24-Raahu's Position and Other Lower Lok

Shuk Dev Jee said - "Some learned people say that below 10,000 Yojan of the Sun, Raahu also revolves like other constellations. In fact because of the bliss of Shree Hari, he has attained this position of Devtaa, otherwise he is not worthy of such a position in his own capacity. The Sun is 10,000 Yojan long and wide, and the Moon is 12,000 Yojan long and wide, and Raahu is 13,000 Yojan long and wide.

When Shree Hari was distributing Amrit (ambrosia) to Devtaa, Raahu sat in between the Sun and the Moon [in disguise of Devtaa], but the Sun and the Moon recognized him as Daitya and told everybody about him [at this Mohinee Bhagavaan cut his neck with His Chakra]. So Raahu remembering the same enmity attacks on the Sun on Amaavasyaa (New Moon) day and on the Moon on Poornimaa (Full Moon) day. That is why Bhagavaan has appointed His Chakra (Divine disc) for their safety, and that is why he can't stay long in front of them (only for a Muhoort). And that time period is called as Grahan (eclipse) time.

10,000 Yojan below Raahu are places for Siddh's, Chaaran's and Vidyaadhar's etc. And below them, till the clouds are seen and wind blows is Antariksh Lok (space). Here Yaksh, Raakshas, Pishaach, Pret and Bhoot etc live. 100 Yojan below that is Prithvi. Till the swans, vultures, Garud etc birds can fly, that is Antariksh's limit. Below Prithvi are Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talaatal, Mahaatal, Rasaatal and Pataal Lok like burrows. These are located 10,000 Yojan below one another and each is 10,000 Yojan long and wide. 

These are also Swarg in a way, because they contain more pleasures, more children, more wealth than Swarg. Here live Daitya, Daanav, and Naag etc. They all live like a Grihasth (family people) and their wives, sons, brothers, friends and servants all love them dearly. Even Indra etc cannot stop their enjoyment. In these burrows there are many shining Puree created by Maya Daanav. These Puree have lots of different types of gems in their houses, doors, windows, temples etc. On their artificial floors, Naag and Asur couples and pigeons, parrots etc birds play and enjoy freely. And because sunlight does not reach there, they can't differentiate in day and night, only the gems studded in the foreheads of large Naag spread the light there These living beings enjoy whatever food, drink, medicine or juices, are all Divine, that is why they don't get ill, nor they get old, or have gray hair, get sweat, get tired, or change the look of their body according to their age etc. They are always beautiful, healthy, young and powerful. Only Bhagavaan's Chakra can kill them. The pregnant Asur women have miscarriages and abortions as soon as the Chakra (Divine disc) comes, because of its fear.

In Atal Lok lives the son of Maya Daanav - Asur Bal. He has created 96 types of Maya. A few of them can still be seen in some men. Once he yawned and it produced three types of women - Swairinee (to be together with only their own Varn), Kaaminee (to be together with other men also), and Punshchalee (of vary volatile nature). They make the men living their worth for them by making them drink Haatak named juice and then go together with them.

Below Atal Lok is Vital Lok, there lives Bhagavaan Haatakeshwar Mahaadev Jee with his Paarshad and Bhoot Gan. He lives with Bhavaanee to increase the population of the world.  A river named Haatak flows there by their grace. Agni drinks its water and he spits the gold called Haatak. This gold is used by the people living there to make their jewelry.

Below Vital Lok is Sutal Lok. Here lives Prahlaad's grandson and Virochan's son Raajaa Bali. Shree Hari appeared as the son of Aditi in the form of Vaaman Avtaar because of Indra and took away three Lok from this Bali in alms [to give them back to Indra]. At that time He gave back this Sutal Lok to him pleased with his nature. Whatever wealth he has here, it is not available even to Indra. So he is still living there fearlessly worshipping Shree Hari. Bhagavaan's name is so powerful that when it is taken even at the time of sneezing, falling or slipping, it frees you from the Karm bond.

When Shree Hari had taken away the kingdom of Tri-Lok from Raajaa Bali in alms, Raajaa Bali had only his body left with him. When he was tied with Varun-Paash and put in a cave, he said - "It is so sad that being so knowledgeable, Indra has not been able to get what he should get. He appointed Brahaspati Jee as his counselor Minister, still he did not obey him and he did not ask for the slavery of Shree Hari, but asked for only these perishable pleasures from me through Shree Hari. Because these three Lok are only up to one Manvantar, which is only a very small part of the unending period. These pleasures are nothing in comparison to the service of Shree Hari. My grandfather Prahlaad asked only the service of Shree Hari after Shree Hari killed his father Hiranyakashyap Although Shree Hari wanted to give him his father's kingdom, he did not accept it."  [Read Bali's character in 8/6] He was a great man. I have neither Bhagavaan's grace on me, nor my desires are destroyed, then how can a man like me dare to reach Him?"

Bhagavaan Naaraayan Himself guards Bali's Lok taking His Gadaa in His hand. Once proud with his might Raavan went to defeat all the kings, so he came to Sutal Lok also, Bhagavaan kicked him with His foot's big toe and threw him tens of thousands of Yojan far.

Below Sutal Lok is Talaatal. There lives Daanav Raaj Maya himself. Previously Bhagavaan Shankar burned his three Pur (cities) to maintain order in Tri-Lok. Then he gave this place to him to live in. He is the highest teacher of Maayaa and his Lok is guarded by Mahaadev Jee himself, so he doesn't fear from even Vishnu's Chakra and his people respect him very much.

Below Talaatal, there is Mahaatal Lok in which live sons of Kadru. They all have several heads. Among them Kuhak, Takshak, Kaaliya, and Sushen Naag are main. Although they always fear of Pakshiraaj Garud, but still find sometime to enjoy themselves with their families.

And below Mahaatal is Rasaatal, in which live Pani Daitya and other Daanav. They are called Nivaatkavach (see Kaalakeya), Kaaleya and Hinrayapur Vaasee (dweller) also. They are the enemies of Devtaa. Although they are very brave, courageous and powerful, but because of Shree Hari has destroyed their pride, they live in hiding like snakes and are always scared of Indra because of the words said by Indra's she-messenger Saramaa.

Below Rasaatal is Paataal Lok. There live many large headed angry Naag - Shankh, Kulik, Mahaashankh, Shwet, Devdatt etc. Among them Vaasuki Naag is main. Some have five, or seven, or ten, or 100 or even 1,000 heads. They all have gems studded on their heads which keep Paataal Lok always lighted.

25-Shree Sankarshan Dev

Shukdev Jee further said - "30,000 Yojan below Paataal Lok, there is Bhagavaan's Taamasee Kalaa named Anant. Because of being Ahankaar, it draws the seer and scenery as one and that is why it is called Sankarshan. Bhagavaan Anant has 1,000 heads, among them on one head is kept this Bhoo Mandal (Earth) which looks like a mustard seed on his one head. When Pralaya comes, then Sankarshan named 11 Rudra appear from between his eyebrows. They all have three eyes and carry tridents. Devtaa, Asur, Naag, Siddh, Gandharv, Muni all meditate him and while praying him try to destroy their Karm bondage."

26-Narak (Hell)

Pareekshit asked - "Hey Muni, Why there is so much difference between lower and higher species?"  Shuk Dev Jee said - "Men, who do actions, are of three types: Saatwik, Raajas, and Taamsik. Besides their nature, their intentions are also different. Thus according to the nature and intention their Karm Gati (style and nature of Karm) is also different. In the same way, the people who do prohibited Karm, they also get the fruits of their Karm Gati because of their own nature and intentions. All do not get the same fruits of the same Karm because of their own intentions and nature. And More or less all people have to suffer and enjoy all kinds of fruits."

Pareekshit again asked - "Are these Narak somewhere on this Prithvi or somewhere else?" Shukdev Jee said - "These Narak are located inside Tri-Lok and are towards South below Prithvi and above water. Pitri Gan live in this direction and always wish for good for their descendents. In the Narak Lok lives Yam Raaj, son of the Sun, with his servants. He punishes people for their bad Karm. Learned people tell the number of Narak as 21, but there are 7 more, totaling 28 - (1) Taamistra, (2) Andhtaamistra, (3) Raurav, (4) Mahaa-raurav (5) Kumbheepaak, (6) Kaalsootra, (7) Asipatravan, (8) Sookarmukh, (9) Andhkoop, (10) Krimi Bhojan, (11) Sandansh, (12) TaptSoormi, (13) Vajrakantak-Shaalmalee, (14) Vaitaranee, (15) Pooyod, (16) Praanrodh, (17) Vishasan, (18) Laalaabhaksh, (19) Saarameyaadan, (20) Aveeki, (21) Ayahpaan. There are seven more - (22) Kshaarkardam, (23) Rakshogan Bhojan, (24) Shoolprot, (25) Dandshook, (26) Avatnirodhan, (27) Paryaavartan, and (28) Soocheemukh.

[This Adhyaaya gives those bad Karm description which cause people to go to that particular Narak]

END OF SKANDH 5

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