śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; adhastāt — below; savituḥ — the sun globe; yojana — a measurement equal to eight miles; ayute — ten thousand; svarbhānuḥ — the planet known as Rāhu; nakṣatra-vat — like one of the stars; carati — is rotating; iti — thus; eke — some who are learned in the Purāṇas; yaḥ — which; asau — that; amaratvam — a lifetime like those of the demigods; grahatvam — a position as one of the chief planets; ca — and; alabhata — obtained; bhagavat-anukampayā — by the compassion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam — personally; asura-apasadaḥ — the lowest of the asuras; saiṁhikeyaḥ — being the son of Siṁhikā; hi — indeed; a-tat-arhaḥ — not qualified for that position; tasya — his; tāta — O my dear King; janma — birth; karmāṇi — activities; ca — also; upariṣṭāt — later; vakṣyāmaḥ — I shall explain.

yat — which; adaḥ — that; taraṇeḥ — of the sun; maṇḍalam — globe; pratapataḥ — which is always distributing heat; tat — that; vistarataḥ — in terms of width; yojana — a distance of eight miles; ayutam — ten thousand; ācakṣate — they estimate; dvādaśa-sahasram — 20,000 yojanas (160,000 miles); somasya — of the moon; trayodaśa — thirty; sahasram — one thousand; rāhoḥ — of the planet Rāhu; yaḥ — which; parvaṇi — on occasion; tat-vyavadhāna-kṛt — who created an obstruction to the sun and moon at the time of the distribution of nectar; vaira-anubandhaḥ — whose intentions are inimical; sūryā — the sun; candramasau — and the moon; abhidhāvati — runs after them on the full-moon night and the dark-moon day.

tat — that situation; niśamya — hearing; ubhayatra — around both the sun and moon; api — indeed; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; rakṣaṇāya — for their protection; prayuktam — engaged; sudarśanam — the wheel of Kṛṣṇa; nāma — named; bhāgavatam — the most confidential devotee; dayitam — the most favorite; astram — weapon; tat — that; tejasā — by its effulgence; durviṣaham — unbearable heat; muhuḥ — repeatedly; parivartamānam — moving around the sun and moon; abhyavasthitaḥ — situated; muhūrtam — for a muhūrta (forty-eight minutes); udvijamānaḥ — whose mind was full of anxieties; cakita — frightened; hṛdayaḥ — the core of whose heart; ārāt — to a distant place; eva — certainly; nivartate — flees; tat — that situation; uparāgam — an eclipse; iti — thus; vadanti — they say; lokāḥ — the people.

tataḥ — the planet Rāhu; adhastāt — below; siddha-cāraṇa — of the planets known as Siddhaloka and Cāraṇaloka; vidyādharāṇām — and the planets of the Vidyādharas; sadanāni — the residential places; tāvat mātra — only that much distance (eighty thousand miles); eva — indeed.

tataḥ adhastāt — beneath the planets occupied by the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Vidyādharas; yakṣa-rakṣaḥ-piśāca-preta-bhūta-gaṇānām — of Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Piśācas, ghosts and so on; vihāra-ajiram — the place of sense gratification; antarikṣam — in the sky or outer space; yāvat — as far as; vāyuḥ — the wind; pravāti — blows; yāvat — as far as; meghāḥ — the clouds; upalabhyante — are seen.

tataḥ adhastāt — beneath that; śata-yojana — of one hundred yojanas; antare — by an interval; iyam — this; pṛthivī — planet earth; yāvat — as high as; haṁsa — swans; bhāsa — vultures; śyena — eagles; suparṇa-ādayaḥ — and other birds; patattri-pravarāḥ — the chief among birds; utpatanti — can fly; iti — thus.

upavarṇitam — stated previously; bhūmeḥ — of the planet earth; yathā-sanniveśa-avasthānam — according to the arrangement of the different places; avaneḥ — the earth; api — certainly; adhastāt — beneath; sapta — seven; bhū-vivarāḥ — other planets; eka-ekaśaḥ — in succession, up to the outer limit of the universe; yojana-ayuta-antareṇa — with an interval of ten thousand yojanas (eighty thousand miles); āyāma-vistāreṇa — by width and length; upakḷptāḥ — situated; atalam — named Atala; vitalam — Vitala; sutalam — Sutala; talātalam — Talātala; mahātalam — Mahātala; rasātalam — Rasātala; pātālam — Pātāla; iti — thus.

eteṣu — in these; hi — certainly; bila-svargeṣu — known as the heavenly subterranean worlds; svargāt — than the heavenly planets; api — even; adhika — a greater quantity; kāma-bhoga — enjoyment of sense gratification; aiśvarya-ānanda — bliss due to opulence; bhūti — influence; vibhūtibhiḥ — by those things and wealth; su-samṛddha — improved; bhavana — houses; udyāna — gardens; ākrīḍa-vihāreṣu — in places for different types of sense gratification; daitya — the demons; dānava — ghosts; kādraveyāḥ — snakes; nitya — who are always; pramudita — overjoyed; anurakta — because of attachment; kalatra — to wife; apatya — children; bandhu — family relations; suhṛt — friends; anucarāḥ — followers; gṛha-patayaḥ — the heads of the households; īśvarāt — than those more capable, like the demigods; api — even; apratihata-kāmāḥ — whose fulfillment of lusty desires is unimpeded; māyā — illusory; vinodāḥ — who feel happiness; nivasanti — live.

yeṣu — in those lower planetary systems; mahā-rāja — O my dear King; mayena — by the demon named Maya; māyā-vinā — possessing advanced knowledge in the construction of material comforts; vinirmitāḥ — constructed; puraḥ — cities; nānā-maṇi-pravara — of valuable gems; praveka — with excellent; viracita — constructed; vicitra — wonderful; bhavana — houses; prākāra — walls; gopura — gates; sabhā — legislative meeting rooms; caitya — temples; catvara — schools; āyatana-ādibhiḥ — with hotels or recreation halls and so on; nāga — of living entities with snakelike bodies; asura — of demons, or godless persons; mithuna — by couples; pārāvata — pigeons; śuka — parrots; sārikā — mynas; ākīrṇa — crowded; kṛtrima — artificial; bhūmibhiḥ — possessing areas; vivara-īśvara — of the leaders of the planets; gṛha-uttamaiḥ — with first-class houses; samalaṅkṛtāḥ — decorated; cakāsati — shine magnificently.

udyānāni — the gardens and parks; ca — also; atitarām — greatly; manaḥ — to the mind; indriya — and to the senses; ānandibhiḥ — which cause pleasure; kusuma — by flowers; phala — of fruits; stabaka — bunches; subhaga — very beautiful; kisalaya — new twigs; avanata — bent low; rucira — attractive; viṭapa — possessing branches; viṭapinām — of trees; latā-aṅga-āliṅgitānām — which are embraced by the limbs of creepers; śrībhiḥ — by the beauty; sa-mithuna — in pairs; vividha — varieties; vihaṅgama — frequented by birds; jala-āśayānām — of reservoirs of water; amala-jala-pūrṇānām — full of clear and transparent water; jhaṣa-kula-ullaṅghana — by the jumping of different fish; kṣubhita — agitated; nīra — in the water; nīraja — of lotus flowers; kumuda — lilies; kuvalaya — flowers named kuvalaya; kahlāra — kahlāra flowers; nīla-utpala — blue lotus flowers; lohita — red; śata-patra-ādi — lotus flowers with a hundred petals and so on; vaneṣu — in forests; kṛta-niketanānām — of birds that have made their nests; eka-vihāra-ākula — full of uninterrupted enjoyment; madhura — very sweet; vividha — varieties; svana-ādibhiḥ — by vibrations; indriya-utsavaiḥ — invoking sense enjoyment; amara-loka-śriyam — the beauty of the residential places of the demigods; atiśayitāni — surpassing.

yatra — where; ha vāva — certainly; na — not; bhayam — fearfulness; ahaḥ-rātra-ādibhiḥ — because of days and nights; kāla-vibhāgaiḥ — the divisions of time; upalakṣyate — is experienced.

yatra — where; hi — indeed; mahā-ahi — of great serpents; pravara — of the best; śiraḥ-maṇayaḥ — the gems on the hoods; sarvam — all; tamaḥ — darkness; prabādhante — drive away.

na — not; vā — either; eteṣu — in these planets; vasatām — of those residing; divya — wonderful; auṣadhi — of herbs; rasa — the juices; rasāyana — and elixirs; anna — by eating; pāna — drinking; snāna-ādibhiḥ — by bathing in and so on; ādhayaḥ — mental troubles; vyādhayaḥ — diseases; valī — wrinkles; palita — grey hair; jarā — old age; ādayaḥ — and so on; ca — and; deha-vaivarṇya — the fading of bodily luster; daurgandhya — bad odor; sveda — perspiration; klama — fatigue; glāniḥ — lack of energy; iti — thus; vayaḥ avasthāḥ — miserable conditions due to increasing age; ca — and; bhavanti — are.

na hi — not; teṣām — of them; kalyāṇānām — who are by nature auspicious; prabhavati — able to influence; kutaścana — from anywhere; mṛtyuḥ — death; vinā — except; bhagavat-tejasaḥ — of the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; cakra-apadeśāt — from that weapon named the Sudarśana cakra.

yasmin — where; praviṣṭe — when entered; asura-vadhūnām — of the wives of those demons; prāyaḥ — almost always; puṁsavanāni — fetuses; bhayāt — because of fear; eva — certainly; sravanti — slip out; patanti — fall down; ca — and.

atha — now; atale — on the planet named Atala; maya-putraḥ asuraḥ — the demon son of Maya; balaḥ — Bala; nivasati — resides; yena — by whom; ha vā — indeed; iha — in this; sṛṣṭāḥ — propagated; ṣaṭ-ṇavatiḥ — ninety-six; māyāḥ — varieties of illusion; kāścana — some; adya api — even today; māyā-vinaḥ — those who know the art of magical feats (like manufacturing gold); dhārayanti — utilize; yasya — of whom; ca — also; jṛmbhamāṇasya — while yawning; mukhataḥ — from the mouth; trayaḥ — three; strī-gaṇāḥ — varieties of women; udapadyanta — were generated; svairiṇyaḥ — svairiṇī (one who only marries in her same class); kāminyaḥ — kāmiṇī (one who, being lusty, marries men from any group); puṁścalyaḥ — puṁścalī (one who wants to go from one husband to another); iti — thus; yāḥ — who; vai — certainly; bila-ayanam — the subterranean planets; praviṣṭam — entering; puruṣam — a male; rasena — by a juice; hāṭaka-ākhyena — made from an intoxicating herb known as hāṭaka; sādhayitvā — making sexually fit; sva-vilāsa — for their personal sense gratification; avalokana — by glances; anurāga — lustful; smita — by smiling; saṁlāpa — by talking; upagūhana-ādibhiḥ — and by embracing; svairam — according to their own desire; kila — indeed; ramayanti — enjoy sex pleasure; yasmin — which; upayukte — when used; puruṣaḥ — a man; īśvaraḥ aham — I am the most powerful person; siddhaḥ aham — I am the greatest and most elevated person; iti — thus; ayuta — ten thousand; mahā-gaja — of big elephants; balam — the strength; ātmānam — himself; abhimanyamānaḥ — being full of pride; katthate — they say; mada-andhaḥ — blinded by false prestige; iva — like.

tataḥ — the planet Atala; adhastāt — beneath; vitale — on the planet; haraḥ — Lord Śiva; bhagavān — the most powerful personality; hāṭakeśvaraḥ — the master of gold; sva-pārṣada — by his own associates; bhūta-gaṇa — who are ghostly living beings; āvṛtaḥ — surrounded; prajāpati-sarga — of the creation of Lord Brahmā; upabṛṁhaṇāya — to increase the population; bhavaḥ — Lord Śiva; bhavānyā saha — with his wife, Bhavānī; mithunī-bhūtaḥ — being united in sex; āste — remains; yataḥ — from that planet (Vitala); pravṛttā — being emanated; sarit-pravarā — the great river; hāṭakī — Hāṭakī; nāma — named; bhavayoḥ vīryeṇa — due to the semen and ovum of Lord Śiva and Bhavānī; yatra — where; citra-bhānuḥ — the fire-god; mātariśvanā — by the wind; samidhyamānaḥ — being brightly inflamed; ojasā — with great strength; pibati — drinks; tat — that; niṣṭhyūtam — spit out with a hissing sound; hāṭaka-ākhyam — named Hāṭaka; suvarṇam — gold; bhūṣaṇena — by different types of ornaments; asura-indra — of the great asuras; avarodheṣu — in the homes; puruṣāḥ — the males; saha — with; puruṣībhiḥ — their wives and women; dhārayanti — wear.

tataḥ adhastāt — beneath the planet known as Vitala; sutale — on the planet known as Sutala; udāra-śravāḥ — very greatly celebrated; puṇya-ślokaḥ — very pious and advanced in spiritual consciousness; virocana-ātmajaḥ — the son of Virocana; baliḥ — Bali Mahārāja; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahā-indrasya — of the King of heaven, Indra; priyam — the welfare; cikīrṣamāṇena — desiring to perform; āditeḥ — from Aditi; labdha-kāyaḥ — having obtained His body; bhūtvā — appearing; vaṭu — brahmacāri; vāmana-rūpeṇa — in the form of a dwarf; parākṣipta — wrested away; loka-trayaḥ — the three worlds; bhagavat-anukampayā — by the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva — certainly; punaḥ — again; praveśitaḥ — caused to enter; indra-ādiṣu — even among the demigods like the King of heaven; avidyamānayā — not existing; susamṛddhayā — much enriched by such exalted opulence; śriyā — by good fortune; abhijuṣṭaḥ — being blessed; sva-dharmeṇa — by discharging devotional service; ārādhayan — worshiping; tam — Him; eva — certainly; bhagavantam — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ārādhanīyam — who is most worshipable; apagata-sādhvasaḥ — without fear; āste — remains; adhunā api — even today.

no — not; eva — indeed; etat — this; sākṣātkāraḥ — the direct result; bhūmi-dānasya — of contribution of land; yat — which; tat — that; bhagavati — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aśeṣa-jīva-nikāyānām — of unlimited numbers of living entities; jīva-bhūta-ātma-bhūte — who is the life and the Supersoul; parama-ātmani — the supreme regulator; vāsudeve — Lord Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa); tīrtha-tame — who is the best of all places of pilgrimage; pātre — the most worthy recipient; upapanne — having approached; parayā — by the topmost; śraddhayā — faith; parama-ādara — with great respect; samāhita-manasā — with an attentive mind; sampratipāditasya — which was given; sākṣāt — directly; apavarga-dvārasya — the gate of liberation; yat — which; bila-nilaya — of bila-svarga, the imitation heavenly planets; aiśvaryam — the opulence.

yasya — of whom; ha vāva — indeed; kṣuta — when in hunger; patana — falling down; praskhalana-ādiṣu — stumbling and so on; vivaśaḥ — being helpless; sakṛt — once; nāma abhigṛṇan — chanting the holy name of the Lord; puruṣaḥ — a person; karma-bandhanam — the bondage of fruitive activity; añjasā — completely; vidhunoti — washes away; yasya — of which; ha — certainly; eva — in this way; pratibādhanam — the repulsion; mumukṣavaḥ — persons desiring liberation; anyathā — otherwise; eva — certainly; upalabhante — are trying to realize.

tat — that; bhaktānām — of great devotees; ātma-vatām — of self-realized persons like Sanaka and Sanātana; sarveṣām — of all; ātmani — to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the soul; ātma-de — who gives Himself without hesitation; ātmatayā — who is the Supreme Soul, Paramātmā; eva — indeed.

na — not; vai — indeed; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nūnam — certainly; amuṣya — unto Bali Mahārāja; anujagrāha — showed His favor; yat — because; uta — certainly; punaḥ — again; ātma-anusmṛti — of remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; moṣaṇam — which robs one; māyā-maya — an attribute of Māyā; bhoga-aiśvaryam — the material opulence; eva — certainly; ātanuta — extended; iti — thus.

yat — which; tat — that; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anadhigata-anya-upāyena — who is not perceived by other means; yācñā-chalena — by a trick of begging; apahṛta — taken away; sva-śarīra-avaśeṣita — with only his own body remaining; loka-trayaḥ — the three worlds; varuṇa-pāśaiḥ — by the ropes of Varuṇa; ca — and; sampratimuktaḥ — completely bound; giri-daryām — in a cave in a mountain; ca — and; apaviddhaḥ — being detained; iti — thus; ha — indeed; uvāca — said.

nūnam — certainly; bata — alas; ayam — this; bhagavān — very learned; artheṣu — in self-interest; na — not; niṣṇātaḥ — very experienced; yaḥ — who; asau — the King of heaven; indraḥ — Indra; yasya — of whom; sacivaḥ — the prime minister; mantrāya — for giving instructions; vṛtaḥ — chosen; ekāntataḥ — alone; bṛhaspatiḥ — named Bṛhaspati; tam — him; atihāya — ignoring; svayam — personally; upendreṇa — by means of Upendra (Lord Vāmanadeva); ātmānam — myself; ayācata — requested; ātmanaḥ — for himself; ca — and; āśiṣaḥ — blessings (the three worlds); no — not; eva — certainly; tat-dāsyam — the loving service of the Lord; ati — very; gambhīra-vayasaḥ — having an insurmountable duration; kālasya — of time; manvantara-parivṛttam — changed by the end of a life of a Manu; kiyat — what is the value of; loka-trayam — three worlds; idam — these.

yasya — of whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); anudāsyam — the service; eva — certainly; asmat — our; pitā-mahaḥ — grandfather; kila — indeed; vavre — accepted; na — not; tu — but; sva — own; pitryam — paternal property; yat — which; uta — certainly; akutaḥ-bhayam — fearlessness; padam — position; dīyamānam — being offered; bhagavataḥ — than the Supreme Personality of Godhead; param — other; iti — thus; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; uparate — when killed; khalu — indeed; sva-pitari — his own father.

tasya — of Prahlāda Mahārāja; mahā-anubhāvasya — who was an exalted devotee; anupatham — the path; amṛjita-kaṣāyaḥ — a person who is materially contaminated; kaḥ — what; vā — or; asmat-vidhaḥ — like us; parihīṇa-bhagavat-anugrahaḥ — being without the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upajigamiṣati — desires to follow; iti — thus.

tasya — of Bali Mahārāja; anucaritam — the narration; upariṣṭāt — later (in the Eighth Canto); vistariṣyate — will be explained; yasya — of whom; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam — personally; akhila-jagad-guruḥ — the master of all the three worlds; nārāyaṇaḥ — the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa Himself; dvāri — at the gate; gadā-pāṇiḥ — bearing the club in His hand; avatiṣṭhate — stands; nija-jana-anukampita-hṛdayaḥ — whose heart is always filled with mercy for His devotees; yena — by whom; aṅguṣṭhena — by the big toe; padā — of His foot; daśa-kandharaḥ — Rāvaṇa, who had ten heads; yojana-ayuta-ayutam — a distance of eighty thousand miles; dik-vijaye — for the purpose of gaining victory over Bali Mahārāja; uccāṭitaḥ — driven away.

tataḥ — the planet known as Sutala; adhastāt — below; talātale — in the planet known as Talātala; mayaḥ — Maya; nāma — named; dānava-indraḥ — the king of the Dānava demons; tri-pura-adhipatiḥ — the Lord of the three cities; bhagavatā — by the most powerful; purāriṇā — Lord Śiva, who is known as Tripurāri; tri-lokī — of the three worlds; śam — the good fortune; cikīrṣuṇā — who was desiring; nirdagdha — burned; sva-pura-trayaḥ — whose three cities; tat-prasādāt — by Lord Śiva’s mercy; labdha — obtained; padaḥ — a kingdom; māyā-vinām ācāryaḥ — who is the ācārya, or master, of all the conjurers; mahā-devena — by Lord Śiva; parirakṣitaḥ — protected; vigata-sudarśana-bhayaḥ — who is not afraid of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His Sudarśana cakra; mahīyate — is worshiped.

tataḥ — the planet Talātala; adhastāt — beneath; mahātale — in the planet known as Mahātala; kādraveyāṇām — of the descendants of Kadrū; sarpāṇām — who are big snakes; na eka-śirasām — who have many hoods; krodha-vaśaḥ — always subject to anger; nāma — named; gaṇaḥ — the group; kuhaka — Kuhaka; takṣaka — Takṣaka; kāliya — Kāliya; suṣeṇa — Suṣeṇa; ādi — and so on; pradhānāḥ — who are the prominent ones; mahā-bhogavantaḥ — addicted to all kinds of material enjoyment; patattri-rāja-adhipateḥ — from the king of all birds, Garuḍa; puruṣa-vāhāt — who carries the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anavaratam — constantly; udvijamānāḥ — afraid; sva — of their own; kalatra-apatya — wives and children; suhṛt — friends; kuṭumba — relatives; saṅgena — in the association; kvacit — sometimes; pramattāḥ — infuriated; viharanti — they sport.

tataḥ adhastāt — below the planetary system Mahātala; rasātale — on the planet called Rasātala; daiteyāḥ — the sons of Diti; dānavāḥ — the sons of Danu; paṇayaḥ nāma — named Paṇis; nivāta-kavacāḥ — Nivāta-kavacas; kāleyāḥ — Kāleyas; hiraṇya-puravāsinaḥ — Hiraṇya-puravāsīs; iti — thus; vibudha-pratyanīkāḥ — enemies of the demigods; utpattyāḥ — from birth; mahā-ojasaḥ — very powerful; mahā-sāhasinaḥ — very cruel; bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; sakala-loka-anubhāvasya — who is auspicious for all planetary systems; hareḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva — certainly; tejasā — by the Sudarśana cakra; pratihata — defeated; bala — strength; avalepāḥ — and pride (because of bodily strength); bila-īśayāḥ — the snakes; iva — like; vasanti — they live; ye — who; vai — indeed; saramayā — by Saramā; indra-dūtyā — the messenger of Indra; vāgbhiḥ — by the words; mantra-varṇābhiḥ — in the form of a mantra; indrāt — from King Indra; bibhyati — are afraid.

tataḥ adhastāt — beneath that planet Rasātala; pātāle — on the planet known as Pātāla; nāga-loka-patayaḥ — the masters of the Nāgalokas; vāsuki — by Vāsuki; pramukhāḥ — headed; śaṅkha — Śaṅkha; kulika — Kulika; mahā-śaṅkha — Mahāśaṅkha; śveta — Śveta; dhanañjaya — Dhanañjaya; dhṛtarāṣṭra — Dhṛtarāṣṭra; śaṅkha-cūḍa — Śaṅkhacūḍa; kambala — Kambala; aśvatara — Aśvatara; deva-datta — Devadatta; ādayaḥ — and so on; mahā-bhoginaḥ — very addicted to material happiness; mahā-amarṣāḥ — greatly envious by nature; nivasanti — live; yeṣām — of all of them; u ha — certainly; vai — indeed; pañca — five; sapta — seven; daśa — ten; śata — one hundred; sahasra — one thousand; śīrṣāṇām — of those possessing hoods; phaṇāsu — on those hoods; viracitāḥ — fixed; mahā-maṇayaḥ — very valuable gems; rociṣṇavaḥ — full of effulgence; pātāla-vivara — the caves of the Pātāla planetary system; timira-nikaram — the mass of darkness; sva-rociṣā — by the effulgence of their hoods; vidhamanti — disperse.