Adhyaya 76: Description of Svarga: Amarāvatī, the Sudharmā Assembly Hall, and the Directional Cities

Verse 1

रुद्र उवाच । तस्यैव मेरोः पूर्वे तु देशे परमवर्चसे । चक्रवाटपरिक्षिप्ते नानाधातुविराजिते ॥ ७६.१ ॥

Rudra said: “To the east of that very Mount Meru lies a region of exceptional radiance, encircled by a cakravāṭa (a ring-like enclosing mountain/wind-barrier), resplendent with many kinds of minerals.”

Verse 2

तत्र सर्वामरपुरं चक्रवातसमुद्धतम् । दुर्धर्षं बलदृप्तानां देवदानवरक्षसाम् । तत्र जाम्बूनदमयः सुप्राकारः सुतोरणः ॥ ७६.२ ॥

There stood the city of all the immortals, as if upheaved by a whirlwind—unassailable even to the gods, dānavas, and rākṣasas who are intoxicated with strength. There, its excellent rampart was made of Jāmbūnada-gold and furnished with fine gateways.

Verse 3

तस्याप्युत्तरपूर्वे तु देशे परमवर्चसे । आलोकजनसंपूर्णा विमानशतसंकुला ॥ ७६.३ ॥

And in its north-eastern region there is a land of supreme radiance, filled with luminous people, and crowded with hundreds of vimānas (celestial vehicles or aerial palatial structures).

Verse 4

महावापीसमायुक्ता नित्यं प्रमुदिता शुभा । शोभिता पुष्पशबलैः पताकाध्वजमालिनी ॥ ७६.४ ॥

Endowed with a great reservoir (or step-well), ever joyful and auspicious, it is adorned with variegated flowers and garlanded with banners and flags.

Verse 5

देवैर्यक्षोप्सरोभिश्च ऋषिभिश्च सुषोभिता । पुरन्दरपुरी रम्या समृद्धा त्वमरावती ॥ ७६.५ ॥

Adorned by the gods, the Yakṣas, the Apsarases, and the Ṛṣis, the delightful city of Purandara—indeed, you are Amarāvatī—prosperous and abundant.

Verse 6

तस्या मध्येऽमरावत्यां वज्रवैडूर्यवेदिका । त्रैलोक्यगुणविख्याता सुधर्मा नाम वै सभा ॥ ७६.६ ॥

In the midst of that Amarāvatī is a dais of diamond and vaidūrya (cat’s-eye/beryl). There is the assembly-hall named Sudharmā, renowned for its excellence throughout the three worlds.

Verse 7

तत्रास्ते श्रीपतेः श्रीमान् सहस्राक्षः शचीपतिः । सिद्धादिभिः परिवृतः सर्वाभिर्देवयोनिभिः ॥ ७६.७ ॥

There, the illustrious Sahasrākṣa—Śacī’s lord (Indra)—abides in the presence of Śrīpati (Viṣṇu), surrounded by Siddhas and other perfected beings, and by all classes of divine-born beings.

Verse 8

तत्र चैव सुवंशः स्याद् भास्करस्य महात्मनः । साक्षात् तत्र सुराध्यक्षः सर्वदेवनमस्कृतः ॥ ७६.८ ॥

There, indeed, the noble lineage of the great-souled Bhāskara (the Sun) is said to be present; and there, manifestly, stands the overlord of the gods, revered with obeisance by all the deities.

Verse 9

तस्याश्च दिक्षु विस्तीर्णा तत्तद्गुणसमन्विता । तेजोवती नाम पुरी हुताशस्य महात्मनः ॥ ७६.९ ॥

And in the directions of that region there spread a city far and wide, endowed with fitting qualities—(it was) the city named Tejovatī, belonging to the great-souled Hutāśa (Fire).

Verse 10

तत्तद्गुणवती रम्या पुरी वैवस्वतस्य च । नाम्ना संयमनी नाम पुरी त्रैलोक्यविश्रुता ॥ ७६.१० ॥

That delightful city, endowed with such excellences, belongs to Vaivasvata (Yama) as well; by name it is called Saṃyamanī—a city renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 11

तथा चतुर्थे दिग्भागे नैर्ऋताधिपतेः शुभा । नाम्ना कृष्णावती नाम विरूपाक्षस्य धीमतः ॥ ७६.११ ॥

Likewise, in the fourth directional quarter—under the auspicious lordship of the ruler of Naiṛta (the south‑western region)—there is a place called Kṛṣṇāvatī, associated with the wise Virūpākṣa.

Verse 12

पञ्चमे ह्युत्तरपुटे नाम्ना शुद्धवती पुरी । उदकाधिपतेः ख्याता वरुणस्य महात्मनः ॥ ७६.१२ ॥

Indeed, in the fifth northern division there is a city named Śuddhavatī, renowned as belonging to the great-souled Varuṇa, lord of the waters.

Verse 13

तथा पञ्चोत्तरे देवस्वस्योत्तरपुटे पुरी । वायोर्गन्धवती नाम ख्याता सर्वगुणोत्तरा ॥ ७६.१३ ॥

Likewise, in the northern quarter—on the northern flank of Devasva—there is a city renowned as Gandhavatī, belonging to Vāyu, and described as excellent in all qualities.

Verse 14

तस्योत्तरपुटे रम्या गुह्यकाधिपतेः पुरी । नाम्ना महोदया नाम शुभा वैदूर्यवेदिका ॥ ७६.१४ ॥

On its northern side lies a delightful city belonging to the lord of the Guhyakas; it is called Mahodayā, auspicious, and furnished with platforms or altars of the vaidūrya gem.

Verse 15

तथाष्टमेऽन्तरपुटे ईशानस्य महात्मनः । पुरी मनोहरा नाम भूतैर्नानाविधैर्युता । पुष्पैर्धन्यैश्च विविधैर्वनैराश्रमसंस्थितैः ॥ ७६.१५ ॥

Likewise, in the eighth inner enclosure there is a city called Manoharā, belonging to the great-souled Īśāna; it is inhabited by many kinds of beings and endowed with flowers, grains, and diverse forests in which hermitages are established.

Verse 16

प्रार्थ्यते देवलोकोऽयं स स्वर्ग इति कीर्तितः ॥ ७६.१६ ॥

This realm of the gods is sought after; therefore it is spoken of as “Svarga” (heaven).