• Niraya

Niraya (hell)

Various lists of Nirayas are found in the books. In the Játaka Commentary* occurs the following:

• Sañjíva,
• Kálasutta,
• Sangháta,
• Jálaroruva,
• Dhúmaroruva,
• Mahávíci,
• Tapana,
• Patápana.

The Samyutta and Anguttara Nikáyas and the Sutta Nipáta contain a different list:

• Abbuda,
• Nirabbuda,
• Ababa,
• Atata,
• Ahaha,
• Kumuda,
• Sogandhika,
• Uppala,
• Pundaríka,
• Paduma (S.i.149; A.v.173; SN.p.126; see also Dvy. 67).

The Commentaries explain (E.g., AA.ii.853) that these are not separate Nirayas but specified periods of suffering in Avíci. The Devadúta Sutta (M.iii.185) of the Majjhima Nikáya contains yet another list:

• Gútha,
• Kukkula,
• Simbalivana,
• Asipattavana and
• Khárodakanadí.

Other names, also, occur sporadically   e.g.,

• Khuradhára (J.v.269),
• Kákola (J.vi.247),
• Sataporisa (J.v.269) and
• Sattisúla (J.v.143).

The most fearful of the Nirayas is, however, the Avíci-mahá-niraya (see s.v. Avíci).

* J.v.266, 271; the same list is found in Dvy.67, except that Raurava is substituted for Jalaroruva and Maháraurava for Dhúmaroruva.

Niraya Vagga

The twenty second chapter of the Dhammapada.

1. Niraya Sutta

Five things that lead to hell: destruction of life, theft, lust, falsehood, liquor. A.iii.170; also 204.

2. Niraya Sutta

Six things that lead to hell: (A.iii.432)

1. taking life,
2. theft,
3. living carnally,
4. falsehood,
5. evil desires and
6. wrong views.