Description of Vaikhunta
Once upon a time, they went to Vaikuntha, the region of Lord Visnu of pure Soul, Vaikuntha which is respected by all. All persons who dwell there have the form like Visnu. They propitiate Hari by the righteous path without any ulterior motive to accomplish. There dwells the venerable First Purusa who can be known only through word (i.e. Vedanta). He assumes pure Sattvic form. The foremost one showers his grace on us, his devotees, to make us happy. There is a park called the Final Beatitude which by its wish-yielding trees and by its beautiful blossoms of flowers etc throughout all seasons, shines like veritable Moksa (Final Liberation) itself.
Where (in the Vaikuntha region) devotees of Visnu along with their beautiful wives in the aerial cars, disregard the fragrant wind even though their minds are distracted by the fragrance of the blossoming, honey-dripping flowers of creepers in the spring near water and sing of the deeds of the Lord which purify the sins of the world. There the loud confusing cries of birds like pigeons, cuckoos, cranes, cakravaka, (the ruddy goose), catakas, swans, parrots, tittiris and peacocks stop for a while when the chief black-bee (in Visnu’s vanamala) hums loudly as if singing the story of Hari.
There when the fragrance of Tulasi is appreciated by Visnu by wearing (as an ornament) the garland of Tulasi, even flowering plants like the Mandara, the Kunda, the Kurava, the night-lotus, the Arna, the Punnaga, the Nagakesara, the Bakula, the lotus and the Parijata, in their goodness of heart, paid respects to the penance of Tulasi. It (the Vaikuntha) is crowded with aerial cars (made) of (jewels like) Vaidūrya (Lapis lazuli), emerald (and of) gold which can be seen only by those that bow to Hari’s feet. Here, damsels of big hips and beautifully smiling faces cannot, with their beguiling smiles and other allurements, excite passion in those devotees whose minds are fixed on Krsna.
The goddess of Wealth (Laksmi) of beautiful form, for whose favour others are striving, stays (permanently) in Hari’s residence giving up her noxious quality (of fickleness). With her lotuslike feet jingling with anklets and arms freely dangling with a lotus in hand in a sportive manner, she (i.e. her reflection) in the crystal walls chased with gold, appears as if dusting (the house with lotus). Oh gods, where (in Vaikuntha), in her own garden, the goddess Laksmi attended upon by her maid-servants, was worshipping the Lord with Tulasi petals, saw her face with beautiful locks of hair and prominent nose reflected in the ponds of pure nectarlike waters and with sloping bank (ghats) of corals, felt that it was kissed by her Supreme Lord.
To which (Vaikuntha) do not reach those who listen to the mind-spoiling evil stories pertaining to topics other than the deeds of creation etc. of Hari, the destroyer of sins. Alas! These stories (on subjects concerning Artha and Kāma) when heard by unfortunate people, deprive (the hearers) of all good merits and throw them in dark hells from which there is no relief. Birth in the human species is aspired after even by us (as) it is possible to gain the knowledge (i.e. realization of Brahman or the Truth along with the performance of Dharma, in it. Those who (having thus got birth as a man) do not propitiate the venerable Lord, are alas, deluded by your May of very wide expanse. There (to Vaikuntha, above our region) go these (men) who by the service of the greatest among gods, have kept off Yama, the god of death, (or who are above the discipline of Yama, Niyama etc.) and who being of enviable character are (spiritually) above us.
While mutually discussing about the supremely glorious Lord, their mind, being overwhelmed with intense love and devotion, the hair stand on end on their bodies and tears flow from their eyes. The sages were greatly overjoyed when, by their power of eightfold Yoga, they reached Vaikuntha which they had not seen before, and which, being presided over by the Lord of the universe, was adorable to all the worlds, and which was shining with the lustre of various heavenly cars of great gods.
- Chapter 15, 3rd Skandha, Srimad Bhagavatam.