Sutala is one of the seven pātāla lokas, the realms beneath Bhūloka. The Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa says that Viśvakarmā built it and that it is better even than svarga (heaven). After the Vāmana Avatāra, Bhagavān Śrī Hari gave Sutala to Bali Cakravartī as his home for ever. He promised to stand at the gates of Sutala himself as Bali’s dvārapāla (gatekeeper). Whoever lives in Sutala under the protection of Bhagavān Śrī Hari feels no bodily disease, no mental pain, no tiredness, no defeat and no distress. In the eighth Manvantara, the Sāvarṇi Manvantara, Bali will leave Sutala and become Indra of the three worlds.

Description

Sutala is a realm built by Viśvakarmā, the architect of the devas, and it is of very high quality. The Bhāgavata records the words of Bhagavān Śrī Hari: “Sutala is a place that even the devas long for.”

It is one of the seven lower lokas: rasātala, talātala, mahātala, sutala, vitala, atala and pātāla. All seven are realms of great wealth and splendour. Sutala, under the direct protection of Bhagavān Śrī Hari, is blessed above the rest.

Bhagavān Śrī Hari’s gift to Bali

Bhagavān Vāmana had bound Bali with the ropes of Varuṇa, taken his three worlds from him and humbled him before all. Yet he found Bali completely unshaken in sattva and in his steadfast truthfulness (satyavratā). Then Bhagavān Vāmana told the reason for his seemingly harsh deeds: “Those whom I love most, I first strip of their wealth, so that the pride of wealth does not blind them. Bali has overcome the hard māyā and stayed calm through every āpad (disaster).”

Bhagavān Vāmana then said to Bali: “Go to Sutala. It is better than svarga. There no bodily illness, no pain of mind, no tiredness, no shame and no trouble will come to those who live with you under my protection. I myself will stand at your gate with the gadā (mace) in my hand, guarding you and your people from all harm. Every day you will see me there. The sight of me will dissolve the karma born of ajñāna (ignorance).”

He also promised that in the Sāvarṇi Manvantara, the eighth age, Bali would rise from Sutala and become Indra of the three worlds.

Prahlāda’s wonder

Prahlāda heard that Bhagavān Śrī Hari would stand as Bali’s dvārapāla at Sutala. He was filled with wonder and said: “Brahmā, Lakshmī and Rudra did not receive what you have given this daitya. That Bhagavān Śrī Hari himself stands at Bali’s gate is a grace that no one has ever received, not Brahmā, not Indra, not even the highest devas. Bali was born a rākshasa by family, full of pāpa (sin) by birth. How did your glance fall on him?”

The highest celestial realms are won only by great tapas (austerity) and yajña (fire ritual).

Bali’s entry

Bali entered Sutala together with Prahlāda and his rākshasa followers. Bhagavān Śrī Hari, Brahmā and Rudra gave their blessing. The Bhāgavata records the words of Bhagavān Śrī Hari: “The asura nature in Bali, gained through his link with the line of Danu and Diti, will fade when he sees my greatness every day in Sutala.”

The account of the Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa

The crystal city (Chapter 65)

The Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa adds details of Bali’s life in Sutala. Vishṇu in the form of Vāmana sent Bali to Sutala, and Vindhyāvalī went with him as his companion. Bali built a splendid crystal city in Sutala. It had courtyards set with pārijāta trees, halls of crystal and walls set with jewels. He lived there in deep contentment, enjoying both divine and human pleasures.

The visit of the Sudarśana (Chapter 67)

One day the Sudarśana cakra of Vishṇu-Vāmana came down into Sutala. Its sound was like the churning of the cosmic ocean, and its roar filled every corner of the city of the daityas. The daityas were afraid. Bali drew his sword at once. Vindhyāvalī calmed him, and the two went forward with the arghya vessel to receive the cakra.

Bali offered the Sudarśana Stotra, praising the makeup of the cakra and its place in the cosmos, and praying that his stored-up pāpas be destroyed. After it received Bali’s worship, the Sudarśana drained the daityas of their tejas and left on the dakshiṇa-vishuvat. Bali was deeply moved by this meeting. He remembered Prahlāda, who appeared at once. Prahlāda gave Bali a long teaching on vishṇu-bhakti (devotion to Vishṇu) in Sutala. It was the last upadeśa (teaching) between them.

The temple of Vishṇu in Sutala (Chapter 68)

After Prahlāda’s teaching on bhakti, Bali built a temple to Vishṇu inside Sutala, making a lasting place for vishṇu-pūjā in his realm. Vindhyāvalī herself lit the ārati lamps at the temple.

The Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa also records that at this time Jyāmagha, a king of the Yadu line on the earth above, was moved by the prayers of his pitaras (ancestors). He built a great temple of Vishṇu with fine paintings, lamp stands and gardens.

Sources

Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 8th Skandha, Chapter 22
Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapters 65, 67 and 68