret—
रसेन हाटकाख्येन साधयित्वा प्रयत्नतः । स्वविलासावलोकानुरागस्मितविगूहनैः
—by means of a special intoxicating drink called Hāṭaka, and through their glances, playful gestures, affection, and hidden smiles—
संलापविभ्रमाद्यैश्च रमयन्त्यपि ताः स्त्रियः । यस्मिन्नुपयुक्ते जनो मनुते बहुधा स्वयम्
—and with charming conversations and amorous play, these women delight him, so that whoever enjoys them comes to think in many ways—
ईश्वरोऽहमहं सिद्धो नागायुतबलो महान् । आत्मानं मन्यमानः सन्मदान्ध इव कथ्यते
—'I am the Lord, I am accomplished, I am mighty as a host of serpents,' thus considering himself, he is described as blinded by pride.
एवं प्रोक्ता स्थितिश्चात्र अतलस्य च नारद । द्वितीयविवरस्यात्र वितलस्य निबोधत
Thus has the state of Atala been described, O Nārada; now listen to the account of the second cavity, Vitala.
भूतलाधस्तले चैव वितले भगवान्भवः । हाटकेश्वरनामायं स्वपार्षदगणैर्वृतः
Beneath the earth, in Vitala, the blessed Lord Bhava, known as Hāṭakeśvara, resides, surrounded by his own attendants.
प्रजापतिकृतस्यापि सर्गस्य बृंहणाय च । भवान्या मिथुनीभूय आस्ते देवाधिपूजितः
For the increase of the creation made by Prajāpati, he dwells there united with Bhavānī, worshipped by the gods.
भवयोर्वीर्यसम्भूता हाटकी सरिदुत्तमा । समिद्धो मरुता वह्निरोजसा पिबतीव हि
From the union of Bhava and Bhavānī arises the excellent river Hāṭakī, which, blazing with the energy of wind and fire, seems to drink up everything.
तन्निष्ठ्यूतं हाटकाख्यं सुवर्णं दैत्यवल्लभम् । दैत्याङ्गना भूषणार्हं सदा तं धारयन्ति हि
The gold called Hāṭaka, washed down from there, is dear to the Daityas; the Daitya women always wear it as an ornament.
तद्बिलाधस्तलात्प्रोक्तं सुतलाख्यं बिलेश्वरम् । पुण्यश्लोको बलिर्नामा आस्ते वैरोचनिर्मुने
From beneath that subterranean region is the world called Sutala, ruled by the lord of the underworld; there dwells the virtuous Bali, son of Virocana, O sage.
महेन्द्रस्य च देवस्य चिकीर्षुः प्रियमुत्तमम् । त्रिविक्रमोऽपि भगवान् सुतले बलिमानयत्
Desiring to do the highest good for the god Mahendra, the blessed Trivikrama brought mighty Bali to Sutala.
त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीमाक्षिप्य स्थापितः किल दैत्यराट् । इन्द्रादिष्वप्यलब्धा या सा श्रीस्तमनुवर्तते
Having taken away the fortune of the three worlds, the king of the Daityas was established there; the goddess of prosperity, unattainable by Indra and others, follows him.