Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 9
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
येषु महाराज मयेन मायाविना विनिर्मिता: पुरो नानामणिप्रवरप्रवेकविरचितविचित्रभवनप्राकारगोपुरसभाचैत्यचत्वरायतनादिभिर्नागासुरमिथुनपारावतशुकसारिकाकीर्णकृत्रिमभूमिभिर्विवरेश्वरगृहोत्तमै: समलङ्कृताश्चकासति ॥ ९ ॥
yeṣu mahārāja mayena māyāvinā vinirmitāḥ puro nānā-maṇi-pravara-praveka-viracita-vicitra-bhavana-prākāra-gopura-sabhā-caitya-catvarāyatanādibhir nāgāsura-mithuna-pārāvata-śuka-sārikākīrṇa-kṛtrima-bhūmibhir vivareśvara-gṛhottamaiḥ samalaṅkṛtāś cakāsati.
My dear King, within those imitation heavens known as bila-svarga dwells the demon Maya Dānava, a master of māyā, art, and architecture. He has fashioned many dazzling cities, adorned with wondrous mansions, walls, lofty gates, assembly halls, temples, squares, and sacred courtyards, all wrought from the finest jewels. These cities teem with pairs of Nāgas and Asuras, and with pigeons, parrots, mynas, and other birds; and the rulers’ residences, built of the most precious gems, make the whole realm shine with captivating beauty.
FAQs
Bhagavatam 5.24.9 describes radiant subterranean cities built by Maya, filled with gem-made palaces, gates, halls, temples, and lively artificial landscapes populated by nāgas and birds—showing extraordinary material opulence below the earth.
In Canto 5, Śukadeva answers Parīkṣit’s inquiries about the structure of the universe by detailing the regions below the earth, including their rulers and the remarkable, illusory opulence fashioned by Maya.
Even astonishing beauty and luxury—especially when produced by māyā—remain material and temporary; the verse nudges a seeker to appreciate creation without becoming absorbed in opulence, and to prioritize devotion and liberation over fascination with splendor.