भगवद्यान पर्व — मातलि द्वारा वर की खोज

Narada said This city, situated in the very heart of the region of the Nagas, is known as Patalam, inhabited by the Daityas and Danavas.

The few creatures of the earth, who are brought here by the current of the water, when entering the region give out loud shrieks being struck with fear.

In these regions, the fire, called Asura fire, which is fed by water, continually blazes forth. Held in great respect, it regards itself as confined (by the gods).

Here the gods, who had slain their enemies, having drunk the nectar kept the residue there. It is from here proceed the growth and decline of the moon, which we see.

Here the son of Aditi, with his head like that of the horse, on every festive occasion, rises up, making the world, called Suvarna, filled with the sound of Vedic hymns and mantras.

Since all those objects, having the form of water, fall on it; therefore is this excellent region known by the name of Patalam.

Airavata, taking up cold water from here for the good of the world, gives them to the clouds and the great Indra showers this water as rain.

Here aquatic animals of many species and shapes and fishes of different sorts, such as Timi and others, live, subsisting on a drink from the water which is like the beams of the moon.

Some beings, living in this nether world, the Patalam, pierced by the rays of the sun, are dead in the day time, O Suta and are revived again at night.

For the moon, rising in these regions every night, by her beams which are her arms as it were, brings nectar in contact with them; and from that are the creatures revived.

Here are iroprisoned these wicked and unrighteous sons of Diti afflicted with misfortune. They live here being dispossessed of their prosperity by Vasava.

Here the great Lord of all creatures, by name Bhutpati, practiced austere asceticism for the good of all creatures.

Here live the great Rishis those Brahmanas attached to the vow, called go, who have been emaciated with the recitation of the Vedas and who abandoning the pleasures of this life have secured heaven.

He, who ever sleeps at any place he likes, who lives on with what others place before him, is safe to be attached to the Go vows in this world.

Here in the race of Supratika are born those best among elephants, namely Airavana, the king among elephants, Kumuda, Vamana and Arjuna.

See if in these regions there is any bridegroom who pleases you by his accomplishments. If so, I shall, after respectfully going to him, solicit him to accept your daughter, O Matali.

This one, placed here in these waters, is an egg, which is shining as it were with beauty. From the very creation of this universe it is here; and it neither moves away, nor is hatched.

I have never heard of its species or birth spoken of. No body knows any one as its father or mother.

From this, at the time of the dissolution of the universe, springs up a fire, which consumes, O Matali, the three entire worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures.

Matali too having heard what Narada said, answered-“None in these regions pleases me. Let me go elsewhere without delay.”