Ch 37 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

९.३७ सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः । नानानरककुण्डवर्णनम् । धर्मराज उवाच । पूर्णेन्दुमण्डलाकारं सर्वं कुण्डं च वर्तुलम् । निम्नं पाषाणभेदैश्च पाचितं बहुभिः सति ॥ १ ॥ न नश्वरं चाप्रलयं निर्मितं चेश्वरेच्छया । क्लेशदं पातकानां च नानारूपं तदालयम् ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Dharmarāja said :-- All the Kuṇḍas (hells) are circular in form like the Full Moon. Of these, the Vahnikuṇḍa has the fire lit at its bottom, by the help of various kinds of stones. This Kuṇḍa will not be destroyed till Mahāpralaya comes. Here the sinners are tormented severely.

Ch 37 Verse 3-4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ज्वलदङ्गाररूपं च शतहस्तशिखान्वितम् । परितः क्रोशमानं च वह्निकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ३ ॥ महाशब्दं प्रकुर्वद्भिः पापिभिः परिपूरितम् । रक्षितं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैश्चापि सन्ततम् ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

It looks like a blazing coke. The flames are rising from it one hundred hands high. In circumference those flames are two miles. This is named Vahnikuṇḍa. It is full of sinners crying loudly. It is constantly watched by My messengers who are chastising and punishing the sinners.

Ch 37 Verse 5-6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रतप्तोदकपूर्णं च हिंस्रजन्तुसमन्वितम् । महाघोरं काकुशब्दं प्रहारेण दृढेन च ॥ ५ ॥ क्रोशार्धमानं तद्दूतैस्ताडितैर्मम पार्षदैः । तप्तक्षारोदकैः पूर्णं पुनः काकैश्च सङ्कुलम् ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

Next comes the Tapta Kuṇḍa. It is filled with hot water and full of rapacious animals. The sinners there are severely beaten by My messengers and they are always crying out very loudly, which is being echoed and re-echoed all around terribly. It extends for one mile. This Kuṇḍa is filled with hot salt water and the abode of many crows.

Ch 37 Verse 7-8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्कुलं पापिभिश्चैव क्रोशमानं भयानकम् । त्राहीति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः ॥ ७ ॥ प्रचलद्भिरनाहारैः शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । विड्भिरेव कृतं पूर्णं क्रोशमानं च कुत्सितम् ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

Then there is the Bhayānaka Kuṇḍa. It extends for two miles and it is filled with sinners. They are being punished by My messengers and they are incessantly crying, “Save us, save us.” Next comes the Viṣṭhā Kuṇḍa. It is filled with faeces and excrements where the sinners are moving without any food and with their palate and throats dry.

Ch 37 Verse 9-11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अतिदुर्गन्धिसंसक्तं व्याप्तं पापिभिरन्वहम् । ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च तदाहारैः सुदारुणैः ॥ ९ ॥ रक्षेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्तत्कीटैरेव भक्षितैः । तप्तमूत्रद्रवैः पूर्णं मूत्रकीटैश्च सङ्कुलम् ॥ १० ॥ युक्तं महापातकिभिस्तत्कीटैर्भक्षितैः सदा । गव्यूतिमानं ध्वान्ताक्तं शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम् ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

Its size is two miles and it is very bad and ugly with foetid and nasty smell. It is always filled with sinners, who are being chastised by My Dūtas (messengers) and eat those faeces and excrements. The worms therein are constantly biting and stinging them and they are crying, “deliver us, deliver us.” Then comes the hot Mūttra Kuṇḍa. It is filled with the hot urine and the worms thereof. The great sinners always dwell here. It measures four miles; and it is quite dark.

Ch 37 Verse 12-13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मद्दूतैस्ताडितैर्घोरैः शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । श्लेष्मपूर्णं प्रशमितं तत्कीटैः पूरितं सदा ॥ १२ ॥ तद्भोजिभिः पापिभिश्च वेष्टितं वेष्टितैः सदा । क्रोशार्धं गरकुण्डं च गरभोजिभिरन्वितम् ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

My Dūtas always beat them and their throats, lips, palates are all dry. Then comes the Śleṣma Kuṇḍa. It is filled with phlegm and the insects thereof. The sinners dwell in phlegm and eat that phlegm. Then comes the Gara Kuṇḍa. It is filled with (factitious) poison. It measures one mile. The sinners eat this poison and dwell here.

Ch 37 Verse 14-15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गरकीटैर्भक्षितैश्च पापिभिः पूर्णमेव च । ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च शब्दकृद्भिश्च कम्पितैः ॥ १४ ॥ सर्पाकारेर्वज्रदंष्ट्रै शुष्ककण्ठैः सुदारुणैः । नेत्रयोर्मलपूर्णं च क्रोशार्धं कीटसंयुतम् ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

The worms thereof bite them. They tremble at the chastisement of My Dūtas and cry aloud. My messengers look like serpents, with teeth like thunderbolt and they are very furious and fierce, with their throats dry and their words very harsh. Then comes Dūsikā Kuṇḍa. It is filled with the rheum and dirt of the eyes and it measures one mile. Innumerable worms are born therein.

Ch 37 Verse 16-17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं शश्वद्भ्रमद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । वसारसेन सम्पूर्णं क्रोशतुर्यं सुदुःसहम् ॥ १६ ॥ तद्भोजिभिः पातकिभिर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । शुक्रकुण्डं क्रोशमितं शुक्रकीटैश्च संयुतम् ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

Numberless sinners live there, and as they move, the insects immediately bite and sting them. Next comes the Vasā Kuṇḍa. It is filled with the serum or marrow of the flesh and it measures one-half mile. The sinners dwell there, chastised and punished by My messengers. Then comes the Śukra Kuṇḍa. It measures two miles in diameter. The insects, born in the semen, bite the sinners, and they move on and on.

Ch 37 Verse 18-19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं शश्वद् द्रवद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । दुर्गन्धिरक्तपूर्णं च वापीमानं गभीरकम् ॥ १८ ॥ तद्भोजिभिः पापिभिश्च सङ्कुलं कीटभक्षितम् । पूर्णं नेत्राश्रुभिस्तप्तं बहुपापिभिरन्वितम् ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Rakta Kuṇḍa, with very offensive, foetid smell. It is deep like a well and filled with blood. The sinners dwell here, drinking blood. The insects therein are always biting them. Then follows the Aśru Kuṇḍa. It measures in size one fourth the measure of the well (above-mentioned). It is always filled with hot tears of the eyes; and many sinners are seen there living weeping and crying and being bitten by the snakes.

Ch 37 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च रुदद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । नृणां गात्रमलैर्युक्तं तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युतम् ॥ २० ॥ ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च व्यग्रैश्च कीटभक्षितैः । कर्णविट्परिपूर्णं च तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्वृतम् ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Then there is the Gātra Mala Kuṇḍa. The sinners are chastised and punished there by My messengers and being bitten by the insects thereof, they eat the dirts of the body and dwell there. Then comes the Karṇa Mala Kuṇḍa. The sinners eat the wax of the ear and fill the place. The insects always bite them and they are crying aloud. It measures one fourth the measure of a Vāpī.

Ch 37 Verse 22-23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च ब्रुवद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । मज्जापूर्णं नराणां च महादुर्गन्धिसंयुतम् ॥ २२ ॥ महापातकिभिर्युक्तं वापीतुर्यप्रमाणकम् । परिपूर्णं सिग्धमांसैर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Majjā Kuṇḍa. It is filled with fat and marrow, emitting foetid offensive odour. It measures one fourth the measure of a Vāpī. The great sinners always dwell there. Then comes the Māmsa Kuṇḍa. This is filled with the greasy flesh. It measures (one-fourth) that of a Vāpī.

Ch 37 Verse 24-25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं चैव वापीमानं भयानकम् । कन्याविक्रयिभिश्चैव तद्भक्ष्यैः कीटभक्षितैः ॥ २४ ॥ पाहीति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्त्रासितैश्च भयानकैः । वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च नखादिकचतुष्टयम् ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Those who sell their daughters dwell here. My messengers always chastise and punish them and horrible insects bite and sting them and they cry, out of fear and agony, “Save us, save us,” and eat at times that flesh. Then come in succession the four Kuṇḍas Nakha, Loma and others. They also measure each one-fourth that of a Vāpī. The sinners dwell there, always chastised by My messengers.

Ch 37 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पापिभिः संयुतं शश्वन्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । प्रतप्तताम्रकुण्डं च ताम्रोपर्युल्मुकान्वितम् ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

Next comes the very hot Tāmra Kuṇḍa. Burning cokes exist on the top of very hot coppers. There are lakhs and lakhs of very hot copper figures in that Kuṇḍa.

Ch 37 Verse 27-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ताम्राणां प्रतिमालक्षैः प्रतप्तैर्व्यापृतं सदा । प्रत्येकं प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः रुदद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम् ॥ २७ ॥ गव्यूतिमानं विस्तीर्णं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । प्रतप्तलोहधारं च ज्ववलदङ्गारसंयुतम् ॥ २८ ॥ लोहानां प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः रुदद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम् । प्रत्येकं प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः शश्वत्प्रज्वलितैर्भिया ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

The sinners, being compelled by My messengers, are made to embrace each of these hot copper figures and they cry loudly and live there. It measures four miles. Then come the burning Aṅgāra Kuṇḍa and the hot Lauha Dhāra Kuṇḍa. Here the sinners are made to embrace the hot iron figures and, feeling themselves burnt, cry out of fear and agony.

Ch 37 Verse 30-31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रक्ष रक्षेति शब्दं च कुर्वद्भिर्दूतताडितैः । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम् ॥ ३० ॥ भयानकं ध्वान्तयुक्तं लोहकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम् । चर्मकुण्डं तप्तसुराकुण्डं वाप्यर्धमेव च ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Whenever My messengers punish them, they immediately cry out, “Save us, save us.” It measures eight miles; and it is pitch dark and very awful. This is named the hot Lauha Kuṇḍa. Then come the Carma Kuṇḍa and Surā Kuṇḍa. The sinners, beaten by My men, eat the skin and drink the hot urine and dwell there.

Ch 37 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तद्भोजिपापिभिर्व्याप्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । अतः शाल्मलिकुण्डं च वृक्षकण्टकशोभितम् ॥ ३२ ॥ लक्षपौरुषमानं च क्रोशमानं च दुःखदम् । धनुर्मानैः कण्टकैश्च सुतीक्ष्णैः परिवेष्टितम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Śālmalī Kuṇḍa; it is overspread with thorns and thorny trees, causing intense pain. It measures two miles. Millions and millions of great sinners are made by My men to fall from the tops of those trees down below where their bodies get pierced by very sharp thorns, six feet long; and thus they dwell there, beaten by My men.

Ch 37 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रत्येकं विद्धगात्रैश्च महापातकिभिर्युतम् । वृक्षाग्रान्निपतद्भिश्च मम दूतैश्च पातितैः ॥ ३४ ॥ जलं देहीति शब्दं च कुर्वद्भिः शुष्कतालुकैः । महाभियातिव्यग्रैश्च दण्डैः सम्भग्नमस्तकैः ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Out of thirst, their palates get dried up; and they cry out repeatedly, “Water, water.” Out of fear, they get very anxious and then their heads get broken by the clubs brought down on them by My men. So they move there like the beings burnt in very hot oil.

Ch 37 Verse 36-37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रचलद्भिर्यथा तप्ततैलजीविभिरेव च । विषोदैस्तक्षकाणां च पूर्वं च क्रोशमानकम् ॥ ३६ ॥ तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडिते । प्रतप्ततैलपूर्णं च कीटादिपरिवर्जितम् ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Viṣoda Kuṇḍa. It measures two miles in diameter and is filled with the poison of the serpent called Takṣakas. My men punish the sinners and they drink the poison thereof and dwell there. Then comes the hot Taila Kuṇḍa. There are no insects here. Only the great sinners dwell.

Ch 37 Verse 38-39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

महापातकिभिर्युक्तं दग्धाङ्गारैश्च वेष्टितम् । काकुशब्दं प्रकुर्वद्भिश्चलद्भिर्दूतपीडितैः ॥ ३८ ॥ ध्वान्तयुक्तं क्रोशमानं क्लेशदं च भयानकम् । शूलाकारैः सुतीक्ष्णाग्रैर्लोहशस्त्रैश्च वेष्टितम् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

All around burning coals are flaring and when My men beat the sinners, they run hither and thither. It is filled with horrible intense darkness and it is exceedingly painful. It looks dreadful and measures two miles. Then comes the Kunta Kuṇḍa. Sharp pointed iron weapons like tridents are placed in order all round.

Ch 37 Verse 40-42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शस्त्रतल्पस्वरूपञ्च कोशतुर्यप्रमाणकम् । वेष्टितं तत्पातकिभिः कुन्तविद्धैश्च वेष्टितैः ॥ ४० ॥ ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । कीटैश्च शङ्कुप्रमितैः सर्पमानैर्भयङ्करैः ॥ ४१ ॥ तीक्ष्णदन्तैश्च विकृतैर्व्याप्तं ध्वान्तयुतं सति । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडिते ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

The sinners, pierced by those weapons, are seen encircling the Kuṇḍa. It measures one-half mile. Beaten by My men, their throats and lips get dried up. Then comes the Krimi Kuṇḍa. It is filled with terrible worms and insects, snake-like with sharp teeth, of the size of a Śaṅku (a Sāl tree) deformed and hideous looking; and it is filled with pitch darkness, terrible to look at. Beaten by My men, the great sinners dwell there.

Ch 37 Verse 43-44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणं च पूयकुण्डं प्रचक्षते । तद्भक्ष्यैः प्राणिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः ॥ ४३ ॥ तालवृक्षप्रमाणैश्च सर्पकोटिभिरावृतम् । सर्पवेष्टितगात्रैश्च पापिभिः सर्पभक्षितैः ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Pūya Kuṇḍa. It measures eight miles in diameter (or in circumference?). The sinners dwell and eat the pus thereof and, are beaten by My men. Then comes the Sarpa Kuṇḍa. Millions and millions of snakes of the length of a Tāl tree are existing there. These serpents encircle the sinners and as they bite them,

Ch 37 Verse 45-46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्कुलं शब्दकृद्भिश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । कुण्डत्रयं मशादीनां पूर्णं च मशकादिभिः ॥ ४५ ॥ सर्वं कोशार्धमानं च महापातकिभिर्युतम् । हस्तपादादिबद्धैश्च क्षतजौघेन लोहितैः ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

My men also beat them at the same time. So there arises a general hue and cry, “Save us, save us; we are done for.” Then come in order the Daṃśa Kuṇḍa, Maśaka Kuṇḍa, and the Garala Kuṇḍa. These are filled with gad-flies, mosquitoes, and poison respectively. Each of them measures one mile. The sinnerś hands and feet are tied up. So when the gad-flies and mosquitoes fiercely sting them, and My men violently beat them simultaneously, they raise a loud uproar and are made to move on, in their tied states by My persons.

Ch 37 Verse 47-48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हाहेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्ताडितैर्मम पार्षदैः । वज्रवृश्चिकयोः कुण्डं ताभ्यां च परिपूरितम् ॥ ४७ ॥ वाप्यर्धं पापिभिर्युक्तं वज्रवृश्चिकदंशितैः । कुण्डत्रयं शरादीनां तैरेव परिपूरितम् ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

Their bodies get thoroughly reddened and covered with blood by the stinging of the flies, etc. Then come the Vajra Kuṇḍa and the Vriścika Kuṇḍa filled respectively with Vajra insects and the scorpions. Each of them measures one-half that of the Vāpī. The sinners that dwell there, are incessantly bitten by insects (Vajras and scorpions). Then come in order the Śara Kuṇḍa, Śūla Kuṇḍa, and the Khaḍga Kuṇḍas. They are filled respectively with arrows, spikes, and scimitars. Each of them measures one half that of the Vāpī.

Ch 37 Verse 49-50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तैर्विद्धैः पापिभिर्युक्तं वाप्यर्धं रक्तलोहितैः । तप्ततोयोदकैः पूर्णं सध्वान्तं गोलकुण्डकम् ॥ ४९ ॥ कीटैः शङ्कुसमानैश्च भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । वाप्यर्थमानं भीतैश्च पापिभिः कीटभक्षितैः ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

The sinners are pierced by arrows, etc., and become covered over with blood and dwell there. Then comes the Gola Kuṇḍa. It is filled with boiling hot water and it is pitch dark. The sinners live there, bitten by the insects. This Kuṇḍa measures half that of the Vāpī. The insects bite them and My men beat them so their fear knows no bounds; everyone of them is weeping and crying loudly.

Ch 37 Verse 51-52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रुदद्भिः क्रोशमानैश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । अतिदुर्गन्धिसंयुक्तं दुःखदं पापिनां सदा ॥ ५१ ॥ दारुणैर्विकृताकारैर्भक्षितं पापिभिर्युतम् । वाप्यर्धं परिपूर्णं च जलस्थैर्नक्रकोटिभिः ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

This Kuṇḍa is filled with hideously offensive smells. So the pains of the sinners are infinite. The Nakra Kuṇḍa comes next. It measures half the Vāpī, is filled with millions and millions of crocodiles living in water. The horrible looking deformed sinners live there. The Kāka Kuṇḍa then follows.

Ch 37 Verse 53-54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विण्मूत्रश्लेष्मभक्षैश्च संयुतं शतकोटिभिः । काकैश्च विकृताकारैर्भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम् ॥ ५३ ॥ मन्थानकुण्डं बीजकुण्डं ताभ्यां पूर्णं धनुःशतम् । भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युक्तं शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम् ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

The sinners here are being bitten by hundreds of deformed crows eating faeces, urines and phlegm. Then come the Manthāna Kuṇḍa and Vīja Kuṇḍa. These are filled respectively with insects called Manthāna and Vīja. Each of them measures one hundred Dhanus (one Dhanu - four hastas). Those insects are stinging the sinners and they cry out very loudly. Then follows the Vajra Kuṇḍa.

Ch 37 Verse 55-56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धनुःशतं जीवयुक्तं पापिभिः सङ्कुलं सदा । शब्दकृद्भिर्वज्रदंष्ट्रैः सान्द्रध्वान्तमयं परम् ॥ ५५ ॥ वापीद्विगुणमानं च तप्तप्रस्तरनिर्मितम् । ज्वलदङ्गारसदृशं चलद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम् ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

It measures one hundred Dhanus. Many insects with their teeth as hard as thunderbolt live there and bite the sinners who cry out loudly. It is pitch dark. Then comes the hot Pāṣāṇa Kuṇḍa. It measures twice that of the Vāpī. It is so built of hot stones as it resembles a burning mass of coal. The sinners become restless with the heat and turn round and round in the middle. Then comes the Pāṣāṇa Kunda and the Lālā Kunda. The Pāṣāṇa Kuṇḍa is made up of the sharp pointed stones, having sharp edges.

Ch 37 Verse 57-59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्षुरधारोपमैस्तीक्ष्णैः पाषाणैर्निर्मितं परम् । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं लालाकुण्डं च लोहितैः ॥ ५७ ॥ क्रोशमात्रं च गम्भीरं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । तप्ताञ्जनाचलाकारैः परिपूर्णं धनुःशतम् ॥ ५८ ॥ चलद्भिः पापिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । पूर्णं चूर्णद्रवैः क्रोशमानं पापिभिरन्वितम् ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

Innumerable sinners dwell there. Many red beings live in the Lālā Kuṇḍa. Then comes the Mapī Kunda. Its size is one hundred Dhanus and its depth is two miles. It is made up of hot stones, each measuring the Añjana mountain. The sinners, beaten and driven by My persons, move on and on in the middle. Then comes the Cūrṇa Kuṇḍa. It measures two miles (in circumference) and is filled with (seven) cūrṇas (powders).

Ch 37 Verse 60 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तद्भोजिभिः प्रदग्धैश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । कुण्डं कुलालचक्रं च घूर्णमानञ्च सन्ततम् ॥ ६० ॥

English Translation

The sinners, driven and beaten by My men, go on, restless hither and thither and eat the powders and get themselves burnt. Then comes the Cakra Kuṇḍa. Here a potter’s wheel with sixteen sharp-edged spokes is constantly whirling round and round; the sinners are being crushed by this wheel.

Ch 37 Verse 61-62 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुतीक्ष्णं षोडशारं च चूर्णितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । अतीव वक्रं निम्नं च द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम् ॥ ६१ ॥ कन्दराकारनिर्माणं तप्तोदैश्च समन्वितम् । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं भक्षितैर्जलजन्तुभिः ॥ ६२ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Vakra Kuṇḍa. Its depth is eight miles. lt is fashioned very much curved; and with and sharp slope it has gone down. It is built on the plan of a mountain cave, filled with hot water and it is enveloped with deep dense darkness. The aquatic animals there are biting the sinners, who got very much restless and are crying out very loudly. Then comes the Kūrma Kuṇḍa.

Ch 37 Verse 63-65 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ज्वलद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च ध्वान्तयुक्तं भयानकम् । कोटिभिर्विकृताकारैः कच्छपैश्च सुदारुणैः ॥ ६३ ॥ जलस्थैः संयुतं तैश्च भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । ज्वालाकलापैस्तेजोभिर्निर्मितैः क्रोशमानकम् ॥ ६४ ॥ शब्दकृद्भिः पातकिभिः संयुतं क्लेशदं सदा । क्रोशमानञ्च गम्भीरं तप्तभस्मभिरन्वितम् ॥ ६५ ॥

English Translation

Here millions and millions of tortoises in the water awfully distorted, are biting the sinners. Then comes the Jvālā Kuṇḍa. It is built of fierce fiery flames. It measures two miles in circumference. The sinners here are always in great difficulty, with intense pain and crying out loudly. Next follows the Bhaṣma Kuṇḍa. It measures two miles.

Ch 37 Verse 66 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शश्वज्ज्वलद्भिः संयुक्तं पापिभिर्भस्मभक्षितैः । तप्तपाषाणलोहानां समूहैः परिपूरितैः ॥ ६६ ॥

English Translation

The sinners get themselves well burnt in hot ashes and live there, eating the ashes. It is filled with hot stones and hot irons. The sinners here are always being burnt in hot irons and hot stones and their throats and palates are being parched up.

Ch 37 Verse 67-68 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पापिभिर्दग्धगात्रैश्च युक्तञ्च शुष्कतालुकैः । क्रोशमानं ध्वान्तयुक्तं गम्भीरमतिदारुणम् ॥ ६७ ॥ ताडितैश्च प्रदग्धैश्च दग्धकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम् । अतीवोर्मियुतं तोयं प्रतप्तक्षारसंयुतम् ॥ ६८ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Dagdha Kuṇḍa. It is deep and horrible. It measures two miles in circumference. My messengers threaten always the sinners there. Then comes the Sūcī Kuṇḍa. It is filled with salt water. Waves are always rising there. It is filled with various aquatic animals making all sorts of noises.

Ch 37 Verse 69-70 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नानाप्रकारैर्विरुतैर्जलजन्तुभिरन्वितम् । द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणं च गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुतम् ॥ ६९ ॥ तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिर्युक्तं दंशितैर्जलजन्तुभिः । ज्वलद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च न पश्यद्भिः परस्परम् ॥ ७० ॥

English Translation

It measures eight miles in circumference and it is deep and dark. The sinners here cannot see each other and are bitten by the animals. Pained very much, they cry out loudly. Then comes the Asipattra Kuṇḍa. On the top surface of the Kuṇḍa there is a very big Tāl tree very high.

Ch 37 Verse 71-73 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रतप्तसूचीकुण्डञ्च कीर्तितं च भयानकम् । असीव धारापत्रस्याऽप्युच्चैस्तालतरोरधः ॥ ७१ ॥ क्रोशार्धमानं कुण्डं च पतत्पत्रसमन्वितम् । पापिनां रक्तपूर्णं च वृक्षाग्रात्पततां ध्रुवं । ७२ परित्राहीति शब्दं च कुर्वतामसतामपि । गम्भीरं ध्वान्तयुक्तं च रक्तकीटसमन्वितम् ॥ ७३ ॥

English Translation

The edges of the leaves of this tree are sharp like the edge of a sword. One mile below this Tāl tree is situated the Kuṇḍa. The sharp-edged Tāl leaves, then, fall on the bodies of the sinners from the height of a mile and they get cut and wounded; blood comes out of them and the sinners, in great pain, cry out “save, save.” It is very deep, very dark and filled with Rakta Kīṭa a kind of blood like insects.

Ch 37 Verse 74-75 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तदसीपत्रकुण्डं च कीर्तितं च भयानकम् । धनुःशतप्रमाणं च क्षुरधारास्त्रसंयुतम् ॥ ७४ ॥ पापिनां रक्तपूर्णं च क्षुरधारं भयानकम् । सूचीमुखास्त्रसंयुक्तं पापिरक्तौघपूरतम् ॥ ७५ ॥

English Translation

This is the horrible Asipatra Kuṇḍa. Next comes the Kṣura Dhāra Kuṇḍa, measuring one hundred Dhanus (one Dhanu - four hastas). It is filled with keen-edged weapons, as sharp as nice razors. The blood of the sinners is flowing here profusely. Then comes the Sūcī Mukha Kuṇḍa, filled with sharp weapons of the form of long needles.

Ch 37 Verse 76-77 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पञ्चाशद्धनुरायामं क्लेशदं सूचिकामुखम् । कस्यचिज्जन्तुभेदस्य गोकाख्यस्य मुखाकृति ॥ ७६ ॥ कूपरूपं गभीरं च धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम् । महापातकिनां चैव महत्क्लेशप्रदं परम् ॥ ७७ ॥

English Translation

It measures fifty Dhanus. The sinners get pierced by them end are constantly emitting blood. Their intense pain knows no bounds. Then comes the Gokāmukha Kuṇḍa; inhabited by a sort of insect, called Gokā. They look like mouths; hence they are named Gokāmukha. It is deep like a well and it measures twenty Dhanus. The great sinners suffer an intense amount of pain there. They have got to keep their mouths always downwards as the Gokā insects always bite and sting them.

Ch 37 Verse 78-79 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्कीटभक्षितानां च नम्रास्यानां च सन्ततम् । कुण्डं नक्रमुखाकारं धनुःषोडशमानकम् ॥ ७८ ॥ गम्भीरं कूपरूपं च पापिनां सङ्कुलं सदा । धनुःशतप्रमाणं च कीर्तितं गजदंशनम् ॥ ७९ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Nakra Kuṇḍa. It resembles like the mouth of a crocodile and measures sixteen Dhanus. It is deep like a well and numbers of sinners dwell there. Then comes the Gaja Daṃśa Kuṇḍa.

Ch 37 Verse 80 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धनुस्त्रिंशत्प्रमाणं च कुण्डं च गोमुखाकृति । पापिनां क्लेशदं शश्वद् गोमुखं परिकीर्तितम् ॥ ८० ॥

English Translation

It measures one hundred Dhanus. Next comes the Gomukha Kuṇḍa. It measures thirty Dhanus and resembles the mouth of a cow. It gives incessant pains and troubles to the sinners.

Ch 37 Verse 81 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालचक्रेण संयुक्तं भ्रममाणं भयानकम् । कुम्भाकारं ध्वान्तयुक्तं द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम् ॥ ८१ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Kumbhīpāka Kuṇḍa. It is like a wheel resembling that of this Kālacakra, very horrible; and it is rotating incessantly. It looks like a water-jar, measuring eight miles, and it is quite dark.

Ch 37 Verse 82-83 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लक्षपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं विस्मृतं सति । कुत्रचित्तप्ततैलं च ताम्रादिकुण्डमेव च ॥ ८२ ॥ पापिनां च प्रधानैश्च मूर्च्छितैः कृमिभिर्युतम् । परस्परं च नश्यद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम् ॥ ८३ ॥

English Translation

Its depth is one lakh Puruṣas of the height of 100,000 persons. There are many other Kuṇḍas, Tapta Taila Kuṇḍa and Tapta Taila Tāmra Kuṇḍa, etc., within it. This Kuṇḍa is filled with almost unconscious great sinners and insects. They beat each other and cry out loudly.

Ch 37 Verse 84-85 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ताडितैर्यमदूतैश्च मुसलैर्मुद्गरैस्तथा । घूर्णमानैः पतद्भिश्च मूर्च्छितैश्च क्षणं क्षणम् ॥ ८४ ॥ पातितैर्यमदूतैश्च रुदन्त्यस्मात्क्षणं पुनः । यावन्तः पापिनः सन्ति सर्वकुण्डेषु सुन्दरि ॥ ८५ ॥

English Translation

My messengers also threaten them with clubs and Muṣalas. So at times they fall dizzy-headed, at times they get unconscious, and sometimes they get up and cry. O Fair One! The numbers of sinners here equal to four times that of all the other sinners in all the other Kuṇḍas.

Ch 37 Verse 86 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततश्चतुर्गुणाः सन्ति कुम्भीपाके च दुःखदे । सुचिरं वध्यमानास्ते भोगदेहा न नश्वराः ॥ ८६ ॥

English Translation

They know no death, however much you beat them. Their lives persist. For the body is built up for sufferance, it is indestructible.

Ch 37 Verse 87-90 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वकुण्डप्रधानं च कुम्भीपाकं प्रकीर्तितम् । कालनिर्मितसूत्रेण निबद्धा यत्र पापिनः ॥ ८७ ॥ उत्थापिताश्च दूतैश्च क्षणमेव निमज्जिताः । निःश्वासबद्धाः सुचिरं तथा मोहं गताः पुनः ॥ ८८ ॥ अतीव क्लेशसंयुक्ता देहभोगेन सुन्दरि । प्रतप्ततोययुक्तं च कालसूत्रं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ८९ ॥ अवटः कूपभेदश्च मत्स्योदः स उदाहृतः । प्रतप्ततोयपूर्णं च चतुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम् ॥ ९० ॥

English Translation

This Kumbhīpāka Kuṇḍa is the chief of all the Kuṇḍas. This Kuṇḍa where the sinners are tied to a thread built by Kāla, where My men lift the sinners on high at one time, and sink them down below at another time, where the sinners becoming suffocated for a long time, get unconscious, where their sufferings know no bounds, where it is filled with boiling oil, is named the Kālasutra Kuṇḍa. Then comes the Matsyoda Kuṇḍa, hollow like a well. It is filled with boiling water and it measures twenty-four Dhanus.

Ch 37 Verse 91-92 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्याप्तं महापातकिभिर्व्यादग्धाङ्गैश्च सन्ततम् । मद्दूतैस्ताडितैः शश्वदवटोदं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ९१ ॥ यत्रोदस्पर्शमात्रेण सर्वव्याधिश्च पापिनाम् । भवेदकस्मात्पततां यस्मिन्कुण्डे धनुःशते ॥ ९२ ॥

English Translation

Next comes the Abaṭoda Kuṇḍa. It measures one hundred Dhanus. The sinners get their bodies burned and chastised by My persons, live there. No sooner they drop into the water of this Kuṇḍa, then they are attacked with all sorts of diseases. Then comes the Krimikantuka Kuṇḍa.

Ch 37 Verse 93-94 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अरुन्तुदैर्भक्षितैस्तु प्राणिभिर्यच्च सङ्कुलम् । हाहेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्तदेवारुन्तुदं विदुः ॥ ९३ ॥ तप्तपांसुभिराकीर्णं ज्वलद्भिस्तुषदग्धकैः । तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युक्तं पांसुभोजैर्धनुःशतम् ॥ ९४ ॥

English Translation

The sinners are bitten by the Krimi Kantuka insects and cry out loudly, creating a general consternation and live there. Its another name is Aruntuda Kuṇḍa. Next comes the Pāṃśu Kuṇḍa. It measures one hundred Dhanus. It is overspread with burning rice husks.

Ch 37 Verse 95-98 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पातमात्रेण पापी च पाशेन वेष्टितो भवेत् । क्रोशमात्रेण कुण्डं च तत्पाशवेष्टनं विदुः ॥ ९५ ॥ पातमात्रेण पापी च शूलेन वेष्टितो भवेत् । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च शूलप्रोतं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ९६ ॥ पततां पापिनां यत्र भवेदेव प्रकम्पनम् । अतीव हिमतोयाक्तं क्रोशार्धं च प्रकम्पनम् ॥ ९७ ॥ ददत्येव हि मे दूता यत्रोल्काः पापिनां मुखे । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं तदुल्काभिश्च सुसङ्कुलम् ॥ ९८ ॥

English Translation

It measures twenty Dhanus. No sooner the sinners fall here than they are encircled with the Sūlāstra (darts). Then comes the Prakampana Kuṇḍa. It measures one mile. It is filled with ice-cold water. The sinners, going there, shiver at once. Next follows the Ulka Kuṇḍa. It measures twenty Dhanus.

Ch 37 Verse 99-100 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लक्षपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं च धनुःशतम् । नानाप्रकारकृमिभिः संयुक्तं च भयानकम् ॥ ९९ ॥ अत्यन्धकारव्याप्तं च कूपाकारं च वर्तुलम् । तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिर्युक्तं प्रणश्यद्भिः परस्परम् ॥ १०० ॥

English Translation

It is filled with burning to ashes and meteors. My messengers thrust the torches and meteors into the mouths of the sinners living there. Next comes the Andha-Kūpa Kuṇḍa. It is pitch-dark, shaped like a well, circular and very horrible. The sinners beat each other and eat the insects thereof.

Ch 37 Verse 101 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तप्ततोयप्रदग्धैश्च ज्वलद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । ध्वान्तेन चक्षुषा चान्धैरन्धकूपः प्रकीर्तितः ॥ १०१ ॥

English Translation

Their bodies are burnt with hot water; they cannot see anything on account of dire darkness.

Ch 37 Verse 102-103 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नानाप्रकारशस्त्रौघैर्यत्र विद्धाश्च पापिनः । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च वेधनं तत्प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ १०२ ॥ दण्डेन ताडिता यत्र मम दूतैश्च पापिनः । धनुःषोडशमानं च तत्कुण्डं दण्डताडनम् ॥ १०३ ॥

English Translation

The Kuṇḍa where the sinners are pierced by various weapons is known as the Vedhana Kuṇḍa. It measures twenty Dhanus. Then comes the Daṇḍatāḍaṇa Kuṇḍa. It measures sixteen Dhanus. The sinners dwell here, threatened by My messengers.

Ch 37 Verse 104-105 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निरुद्धाश्च महाजालैर्यथा मीनाश्च पापिनः । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च जालरन्ध्रं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ १०४ ॥ पततां पापिनां कुण्डे देहश्चूर्णो भवेदिह । लोहबन्दीनिबद्धानां कोटिपौरुषमानकम् ॥ १०५ ॥

English Translation

Then comes the Jālarandhra Kuṇḍa. Here the sinners live encompassed by a great net as fishes, etc., are tied in a net. Next comes the Dehacūrṇa Kuṇḍa. It is quite dark and its depth is that of the height of one koṭi persons; its circumference is twenty Dhanus.

Ch 37 Verse 106-107 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुक्तं धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम् । मूर्च्छितानां जडानां च देहचूर्णं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ १०६ ॥ दलिताः पापिनो यत्र मम दूतैश्च ताडिताः । धनुःषोडशमानं च तत्कुण्डं दलनं स्मृतम् ॥ १०७ ॥

English Translation

The sinners, here, encompassed by iron chains are made to fall below where their bodies are reduced to powders and they are inert and almost unconscious. The Kuṇḍa where the sinners are crushed and threatened by My messengers is known as the Dalana Kuṇḍa; it measures sixteen Dhanus in circumference.

Ch 37 Verse 108-110 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पतनेनैव पापी च शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः । बालुकासु च तप्तासु धनुस्त्रिंशत्प्रमाणकम् ॥ १०८ ॥ शतपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुतम् । शोषणं कुण्डमेतद्धि पापिनां परदुःखदम् ॥ १०९ ॥ नानाचर्मकषायोदपरिपूर्णं धनुःशतम् । दुर्गन्धियुक्ततद्भक्ष्यैः प्राणिभिः सङ्कुलं कषम् ॥ ११० ॥

English Translation

Next comes the Śoṣana Kuṇḍa. It is deep up to the height of one hundred persons and it is very dark. It measures thirty Dhanus. On falling on the hot sand, the throats and palates of sinners get dried up. Their pain knows no bounds. Hence it is called the Śoṣana Kuṇḍa. Then comes the Kaṣa Kuṇḍa. It measures one hundred Dhanus. It is filled with the juices of skins and its smell is very offensive. The sinners eat those astringent waters and live there.

Ch 37 Verse 111-114 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शूर्पाकारमुखं कुण्डं धनुर्द्वादशमानकम् । तप्तलोहबालुकाभिः पूर्णं पातकिसंयुतम् ॥ १११ ॥ दुर्गन्धियुक्तं तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिः सङ्कुलं सति । शूर्पाकारमुखं कुण्डं धनुर्द्वादशमात्रकम् ॥ ११२ ॥ प्रतप्तबालुकापूर्णं महापातकिभिर्युतम् । अन्तरग्निशिखानां च ज्वालाव्याप्तमुखं सदा ॥ ११३ ॥ धनुर्विंशतिमात्रं च प्रमाणं यस्य सुन्दरि । ज्वालाभिर्दग्धगात्रैश्च पापिभिर्व्याप्तमेव च ॥ ११४ ॥

English Translation

Then comes Śūrpa Kuṇḍa. It measures twelve Dhanus and is extended like a winnowing basket. It is filled with hot iron dust and many sinners live there, eating those foetid iron dusts. Next comes the Jvālāmukha Kuṇḍa. It is filled with red hot sand. From the (bottom) centre rises a flame, over-spreading the mouth of the Kuṇḍa. It measures twenty Dhanus.

Ch 37 Verse 115-116 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तन्महाक्लेशदं शश्वत्कुण्डं ज्वालामुखं स्मृतम् । पातमात्राद्यत्र पापी मूर्च्छितो वै नरो भवेत् ॥ ११५ ॥ तप्तेष्टकाभ्यन्तरितं वाप्यर्धं जिह्मकुण्डकम् । धूमान्धकारसंयुक्तं धूम्रान्धैः पापिभिर्युतम् ॥ ११६ ॥

English Translation

The sinners are burnt here by the flame and live awfully; they get fainted no sooner they are dropped in this Kuṇḍa. Then comes the Dhumrāndha Kuṇḍa. It is dark, quite filled with smoke. Within that the hot bricks are placed. The sinners get suffocated with smoke; and their eye-sight becomes also obstructed.

Ch 37 Verse 117-137 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धनुःशतं श्वासरन्ध्रैर्धूम्रान्धं परिकीर्तितम् । पातमात्राद्यत्र पापी नागैश्च वेष्टितो भवेत् ॥ ११७ ॥ धनुःशतं नागपूर्णं तन्नागैर्वेष्टितं भवेत् । षडशीति च कुण्डानि मयोक्तानि निशामय । लक्षणं चापि तेषां च किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ११८ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां नवमस्कन्धे नारायणनारदसंवादे नानानरककुण्डवर्णनं नाम सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ९.३७॥

English Translation

It measures one hundred Dhanus. Then comes the Nāgabeṣṭana Kuṇḍa. It is encircled and filled with the serpents. No sooner the sinners are let fall there, than they are surrounded by the snakes. O Sāvitrī! Thus I have spoken to you about the eighty-six Kuṇḍas and their characteristics. Now what more do you want to hear? Say. Here ends the Thirty-seventh Chapter of the Ninth Book on the eighty-six Kuṇḍas and their characteristics in the Mahā Purāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.