In the Mahabharata, Vishnu’s bird Garuda (Suparna) shows the ascetic student Galava, who is worthy, the Invisible Realms which lie in the Four Directions beyond the ‘end of the world.’
In the southern quarter Dakshina, the student is shown the demonic, the Rakshasas whose job it is to assail those who have not perfected their souls (J.A.B.van Buitenen).
“Here are many thousands of Rakshasas [demons] who have been created to stand in the way of men coming to these [higher] regions [of the gods and Rishis/Seers] and who can be perceived by those who have not brought their souls under control.”
– The Mahabharata,Udyoga Parva, Ch.109.8; translated by M.N. Dutt
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