CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

This chapter describes the planet Rahu, which is 10,000 yojanas (80,000
miles) below the sun, and it also describes Atala and the other lower
planetary systems. Rahu is situated below the sun and moon. It is
between these two planets and the earth. When Rahu conceals the sun
and moon, eclipses occur, either total or partial, depending on whether
Rahu moves in a straight or curving way.

Below Rahu by another 1,000,000 yojanas are the planets of the Sid-
dhas, Caranas and Vidyadharas, and below these are planets such as Yak-
saloka and Raksaloka. Below these planets is the earth, and 70,000
yojanas below the earth are the lower planetary systems— Atala, Vitala,
Sutala, Taldtala, Mahatala, Rasadtala and Patala. Demons and Raksasas
live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, al-
ways engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births. The
sunshine does not reach these planets, but they are illuminated by jewels
fixed upon the hoods of snakes. Because of these shining gems there is
practically no darkness. Those living in these planets do not become old
or diseased, and they are not afraid of death from any cause but the time
factor, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In the planet Atala, the yawning of a demon has produced three kinds
of women, called svairini (independent), kamini (lusty) and purhscali
(very easily subdued by men). Below Atala is the planet Vitala, wherein
Lord Siva and his wife Gauri reside. Because of their presence, a kind of
gold is produced called hataka. Below Vitala is the planet Sutala. the
abode of Bali Maharaja, the most fortunate king. Bali Maharaja was
favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vamanadeva, because
of his intense devotional service. The Lord went to the sacrificial arena of
Bali Maharaja and begged him for three paces of land, and on this plea
the Lord took from him all his possessions. When Bali Maharaja agreed
to all this, the Lord was very pleased, and therefore the Lord serves as

his doorkeeper. The description of Bali Maharaja appears in the Eighth
Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

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