Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 28
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
ततोऽधस्तात्तलातले मयो नाम दानवेन्द्रस्त्रिपुराधिपतिर्भगवता पुरारिणा त्रिलोकीशं चिकीर्षुणा निर्दग्धस्वपुरत्रयस्तत्प्रसादाल्लब्धपदो मायाविनामाचार्यो महादेवेन परिरक्षितो विगतसुदर्शनभयो महीयते ॥ २८ ॥
tato ’dhastāt talātale mayo nāma dānavendras tri-purādhipatir bhagavatā purāriṇā tri-lokī-śaṁ cikīrṣuṇā nirdagdha-sva-pura-trayas tat-prasādāl labdha-pado māyāvinām ācāryo mahādevena parirakṣito vigata-sudarśana-bhayo mahīyate.
Below Sutala is Talātala, ruled by the Dānava king Maya, lord of Tripura. For the welfare of the three worlds, Śiva—known as Tripurāri—once burned Maya’s three cities, yet later, being pleased, restored his kingdom. Since then Maya has been protected by Mahādeva and thus wrongly imagines he need not fear Bhagavān’s Sudarśana cakra.
FAQs
Maya is described as a Daitya/Dānava king, the lord of Tripura, famed as the foremost teacher of those who wield māyā (illusion), residing in Talātala under Lord Śiva’s protection.
It indicates that by Lord Śiva’s special protection and favor, Maya lives in Talātala without fear of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana disc, emphasizing the power of divine shelter granted by Mahādeva.
The verse highlights that protection and honor come from higher shelter and grace; it encourages seekers to take refuge in the Lord (and the Lord’s devotees) rather than relying on one’s own “māyā” or worldly power.