05.100

Nārada said:

This is Rasatala, the seventh region of the earth, where Surabhi dwells—the mother of cows, born of nectar. (5-100-1)

Constantly flowing milk that arises from the essence of the earth, with the essence of the six tastes—a unique, unsurpassed flavour. (5-100-2)

Long ago, from the mouth of the Grandfather, who was fully satisfied by ambrosia and spat out its essence, the blameless one emerged. (5-100-3)

From the falling stream of her milk onto the earth, a lake was formed—a reservoir of milk, pure and supremely excellent. (5-100-4)

Here, great sages known as the foam-eaters live, drinking the water, settled along the rim encircled like the edge of blossoming foam. (5-100-5)

O Mātali, they are called the Phenapas, for they subsist on foam; they practice severe austerities, of whom even the gods are afraid. (5-100-6)

Matali, four other cows of hers reside in all the directions; they are known as the guardians of the directions, supporting the quarters. (5-100-7)

Surupa, the daughter of Surabhi, supports the eastern direction, and Hansaka supports the southern direction. (5-100-8)

The western direction, Varuṇī, is truly borne by Subhadrā, the great-souled, always by Matali of wondrous form. (5-100-9)

O Mātali, the cow named Sarvakāmadughā upholds the northern direction, the auspicious one, also known as Etāvilasa. (5-100-10)

But with the milk of these, mixed with other milk, churning the ocean, making Mandara the churning rod—by the gods joined with the Asuras— (5-100-11)

O Mātali, Varuṇī emerged, as did Lakṣmī, amṛta, Uccaiḥśravā the king of horses, and also the Kaustubha jewel. (5-100-12)

Among streams of nectar, she is nectar; among those who consume ancestral offerings, she is the offering; she is ambrosia among things immortal—Surabhi yields milk. (5-100-13)

Here, an ancient verse—once sung by the dwellers of Rasātala, an old verse that is still heard in the world and sung by the wise— (5-100-14)

Nowhere in the world of the Nāgas, nor in heaven, nor in a celestial chariot in the realm of the gods, is there a residence as pleasurable as that on the floor of Rasātala. (5-100-15)