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Naraka

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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. In Hindu Belief, there are many hells, and Yama, Lord of Justice, puts human beings after death for appropriate punishment, for example, in boiling oil. Garuda Purana gives the graphical picture of Naraka. Even Mukti-yogyas (souls eligible for mukti or moksha, liberation), and Nitya-samsarins (forever transmigrating ones in Dvaita theology) can experience Naraka for expiation. Cited from Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, by Swami Tapasyananda.

The story, believed at the least by Sri Vaishnavas and Gaudiya Vaishnavas, is as follows. At the time of death, all souls, except for Vaishnavas, are vulnerable for capture by Yamaduthas (Yama himself comes only in severe cases). The exception is made for Vaishnavas, because Vishnu (or Krishna in Gaudiya belief) is in charge of Yama. Yama was thus ordered by Vishnu to leave Vaishnavas alone. The attributes of Vaishnavas are urdhva pundram (Tiruman and Sri Choornam for Sri Vaishnavas or Gopi Chandan for Gaudiya Vaishnavas), thapa samskaram (shoulders branded with Sankham and Chakram), and tulasi mala (necklace/garland of tulasi beads). However, firm belief in Vishnu and his various forms is sufficient to be called Vaishnava. Vaishnavas are taken by the Vishnuduthas to Vaikuntham (for Sri Vaishnavas) or Golokam (for Gaudiya Vaishnavas).

In 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.

See also

External links



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