Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 10
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
उद्यानानि चातितरां मनइन्द्रियानन्दिभि: कुसुमफलस्तबकसुभगकिसलयावनतरुचिरविटपविटपिनां लताङ्गालिङ्गितानां श्रीभि: समिथुनविविधविहङ्गमजलाशयानाममलजलपूर्णानां झषकुलोल्लङ्घनक्षुभितनीरनीरजकुमुदकुवलयकह्लारनीलोत्पल लोहितशतपत्रादिवनेषुकृतनिकेतनानामेकविहाराकुलमधुरविविधस्वनादिभिरिन्द्रि-योत्सवैरमरलोकश्रियमतिशयितानि ॥ १० ॥
udyānāni cātitarāṁ mana-indriyānandibhiḥ kusuma-phala-stabaka-subhaga-kisalayāvanata-rucira-viṭapa-viṭapināṁ latāṅgāliṅgitānāṁ śrībhiḥ samithuna-vividha-vihaṅgama-jalāśayānām amala-jala-pūrṇānāṁ jhaṣakulollaṅghana-kṣubhita-nīra-nīraja-kumuda-kuva-laya-kahlāra-nīlotpala-lohita-śatapatrādi-vaneṣu kṛta-niketanānām eka-vihārākula-madhura-vividha-svanādibhir indriyotsavair amara-loka-śriyam atiśayitāni.
The parks and gardens in the artificial heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper heavenly planets. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and therefore they appear extraordinarily beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the pleasure of sense gratification. There are many lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, kahlāras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravākas and many other water birds nest in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses.
FAQs
This verse says the subterranean realms have extraordinarily pleasing gardens, creeper-covered trees, pure lakes, lotuses, birds, and fish—so attractive that their sensory splendor is described as surpassing even the beauty of the heavenly planets.
In the cosmology narrative of Canto 5, Śukadeva explains the structure and features of the universe. By detailing even the lower worlds’ opulence, he shows that material beauty exists in many realms, yet it remains within the created order and is not the final goal of the soul.
Natural beauty and sense-pleasure can be powerful and captivating; the verse encourages discernment—enjoying creation without mistaking sensory splendor for lasting fulfillment, and keeping one’s spiritual aim higher than mere attraction.