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If any one enters Atala these women completely allure him by
their Hataka (golden) charm, and when the man is completely over-
come by their allurements, he says " I am fevara" " I am Siddha."
[The women are only forms of Maya because Maya is perso-
nified as an alluring woman. A man in Atala is completely under
the domination of Maya and becomes estranged from spirit. So
Maya is all in all to him and he knows no other.]
Vitala: Below Atala is Vitala. There Bhava (Siva) theking of
Gold reigns in company with his consort Bhavani, attended by Bhutas.
He remains there for the benefit of the Prajapati creation. The
fluid of intercourse with Bhavani gives rise to a river called Hataki
(Golden). Agni kindled by Vayu drinks up that river and gives out
the gold called Hataka which is used in ornaments by the Asuras who
dwell there.
(We have known Siva as the Astral Lord. We find him here
engaged in the work of creation. The text speaks of a mysterious
connection between him and the gold called Hataka. The occult
varieties of gold such as Jamvanada and Hataka form a fit subject of
study. Hataka refers to the Prajapati creation. There is duality in
Vitala, as distinguished from the singleness of Maya in Atala).
Sutala: Below Vitala is Sutala. There the renowned Bali
son of Virochana still dwells. Vamana, the Dwarf Incarnation of
Vishnu, took away the Triloki from him and replaced him here. His
enjoyments even here are greater than those of Indra. He performs
Sva-dharma and worships Vishnu. His sins are all removed.
(A full account of Bali will be given below.)
Taldtala: Below Sutala is Talatala. Maya, the Danava king, rules
there. His "Three Puras" (abodes) were destroyed by Siva who is hence
called Tripurari. But Siva favoured him again and placed him in
Talatala. He is the preceptor of all Mayavins. He is preserved by
Siva and he has no fear from Sudarsana (the chakra weapon of
Vishnu, which symbolises Time.)
(Bali and Maya, Triloki and Tripura, the seizure of one and
the destruction of the other, the restoration of Bali to Sutala and of
Maya to Talatala, the favour shown to them in those regions, the
correspondences of Sutala and Talatala are worth careful consideration.
In the case of one, Vishnu or the Preservative aspect of the Second
Purusha is the actor, and in the other, Siva, the Destructive aspect.)
Mahdtala: Below Talatala is Mahatala. Many headed
serpents, the progeny of Kadru, dwell there. The chief amongst them
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