Patala

The legs of the god Vishnu as the purusha depict earth and the seven realms of Patala. The feet rest on Shesha.
Nagas are believed to live in the lowest realm of Patala, called Naga-loka.

In Indian religions, Patala or Patal (Sanskrit: पाताल, Pātāla) denotes the subterranean realms of the universe - which are located under the earth.[1][2][3] Patala is often translated as underworld or netherworld.

In Hindu cosmology, the universe is divided into the three worlds: Svarga (the upper regions), Prithvi (earth) and Patala (the underworld).[4] Patala is composed of seven regions or lokas,[5][6][7] the seventh and lowest of them is also called Patala or Naga-loka, the region of the Nagas. The Danavas (demon sons of Danu), Daityas (demon sons of Diti), Yakshas and the snake-people Nagas live in the realms of Patala.[8]

Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical text, refers to Southern Hemisphere of the earth as Patala whereas the northern hemisphere is referred to as Jambudvipa.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, caves inhabited by asuras are entrances to Patala; these asuras, particularly female asuras, are often "tamed" (converted to Buddhism) as dharmapala or dakinis by famous Buddhist figures such as Padmasambhava.[9]

Hinduism

The Vishnu Purana tells of a visit by the divine wandering sage Narada to Patala. Narada describes Patala as more beautiful than Svarga (heaven). Patala is described as filled with splendid jewels, beautiful groves and lakes and lovely demon maidens. Sweet fragrance is in the air and is fused with sweet music. The soil here is white, black, purple, sandy, yellow, stony and also of gold.[8][10]

The Bhagavata Purana calls the seven lower regions bila-svargas ("subterranean heavens") and they are regarded as planets or planetary systems below the earth. These regions are described as being more opulent than the upper regions of the universe, which include heaven. The life here is of pleasure, wealth and luxury, with no distress. The demon architect Maya has constructed palaces, temples, houses, yards and hotels for foreigners, with jewels. The natural beauty of Patala is said to surpass that of the upper realms. There is no sunlight in the lower realms, but the darkness is dissipated by the shining of the jewels that the residents of Patala wear. There is no old age, no sweat, no disease in Patala.[7]

The Vishnu Purana,[8] states the seven realms of Patala, which are located one above the other, are seventy-thousand yojanas (a unit of measurement) below the Earth's surface. Each of them extends ten thousand Yojanas. In Vishnu Purana, they are named as from the highest to the lowest as: Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Garbhastimat, Mahatala, Sutala and Patala. In the Bhagavata Purana and the Padma Purana, they are called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. The Shiva Purana, replaces Mahatala with Tala. The Vayu Purana calls them Rasatala, Sutala, Vitala, Gabhastala, Mahatala, Sritala and Patala.[8] The seven Patalas as well as the earth above them is supported on the head of the tamasic (dark) form of Vishnu, the thousand-headed nāga Shesha.[8][10] Sometimes, Shesha is described to reside in the lowest region of Patala instead of below it.[4] Below the regions of Patala lies Naraka, the Hindu Hell - the realm of death where sinners are punished.[8]

Different realms of Patala are ruled by different demons and Nagas; usually with the Nagas headed by Vasuki assigned to the lowest realm.[8] Vayu Purana records each realm of Patala has cities in it. The first region has the cities of the daitya Namuchi and Naga Kaliya; in the second Hayagriva and Naga Takshaka; in the third, those of Prahlada and Hemaka; in the fourth of Kalanemi and Vainateya; in the fifth of Hiranyaksha and Kirmira and in the sixth, of Puloman and Vasuki. Bali rules as the sovereign king of Patala.[8]

The Bhagavata Purana presents a detailed description of the seven lower realms.[10] A similar description of the seven Patalas also appears in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana.[11][11][10]

Atala

Vitala

Sutala

Talatala

Mahatala

Rasatala

Patala

In Buddhism

As in the Puranas of Hinduism, in early Vajrayana, Patala (Tibetan: ས་འོག་ "the Underground") is understood as underground paradises inhabited by nāgas and asuras above the Naraka realm.[12] While the story of the establishment of Patala as an asura realm is attributed to the defeat of the asuras on Mount Meru, in Buddhist scriptures this is due to their defeat by Śakra using a mantra of Mañjuśrī instead of by their defeat by Vishnu; this is the explanation given for the appearance of Śakra wielding the banner of Mañjuśrī in iconic imagery.[13]

Patala is associated with the Kriyātantras, which are associated with the kīla, the phenomenon of the tertön and terma and water magic[9] and with the attainment of vidyādhara (Chinese: 仙, 仚; pinyin: xiān) status.[14] These practices have been largely ignored after the early period of Tibetan Buddhism and Tangmi but originally were popular.[9]

The importance of Patala to esoteric Buddhism lay in its role as the source of alchemy and magical science or vidyā, immortality and enjoyment, particularly the opportunity for the (male) vidyādhara to have intercourse with female non-humans.[15] It was also viewed as a source of flowing waters.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Search for "paataala" in: "Apte Sanskrit Dictionary Search". Retrieved 1 July 2010. gives results: "1.the last of the seven regions or worlds under the earth said to be peopled by naagas; 2.the lower regions or world in general"
  2. ↑ Wilson, Horace Hayman (1865). "Chapter V". The Vishnu Purana (Translation). II. London: Trubner & co. pp. 209–213.
  3. ↑ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 580–1. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  4. 1 2 Parmeshwaranand 2001, p. 762-3.
  5. ↑ Dimmitt, Cornelia; Buitenen, Johannes Adrianus Bernardus (1978). Classical Hindu mythology: a reader in the Sanskrit Purāṇas. Temple University Press. pp. 348–350.
  6. ↑ Dimmitt, Cornelia; Buitenen, Johannes Adrianus Bernardus (1978). Classical Hindu mythology: a reader in the Sanskrit Purāṇas. Temple University Press. pp. 48–49.
  7. 1 2 Prabhupada. "Bhagavata Purana 5.24". The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wilson 1865, p. 209–213.
  9. 1 2 3 Mayer 2007, p. 1.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Dimmitt 2012, p. 348-350.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Māṇi 1998, pp. 580-1.
  12. ↑ Mayer 2007, p. 3.
  13. ↑ Mayer 2007, p. 7.
  14. ↑ Mayer 2007, p. 2.
  15. ↑ Mayer 2007, p. 10.
  16. ↑ Mayer 2007, p. 11-12.

Bibliography

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