Patala is a lower loka in Hindu cosmology described as a realm of beauty and power inhabited by divine serpents. The Puranas portray it as richly adorned and illuminated by gems on the hoods of its serpent rulers, not a place of punishment.
Patala is one of seven lower lokas, depicted in the Puranas as a luminous, non-punitive realm ruled by Nagas.
Eleven named serpent-chiefs—Ashvadhara, Devadatta, Dhananjaya, Dhritarashtra, Gulika, Kambala, Maha-Shikha, Shankha, Shankhachooda, Shveta and Vasuki—guard Patala and bear light-emitting gems.
Ananta (Adi Shesha), the thousand-hooded serpent, resides at the base of Patala and is described in the Bhagavata Purana as supporting the worlds and serving Lord Vishnu.
Light | Hindu Blog --> --> Skip to main content The Divine Realm of Patala in Hinduism and the Eleven Serpents of Light By Abhilash Rajendran Patala: Sanatana Dharma, the universe is divided into multiple realms, both higher and lower. Among these, Patala is described as one of the seven lower lokas or realms, situated below the earthly plane (Bhuloka).
These are not ordinary snakes, but divine beings with immense spiritual and cosmic significance. Ashvadhara Devadatta Dhananjaya Dhritarashtra Gulika Kambala Maha-Shikha Shankha Shankhachooda Shveta Vasuki Each of these serpents bears a luminous gem on its hood, whose light illuminates the netherworld. These serpents are often depicted as guardians of esoteric wisdom, cosmic order, and hidden treasures — both material and spiritual.
He is described as the eternal support of all worlds. As stated in the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 5, Chapter 25, Verse 2): "Upon the hoods of Shesha rests the entire earth and all the planets. He represents eternity, stability, and the unshakable foundation of existence.
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