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Difference between revisions of "Hell or Naraka"

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[[File:08-ASURAS.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:08-ASURAS.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Swami Sivananda, “Hells are not imaginary fiction as ordinarily conceived of by the modern rationalistic mind….Hells, therefore, are as much real worlds as the regions of Indra or this mortal earth of ours. They are regions with difference only in the subtlety of the plane of their manifestation. They differ in the degree of the state of Consciousness revealed through them. The sufferings inflicted on the sinners may be taken to mean either an actual birth in such regions, or a life on earth with such entanglements, where one will undergo such pains either directly or through the agency of others. “  
+
{{Wiki|Swami Sivananda}}, “[[Hells]] are not [[imaginary]] {{Wiki|fiction}} as ordinarily conceived of by the {{Wiki|modern}} rationalistic mind….Hells, therefore, are as much {{Wiki|real}} [[worlds]] as the regions of [[Indra]] or this {{Wiki|mortal}} [[earth]] of ours. They are regions with [[difference]] only in the subtlety of the plane of their [[manifestation]]. They differ in the [[degree]] of the state of [[Consciousness]] revealed through them. The [[sufferings]] inflicted on the sinners may be taken to mean either an actual [[birth]] in such regions, or a [[life]] on [[earth]] with such entanglements, where one will undergo such [[pains]] either directly or through the agency of others. “  
 
.
 
.
  
According to Sanatana Dharma, Naraka is a place where souls are sent for the expiation of their sins. There is just not one naraka, but several. To be specific, there are seven. In these seven, there are 29 regions of suffering (pg. 26, Karma & Diseases). Often, when references are made to “hell”, it is always in the plural, viz., “hells”, “hellish planets”, etc. They are called by several names: Raurava, Maharaurava, Vahni, Vaitarani and Kumbhika. These abodes are meant for short stay. The places where souls dwell longer to suffer are Tamisra (darkness) and Andhatamisra (blinding darkness).
+
According to [[Sanatana]] [[Dharma]], [[Naraka]] is a place where [[souls]] are sent for the expiation of their [[sins]]. There is just not one [[naraka]], but several. To be specific, there are seven. In these seven, there are 29 regions of [[suffering]] (pg. 26, [[Karma]] & {{Wiki|Diseases}}). Often, when references are made to “[[hell]]”, it is always in the plural, viz., “[[hells]]”, “hellish {{Wiki|planets}}”, etc. They are called by several names: [[Raurava]], [[Maharaurava]], [[Vahni]], {{Wiki|Vaitarani}} and [[Kumbhika]]. These [[abodes]] are meant for short stay. The places where [[souls]] dwell longer to [[suffer]] are Tamisra ({{Wiki|darkness}}) and [[Andhatamisra]] ([[blinding darkness]]).
  
Tamisra
+
[[Tamisra]]
Those people who lay hands on another’s wealth, children and wives are born in Tamisra region. The Jiva experiences there extreme pain being bound with mortal cords and violently hurled into the dark regions. He has no food or drink. He is beaten with clubs, and by holding out threats and being brought to a state of weary affliction, the Jiva drops down in a swoon.   
+
Those [[people]] who lay hands on another’s [[wealth]], children and wives are born in [[Tamisra]] region. The {{Wiki|Jiva}} [[experiences]] there extreme [[pain]] {{Wiki|being}} bound with {{Wiki|mortal}} cords and violently hurled into the dark regions. He has no [[food]] or drink. He is beaten with clubs, and by [[holding]] out threats and {{Wiki|being}} brought to a state of weary [[affliction]], the {{Wiki|Jiva}} drops down in a swoon.   
  
Andhatamisra
+
[[Andhatamisra]]
In Andhatamisra, Jivas are born who deceive husbands and appropriate to them selves their wives and other property. Such Jivas are cast down into this hell to suffer torments where they lose all understanding and sense through excessive pain. The Jiva suffers like a tree whose roots are cut.  
+
In [[Andhatamisra]], Jivas are born who deceive husbands and appropriate to them selves their wives and other property. Such Jivas are cast down into this [[hell]] to [[suffer]] torments where they lose all [[understanding]] and [[sense]] through excessive [[pain]]. The {{Wiki|Jiva}} [[suffers]] like a [[tree]] whose [[roots]] are cut.  
  
Raurava
+
[[Raurava]]
Those who grossly identify themselves with this physical body and regard the wealth of the world as their own, fall into a hell called Raurava. Those people who torment people here on earth become subject to the torment of poisonous worms called Rurus in this dangerous region.
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Those who grossly identify themselves with this [[physical body]] and regard the [[wealth]] of the [[world]] as their own, fall into a [[hell]] called [[Raurava]]. Those [[people]] who torment [[people]] here on [[earth]] become [[subject]] to the torment of {{Wiki|poisonous}} worms called [[Rurus]] in this [[dangerous]] region.
  
Maharaurava
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[[Maharaurava]]
Maharaurava is of the same type. Those men who indulge in passions are eaten here by carnivorous (flesh-eating) animals.
+
[[Maharaurava]] is of the same type. Those men who indulge in [[passions]] are eaten here by carnivorous (flesh-eating) [[animals]].
  
Kumbhipaka
+
[[Kumbhipaka]]
In the hell called Kumbhipaka, dreadful fiends begin to boil in oil that cruel and merciless person who cooks and eats living animals, birds and the like.
+
In the [[hell]] called Kumbhipaka, dreadful fiends begin to boil in oil that {{Wiki|cruel}} and merciless [[person]] who cooks and eats living [[animals]], birds and the like.
 
[[File:458es.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:458es.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
The seven hells are superintended by Chitragupta and others. Yama is the chief ruler in those seven hells also. Chitragupta and others are only superintendents and lieutenants employed by Yama. They are all under Yama’s government and suzerainty. Chitragupta and others are directed by Yama.
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The seven [[hells]] are superintended by {{Wiki|Chitragupta}} and others. [[Yama]] is the chief [[ruler]] in those seven [[hells]] also. {{Wiki|Chitragupta}} and others are only superintendents and lieutenants employed by [[Yama]]. They are all under [[Yama’s]] government and suzerainty. {{Wiki|Chitragupta}} and others are directed by [[Yama]].
  
For those of us who are familiar with Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s pronouncement about the soul: “Weapons cut It not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It not” (2:23), may find this notion of the perfect soul that is not affected by anything not congenital or innate to its nature a little contradictory. However, if you read Gita 4:14 (“….He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.”), you will know what the first sentence means.  
+
For those of us who are familiar with [[Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s]] pronouncement about the [[soul]]: “[[Weapons]] cut It not, [[fire]] burns It not, [[water]] wets It not, [[wind]] dries It not” (2:23), may find this notion of the perfect [[soul]] that is not affected by anything not congenital or innate to its [[nature]] a little contradictory. However, if you read {{Wiki|Gita}} 4:14 (“….He who [[knows]] Me thus is not bound by [[actions]].”), you will know what the first sentence means.  
  
This idea of expiation in hells is mentioned especially in our Vedas, Itihaasa and Puranas and even in the Samhitas  Aranyakas and Upanisads. In Iso Upanisad, for instance, speaks of ‘darkness’ instead of hell. Srimad Bhagavatam, Garuda Purana and Visnu Purana have elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above Garbhodaka ocean. {Bhagavatam 5:26:5)
+
This [[idea]] of expiation in [[hells]] is mentioned especially in our [[Vedas]], [[Itihaasa]] and {{Wiki|Puranas}} and even in the {{Wiki|Samhitas}} [[Aranyakas]] and {{Wiki|Upanisads}}. In Iso [[Upanisad]], for instance, speaks of ‘{{Wiki|darkness}}’ instead of [[hell]]. [[Srimad Bhagavatam]], {{Wiki|Garuda Purana}} and {{Wiki|Visnu}} [[Purana]] have elaborate descriptions of many [[hells]]. They are situated above [[Garbhodaka]] ocean. {Bhagavatam 5:26:5)
  
Yama Dharama Raja, the Lord of Justice, puts living beings after death for appropriate punishment, for example, in boiling oil. According to Madhvacharya, the propounder of the Dawitin philosophy, even Mukti-yogyas (=souls that are eligible for mukti or moksha or liberation) can experience naraka. The evidence of which can be found in Mahabarath, for instance: Yudisthira maharaj, who was in every way a fit candidate for moksha, went to naraka (hell), but momentarily, to atone for a sin he committed on the battle field.
+
[[Yama]] [[Dharama Raja]], the [[Lord of Justice]], puts [[living beings]] after [[death]] for appropriate {{Wiki|punishment}}, for example, in boiling oil. According to [[Madhvacharya]], the propounder of the Dawitin [[philosophy]], even [[Mukti-yogyas]] (=[[souls]] that are eligible for [[mukti]] or [[moksha]] or [[liberation]]) can [[experience]] [[naraka]]. The {{Wiki|evidence}} of which can be found in Mahabarath, for instance: Yudisthira [[maharaj]], who was in every way a fit candidate for [[moksha]], went to [[naraka]] ([[hell]]), but momentarily, to atone for a [[sin]] he committed on the {{Wiki|battle}} field.
  
After the period of punishment is complete, souls that entered the hell are reborn on earth in human or animal bodies. Therefore neither naraka nor swarga are permanent abodes.
+
After the period of {{Wiki|punishment}} is complete, [[souls]] that entered the [[hell]] are [[reborn]] on [[earth]] in [[human]] or [[animal]] [[bodies]]. Therefore neither [[naraka]] nor [[swarga]] are [[permanent]] [[abodes]].
  
Naraka, which is often referred to as Yama Loka is not equivalent of the Christian or Muslim Hell. Unlike most other religions, especially Abrahamic religions, according to Sanatana Dharma hell  is a temporary purgatorium for sinners or papis: Yama’s divine assistant Lord Chitragupta maintains a record of the individual deeds of every living being in the world, and based on the complete audit of his deeds, dispatches the soul either to swarga or to the various Narakas according to the nature of their sins.
+
[[Naraka]], which is often referred to as [[Yama]] [[Loka]] is not {{Wiki|equivalent}} of the {{Wiki|Christian}} or {{Wiki|Muslim}} [[Hell]]. Unlike most other [[religions]], especially {{Wiki|Abrahamic}} [[religions]], according to [[Sanatana]] [[Dharma hell]] is a temporary purgatorium for sinners or [[papis]]: [[Yama’s]] [[divine]] assistant [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Chitragupta}} maintains a record of the {{Wiki|individual}} [[deeds]] of every [[living being]] in the [[world]], and based on the complete audit of his [[deeds]], dispatches the [[soul]] either to [[swarga]] or to the various [[Narakas]] according to the [[nature]] of their [[sins]].
  
In this regard, as explained above, no one, not even people who are fit for moksha and people, who have done a majority of good deeds, could come to naraka (akaYama Loka) for redemption from the small sins that they have committed—after they have suffered for their sins, they would incarnate in any form or be sent to heaven, depending on their karma.
+
In this regard, as explained above, no one, not even [[people]] who are fit for [[moksha]] and [[people]], who have done a majority of [[good deeds]], could come to [[naraka]] (aka [[Yama Loka]]) for redemption from the small [[sins]] that they have committed—after they have [[suffered]] for their [[sins]], they would [[incarnate]] in any [[form]] or be sent to [[heaven]], depending on their [[karma]].
  
At the time of death, Yamadutas (sometime referred to as “Yama Pinggalas“) come to take away sinful souls. Swami Haridoss, quoting the scriptures, has said Yama personally comes only for virtuous souls.
+
At the [[time]] of [[death]], [[Yamadutas]] (sometime referred to as “[[Yama Pinggalas]]“) come to take away sinful [[souls]]. Swami Haridoss, quoting the [[scriptures]], has said [[Yama]] personally comes only for [[virtuous]] [[souls]].
  
“There are two kinds of souls, viz., the individual soul or Jivatman or the human soul, and the Supreme Soul or Paramatman. The individual soul is an image or reflection of the Supreme Soul. Just as the Sun is reflected in different pots of water, so also the Supreme Soul is reflected in different minds of different persons.
+
“There are two kinds of [[souls]], viz., the {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] or [[Jivatman]] or the [[human]] [[soul]], and the [[Supreme]] [[Soul]] or [[Paramatman]]. The {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] is an {{Wiki|image}} or {{Wiki|reflection}} of the [[Supreme]] [[Soul]]. Just as the {{Wiki|Sun}} is reflected in different pots of [[water]], so also the [[Supreme]] [[Soul]] is reflected in different [[minds]] of different persons.
  
“Soul is spirit. It is immaterial. It is intelligence or consciousness. It is Chaitanya. Individual soul is reflected Chaitanya. It is this individual soul that departs from the body after its death and goes to heaven, with the senses, mind, Prana, impressions, desires and tendencies. It is endowed with a subtle astral body when it proceeds to heaven.
+
“[[Soul]] is [[spirit]]. It is {{Wiki|immaterial}}. It is [[intelligence]] or [[consciousness]]. It is [[Chaitanya]]. {{Wiki|Individual}} [[soul]] is reflected [[Chaitanya]]. It is this {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] that departs from the [[body]] after its [[death]] and goes to [[heaven]], with the [[senses]], [[mind]], [[Prana]], [[impressions]], [[desires]] and {{Wiki|tendencies}}. It is endowed with a {{Wiki|subtle}} {{Wiki|astral body}} when it proceeds to [[heaven]].
  
“When the water in the lake is absorbed, the reflection of, the Sun in the water merges in the Sun itself. Even so, when the mind is annihilated through meditation, the individual soul merges itself in the Supreme Soul or Paramatman. This is the goal of life.
+
“When the [[water]] in the [[lake]] is absorbed, the {{Wiki|reflection}} of, the {{Wiki|Sun}} in the [[water]] merges in the {{Wiki|Sun}} itself. Even so, when the [[mind]] is annihilated through [[meditation]], the {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] merges itself in the [[Supreme]] [[Soul]] or [[Paramatman]]. This is the goal of [[life]].
  
“The individual soul has become impure through cravings, desires, egoism, pride, greed, lust and likes and dislikes. Hence it is finite (Paricchinna), it is endowed with limited knowledge (Alpajna) and limited power (Alpa-Saktiman). The Supreme Soul is Infinite, Omniscient and Omnipotent. It is an embodiment of knowledge and bliss.
+
“The {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] has become [[impure]] through [[cravings]], [[desires]], [[egoism]], {{Wiki|pride}}, [[greed]], [[lust]] and likes and dislikes. Hence it is finite ([[Paricchinna]]), it is endowed with limited [[knowledge]] (Alpajna) and limited [[power]] (Alpa-Saktiman). The [[Supreme Soul]] is [[Infinite]], [[Omniscient]] and Omnipotent. It is [[an embodiment]] of [[knowledge]] and [[bliss]].
  
“The individual soul is under bondage through ignorance and limiting adjuncts such as mind, body and senses. It is mere appearance. It is illusory. When it attains knowledge of the Imperishable, it is freed from limiting adjuncts and bondage. Just as the bubble becomes one with the ocean, so also the Jiva becomes one with the Supreme Soul when ignorance is destroyed.”  
+
“The {{Wiki|individual}} [[soul]] is under bondage through [[ignorance]] and limiting adjuncts such as [[mind]], [[body]] and [[senses]]. It is mere [[appearance]]. It is [[illusory]]. When it attains [[knowledge]] of the {{Wiki|Imperishable}}, it is freed from limiting adjuncts and bondage. Just as the bubble becomes one with the ocean, so also the {{Wiki|Jiva}} becomes one with the [[Supreme Soul]] when [[ignorance]] is destroyed.”  
 
{{R}}
 
{{R}}
 
[http://antaryamin.wordpress.com/category/naraka/ antaryamin.wordpress.com]
 
[http://antaryamin.wordpress.com/category/naraka/ antaryamin.wordpress.com]
 
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
 
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
 
[[Category:Hell's]]
 
[[Category:Hell's]]

Latest revision as of 11:37, 4 April 2014

08-ASURAS.jpg

Swami Sivananda, “Hells are not imaginary fiction as ordinarily conceived of by the modern rationalistic mind….Hells, therefore, are as much real worlds as the regions of Indra or this mortal earth of ours. They are regions with difference only in the subtlety of the plane of their manifestation. They differ in the degree of the state of Consciousness revealed through them. The sufferings inflicted on the sinners may be taken to mean either an actual birth in such regions, or a life on earth with such entanglements, where one will undergo such pains either directly or through the agency of others. “ .

According to Sanatana Dharma, Naraka is a place where souls are sent for the expiation of their sins. There is just not one naraka, but several. To be specific, there are seven. In these seven, there are 29 regions of suffering (pg. 26, Karma & Diseases). Often, when references are made to “hell”, it is always in the plural, viz., “hells”, “hellish planets”, etc. They are called by several names: Raurava, Maharaurava, Vahni, Vaitarani and Kumbhika. These abodes are meant for short stay. The places where souls dwell longer to suffer are Tamisra (darkness) and Andhatamisra (blinding darkness).

Tamisra Those people who lay hands on another’s wealth, children and wives are born in Tamisra region. The Jiva experiences there extreme pain being bound with mortal cords and violently hurled into the dark regions. He has no food or drink. He is beaten with clubs, and by holding out threats and being brought to a state of weary affliction, the Jiva drops down in a swoon.

Andhatamisra In Andhatamisra, Jivas are born who deceive husbands and appropriate to them selves their wives and other property. Such Jivas are cast down into this hell to suffer torments where they lose all understanding and sense through excessive pain. The Jiva suffers like a tree whose roots are cut.

Raurava Those who grossly identify themselves with this physical body and regard the wealth of the world as their own, fall into a hell called Raurava. Those people who torment people here on earth become subject to the torment of poisonous worms called Rurus in this dangerous region.

Maharaurava Maharaurava is of the same type. Those men who indulge in passions are eaten here by carnivorous (flesh-eating) animals.

Kumbhipaka In the hell called Kumbhipaka, dreadful fiends begin to boil in oil that cruel and merciless person who cooks and eats living animals, birds and the like.

458es.jpg

The seven hells are superintended by Chitragupta and others. Yama is the chief ruler in those seven hells also. Chitragupta and others are only superintendents and lieutenants employed by Yama. They are all under Yama’s government and suzerainty. Chitragupta and others are directed by Yama.

For those of us who are familiar with Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s pronouncement about the soul: “Weapons cut It not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It not” (2:23), may find this notion of the perfect soul that is not affected by anything not congenital or innate to its nature a little contradictory. However, if you read Gita 4:14 (“….He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.”), you will know what the first sentence means.

This idea of expiation in hells is mentioned especially in our Vedas, Itihaasa and Puranas and even in the Samhitas Aranyakas and Upanisads. In Iso Upanisad, for instance, speaks of ‘darkness’ instead of hell. Srimad Bhagavatam, Garuda Purana and Visnu Purana have elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above Garbhodaka ocean. {Bhagavatam 5:26:5)

Yama Dharama Raja, the Lord of Justice, puts living beings after death for appropriate punishment, for example, in boiling oil. According to Madhvacharya, the propounder of the Dawitin philosophy, even Mukti-yogyas (=souls that are eligible for mukti or moksha or liberation) can experience naraka. The evidence of which can be found in Mahabarath, for instance: Yudisthira maharaj, who was in every way a fit candidate for moksha, went to naraka (hell), but momentarily, to atone for a sin he committed on the battle field.

After the period of punishment is complete, souls that entered the hell are reborn on earth in human or animal bodies. Therefore neither naraka nor swarga are permanent abodes.

Naraka, which is often referred to as Yama Loka is not equivalent of the Christian or Muslim Hell. Unlike most other religions, especially Abrahamic religions, according to Sanatana Dharma hell is a temporary purgatorium for sinners or papis: Yama’s divine assistant Lord Chitragupta maintains a record of the individual deeds of every living being in the world, and based on the complete audit of his deeds, dispatches the soul either to swarga or to the various Narakas according to the nature of their sins.

In this regard, as explained above, no one, not even people who are fit for moksha and people, who have done a majority of good deeds, could come to naraka (aka Yama Loka) for redemption from the small sins that they have committed—after they have suffered for their sins, they would incarnate in any form or be sent to heaven, depending on their karma.

At the time of death, Yamadutas (sometime referred to as “Yama Pinggalas“) come to take away sinful souls. Swami Haridoss, quoting the scriptures, has said Yama personally comes only for virtuous souls.

“There are two kinds of souls, viz., the individual soul or Jivatman or the human soul, and the Supreme Soul or Paramatman. The individual soul is an image or reflection of the Supreme Soul. Just as the Sun is reflected in different pots of water, so also the Supreme Soul is reflected in different minds of different persons.

Soul is spirit. It is immaterial. It is intelligence or consciousness. It is Chaitanya. Individual soul is reflected Chaitanya. It is this individual soul that departs from the body after its death and goes to heaven, with the senses, mind, Prana, impressions, desires and tendencies. It is endowed with a subtle astral body when it proceeds to heaven.

“When the water in the lake is absorbed, the reflection of, the Sun in the water merges in the Sun itself. Even so, when the mind is annihilated through meditation, the individual soul merges itself in the Supreme Soul or Paramatman. This is the goal of life.

“The individual soul has become impure through cravings, desires, egoism, pride, greed, lust and likes and dislikes. Hence it is finite (Paricchinna), it is endowed with limited knowledge (Alpajna) and limited power (Alpa-Saktiman). The Supreme Soul is Infinite, Omniscient and Omnipotent. It is an embodiment of knowledge and bliss.

“The individual soul is under bondage through ignorance and limiting adjuncts such as mind, body and senses. It is mere appearance. It is illusory. When it attains knowledge of the Imperishable, it is freed from limiting adjuncts and bondage. Just as the bubble becomes one with the ocean, so also the Jiva becomes one with the Supreme Soul when ignorance is destroyed.”

Source

antaryamin.wordpress.com