श्रीमद्भागतमहापुराणम् पञ्चम: स्कन्ध: चतुर्विंश: अध्याय: श्री शुक उवाच - Shri Shuka said - अधस्तात्सवितुर्योजनायुते स्वर्भानुर्नक्षत्रवच्चरतीत्येके योऽसावमरत्वं ग्रहत्वं चालभत भगवदनुकम्पया स्वयमसुरापसद: सैंहिकेयो ह्यतदर्हस्तस्य तात जन्म- कर्माणि चोपरिष्टाद्वक्ष्याम: ॥१॥
अधस्तात्-सवितु:- below the Sun
योजन-अयुते yojana ten thousand स्वर्भानु:-नक्षत्र-वत्- Raahu, like a lunar mansion चरति-इति-एके moves, this some (say) य:-असौ-अमरत्वम् who this the gods' ग्रहत्वम् च-अलभत planet rank and obtained भगवद्-अनुकम्पया by Lord's grace स्वयम्-असुर-अपसद: himself demon vile सैंहिकेय: हि-अतत्-अर्ह:- born of Simhikaa indeed was of that unworthy तस्य तात जन्म कर्माणि his, Oh Son! (Pareekshit), birth deeds च-उपरिष्टात्-वक्ष्याम: and later will describe Ten thousand Yojanas below the Sun, Raahu, moves, like a lunar mansion, who has obtained the rank of the planet gods, by the grace of The Lord. Born of Simhikaa, a vile demon himself, he was not worthy of this. O Son! Of his birth and deeds I will tell you later.


यददस्तरणेर्मण्डलं प्रतपतस्तद्विस्तरतो योजनायुतमाचक्षते द्वादशसहस्रं सोमस्य त्रयोदशसहस्रं राहोर्य: पर्वणि तद्व्यवधानकृद्वैरानुबन्ध: सूर्याचन्द्रमसावभिधावति ॥२॥
यत्-अद:-तरणे:-मण्डलम् that, this Sun's sphere
प्रतपत:-तत्-विस्तरत: burning that in width योजन-आयुतम्-आचक्षते (is) yojana ten thousand, is said to be, द्वादश-सहस्रम् सोमस्य twelve thousand of the Moon, त्रयोदश-सहस्रम् राहो:- thirteen thousand of Raahu य: पर्वणि तत् व्यवधान-कृत्- who, on full Moon day, its restriction causing वैर-अनुबन्ध: सूर्या-चन्द्रमसौ- grudge nursing, the Sun and the Moon अभिधावति assails It is said that the extent of the burning Sun's sphere is ten thousand, that of the Moon is twelve thousand, and that of Raahu is thirteen thousand Yojanas. On the full Moon day and when the Sun and Moon come together, Raahu restricts their path, nursing a grudge and assails both of them.


तन्निशम्योभयत्रापि भगवता रक्षणाय प्रयुक्तं सुदर्शनं नाम भागवतं दयितमस्त्रं तत्तेजसा दुर्विषहं मुहु: परिवर्तमानमभ्यवस्थितो मुहूर्तमुद्विजमानश्चकितहृदय आरादेव निवर्तते तदुपरागमिति वदन्ति लोका: ॥३॥
तत्-निशम्य- that hearing
उभयत्र-अपि भगवता on both the side also by The Lord रक्षणाय प्रयुक्तम् for protection employed सुदर्शनम् नाम Sudarshana named भागवतम् दयितम्-अस्त्रम् The Lord's favourite weapon (the discus) तत्-तेजसा दुर्विषहम् by its splendour formidable मुहु: परिवर्तमानम्- constantly revolving अभ्यवस्थित: मुहूर्तम्- stands for an hour, उद्विजमान: चकित-हृदय: fearful, bewildered at heart आरात्-एव निवर्तते soon also retreats तत्-उपरागम्-इति that eclipse this वदन्ति लोका: say the people On hearing that, The Lord employed His favourite weapon, the discus, called Sudarshana, on both the sides of the planets. In the formidable splendour of which Raahu stands for hardly an hour, fearful and bewildered at heart, and soon retreats. This incident is called the eclipse by the people.


ततोऽधस्तात्सिद्धचारणविद्याधराणां सदनानि तावन्मात्र एव ॥४॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-सिद्ध-चारण- of that below, (are) Siddha, Chaarana,
विद्याधराणाम् सदनानि and Vidyaadharaas abodes तावत्-मात्र एव amount same (distance) only At the same distance of ten thousand Yojanas, below Raahu are the abodes of Siddhas, Chaaranas and Vidyaadharas.


ततोऽधस्ताद्यक्षरक्ष: पिशाचप्रेतभूतगणानां विहाराजिरमन्तरिक्षं यावद्वायु: प्रवाति यावन्मेघा उपलभ्यन्ते ॥५॥
तत:-अधस्तात्- from below it
यक्ष-रक्ष पिशाच- Yaksha, Raakshasas, Pishaachas प्रेत-भूत-गणानाम् Pretas and Bhootas hosts विहार-अजिरम्-अन्तरिक्षम् sporting ground, the aerial region यावद्-वायु: प्रवाति till where the wind blows यावत्-मेघा: उपलभ्यन्ते till where the clouds are found Below that is the aerial region, which is the sporting ground of the hosts of Yakshas, Raakshasas, Pishaachas, Pretas and Bhootas, uptill where the wind blows and the clouds are found.


ततोऽधस्ताच्छतयोजनान्तर इयं पृथिवी यावद्-हंसभासश्येनसुपर्णादय: पतत्त्रिप्रवरा उत्पतन्तीति ॥६॥
तत:-अधस्तात्- of its below
शत-योजन-अन्तर hundred Yojanas distance इयम् पृथिवी this earth यावद् हंस-भास- (extending) till where swans, vultures, श्येन-सुपर्ण-आदय: hawks, eagles and other पतत्त्रि-प्रवरा: birds foremost उत्पतन्ति-इति soar, thus Below it, at a distance of hundred Yojanas is this earth extending up to where the foremost birds, swans, vulture, hawks, and eagles soar.


उपवर्णितं भूमेर्यथासंनिवेशावस्थानमवनेरप्यधस्तात् सप्त भूविवरा एकैकशो योजनायुतान्तरेणायामविस्तारेणोपक्लृप्ता अतलं वितलं सुतलं तलातलं महातलं रसातलं पातालमिति ॥७॥
उपवर्णितम् described
भूमे:-यथा-संनिवेश- of the earth just like the situation अवस्थानम्- and placements (of its parts) अवने:-अपि-अधस्तात् of the earth also below सप्त-भू-विवरा: एक-एकश: seven earth holes, one each योजन-आयुत-अन्तरेण- Yojanas ten thousand distance आयाम-विस्तारेण-उपक्लृप्ता: extent in width and length ten thousand Yojanas अतलम् वितलम् (namely) Atala, Vitala, सुतलम् तलातलम् Sutala, Talaatala, महातलम् रसातलम् Mahaatala, Rasaatala पातालम्-इति Paataala, thus The placement and the situation of the earth has been described. Below the earth are seven holes situated at a distance of ten thousand Yojanas from one another. The extent of their length and breadth are ten thousand Yojanas each. They are, Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talaatala, Mahaatala, Rasaatala, Paataala.



एतेषु हि बिलस्वर्गेषु स्वर्गादप्यधिककामभोगैश्वर्यानन्दभूतिविभूतिभि: सुसमृद्धभवनोद्यानाक्रीडविहारेषु दैत्यदानवकाद्रवेया नित्यप्रमुदितानुरक्तकलत्रापत्यबन्धुसुहृदनुचरा गृहपतय ईश्वरादप्यप्रतिहतकामा मायाविनोदा निवसन्ति ॥८॥
एतेषु हि बिल-स्वर्गेषु in these indeed, holes heaven (like)
स्वर्गात्-अपि-अधिक- from the heaven also more काम-भोग-ऐश्वर्य-आनन्द- in sensuous enjoyments exuberantly rich भूति-विभूतिभि: affluence and joy (born of power) सुसमृद्ध-भवन- well provided houses, उद्यान-आक्रीड-विहारेषु gardens, stadiums and pleasure gardens दैत्य-दानव-काद्रवेया: Daitya's and Daanava's and Kaadraveyas (serpents) नित्य-प्रमुदित- always happy अनुरक्त-कलत्र-अपत्य- loving wives, children, बन्धु-सुहृत्-अनुचरा: relations, kinsmen, servants गृहपतय: ईश्वरात्-अपि- the householders, by the gods (like Indra) also अप्रतिहत-कामा: unthwarted the desires माया-विनोदा: निवसन्ति their uncanny skills enjoying, live Indeed, in the well provided houses, gardens, stadiums, and pleasure gardens, of these hole heavens, which supersede the heavens in sensuous enjoyments, and are exuberantly rich in affluence and joy born of power, live the householders of the Daitya's Daanava's and the Kaadraveyas serpents. Their wives children, relations, kinsmen and servants are always happy and loving, as their desires are not thwarted even by the foremost gods, like Indra, and they enjoy their uncanny skills.


येषु महाराज मयेन मायाविना विनिर्मिता: पुरो नानामणिप्रवरप्रवेक- विरचितविचित्रभवनप्राकारगोपुरसभाचैत्यचत्वरायतनादि-भिर्नागासुरमिथुनपाराव-तशुकसारिकाकीर्णकृत्रिमभूमिभिर्विवरेश्वरगृहोत्तमै: समलङ्कृताश्चकासति ॥९॥
येषु महाराज in which, O Great King!
मयेन मायाविना विनिर्मिता: by Maya the mystic architect, built पुर: नाना-मणि-प्रवर- cities, various gems adorned प्रवेक-विरचित- beautifully built विचित्र-भवन-प्राकार- wonderful houses, protective walls, गोपुर-सभाचैत्य- gates, town halls, चत्वर-आयतन-आदिभि:- quadrangles, temples, and others नाग-असुर-मिथुन- Naagas', demons' pairs पारावत-शुक- pigeons, parrots, सारिका-आकीर्ण-कृत्रिम- Mainas, crowded fake भूमिभि:- terraces विवरेश्वर-गृहोत्तमै: of the lords of these regions, supreme mansions समलङ्कृता:-चकासति adorned shine O Great King! In which regions the mystic architect Maya has built cities, where there are beautiful and wonderful houses, protective walls, gates, town halls, quadrangles, places of worship, and others, built and adorned with various gems. The supreme mansions with the terraces of the lords of these regions are adorned and shine, with crowds of fake pairs of Naagas, demons, pigeons, parrots, Mainas.


उद्यानानि चातितरां मनइन्द्रियानन्दिभि: कुसुमफलस्तबकसुभगकिसलयावनतरुचिरविटपविटपिनां लताङ्गालिङ्गितानां श्रीभि: समिथुनविविधविहङ्गमजलाशयानाममलजलपूर्णानां झषकुलोल्लङ्घनक्षुभितनीरनीरजकुमुदकुवलयकह्लारनी-लोत्पललोहितशतपत्रादिवनेषु कृतनिकेतनानामेकविहाराकुलमधुरविविधस्वनादिभिरिन्द्रियोत्सवैरमरलोकश्रियमतिशयितानि ॥१०॥
उद्यानानि च-अतितराम् gardens and very charming
मन-इन्द्रिय-आनन्दिभि: mind and senses delighting कुसुम-फल-स्तबक- flowers and fruits bunches सुभग-किसलय-अवनत- tender new leaves bowed रुचिर-विटप-विटपिनाम् beautiful trees and shrubs लता-अङ्ग-आलिङ्गितानाम् creepers' body embracing श्रीभि: by that glory समिथुन-विविध-विहङ्गम- (and) pairs of various birds जल-आशयानाम्- water bodies अमल-जल-पूर्णानाम् with pure waters full झष-कुल-उल्लङ्घन- fish race leaping क्षुभित-नीर- shaken water नीरज-कुमुद-कुवलय-कह्लार- lotus, lily, Kuvalaya, Kahlaras, नीलोत्पल-लोहित-शतपत्र-आदि- blue lotus, red hundred petals lotus and others वनेषु कृत-निकेतनानाम्- beds made shelter एक-विहार-आकुल-मधुर- constant sporting confusing sweet विविध-स्वन-आदिभि:- various notes etc., इन्द्रियोत्सवै:- the senses celebrating अमर-लोक-श्रियम्- the gods' abode's beauty अति-शयितानि very much dimmed The glory and the beauty of the abodes of the gods is dimmed by the very pleasing gardens full of flowers and fruits, bowing down the boughs of the trees and shrubs with new young leaves. The creepers embracing them with their bodies, around the water bodies full of pure water. The fishes sporting in them shaking the waters, with lotuses, lilies, Kuvalayas, Kahlars, blue lotuses, red hundred petal lotuses, the beds of which are made the shelters by birds of various kinds dwelling in them in pairs and single, their constant sports and sweet notes confusing and celebrating the senses.


यत्र ह वाव न भयमहोरात्रादिभि: कालविभागैरुपलक्ष्यते ॥११॥
यत्र ह वाव न भयम्- where, it is said indeed, no fear of
अह:-रात्र-आदिभि: day and night etc., काल-विभागै:-उपलक्ष्यते time division, is seen It is indeed said that where the fear of the division of Time in the form of day and time is not seen.


यत्र हि महाहिप्रवरशिरोमणय: सर्व तम: प्रबाधन्ते ॥१२॥
यत्र हि महा-अहि-प्रवर where, indeed, the great serpents' foremost
शिरोमणय: सर्व तम: hood gems, all darkness प्रबाधन्ते dispels Where, indeed, all the darkness is dispelled by the gems on the hoods of the foremost of the great serpents.


न वा एतेषु वसतां दिव्यौषधिरसरसायनान्नपानस्नानादिभिराधयो व्याधयो वलीपलितजरादयश्च देहवैवर्ण्यदौर्गन्ध्यस्वेदक्लमग्लानिरिति वयोऽवस्थाश्च भवन्ति ॥१३॥
न वा एतेषु वसताम् not or in these living
दिव्य-औषधि-रस-रसायन- miraculous herbs, juices, saps, अन्न-पान-स्नान-आदिभि:- food, drinks, bath and other आधय: व्याधय: anxieties and ailments वली-पलित-जरा-आदय:-च wrinkles, old age etc., and देह-वैवर्ण्य-दौर्गन्ध्य- body paleness, foul smell, स्वेद-क्लम-ग्लानि:-इति perspiration, fatigue, languor these वय:-अवस्था:-च भवन्ति age and changes happen To those living in these regions, because of their miraculous herbs, juices, saps, food, drink, bath etc., anxieties, ailments, wrinkles, old age, paleness of the body, foul smell from the body, perspiration, fatigue, languor, these or the changes of the body due to age, do not happen.


न हि तेषां कल्याणानां प्रभवति कुतश्चन मृत्युर्विना भगवत्तेजसश्चक्रापदेशात् ॥१४॥
न हि तेषाम् not indeed their
कल्याणानाम् प्रभवति of the blessed souls, take place कुतश्चन मृत्यु:- ever death विना भगवत्-तेजस:- except by Lord's might चक्र-अपदेशात् the discus employed Nor indeed, death prevails on these blessed souls except by the might of The Lord in the form of His discus Sudarshana.


यस्मिन् प्रविष्टेऽसुरवधूनां प्राय: पुंसवनानि भयादेव स्रवन्ति पतन्ति च ॥१५॥
यस्मिन् प्रविष्टे- by the entry of whose (the discus)
असुर-वधूनाम् प्राय: the Asura women's generally पुंसवनानि भयात्-एव embryos, by fear only स्रवन्ति पतन्ति च flow out and fall Generally, on the entry of whom, the discus, the embryos in the Asura women's womb flow out and fall, out of sheer fear.


अथातले मयपुत्रोऽसुरो बलो निवसति येन ह वा इह सृष्टा: षण्णवतिर्माया: काश्चनाद्यापि मायाविनो धारयन्ति यस्य च जृम्भमाणस्य मु्खतस्त्रय: स्त्रीगणा उदपद्यन्त स्वैरिण्य: कामिन्य: पुंश्चल्य इति या वै विलायनं प्रविष्टं पुरुषं रसेन हाटकाख्येन साधयित्वा स्वविलासावलोकनानुरागस्मितसंलापोपगूहनादिभि: स्वैरं किल रमयन्ति यस्मिन्नुपयुक्ते पुरुष ईश्वरोऽहं सिद्धोऽहमित्ययुतमहागजबलमात्मानमभिमन्यमान: कत्थते मदान्ध इव ॥१६॥
अथ-अतले मय-पुत्र- now, in Atala, Maya's son
असुर: बल: निवसति Asura Bala lives येन ह वा इह सृष्टा: by whom, is said, here are created षण्णवति:-माया: ninety-six conjuring tricks काश्चन-अद्य-अपि some (of which) today also मायाविन: धारयन्ति by conjurers practice यस्य च जृम्भमाणस्य by whose and yawning मु्खत:-त्रय: स्त्रीगणा: from the mouth three women उदपद्यन्त स्वैरिण्य: sprang up, Swairinies, कामिन्य: पुंश्चल्य इति Kaaminies, Pumshchalis, thus या वै विल-अयनम् which indeed (this) region living प्रविष्टम् पुरुषम् enters, to a man (living) रसेन हाटक-आख्येन by the elixir Haataka named साधयित्वा administering स्व-विलास-अवलोकन- own sexual enjoyment by sportive glances, अनुराग-स्मित-संलाप- love begotten smiles, amorous talks उपगूहन-आदिभि: embraces etc. स्वैरम् किल रमयन्ति at will indeed sexually indulge यस्मिन्-उपयुक्ते by which having used (the elixir) पुरुष: ईश्वर:-अहम् man Lord God I am सिद्ध:-अहम्-इति-अयुत all perfect this and ten thousand महा-गज-बलम्-आत्मानम्- mighty elephants strength, himself अभिमन्यमान: कत्थते believing to be, brags मद-अन्ध इव intoxication blinded like Now, in Atala, lives the Asura Bala, the son of Maya, who, they say has created ninety-six conjuring tricks. Some of which the conjurers practice even today. As this Asura yawned there sprang up three women from his mouth, namely the Swairinis, Kaaminies and the Pumshchalis. These women enter these regions and administer an elixir named Haataka, on the men living there, causing them to become sexually active. They then enjoy sexually, at will, with sportive glances, love begotten smiles, amorous talks embraces etc. By the intake of that elixir the men feel that they are all powerful and perfect like God, and that they have strength equal to that of ten thousand mighty elephants, and like blinded by intoxication, brag about.


ततोऽधस्ताद्वितले हरो भगवान् हाटकेश्वर: स्वपार्षदभूतगणावृत: प्रजापतिसर्गोपबृंहणाय भवो भवान्या सह मिथुनीभूत आस्ते यत: प्रवृत्ता सरित्प्रवरा हाटकी नाम भवयोर्वीर्येण यत्र चित्राभानुर्मातरिश्वना समिध्यमान ओजसा पिबति तन्निष्ठ्यूतं हाटकाख्यं सुवर्णं भूषणेनासुरेन्द्रावरोधेषु पुरुषा: सह पुरुषीभिर्धारयन्ति ॥१७॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-वितले from that below, in Vitala
हर: भगवान् हाटकेश्वर: Shankara Lord Haatakeshwara स्व-पार्षद-भूत-गण-आवृत: by own retinue of troops of Bhootas surrounded प्रजापति-सर्ग-उपबृंहणाय for Brahma's creation to multiply भव: भवान्या सह named as Bhava, with Bhavaani (Paarvati) मिथुनीभूत आस्ते united with remains यत: प्रवृत्ता: सरित्-प्रवरा: from Him issue the rivers foremost हाटकी नाम Haataki named भवयो:-वीर्येण by both the Bhavas energy (charged) यत्र चित्राभानु:-मातरिश्वना where Fire, by wind kindled समिध्यमान: ओजसा पिबति absorbs, with great vigour drinks तत्-निष्ठ्यूतम् that froth thrown out हाटक-आख्यम् सुवर्णम् Haataka named gold भूषणेन-असुरेन्द्र-अवरोधेषु by ornament in the Asura's residences पुरुषा: सह पुरुषीभि:-धारयन्ति with the men the women wear From below that, in the region of Vitala, Lord Shankara, surrounded by his troop of Bhootas attendents, named as Bhava, is in union with Bhavaani (Goddess Paarvati) to multiply the creation of Brahmaa. From the energies of both Bhava and Bhavaani, issues forth the foremost river Haataki. Its waters are absorbed by the Fire ignited by the wind, which drinks with great vigour throwing forth a froth which is the gold named as Haataka, and the ornaments of which are worn by both men and women of the residences of the Asura's of that region.


ततोऽधस्तात्सुतले उदारश्रवा: पुण्यश्लोको विरोचनात्मजो बलिर्भगवता महेन्द्रस्य प्रियं चिकीर्षमाणेनादितेर्लब्धकायो भूत्वा वटुवामनरूपेण पराक्षिप्तलोकत्रयो भगवदनुकम्पयैव पुन: प्रवेशित इन्द्रादिष्वविद्यमानया सुसमृद्धया श्रियाभिजु्ष्ट: स्वधर्मेणाराधयंस्तमेव भगवन्तमाराधनीयमपगतसाध्वस आस्तेऽधुनापि ॥१८॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-सुतले from that below in Sutala
उदारश्रवा: पुण्यश्लोक: the illustrious sacred renowned विरोचन-आत्मज: बलि:- Virochanaa son Bali भगवता महेन्द्रस्य by The Lord, Indra's प्रियम् चिकीर्षमाणेन- desire to fulfil अदिते:-लब्ध-काय: भूत्वा from Aditi's (womb) attaining birth वटु-वामन-रूपेण in celibate dwarf form पराक्षिप्त-लोक-त्रय: robbed of the worlds three भगवत्-अनुकम्पया-एव by Lord's grace only पुन: प्रवेशित again endowed with इन्द्र-आदिषु-अविद्यमानया to Indra and others not forthcoming सुसमृद्धया श्रिया-अभिजुष्ट: such overflowing wealth endowed स्वधर्मेण-आराधयन् by own duties (performing) worshipping तम्-एव भगवन्तम्- Him only The Lord आराधनीयम्- worthy of worship अपगत-साध्वस devoid of fear आस्ते-अधुना-अपि remains today also Yet below that, in Sutala, till today remains, devoid of all fear, the illustrious and of sacred renown, Bali, the son of Virochanaa. He was robbed of his wealth of the three world's kingdoms, by Lord Himself, Who, to please Indra, had taken birth from Aditi's womb, as a celibate dwarf. Then by worshipping The Lord, and by The Lord's grace, Bali was again endowed with such wealth which is not forthcoming to even Indra and others. Bali keeps worshipping The same adorable Lord, by performing his own designated duties.


नो एवैतत्साक्षात्कारो भूमिदानस्य यत्तद्भगवत्यशेषजीवनिकायानां जीवभूतात्मभूते परमात्मनि वासुदेवे तीर्थतमे पात्र उपपन्ने परया श्रद्धया परमादरसमाहितमनसा सम्प्रतिपादितस्य साक्षादपवर्गद्वारस्य यद्विलनिलयैश्वर्यम् ॥१९॥
न एव-एतत् साक्षात्कार: not only (was) this direct result
भूमि-दानस्य यत्-तद्-भगवति- of land charity, which to The Lord अशेष-जीव-निकायानाम् of all living beings species जीव-भूत-आत्म-भूते the life force (and) Soul spirit परमात्मनि वासुदेवे to Supreme Vaasudeva तीर्थतमे पात्र उपपन्ने the most holy recipient presenting परया श्रद्धया परम-आदर with highest regard, supreme piety समाहित-मनसा सम्प्रतिपादितस्य composed mind, duly conducted साक्षात्-अपवर्ग-द्वारस्य direct final beatitude access यत्-विल-निलय-ऐश्वर्यम् that the subterranean region's great fortune The great fortune of the subterranean region, Sutala, enjoyed by Bali, is not just the result of the charity of land by Bali, which was given to The Lord as a chance presence of the most holy recipient. The great fortune indeed is due to the way it was duly conducted to The Lord Vaasudeva, The Supreme life force and The Soul of all the species of the living beings, The Supreme Spirit, with the highest regard, supreme piety, composed mind, which is an access to final beatitude.


यस्य ह वाव क्षुतपतनप्रस्खलनादिषु विवश: सकृन्नामाभिगृणन् पुरुष: कर्मबन्धनमञ्जसा विधुनोति यस्य हैव प्रतिबाधनं मुमुक्षवोऽन्यथैवोपलभन्ते॥२०॥
यस्य ह वाव क्षुत्-पतन Whose indeed, it is said, (when) sneezing, falling
प्रस्खलन-आदिषु विवश: tripping or other (occasions) helplessly सकृत्-नाम-अभिगृणन् once name uttering पुरुष: कर्म-बन्धनम्- man, Karma's bondage अञ्जसा विधुनोति instantly cuts off यस्य ह-एव in that, indeed प्रतिबाधनम् Karma bondage (overcoming) मुमुक्षव:- liberation seeking (people) अन्यथा-एव-उपलभन्ते by other paths only achieve The name of That Lord, when just once uttered when sneezing, falling or slipping and such other mishaps, instantly cuts of the Karma bondage of men, but the same bondage of Karma is overcome by the liberation seekers only by other difficult means.


तद्भक्तानामात्मवतां सर्वेषामात्मन्यात्मद आत्मतयैव ॥२१॥
तद्-भक्तानाम्-आत्मवताम् to His devotees (and) to the Self-realized
सर्वेषाम्-आत्मनि- of all beings, The Self, आत्मद: आत्मतया-एव bestowing Him-Self, with the feeling of Self only The fortune bestowed upon Bali, is not the result of the land being gifted by Bali, as his own self, to The Lord, Who is The Self in all living beings, and Who bestows His Own Self to His devotees and to the Self-realized….


न वै भगवान्नूनममुष्यानुजग्राह यदुत पुनरात्मानुस्मृतिमोषणं मायामयभोगैश्वर्यमेवातनुतेति ॥२२॥
न वै भगवान्- not indeed, The Lord
नूनम्-अमुष्य- certainly to him (Bali) अनुजग्राह यत्-उत showered which, can be said पुन:-आत्म-अनुस्मृति- again Self-realization मोषणम् मायामय- forgetting Maayaa induced भोग-ऐश्वर्यम्- sense pleasures and affluence एव-अतनुत-इति only bestowed thus Not indeed, can it be said that, when The Lord bestowed on Bali, the fortune, it was only the Maayaa induced forgetting sense pleasures and affluence, He showered Self Realization on him.


यत्तद्भगवतानधिगतान्योपायेन याच्ञाच्छलेनापहृतस्वशरीरावशेषितलोकत्रयो वरुणपाशैश्च सम्प्रतिमुक्तो गिरिदर्यां चापविद्ध इति होवाच ॥२३॥
यत्-तत्-भगवता- that, by That Lord,
अनधिगत-अन्य-उपायेन not finding by other means, याच्ञा-छलेन- begging under the pretext अपहृत स्व-शरीर- robbed, (except) (Bali's) own body अवशेषित-लोकत्रय: remaining, the three worlds वरुण-पाशै:-च by Varuna's snares and सम्प्रति-मुक्त: now thrown गिरि-दर्याम् in mountain cave च-अपविद्ध: and well tied इति ह-उवाच this is (what he) said In that, that, by The Lord, finding no other means of depriving Bali of the three worlds, under the pretext of begging, He robbed him of them, except leaving his body to him, and then tying him with the snares of Varuna, threw him in the mountain caves. At that time Bali said this ....


नूनं बतायं भगवानर्थेषु न निष्णातो योऽसाविन्द्रो यस्य सचिवो मन्त्राय वृत एकान्ततो बृहस्पतिस्तमतिहाय-स्वयमुपेन्द्रेणात्मानमयाचतात्मनश्चाशिषो नो एव तद्दास्यमतिगम्भीरवयस: कालस्य मन्वन्तरपरिवृत्तं कियल्लोकत्रयमिदम् ॥२४॥
नूनम् बत-अयम् surely, Alas! this
भगवान्-अर्थेषु glorious (Indra) in objects (of this life) न निष्णात: is not clever य:-असौ-इन्द्र: which this Indra यस्य सचिव: whose advisor मन्त्राय वृत: for counsel chosen एकान्तत: बृहस्पति:- the one and only Brihaspati तम्-अमतिहाय him ignoring स्वयम्-उपेन्द्रेण- Himself by Lord Vishnu आत्मानम्-अयाचत- Himself did not ask for आत्मन:-च-आशिष: for himself and (material) blessings नो एव तत्-दास्यम्- ours only, His service अति-गम्भीर- is very serious वयस: कालस्य in age and infinite मन्वन्तर-परिवृत्तम् in every Manvantara changes कियत्-लोक-त्रयम्-इदम् how much is worlds three these Alas! Surely this glorious Indra is not clever in asking for the objects of his life, even though the foremost Brihaspati was appointed to counsel him, he ignored his advice, and asked Lord Vishnu for only our material blessings, and not Himself. The service of the Lord is much more valuable, as it has no age limit, it is infinite, whereas the sovereignty of the three worlds changes at every Manvantara.


यस्यानुदास्यमेवास्मत्पितामह: किल वव्रे न तु स्वपित्र्यं यदुताकुतोभयं पदं दीयमानं भगवत: परमिति भगवतोपरते खलु स्वपितरि ॥२५॥
यस्य-अनुदास्यम्-एव- Whose service only
अस्मत्-पितामह: किल वव्रे my grandfather (Prahlaada), indeed asked as a boon न तु स्व-पित्र्यम् not indeed own father's (kingdom) यत्-उत-अकुतो:-भयम् which was certainly without fear पदम् दीयमानम् the post being given भगवत: परम्-इति by The Lord the highest thus भगवता-उपरते by The Lord killed खलु स्वपितरि indeed own father My grandfather, (Prahlaada), asked as boon only The Lord's service, even though the kingdom of his own father which was devoid of any fear, was being given to him by The Lord Himself, Who had indeed killed his own father.


तस्य महानुभावस्यानुपथममृजितकषाय: को वास्मद्विध: परिहीणभवदनुग्रह उपजिगमिषतीति ॥२६॥
तस्य महानुभावस्य- his noble soul's
अनुपथम्-अमृजित-कषाय: footsteps, not attenuated of passions क: वा-अस्मत्-विध: who or us like परिहीण भवत्-अनुग्रह except those, by Lord's grace उपजिगमिषति-इति will be able to tread On his, Prahalaad's footsteps, which man like us, who are not attenuated of passions, will be able to tread on, except those who are blessed with Lord's grace.


तस्यानुचरितमुपरिष्टाद्विस्तरिष्यते यस्य भगवान् स्वयमखिलजगद्गुरुर्नारायणो द्वारि गदापाणिरवतिष्ठते निजजनानुकम्पितहृदयो येनाङ्गुष्ठेन पदा दशकन्धरो योजनायुतायुतं दिग्विजय उच्चाटित: ॥२७॥
तस्य-अनुचरितम्- his characterization
उपरिष्टात्-विस्तरिष्यते later will be described यस्य भगवान् whose, The Lord स्वयम्-अखिल-जगद्-गुरु Himself, the whole world's preceptor नारायण: द्वारि Naaraayana, on the gate गदा-पाणि:-अवतिष्ठते mace in hand stays निज-जन-अनुकम्पित-हृदय: Own people compassion hearted येन-अङ्गुष्ठेन पदा by Whom by the big toe of foot दशकन्धर: योजन-अयुतायुतम् Raavana, Yojanas hundred millions दिग्विजय उचाटित: for conquering the quarters, provoked His character will be narrated later, on whose gate Naaraayana, the preceptor of the whole worlds, stays, with the mace in hand, and Who had flung Raavana by the big toe of His foot hundred million Yojanas away, when provoked to conquer the quarters.


ततोऽधस्तात्तलातले मयो नाम दानवेन्द्रस्त्रिपुराधिपतिर्भगवता पुरारिणा त्रिलोकीशं चिकीर्षुणा निर्दग्धस्वपुरत्रयस्तत्प्रसादाल्लब्धपदो मायाविनामाचार्यो महादेवेन परिरक्षितो विगतसुदर्शनभयो महीयते ॥२८॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-तलातले from that below, in Talaatala
मय: नाम दानव-इन्द्र Maya named Daanava chief त्रिपुर-अधिपति:- of the three cities the lord भगवता पुरारिणा by The Lord Puraari (Shiva) त्रिलोक-ईशम् चिकीर्षुणा of the three worlds well wishing निर्दग्ध-स्वपुर-त्रय:- burnt own three cities तत्-प्रसादात्-लब्ध-पद: by His grace gained the post मायाविनाम्-आचार्य: of the conjurers' preceptor महादेवेन परिरक्षित: by Lord Shiva protected विगत-सुदर्शन-भय: devoid of Sudarshan's fear महीयते is esteemed Below that, in Talaatala lives the chief of the Daanava's, named Maya, the lord of three cities. Lord Shiva, wishing the good of the three worlds had burnt to ashes the three cities, but had again put Maya on the post of the preceptor of the conjurers, and protected by Him, he is without any fear of the Sudarshana discus, and is esteemed in that realm.


ततोऽधस्तान्महातले काद्रवेयाणां सर्पाणां नैकशिरसां क्रोधवशो नाम गण: कुहकतक्षककालियसुषेणादिप्रधाना महाभोगवन्त: पतत्त्रिराजाधिपते: पुरुषवाहादनवरतमुद्विजमाना: स्वकलत्रापत्यसुहृत्कुटुम्बसङ्गेन क्वचित्प्रमत्ता विहरन्ति ॥२९॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-महातले from that below, in Mahaatala
काद्रवेयाणाम् सर्पाणाम् born of Kadru, the serpents' न-एक-शिरसाम् not one hooded क्रोधवश: नाम गण: Krodhavasha named brood कुहक-तक्षक-कालिय-सुषेण- Kuhaka, Takshaka, Kaaliya, Sushena, आदि-प्रधाना: महा-भोगवन्त: and other chiefs, great many hooded पतत्त्रिराज-अधिपते: of the birds' the king Gaduda पुरुष-वाहात्- The Supreme Person's vehicle अनवरतम्-उद्विजमाना: constantly afraid of स्व-कलत्र-अपत्य (with) own wives, sons सुहृत्-कुटुम्ब-सङ्गेन friends and kinsmen, with क्वचित्-प्रमत्ता: विहरन्ति sometimes recklessly sport Below that, in Mahaatala, lives the brood of Kadru born serpents, called Krodhavasha, who do not have just one hood. The chief ones of them, Kuhaka, Takshaka, Kaaliya, Sushena, have many great hoods. They are constantly in fear of Gaduda, the king of the birds, who is the vehicle of The Supreme Person. Some times, they recklessly sport with their wives, children friends and kinsmen.


ततोऽधस्ताद्रसातले दैतेया दानवा: पणयो नाम निवातकवचा: कालेया हिरण्यपुरवासिन इति विबुधप्रत्यनीका उत्पत्त्या महौजसो महासाहसिनो भगवत: सकललोकानुभावस्य हरेरेव तेजसा प्रतिहतबलावलेपा बिलेशया इव वसन्ति ये वै सरमयेन्द्रदूत्या वाग्भिर्मन्त्रवर्णाभिरिन्द्राद् विभ्यति ॥३०॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-रसातले from that below, in Rasaatala
दैतेया: दानवा: पणय: नाम Daitya's, Daanava's, Panayas, named निवात-कवचा: कालेया: Nivaatakavachas, Kaaleyas, हिरण्यपुर-वासिन: इति Haranyapura denizens thus विबुध-प्रत्यनीका: the gods enemies उत्पत्त्या महा-औजस: by birth very powerful महा-साहसिन: भगवत: and very daring, The Lord's सकल-लोक-अनुभावस्य the whole worlds' glory हरे:-एव तेजसा of Hari only the brilliant प्रतिहत-बल-अवलेपा: quelled strength pride of बिलेशया: इव वसन्ति in the holes hiding like live ये वै सरमया-इन्द्र-दूत्या and who indeed by Saramaa, Indra's female messenger वाग्भि:-मन्त्र-वर्णाभि:- by words of the Mantras of the Vedas इन्द्रात्-विभ्यति of Indra are afraid Below that, in Rasaatala, reside the Daitya's, Daanava's, named as Panis, divided into three classes, Nivaatakavachas, Kaaleyas and the denizens of Hiranyapura. They are the enemies of the gods, and are very powerful and very daring from birth. Their pride of strength is quelled by the brilliance of the discus of Hari, The Lord of the three worlds. They live hiding in the holes afraid of Saramaa, the female messenger of Indra, and her words of Mantra of the Vedas, and thereby are afraid of Indra.


ततोऽधस्तात्पाताले नागलोकपतयो वासुकिप्रमुखा: शङ्खकुलिकमहाशङ्खश्वेतधनञ्जयधृतराष्ट्रशङ्खचूडकम्बलाश्वतरदेवदत्तादयो महाभोगिनो महामर्षा निवसन्ति येषासु ह वै पञ्चसप्तदशशतसहस्रशीर्षाणां फणासु विरचिता महामणयो रोचिष्णव: पातालविवरतिमिरनिकरं स्वरोचिषा विधमन्ति ॥३१॥
तत:-अधस्तात्-पाताले from below that, in Paataala
नाग-लोक-पतय: the Naga realm's lords वासुकि-प्रमुखा: शङ्ख-कुलिक- Vasukee leading, Shankha, Kulika, महाशङ्ख-श्वेत-धनञ्जय- Mahaashankha, Shveta, Dhananjaya, धृतराष्ट्र-शङ्खचूड-कम्बल- Dhritaraashtra, Shankhachooda, Kambala, आश्वतर-देवदत्त-आदय: Aashvatara, Devadattaa, and others महा-भोगिन: महा-अमर्षा: great hooded, extremely furious, निवसन्ति येषासु ह वै live, in whose is said to have indeed पञ्च-सप्त-दश-शत- five, seven, ten, hundred, सहस्र-शीर्षाणाम् thousand heads फणासु विरचिता: and hoods fixed with महा-मणय: रोचिष्णव: great gems shining पाताल-विवर-तिमिर-निकरम् the Paatala's hole, darkness mass स्व-रोचिषा विधमन्ति by own splendour drive away From below this, in Paataala, live the clan of Naagas, the chief of whom is Vasukee. The others being, Shankha, Kulika, Mahaashankha, Shveta, Dhananjaya, Dhritaraashtra, Shankhachooda, Kambala, Aashvatara, and Devadattaa. They have great hoods and are extremely furious, and it is said that they have five, seven, ten hundred and even thousand hoods, which have great gems fixed on them, by the shine of which they drive away the mass of darkness in the hole of Paataala, and enlighten it.


श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां पञ्चमे स्कन्धे राह्वादिस्थितिबिल स्वर्गमर्यादा-निरूपणं नाम चतुर्विंशोऽध्याय: ॥२४॥ Thus ends the twenty-fourth discourse entitled 'The position of Rahu etc., and the limits of the heaven like terrestrial regions', in Book Five of the great and glorious Bhaagavata-Puraana.