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Sutala

Sutala is a mythological realm in Hindu cosmology, commonly described as one of the lower lokas or a subregion within the netherworlds. In many Puranic accounts it is associated with the demon king Bali and is said to lie beneath the earthly plane, sometimes positioned within or beyond Patala. The exact placement and nature of Sutala vary among different texts, with some lists naming it as one of seven netherworld realms and others treating it as a portion of Patala rather than a separate loka.

The most well-known narrative connected to Sutala concerns the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and Bali, the king

In literature, Sutala is referenced alongside other lower realms such as Atala, Vitala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala,

known
for
his
generosity.
In
the
story,
Bali
agrees
to
Vishnu’s
request
for
three
paces
of
land.
After
Vishnu
grows
in
size
and
covers
the
earth
and
the
heavens
in
two
steps,
Bali
offers
his
head
for
the
third
step.
Vishnu
grants
Bali
a
boon
to
reside
wherever
he
wishes,
and
Bali
is
described
as
ruling
Sutala
from
there.
Sutala
is
portrayed
as
a
prosperous,
well-ordered
realm
where
Bali
continues
to
govern
with
virtue,
a
place
seen
as
a
dignified
and
peaceful
sovereignty
under
the
broader
auspices
of
Vishnu.
and
Patala.
The
exact
cosmographic
scheme
and
the
character
of
Sutala
can
differ
between
sources,
reflecting
variations
in
Puranic
tradition.
Today,
Sutala
primarily
appears
in
mythological
texts
and
devotional
literature
as
a
symbolic
realm
representing
righteous
rule
and
the
reach
of
divine
governance
beyond
the
earthly
world.