Pātāla
Sign in to savethumb|upright|The legs of the god Vishnu as the [[purusha depict earth and the six realms of Patala. The feet rest on Shesha.]] 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. 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 w
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Hinduism
- Atala
- Vitala
- Sutala
- Talātala
- Mahātala
- Rasātala
- Patala
- Buddhism
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
thumb|upright|The legs of the god Vishnu as the [[purusha depict earth and the six realms of Patala. The feet rest on Shesha.]] 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. 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 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.