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Talatala – A Subterranean World in Hinduism

A short article of Talatala - a subterranean world in Hinduism.

The Srimad Bhagavata Purana describes about seven cubical chasms in the earth. They are known as Bilva Swarga or the subterranean heaven. Talatala is the fourth of the chasms and thus it is one of the subterranean worlds in Hindu scriptures. The place is the abode of Maya who has the blessing of Shiva.

When the fourteen worlds of the universe are associated with parts of the body of the Supreme Truth (Vishnu), Talatala is the shanks – the part of the human leg between the knee and the ankle.

Legend has it that Maya, the king of Danavas, who is the lord of the Tripura lives at Talatala. Lord Shiva burnt the Tripura – the three cities of demons – and installed Maya as the emperor of the Talatala. He has the blessing and protection of Shiva. Maya is famous for his sorcery and magic. Sudarshana Chakra too cannot kill him inside Talatala.

The exact position of Talatala and other Bilva Swargas are not known. The region has a horizontal length and breadth of 10,000 yojanas and is made up of sand.

Apart from Srimad Bhagavad Purana, Talatala is also mentioned in the Linga Purana, Narada Purana and Garuda Purana.