Editing Naraka (section)

==Hinduism==
{{main|Naraka (Hinduism)}}
[[File:Hindu hell.jpg|thumb|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 is a realm in the [[Vedas]], a place where souls are sent for the expiation of their sins. It is mentioned primarily in the [[dharmaśāstra|Dharmashastra]]s, [[itihāsa|Itihasa]]s, and the [[Puranas]], but also described in the [[Vedas|Vedic samhitas]],<ref>Śukla Yajur Veda 30.5</ref><ref>Atharva Veda 12.4.36</ref> the [[Aranyaka]]s<ref>{{IAST|Aitareya Āraṇyaka}} 2.3.2.4,5</ref> and the [[Upanishads]].<ref>{{IAST|Mahanārāyaṇa Upaniṣad}} 1.50</ref><ref>{{IAST|Praśna Upaniṣad}} 3</ref><ref>{{IAST|Nirālamba Upaniṣad}} 2, 17</ref><ref>{{IAST|Paramahaṃsa Upaniṣad}} 3</ref> Some Upanishads speak of 'darkness' instead of hell.<ref>''{{IAST|asuryā nāma te lokā andhena tamasāvṛtāḥ}}'' – {{IAST|Īśa Upaniṣad}} 3</ref> A summary of the Upanishads and the [[Bhagavad Gita]] mentions hell several times.<ref>1.41, 1.43, 16.16, 16.21</ref> [[Adi Sankara]] also mentions it in his commentary on the [[Brahma Sutras|Vedanta sutra]].<ref>Vedānta sūtra 4.3.14</ref> With the exception of the views of one Hindu philosopher, [[Madhva]], it is not seen as a place of eternal [[damnation]] within [[Hinduism]].<ref name="glasenapp">[[Helmuth von Glasenapp]]: Der Hinduismus. Religion und Gesellschaft im heutigen Indien, Hildesheim 1978, p. 248.</ref>

In Puranas like [[Bhagavata Purana]], [[Garuda Purana]], and [[Vishnu Purana]], there are elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above the [[Causal Ocean|Garbhodaka Ocean]].<ref>{{IAST|Bhāgavata Purāṇa}} 5.26.5</ref> The Vishnu Purana mentions the names of the various Narakas:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Account of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka [Chapter VI] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc115966.html |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=The names of the different Narakas are as follows: Raurava, Śūkara, Rodha, Tāla, Viśasana, Mahājvāla, Taptakumbha, Lavaṇa, Vimohana, Rudhirāndha, Vaitaranī, Krimīśa, Krimibhojana, Asipatravana, Kṛṣṇa, Lālābhakṣa, Dāruṇa, Pūyavāha, Pāpa, Vahnijvāla, Adhośiras, Sandansa, Kālasūtra, Tamas, Avīci, Śvabhojana, Apratiṣṭha, and another Avīci. These and many other fearful hells are the awful provinces of the kingdom of Yama, terrible with instruments of torture and with fire; into which are hurled all those who are addicted when alive to sinful practices.|title=[[Vishnu Purana]]|source=Book 2, Chapter 6}}

[[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]], the god of death and justice, judges living beings after their [[death]] and assigns appropriate punishments. For instance, the murderer of a [[Brahmin|Brahman]], the stealer of gold, or a drinker of wine goes to the hell termed as ''Shukara'', meaning swine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-30 |title=Account of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka [Chapter VI] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc115966.html |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> According to some [[Vedanta]] schools of thought, [[Nitya-samsarins]] (forever transmigrating ones) can experience Naraka for [[expiation]].<ref>''Bhakti Schools of Vedanta'', by Swami Tapasyananda</ref> After the period of punishment is complete, they are reborn on earth<ref>{{IAST|Bhāgavata Purāṇa}} 5.26.37</ref> in human or bestial bodies.<ref>{{IAST|Garuḍa Purāṇa}} 2.10.88–89, 2.46.9–10,28</ref> Therefore, Naraka is not an abode of everlasting punishment.

''Yama Loka'' is the abode of Yama. Yama is also referred to as the ''Dharmaraja,'' or the king of dharma; Yama Loka may be compared to a temporary ''purgatorium'' for sinners (papi). According to Hindu scriptures, Yama's divine assistant, [[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 of the deceased either to [[Svarga]] (Heaven), or to the various Narakas, according to the nature of their sins. The scriptures describe that even people who have done a majority of good deeds could come to Yama Loka for redemption from the minor sins they have committed, and once the punishments have been served for those sins, they could be sent for rebirth to earth or to heaven.

At the time of death, [[sin]]ful souls are vulnerable for capture by Yamaduttas, servants of Yama (who comes personally only in special cases). According to the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Yama orders his servants to leave [[Vaishnava]]s alone.<ref>{{IAST|Bhāgavata Purāṇa}} 6.3</ref><ref>{{IAST|Nṛsiṃha Purāṇa}} 9.1–2</ref> [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnavas]] are taken by Vishnuduttas to [[Vaikuntha]], and [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism|Gaudiya Vaishnavas]] to [[Goloka]].{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}