Slokam 8

When the asuras on Bali’s forces saw what was transpiring and that they were about to lose everything,  they began to take the initiative and independently attack the devas,  without any guidance or command from Bali. 

Bali advices them that they will not succeed since God, as the spirit of time had swung the pendulum of time from being favorable to the asuras to being favorable to the devas. 

The asuras, heeding Bali’s advice retreat in dignity and return to their abode in Patala.

The asuras respect their king’s advice without any conflict or resistance.   One noteworthy implication is that the asura forces seem to completely by pass the Paramathma’s presence.  Even Bali does not, in his advice mention the Paramathma’s presence in the form of Vamana as the differentiating force between victory and defeat. 

This is a clear characteristic of the asura within us.  We know,  as we grow up,  that all our activities have consequences.  We know that consequences of our actions result from being “under observation”.  The devas and the Paramathma know our every action and most importantly, the intent behind the action.  Yet the asura within us cannot help but perform adharmic acts that are drawn by the temptation of possession.  The asuras see the gigantic form of the Paramathma,  and His powers.  Yet they cannot hold themselves back from trying to attack Him and the devas. 

We know that the Paramathma is within us and is constantly trying to reach out to us and guide our every move,  yet we succumb to the asuric forces of temptation. Like the asuras with Bali,  we ignore the Paramathma’s inner tugs and pulls that are only for our benefit.

The asura is said to live in the Patala. 

Patala (Sanskrit: पाताल, IAST: pātāla, lit. that which is below the feet) or Pathalam, denotes the subterranean realms of the universe – which are located under the earth. Patala is often translated as underworld or netherworld.

The universe is divided into the three worlds: Svarga (heaven), Prithvi or Martya (earth/mortal plane) and Patala (the underworld). Patala is composed of seven regions or lokas, the seventh and lowest of them is also called Patala or Naga-loka, the region of the Nagas. The Danavas (demon sons of Danu), Daityas (demon sons of Diti), Yakshas and the snake-people Nagas (Serpent-human formed sons of Kadru), live in the realms of Patala.

The Vishnu Purana tells of a visit by the divine wandering sage Narada to Patala. Narada describes Patala as more beautiful than Svarga (heaven). 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.^[8][10]

The Bhagavata Purana calls the seven lower regions bila-svargas ("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 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.^[7]

Patala or the netherworld,  is part of the universe of consciousness that is inclusive of all the characteristics that define our different aspects. The netherworld is not a physical region,  since the location is in consciousness, which permeates all of space and time.

Once located in the assigned space of the netherworld,  the asura can be kept under due control and will not be a threat to the other regions of consciousness. 



May we always keep the asura within us in the assigned zone and use the force under the guidance and supervision of the Paramathma.  May we never grant boons of possession to the asura within us,  by allowing the force to ascend and destroy our swarga lokam.