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Naraka

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This article is about the otherworld whose inhabitants endure suffering. For the asura (demon) in Hindu mythology, see Narakasura.

Naraka is the Sanskrit word for the underworld; literally, of man. According to Hinduism and Buddhism, Naraka is a place of torment, or Hell.

Hinduism

Naraka or Neraka in Hinduism, is compared to the Abrahamic concept of Hell. It is mentioned especially in dharmaśāstras, itihāsas and Purāṇas but also in Vedic samhitas[1][2], Aranyakas[3] and Upaniṣads.[4][5][6][7] Some Upanisads speak of 'darkness' instead of hell.[8] A summary of Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gita, mentions hell several times.[9] Even Adi Sankara mentions it in his commentary on Vedanta sutra 4.3.14. Still, some people like members of Arya Samaj don't accept its existence or consider it metaphorical.

In Puranas like Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana and Visnu Purana there are elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above Garbhodaka ocean.[10]

Yama, Lord of Justice, puts human beings after death for appropriate punishment, for example, in boiling oil. Even Mukti-yogyas (souls eligible for mukti or moksha, liberation), and Nitya-samsarins (forever transmigrating ones in Dvaita theology) can experience Naraka for expiation.[11] After the period of punishment is complete, they are reborn on earth[12] in human or animal bodies.[13] Therefore neither naraka nor svarga[14] are permanent abodes.

At the time of death, sinful souls are vulnerable for capture by Yamadutas, servants of Yama (who comes personally only in special cases). Yama ordered his servants to leave Vaishnavas alone.[15] The attributes of Vaishnavas are urdhva pundra tilaka (Tiruman and Sri Choornam for Sri Vaishnavas or Gopi Chandan for Gaudiya Vaishnavas), tapa samskara (shoulders branded with Sankha and Chakra), and tulasi mala (necklace/garland of tulasi beads). Sri Vaishnavas are taken by Vishnudutas to Vaikuntha and Gaudiya Vaishnavas to Goloka.

In Buddhism

Main article: Naraka (Buddhism)

Buddhist texts describe the terrible sufferings of beings in the many subterranean layers of Narakas in intricate if not always consistent detail. However, Naraka in Buddhism is not equivalent to Hell in Christian faith. Naraka is a purgatory where the soul gets purified of sin by sufferings, so Naraka and Purgatory are equivalent to Hamistagan of Zoroastrianism, and not Hell. Hell is also a state of consciousness and this suffering need not take place after death, when the soul has vacated the physical body, but during incarnation. This can be related to the law of karma where one's inner and outer actions will sooner or later bear their fruits.

Notes

  1. ^ Śukla Yajur Veda 30.5
  2. ^ Atharva Veda 12.4.36
  3. ^ Aitareya Āraṇyaka 2.3.2.4,5
  4. ^ Mahanārāyaṇa Upaniṣad 1.50
  5. ^ Praśna Upaniṣad 3
  6. ^ Nirālamba Upaniṣad 2, 17
  7. ^ Paramahaṃsa Upaniṣad 3
  8. ^ asuryā nāma te lokā andhena tamasāvṛtāḥ - Īśa Upaniṣad 3
  9. ^ 1.41, 1.43, 16.16, 16.21
  10. ^ Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.26.5
  11. ^ Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, by Swami Tapasyananda
  12. ^ Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.26.37
  13. ^ Garuḍa Purāṇa 2.10.88-89, 2.46.9-10,28
  14. ^ Bhagavad gītā 9.21
  15. ^ Bhāgavata Purāṇa 6.3

See also

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