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The Garuda Purana lists eighty-four lakh hells, though twenty-one are deemed most significant. Each hell matches a category of sin – Tamishra, Lohashanku, Raurava, Kumbhipaka, etc.
Dragged by Yamadutas and Hounded by Kala Purusha’s Dogs
Hindu tradition speaks of three ultimate destinations: Swarga (heaven), Naraka (hell), and Moksha (liberation). Even today, when someone behaves cruelly, people might mutter, “He’ll end up in hell.” But what is this hell?
The Garuda Purana, divine book that explains life after death offers a striking, almost cinematic account of what happens when a soul leaves the body and travels toward Yama’s domain.
The Soul’s Harsh Passage
At death, the soul shifts from the physical form to a subtle one. Yama’s messengers known as Yamadutas seize it with ropes, dragging it through a desolate desert while reminding the soul of every misdeed.
Dogs of Kala Purusha snap at the traveler. Hunger and thirst sharpen the torment. The destination, Yamaloka, lies a staggering 99,000 yojanas from Earth, a distance that can only be crossed with ritual help.
According to the text, offerings of pinda – rice balls presented by family during funeral rites can speed the soul’s progress. With these rites performed, the soul covers 200 yojanas in 47 days and eventually crosses the terrifying Vaitarani, a river of blood. Without such offerings, the soul is said to wander in anguish, unanchored and restless.
Sixteen Gates to Yama’s Court
Before meeting the Lord of Death, the traveler passes through sixteen celestial cities, among them Saumya, Gandharvapuri, and Shailagama. Each is a threshold on the way to final judgment. At the end stands Yama’s grand court, where every deed is tallied.
Here, Chitragupta, the cosmic record-keeper reviews the soul’s entire life. Witnesses are not merely divine; the sun, moon, elements, ego, dawn, and dusk all testify. Even Brahma’s son Shravana and his wife Shravani appear, carrying what the scripture poetically describes as an “audio-video record” of every action.
The Sentence and Its Torments
Once judgment is pronounced, Yamadutas named Chanda and Prachanda tie the sinner to the thorny Shalmali tree. The punishments are vivid: the soul is beaten until it shatters.
The Garuda Purana lists eighty-four lakh hells, though twenty-one are deemed most significant. Each hell matches a category of sin – Tamishra, Lohashanku, Raurava, Kumbhipaka, and others where suffering is tailored to the crime.
When the sentence is complete, the soul’s journey continues. According to its karma, it may rise to heaven, descend again into another hell, or return to earthly life through rebirth. Only rare souls, purified through virtue and wisdom, reach Moksha, ending the cycle entirely.
The Garuda Purana’s stark vision is less a literal travel guide than a moral compass. Its graphic descriptions of Yamapuri remind believers that actions have consequences extending beyond this lifetime. Whether taken as allegory or cosmic truth, the tale of Yama’s realm still warns and fascinates, urging humans toward righteous living.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 12, 2025, 16:58 IST
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