Rasatala, aka: Rasātala, Rasa-tala; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Rasatala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Rasātala (रसातल) refers to the “nether world”; it is a Sanskrit technical term defined in the Nāṭyaśāstra.

One of the Hands of The Seven Lower Worlds.—Rasātala: the Patāka hand twisted downwards is applicable.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Rasātala (रसातल):—It is 10,000 (square?) yojanas in area. Its seven (sub-divisions) are:

1. Atala,
2. Sutala,
3. Vitala,
4. Gabhastala,
5. Mahātala,
6. Śrītala
7. and Pātāla.

The first has a black soil, the second white, the third red, the fourth yellow, the fifth like that of sugar, the sixth rocky and the seventh golden. In the first are the abodes of Namuci, the lord of Asuras, of Mahānāda and Kabandha. Here are also cities of Śaṅkukarṇa, Niṣkulāda, Dhanaṃjaya, Kālīya, Nāga and of Kalasa.

In the second are the cities of Daityas such as Mahājambha, Hayagrīva Kṛṣṇa, Nikumbha, Saṅkha, Gomukha, Nīla, Megh, Krathana, etc. and of Nāgas such as Kambala, Takṣaka, etc.

In the third are the cities of Prahlāda, Anuhlāda, Tāraka, Śiśumāra, Cyavana, Khara, etc.

In the fourth are the cities of Kālanemi, Gajakarṇa, Sumālin, Vainateya, etc.

In the fifth are the cities of Virocana, Hiraṇyākṣa, Mahāmegha, etc. In the sixth are the cities of Kesarin, Puloman, Mahiṣa, Nāga Vāsuki, etc.

In the seventh are the cities of Bali, Mucukunda, etc.

Rasātala (रसातल).—A particular part of Pātāla where, according to the Purāṇas, the Nivātakavacas live. The Mahābhārata contains the following information regarding Rasātala.

During the deluge the Agni called Saṃvarta rent the earth and reached up to Raśātala. (Vana Parva, Chapter 188, Verse 69).

The Rākṣasī called Kṛtyā created by the asuras once carried away Duryodhana to Pātāla. (Vana Parva, Chapter 251, Verse 29).

Rasātala is the seventh stratum of the earth. Surabhi the mother of cows born from nectar lives there. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 102, Verse 1).

It is more comfortable and happy to live in Rasātala than to live either in Nāgaloka or Svarga. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 102, Verse 14).

It was in Rasātala that Mahāviṣṇu incarnated as Boar and killed the asuras with his tusk. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 206, Verse 26).

Mahāviṣṇu, who assumed the form of Hayagrīva went to Raśātala, killed Madhu and Kaiṭabha and resurrected the Vedas. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 347, Verse 54).

King Vasu went to Rasātala because he uttered one lie. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 6, Verse 34).

Rasātala is Ananta’s abode. Balabhadrarāma who was an incarnation of Ananta, gave up his material body at Prabhāsa tīrtha and attained Rasātala. (Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 28).

Rasātala (रसातल).—(also Pātālam) the underworld of rocky soil. Here live Paṇis, Nāgas, Nivātakavacas and Kāleyas; all dānavas of great strength and enterprising spirit and afraid of Hari and Sarama, the messenger of Indra.¹ Visited by Arjuna in search of the dead child of the Dvārakā Brahmana;² burnt by Pralaya;³ the Asuras entered it helpless;⁴ Vasu, cursed by the sages to live there, for his decision against the killing of Paśu in sacrifices;⁵ of 10,000 Yojanas in extent; other talams are Atala, Sutala, Vitala, Gabhastala, Mahātala, Sritala, and Patāla with the characteristics of black, white, pīta, chunam, rocky and gold they are in groups of earth, water and space.⁶

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 24. 7 and 30; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 171; 20. 10 and 12, 39-40; 30. 31; Matsya-purāṇa 47. 63; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 163; 97. 95; 100. 157; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 3. 4 and 8; V. 1. 28.
• 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 89. 44.
• 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 53. 1; 72. 96. 73. 46 and 48; IV. 1. 153.
• 4) Matsya-purāṇa 47. 212-13, 233.
• 5) Ib. 143. 24-25; 166. 3; 248, 4, 11, 53, 67ff; Vāyu-purāṇa 57. 110.
• 6) Ib. 6. 25; 50. 9-14.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

rasātala (रसातल).—n (S) pop. rasātaḷa n The lowest of the seven divisions of pātāḷa. rasātaḷāsa jāṇēṃ To be spoiled, marred, blasted, ruined--a business. rasātaḷāsa nēṇēṃ To spoil or marr (a business).

rasātala (रसातल) [-ḷa, -ळ].—n The lowest of the seven divisions of pātāḷa. rasātaḷāsa jāṇēṃ Be spoiled, blasted-a business. rasātaḷāsa nēṇēṃ Spoil (a business).

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Rasātala (रसातल).—

1) Name of one of the seven (atala, vitala, sutala, rasā- tala, talātala, mahātala and pātāla) regions below the earth; see पाताल (pātāla).

2) the lower world or hell in general; राज्यं यातु रसातलं पुनरिदं न प्राणितुं कामये (rājyaṃ yātu rasātalaṃ punaridaṃ na prāṇituṃ kāmaye) Bv.2.63; or जातिर्यातु रसातलम् (jātiryātu rasātalam) Bh.2.39.

3) = रसा (rasā) (2).

4) the fourth astrological mansion.

Derivable forms: rasātalam (रसातलम्).

Rasātala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms rasā and tala (तल).

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