Naraka

 

Welcome to Naraka, the realm of hell for those who practice Hinduism. The Sanskrit the word translates loosely to “adobe of darkness” and literally as “pertaining to man.” It is only a temporary location because those who practice the religion believe in samsara which is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

It is the home of Yama, a Lokap­­­ālas or guardian of the southern direction which is the direction of the underworld. Yama is also the god of Death. It is said that he is the first mortal to have died and thus became the ruler of the departed by default. He has Yamadutas or messengers under his rule who bring souls to him for judgement based on their karma. All living beings are judged by Yama unless they are extremely virtuous, and in that case they go directly to Svarga, the Hindi heavenly realm. Yama also has sharvara or hellhounds who wander around the living to notify Yama when he must seize those who die for their judgment.

According to The Vedas which is the Hindu scriptures, Naraka is divided into multiple regions depending on the sins one has committed during life. All regions leave the individuals without rest, water, or food while they suffer to pay for the wrongs they committed. Depending on the type of sin, individuals who go to Naraka can experience a range of torture from the Yamadutas. This torture can include a person being tied up and beaten or being eaten by a range of creatures over and over again. Souls can also have their eyes plucked out or be used as archery targets. Some regions force the residence to drink molten iron or mucus, urine, and saliva. Most common descriptions have some form of the souls being cut, stabbed, or burned by the hands of either their victims or the Yamadutas.

 

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