Naraka

Naraka, by Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki?curid=100594 / CC BY SA 3.0 #Naraka #Afterlife_places #Hell #Non-human_races_in_Hindu_mythology #Hindu_cosmology #Sikh_beliefs #Jain_cosmology #Buddhist_cosmology Angkor Wat bas-relief depicts spirits of the dead being laid on fire in Naraka. Naraka （Sanskrit: नरक） is the realm of hell in Indian religions. According to some schools of Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, Naraka is a place of torment. The word Neraka （modification of Naraka） in Indonesian and Malaysian has also been used to describe the Islamic concept of Hell. Alternatively, the "hellish beings" that are said to reside in this underworld are often referred to as Narakas. These beings are also termed in Hindi as Narakis （Sanskrit: नारकीय, Nārakīya）, Narakarnavas （Sanskrit: नरकार्णव, Narakārṇava） and Narakavasis （Sanskrit: नरकवासी, Narakavāsī）. A large central panel portrays Yama the god of death （often referred to as Dharma） seated on a throne; to the left stands a demon. To the right of Yama sits Chitragupta, assigned with keeping detailed records of every human being and upon their death deciding how they are to be reincarnated, depending on their previous actions. Naraka in Vedas, is a place where souls are sent for the expiation of their sins. It is mentioned especially in dharmaśāstras, itihāsas and Purāṇas but also in Vedic samhitas, Aranyakas and Upaniṣads. Some Upanisads speak of 'darkness' instead of hell. A summary of Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gita, mentions hell several times. Even Adi Sankara mentions it in his commentary on Vedanta sutra. Except the views of Hindu philosopher Madhva, it is not seen as place of eternal damnation within Hinduism. Still, some people like members of Arya Samaj don't accept the existence of Naraka or consider it metaphorical. In Puranas like Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana and Vishnu Purana there are elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above the Garbhodaka ocean. Yama, Lord of Justice, judg...