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{{Short description|Indian subterranean realms of the universe}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Patala Shesha.jpg|thumb|upright|The legs of the god [[Vishnu]] as the [[purusha]] depict earth and the six realms of Patala. The feet rest on [[Shesha]].]]
[[File:Naga182.JPG|thumb|upright|Nagas are believed to live in the lowest realm of Patala, called Naga-loka.]]
In [[Indian religions]], '''Patala''' ([[Sanskrit]]: पाताल, [[IAST]]: pātāla, lit. ''that which is below the feet''), denotes the subterranean realms of the universe – which are located under the earthly dimension.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}<ref>Search for "patala" in: {{cite web|title=Sanskrit Dictionary Search |url=http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=patala&direct=au|access-date=7 January 2018}} gives results: "1. one of the 7 regions under the earth and the abode of the nAgas or serpents and demons"</ref>{{sfn|Māṇi|1975|pp=[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/580 580–581]}} Patala is often translated as [[underworld]] or netherworld. Patala is described as more beautiful than [[Svarga]] (subtle dimensions, loosely translated as heaven). Patala is described as filled with splendid jewels, beautiful groves and lakes.

In [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]], caves inhabited by [[asura]]s are entrances to Patala; these asuras, particularly female asuras, are often "tamed" (converted to [[Buddhism]]) as [[dharmapala]] or [[dakini]]s by famous Buddhist figures such as [[Padmasambhava]].{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=1}}

In [[Hindu cosmology]], the universe is divided into the three worlds: [[Svarga]], [[Prithvi]] or Martya (earth/mortal plane) and Patala (gross dimensions, the [[underworld]]).{{sfn|Parmeshwaranand|2001|pp=762–763}} Patala is composed of seven realms/dimensions or [[loka]]s,<ref>{{cite book|translator-last1=Dimmitt |translator-first1=Cornelia|translator-last2=van Buitenen|translator-first2=Johannes Adrianus Bernardus |title=Classical Hindu mythology: a reader in the Sanskrit Purāṇas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmFOX7q2IqgC |year=1978|publisher=Temple University Press|pages=48–49, 348–350|isbn=9781439904640}}</ref><ref name="bhagavata">{{cite web |url=http://srimadbhagavatam.com/5/24/en|title=Bhagavata Purana 5.24 |last=Prabhupada|author-link=Prabhupada|publisher=The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. |access-date=1 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104040631/http://srimadbhagavatam.com/5/24/en |archive-date=4 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> the seventh and lowest of them is also called Patala or '''Naga-loka''', the region of the Nagas. The [[Danava (Hinduism)|Danava]]s (demon sons of [[Danu (Asura)|Danu]]), [[Daitya]]s (demon sons of [[Diti]]), [[Yaksha|Raksha]]s and the snake-people [[Nāga|Naga]]s (Serpent-human formed sons of [[Kadru]]), live in the realms of Patala.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}

== Hinduism ==
{{Hindu mythology}}
The ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' tells of a visit by the divine wandering sage [[Narada]] to Patala. Narada describes Patala as more beautiful than Svarga. 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.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' calls the seven lower regions ''bila-svarga''s ("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 heavenly regions of the universe. The life here is of pleasure, wealth and luxury, with no distress. The demon architect [[Mayasura|Maya]] has constructed palaces, temples, houses, yards and hotels for foreigners, with jewels. The natural beauty of Patala is said to surpass that of Swarga. 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.<ref name = "bhagavata"/>

The ''Vishnu Purana'',{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}} states the seven realms of Patala, which are located one above the other, are seventy-thousand [[yojana]]s (a unit of measurement) below the Earth's surface. Each of them extends ten thousand ''Yojana''s. 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.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}} The seven Patalas as well as the earth above them is supported on the head of the [[tamas (philosophy)|tamasic]] (dark) form of [[Vishnu]], the thousand-headed nāga [[Shesha]].{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}} Sometimes, [[Shesha]] is described to reside in the lowest region of Patala instead of below it.{{sfn|Parmeshwaranand|2001|pp=762–763}} Below the regions of Patala lies [[Naraka (Hinduism)|Naraka]], the Hindu Hell – the realm of death where sinners are punished.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}

Different realms of Patala are ruled by different demons and Nagas; usually with the Nagas headed by [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]] assigned to the lowest realm.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}} ''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. [[Mahabali|Bali]] rules as the sovereign king of Patala.{{sfn|Wilson|1865|pp=209–213}}

The ''Bhagavata Purana'' presents a detailed description of the seven lower realms.{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}} A similar description of the seven Patalas also appears in the ''[[Devi-Bhagavata Purana]]''.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Atala ===

'''Atala''' is ruled by Bala – a son of Maya – who possesses mystical powers. By one yawn, Bala created three types of women – ''svairiṇī''s ("self-willed"), who like to marry men from their own group; ''kāmiṇī''s ("lustful"), who marry men from any group, and the ''punshchalī''s ("those who wholly give themselves up"), who keep changing their partners. When a man enters Atala, these women enchant him and serve him an intoxicating [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] drink that induces sexual energy in the man. Then, these women enjoy sexual play with the traveller, who feels to be stronger than ten thousand elephants and forgets impending death.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Vitala ===

'''Vitala''' is ruled by the god Hara-Bhava (possibly a form of Shiva), who dwells with attendant [[gana]]s including ghosts and goblins as the master of gold mines along with his consort [[Bhavani]], as the progenitor of living beings and their sexual fluids flow as river Hataki here. When fire – fanned by wind – drinks from this river, it spits the water out as a type of gold called Hataka. The residents of this realm are adorned with gold from this region.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Sutala ===

'''Sutala''' constructed by [[Vishvakarma|Vishwakarma]], is the kingdom of the pious demon king [[Mahabali|Bali]]. The dwarf [[Avatar]] of Vishnu, [[Vamana]] tricked [[Mahabali|Bali]] – who had conquered the three worlds – by begging for three paces of land and acquired the three worlds in his three paces. [[Vamana]] pushed [[Mahabali|Bali]] to Sutala, but when [[Mahabali|Bali]] surrendered to [[Vishnu]] and gave away all his belongings to him, [[Vishnu]] in return made [[Mahabali|Bali]], richer than [[Indra]], the god-king of heaven. [[Mahabali|Bali]] still prays to [[Vishnu]] in this realm. Highly impressed by the devotion of [[Mahabali|Bali]], [[Vishnu]] gave him a boon that He Himself would perpetually stand as the watchman to [[Mahabali|Bali]]'s palace.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Talatala ===

'''Talātala''' is the realm of the demon-architect [[Mayasura|Maya]], who is well-versed in sorcery. Shiva, as [[Tripurantaka]], destroyed the [[Tripura (mythology)|three cities of Maya]], but was later pleased with Maya and gave him this realm and promised to protect him.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Mahatala ===

'''Mahātala''' is the abode of many-hooded Nagas (serpents) – the sons of [[Kadru]], headed by the ''Krodhavasha'' (Irascible) band of Kuhaka, Takshaka, Kaliya and Sushena. They live here with their families in peace but always fear [[Garuda]].{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Rasatala ===

'''Rasātala''' at the sole of the feet of the universe form of Vishnu is the home of the [[Asura|Asuras]] – Danavas and Daityas, who are mighty but cruel. They are the eternal foes of [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s (the gods). They live in holes like serpents.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

=== Patala ===

'''Patala''' or '''Nagaloka''', is the lowest realm and the region of the Nagas, ruled by [[Vasuki]] (the snake that hangs around Shiva’s neck). Here lives several Nagas with many hoods. Each of their hood is decorated by a jewel, a source of light of which illuminates this realm.{{sfn|Māṇi|1998|pp=580–581}}{{sfn|Dimmitt|2012|p=348-350}}

== Buddhism ==
In early Vajrayana, Patala ({{bo|t=sa 'og ས་འོག་}} "the Underground") is understood as underground paradises inhabited by nāgas and asuras above the Naraka realm.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=3}} 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 (Buddhism)|Śakra]] using a [[mantra]] of [[Manjusri|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.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=7}}

Patala is associated with the [[Outer Tantras#Kriyatantra|Kriyātantras]], which are associated with the [[Kīla (Buddhism)|kīla]], the phenomenon of the [[tertön]] and [[terma (religion)|terma]] and water magic{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=1}} and with the attainment of [[vidyadhara|vidyādhara]] ({{zh|c=仙, 仚|p=xiān}}) status.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=2}} These practices have been largely ignored after the early period of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[Tangmi]] but originally were popular.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=1}}

The importance of Patala to esoteric Buddhism lay in its role as the source of [[alchemy]] and magical science or [[Vidya (Knowledge)|vidyā]], [[immortality]] and enjoyment, particularly the opportunity for the (male) vidyādhara to have intercourse with female non-humans.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|p=10}} It was also viewed as a source of flowing waters.{{sfn|Mayer|2007|pp=11-12}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Dimmitt|first=Cornelia|title=Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmFOX7q2IqgC|year=2012|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-1-4399-0464-0}}
*{{cite book|last=Māṇi|first=Veṭṭaṃ|author-link=Vettam Mani|title=Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi|year=1975 |isbn=0-8426-0822-2|url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft}}
*{{cite book|last=Māṇi|first=Veṭṭaṃ|author-link=Vettam Mani|title=Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=laVZSgAACAAJ|year=1998|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0597-2}}
*{{cite journal|last=Mayer|first=Robert|title=The Importance of the Underworlds: Asuras' Caves in Buddhism, and Some Other Themes in Early Buddhist Tantras Reminiscent of the Later Padmasambhava Legends|journal=Journal of the International Association of Tibetan Studies|date=2007|volume=3|url=http://www.thlib.org/static/reprints/jiats/03/dls/mayerJIATS_03_2007.zip}}
*{{cite book|author=Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-226-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLcv-Ow6Ux4C&pg=PA806}}
*{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Horace Hayman |author-link=Horace Hayman Wilson|title=The Vishnu Purana (Translation)|url=https://archive.org/details/works00wilsgoog|pages=209–213|chapter=Chapter V |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/works00wilsgoog/page/n215 |year=1865 |publisher=Trübner & Co. |location=London}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Pātāla}}

{{Hell}}
{{Brahmanda}}

[[Category:Locations in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Underworld]]
[[Category:Nāgas]]

Patala - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article