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[ 147 1
: Names of Narakas Names of Purāņas
91. Samghata
62.. Asi alavana
63. Kardhaka
64. Karmabhālukā
65. Galagraha
66. Bhairava
67. Makṣikā
33
Śivapurapa
93
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These hells are within the jurisdiction of Yama. The Visnupurāņa has named the different sins on account of which different sorts of punishments are meted out in different hells.1
It is said that the hell-beings can see the devas up in heaven and the Devas also can see the hell beings down in hells. It is said in the same context, that the hell-beings after the period of suffering in hells is over, are released from hells and are reborn in gradually higher and higher stages of life, namely Sthāvara, Krmi, Fish etc. living in water, birds, animals, human beings, virtuous men gods and ultimately Mumuksus aspiring after liberation. It is also said, that a sinful person, unless he performs requisite penance is bound to go to hell. The same Purāņa also refers to the Prayaścittas. In this connection it is stated that the best penance for a sinful man is to remember God in the form of Śrīkṛṣṇa and to feel a sense of repentance on account of sins committed. It is further noted that the best penance is to remember God Visņu with a sense of repentance.
While concluding this section, it seems to be desirable to try to present a glimpse of the general picture of Svarga and
1. Vişnnu Purana section 11, Chapter VI, Verses 1-26,
