Rasatala, Rasa-tala, Rasātala: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Rasatala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Rasatal.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraRasātala (रसातल) refers to the “nether world”; it is a Sanskrit technical term defined in the Nāṭyaśāstra.
Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)One of the Hands of The Seven Lower Worlds.—Rasātala: the Patāka hand twisted downwards is applicable.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—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), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu PurānaRasātala (रसातल):—It is 10,000 (square?) yojanas in area. Its seven (sub-divisions) are:
- Atala,
- Sutala,
- Vitala,
- Gabhastala,
- Mahātala,
- Śrītala
- 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.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaRasātala (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).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationRasātala (रसातल) refers to the “nether worlds”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.18 (“The conversation between Nārada and Jalandhara”).—Accordingly, as Nārada said to Jalandhara: “O foremost among heroes, you have everything conducive to prosperity. You are the lord of the three worlds. [...] The celestial Kalpa tree has been brought by you; the treasures of Kubera and the aerial chariot of Brahmā yoked to swan have been brought by you. Thus all excellent things available in heaven, earth and nether worlds (rasātala), O great Daitya, flourish in your mansion in their entirety. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexRasātala (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.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsRasātala (रसातल) refers to a particular hell, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “They fall from that place [and] immediately they enter the Rasātala hell. They roam about the whole world like the wind [and] they fall down into the Naraka hell. They fall from that place [and] immediately they enter the Rasātala hell. They roam about the whole world like the wind [and] they fall down into the Naraka hell”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryrasātala (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).
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishrasātala (रसातल) [-ḷa, -ळ].—n The lowest of the seven divisions of pātāḷa. rasātaḷāsa jāṇēṃ Be spoiled, blasted-a business. rasātaḷāsa nēṇēṃ Spoil (a business).
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryRasātala (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) Bhartṛhari 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).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryRasātala (रसातल).—n.
(-laṃ) 1. Patala; the seven infernal regions under the earth, and the residence of the Nagas, Asuras, Daityas, and other races of monstrous and demoniacal beings, under the various governments of Sesha, Bali, and other chiefs; this is not to be confounded with Naraka or Tartarus, the proper hell or abode of guilty mortals after death. 2. The lowest of the seven divisions of Patala. E. rasā the earth, and tala below, underneath.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryRasātala (रसातल).—n. 1. the lowest of the seven hells, [Vedāntasāra, (in my Chrestomathy.)] in
Rasātala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms rasā and tala (तल).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryRasātala (रसातल).—[neuter] the lower world, hell.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Rasātala (रसातल):—[=rasā-tala] [from rasā > ras] n. Name of one of the seven hells or regions under the earth, [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa] etc. ([Religious Thought and Life in India 102 n. 1])
2) [v.s. ...] the lower world or hell in general (not to be confounded with Naraka or the place of punishment), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] the 4th astrological mansion, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
4) [v.s. ...] the earth, ground, soil, [Subhāṣitāvali]
5) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a poet, [ib.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryRasātala (रसातल):—[rasā+tala] (laṃ) 1. n. Pātāla, the 7th infernal region under the earth.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryRasātala (रसातल) [Also spelled rasatal]:—(nm) the netherworld; hell; —[ko pahuṃcanā] to go to the bottom; to be devastated/ruined; —[ko pahuṃcānā] to destroy, to devastate, to ruin completely.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusRasātala (ರಸಾತಲ):—[noun] one of the seven worlds that are supposed to be beneath the earth.
--- OR ---
Rasātaḷa (ರಸಾತಳ):—[noun] = ರಸಾತಲ [rasatala].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryRasātala (रसातल):—n. hell; the realm of the dead;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
Pali-English dictionary
[Pali to Burmese]
Source: Sutta: Tipiṭaka Pāḷi-Myanmar Dictionary (တိပိဋက-ပါဠိမြန်မာ အဘိဓာန်)rasātala—
(Burmese text): (၁) နဂါးပြည်။ (၂) မြေဆီ၊ မြေလွှာ၊ မြေဩဇာ။
(Auto-Translation): (1) Dragon Land. (2) Soil oil, soil layer, soil power.
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Taala, Raca, Tavala, Rasa, Tala.
Full-text (+63): Kridarasatala, Saptapatala, Rasatal, Saptabhumi, Racatalam, Surosha, Shilabhauma, Suramaputra, Kuruvira, Salilendra, Nagakula, Talaloka, Loka, Brihadraga, Bhimanihsvana, Andakataha, Durdarsha, Anilavat, Narakodara, Akshamala.
Relevant text
Search found 60 books and stories containing Rasatala, Rasa-tala, Rasā-tala, Rasātala, Rasātaḷa; (plurals include: Rasatalas, talas, Rasātalas, Rasātaḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Yavanajataka by Sphujidhvaja [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 1.48 < [Chapter 1 - The Innate Nature of the Zodiac Signs and Planets]
Lord Hayagriva in Sanskrit Literature (by Anindita Adhikari)
Central Myth (6): Birth of Madhu-Kaiṭabha < [Chapter 3]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 298 < [Volume 4, Part 1 (1907)]
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 30 - The Work of Creation and Upraising of the Earth < [Book 3 - Bhavishya Parva]
Chapter 53 - An Account of Santanu’s Family < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 26 - Akrura Describes to Him the Miseries of His Parents < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)
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