Naraka
Naraka or Neraka, in Buddhism and Hinduism, is the underworld and Hell. In Hinduism, there are many hells, and Yama, Lord of Justice, sends human beings after death for appropriate punishment. Such punishment can be in boiling oil, etc. However, Naraka in Hinduism is not equivalent to Hell in Christian ideology. Naraka is only a purgatory where the soul gets purified of sin by sufferings. Even Mukti-yogyas (souls eligible for mukti or moksha), and Nitya-samsarins (forever transmigrating ones in Dvaita theology) can experience Naraka for expiation. Cited from Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, by Swami Tapasyananda. In Japan it is known as Meifumadō. Naraka or Narakasura is also an asura, the son of Hiranyaksa and Bhumidevi. Source; Vettam Mani, Puranic Encyclopaedia. Neraka is also the name of a place and an evil knighthood in Dragonlance. Alternative: Neraka |
