The Various Hell-Pits Described

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.37.1)

धर्मराज उवाच । पूर्णेन्दुमण्डलाकारं सर्वं कुण्डं च वर्तुलम् । निम्नं पाषाणभेदैश्च पाचितं बहुभिः सति

dharmarāja uvāca | pūrṇendumaṇḍalākāraṁ sarvaṁ kuṇḍaṁ ca vartulam | nimnaṁ pāṣāṇabhedaiśca pācitaṁ bahubhiḥ sati

Dharmaraja said: O virtuous one, every pit is round, shaped like the orb of the full moon; sunken, and forged from many kinds of stone.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.37.2)

न नश्वरं चाप्रलयं निर्मितं चेश्वरेच्छया । क्लेशदं पातकानां च नानारूपं तदालयम्

na naśvaraṁ cāpralayaṁ nirmitaṁ ceśvarecchayā | kleśadaṁ pātakānāṁ ca nānārūpaṁ tadālayam

It is imperishable, unaffected even by cosmic dissolution, made by the will of the Lord; it brings affliction to sinners, and that abode takes many forms.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.37.3)

ज्वलदङ्गाररूपं च शतहस्तशिखान्वितम् । परितः क्रोशमानं च वह्निकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम्

jvaladaṅgārarūpaṁ ca śatahastaśikhānvitam | paritaḥ krośamānaṁ ca vahnikuṇḍaṁ prakīrtitam

That which takes the form of blazing coals, with flames a hundred hastas high, resounding on all sides with cries — that is declared the Fire-Pit.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.37.4)

महाशब्दं प्रकुर्वद्भिः पापिभिः परिपूरितम् । रक्षितं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैश्चापि सन्ततम्

mahāśabdaṁ prakurvadbhiḥ pāpibhiḥ paripūritam | rakṣitaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiścāpi santatam

It is filled with sinners crying out loudly, guarded by my messengers, and continually beaten by them.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.37.5)

प्रतप्तोदकपूर्णं च हिंस्रजन्तुसमन्वितम् । महाघोरं काकुशब्दं प्रहारेण दृढेन च

prataptodakapūrṇaṁ ca hiṁsrajantusamanvitam | mahāghoraṁ kākuśabdaṁ prahāreṇa dṛḍhena ca

The Boiling-Pit is filled with scalding water, teeming with fierce creatures, exceedingly terrible, filled with wretched cries, its inhabitants struck with heavy blows;

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.37.6)

क्रोशार्धमानं तद्दूतैस्ताडितैर्मम पार्षदैः । तप्तक्षारोदकैः पूर्णं पुनः काकैश्च सङ्कुलम्

krośārdhamānaṁ taddūtaistāḍitairmama pārṣadaiḥ | taptakṣārodakaiḥ pūrṇaṁ punaḥ kākaiśca saṅkulam

— half a krosha in measure, its inhabitants beaten by my attendant messengers. The Alkali-Pit is filled with scalding, caustic water, and again crowded with crows;

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.37.7)

सङ्कुलं पापिभिश्चैव क्रोशमानं भयानकम् । त्राहीति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः

saṅkulaṁ pāpibhiścaiva krośamānaṁ bhayānakam | trāhīti śabdaṁ kurvadbhirmama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ

— crowded also with sinners, a krosha in measure, terrifying, its inhabitants crying "save us!", beaten by my messengers.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.37.8)

प्रचलद्भिरनाहारैः शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । विड्भिरेव कृतं पूर्णं क्रोशमानं च कुत्सितम्

pracaladbhiranāhāraiḥ śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaiḥ | viḍbhireva kṛtaṁ pūrṇaṁ krośamānaṁ ca kutsitam

The Excrement-Pit is filled entirely with excrement, its inhabitants restless, without food, their throats, lips, and palates parched, crying aloud, utterly loathsome.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.37.9)

अतिदुर्गन्धिसंसक्तं व्याप्तं पापिभिरन्वहम् । ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च तदाहारैः सुदारुणैः

atidurgandhisaṁsaktaṁ vyāptaṁ pāpibhiranvaham | tāḍitairmama dūtaiśca tadāhāraiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ

It is pervaded by an overwhelming stench, filled day after day with sinners beaten by my messengers, forced to eat that filth, most dreadful.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.37.10)

रक्षेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्तत्कीटैरेव भक्षितैः । तप्तमूत्रद्रवैः पूर्णं मूत्रकीटैश्च सङ्कुलम्

rakṣeti śabdaṁ kurvadbhistatkīṭaireva bhakṣitaiḥ | taptamūtradravaiḥ pūrṇaṁ mūtrakīṭaiśca saṅkulam

— crying "protect us!", devoured there by worms. The Urine-Pit is filled with scalding urine-fluid, crowded with worms that dwell in urine;

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.37.11)

युक्तं महापातकिभिस्तत्कीटैर्भक्षितैः सदा । गव्यूतिमानं ध्वान्ताक्तं शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम्

yuktaṁ mahāpātakibhistatkīṭairbhakṣitaiḥ sadā | gavyūtimānaṁ dhvāntāktaṁ śabdakṛdbhiśca santatam

— filled with great sinners, forever devoured by those worms; a gavyuti in measure, steeped in darkness, ever filled with cries of anguish.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.37.12)

मद्दूतैस्ताडितैर्घोरैः शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । श्लेष्मपूर्णं प्रशमितं तत्कीटैः पूरितं सदा

maddūtaistāḍitairghoraiḥ śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaiḥ | śleṣmapūrṇaṁ praśamitaṁ tatkīṭaiḥ pūritaṁ sadā

— its inhabitants beaten by my terrible messengers, throats, lips, and palates parched. The Phlegm-Pit is filled with phlegm, stagnant, ever filled with worms native to it;

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.37.13)

तद्भोजिभिः पापिभिश्च वेष्टितं वेष्टितैः सदा । क्रोशार्धं गरकुण्डं च गरभोजिभिरन्वितम्

tadbhojibhiḥ pāpibhiśca veṣṭitaṁ veṣṭitaiḥ sadā | krośārdhaṁ garakuṇḍaṁ ca garabhojibhiranvitam

— surrounded ever by sinners who consume it, themselves surrounded. Half a krosha is the Poison-Pit, filled with those who consume that poison;

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.37.14)

गरकीटैर्भक्षितैश्च पापिभिः पूर्णमेव च । ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च शब्दकृद्भिश्च कम्पितैः

garakīṭairbhakṣitaiśca pāpibhiḥ pūrṇameva ca | tāḍitairmama dūtaiśca śabdakṛdbhiśca kampitaiḥ

— filled entirely with sinners devoured by poison-worms, beaten by my messengers, crying out, trembling —

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.37.15)

सर्पाकारेर्वज्रदंष्ट्रै शुष्ककण्ठैः सुदारुणैः । नेत्रयोर्मलपूर्णं च क्रोशार्धं कीटसंयुतम्

sarpākārervajradaṁṣṭrai śuṣkakaṇṭhaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ | netrayormalapūrṇaṁ ca krośārdhaṁ kīṭasaṁyutam

— assailed by serpent-shaped, thunder-fanged creatures, parched of throat, most dreadful. The Eye-Discharge-Pit, half a krosha, is filled with eye-discharge and infested with worms;

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.37.16)

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं शश्वद्भ्रमद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । वसारसेन सम्पूर्णं क्रोशतुर्यं सुदुःसहम्

pāpibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ śaśvadbhramadbhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | vasārasena sampūrṇaṁ krośaturyaṁ suduḥsaham

— ever crowded with sinners wandering there, devoured by worms. The Fat-Pit, a quarter-krosha, wholly unbearable, is filled with fatty liquid;

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.37.17)

तद्भोजिभिः पातकिभिर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । शुक्रकुण्डं क्रोशमितं शुक्रकीटैश्च संयुतम्

tadbhojibhiḥ pātakibhirmama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | śukrakuṇḍaṁ krośamitaṁ śukrakīṭaiśca saṁyutam

— filled with sinners who are made to consume it, beaten by my messengers. The Semen-Pit, a krosha in measure, is filled with worms that dwell in semen;

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.37.18)

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं शश्वद् द्रवद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । दुर्गन्धिरक्तपूर्णं च वापीमानं गभीरकम्

pāpibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ śaśvad dravadbhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | durgandhiraktapūrṇaṁ ca vāpīmānaṁ gabhīrakam

— ever crowded with sinners fleeing there, devoured by worms. The Blood-Pit, deep and the size of a stepwell, is filled with foul-smelling blood;

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.37.19)

तद्भोजिभिः पापिभिश्च सङ्कुलं कीटभक्षितम् । पूर्णं नेत्राश्रुभिस्तप्तं बहुपापिभिरन्वितम्

tadbhojibhiḥ pāpibhiśca saṅkulaṁ kīṭabhakṣitam | pūrṇaṁ netrāśrubhistaptaṁ bahupāpibhiranvitam

— crowded with sinners who consume it, devoured by worms. The Tear-Pit is filled with scalding tears, thronged with many sinners;

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.37.20)

वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च रुदद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । नृणां गात्रमलैर्युक्तं तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युतम्

vāpīturyapramāṇaṁ ca rudadbhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | nṛṇāṁ gātramalairyuktaṁ tadbhakṣaiḥ pāpibhiryutam

— a quarter of a stepwell in measure, filled with those weeping, devoured by worms. The Bodily-Filth-Pit is filled with men's bodily filth, thronged with sinners made to consume it;

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.37.21)

ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च व्यग्रैश्च कीटभक्षितैः । कर्णविट्परिपूर्णं च तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्वृतम्

tāḍitairmama dūtaiśca vyagraiśca kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | karṇaviṭparipūrṇaṁ ca tadbhakṣaiḥ pāpibhirvṛtam

— its inhabitants beaten by my messengers, distraught, devoured by worms. The Ear-Wax-Pit is filled with ear-wax, surrounded by sinners made to consume it;

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.37.22)

वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च ब्रुवद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । मज्जापूर्णं नराणां च महादुर्गन्धिसंयुतम्

vāpīturyapramāṇaṁ ca bruvadbhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | majjāpūrṇaṁ narāṇāṁ ca mahādurgandhisaṁyutam

— a quarter of a stepwell in measure, its inhabitants crying out, devoured by worms. The Marrow-Pit is filled with men's marrow, and possesses an overwhelming stench;

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.37.23)

महापातकिभिर्युक्तं वापीतुर्यप्रमाणकम् । परिपूर्णं सिग्धमांसैर्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः

mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ vāpīturyapramāṇakam | paripūrṇaṁ sigdhamāṁsairmama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ

— filled with great sinners, a quarter of a stepwell in measure. The Flesh-Pit is filled with oily flesh, its inhabitants beaten by my messengers,

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.37.24)

पापिभिः सङ्कुलं चैव वापीमानं भयानकम् । कन्याविक्रयिभिश्चैव तद्भक्ष्यैः कीटभक्षितैः

pāpibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ caiva vāpīmānaṁ bhayānakam | kanyāvikrayibhiścaiva tadbhakṣyaiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ

— crowded with sinners, the size of a stepwell, terrifying, filled with sellers of daughters, made to eat it there, devoured by worms —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.37.25)

पाहीति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्त्रासितैश्च भयानकैः । वापीतुर्यप्रमाणं च नखादिकचतुष्टयम्

pāhīti śabdaṁ kurvadbhistrāsitaiśca bhayānakaiḥ | vāpīturyapramāṇaṁ ca nakhādikacatuṣṭayam

— crying "save us!", terrified, terrifying. The pits of nails and the like — four in number — are a quarter of a stepwell in measure;

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.37.26)

पापिभिः संयुतं शश्वन्मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । प्रतप्तताम्रकुण्डं च ताम्रोपर्युल्मुकान्वितम्

pāpibhiḥ saṁyutaṁ śaśvanmama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | prataptatāmrakuṇḍaṁ ca tāmroparyulmukānvitam

— ever filled with sinners, beaten by my messengers. The scalding Copper-Pit is fitted with burning torches above the copper;

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.37.27)

ताम्राणां प्रतिमालक्षैः प्रतप्तैर्व्यापृतं सदा । प्रत्येकं प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः रुदद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम्

tāmrāṇāṁ pratimālakṣaiḥ prataptairvyāpṛtaṁ sadā | pratyekaṁ pratimāśliṣṭaiḥ rudadbhiḥ pāpibhiryutam

— it is ever filled with a hundred thousand red-hot copper images, each embraced by a weeping sinner;

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.37.28)

गव्यूतिमानं विस्तीर्णं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । प्रतप्तलोहधारं च ज्ववलदङ्गारसंयुतम्

gavyūtimānaṁ vistīrṇaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | prataptalohadhāraṁ ca jvavaladaṅgārasaṁyutam

— a gavyuti in extent, its inhabitants beaten by my messengers. The scalding Iron-Pit flows with molten iron, mingled with blazing coals;

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.37.29)

लोहानां प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः रुदद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम् । प्रत्येकं प्रतिमाश्लिष्टैः शश्वत्प्रज्वलितैर्भिया

lohānāṁ pratimāśliṣṭaiḥ rudadbhiḥ pāpibhiryutam | pratyekaṁ pratimāśliṣṭaiḥ śaśvatprajvalitairbhiyā

— filled with weeping sinners embracing images of iron; each one clasping an ever-blazing image, in terror,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.37.30)

रक्ष रक्षेति शब्दं च कुर्वद्भिर्दूतताडितैः । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम्

rakṣa rakṣeti śabdaṁ ca kurvadbhirdūtatāḍitaiḥ | mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ dvigavyūtipramāṇakam

— crying "protect me, protect me!", beaten by the messengers, filled with great sinners, two gavyutis in measure —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.37.31)

भयानकं ध्वान्तयुक्तं लोहकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम् । चर्मकुण्डं तप्तसुराकुण्डं वाप्यर्धमेव च

bhayānakaṁ dhvāntayuktaṁ lohakuṇḍaṁ prakīrtitam | carmakuṇḍaṁ taptasurākuṇḍaṁ vāpyardhameva ca

— terrifying and steeped in darkness — thus is the Iron-Pit described. The Hide-Pit and the boiling-Liquor-Pit are each half the size of a stepwell,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.37.32)

तद्भोजिपापिभिर्व्याप्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । अतः शाल्मलिकुण्डं च वृक्षकण्टकशोभितम्

tadbhojipāpibhirvyāptaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | ataḥ śālmalikuṇḍaṁ ca vṛkṣakaṇṭakaśobhitam

— filled with sinners made to consume it, beaten by my messengers. Next, the Shalmali-Pit is adorned with the thorns of the silk-cotton tree;

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.37.33)

लक्षपौरुषमानं च क्रोशमानं च दुःखदम् । धनुर्मानैः कण्टकैश्च सुतीक्ष्णैः परिवेष्टितम्

lakṣapauruṣamānaṁ ca krośamānaṁ ca duḥkhadam | dhanurmānaiḥ kaṇṭakaiśca sutīkṣṇaiḥ pariveṣṭitam

— a hundred thousand men's-heights, a krosha in measure, painful, surrounded by thorns a bow's-length long, exceedingly sharp;

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.37.34)

प्रत्येकं विद्धगात्रैश्च महापातकिभिर्युतम् । वृक्षाग्रान्निपतद्भिश्च मम दूतैश्च पातितैः

pratyekaṁ viddhagātraiśca mahāpātakibhiryutam | vṛkṣāgrānnipatadbhiśca mama dūtaiśca pātitaiḥ

— each thorn piercing the body of a great sinner, thrown down from the treetop by my messengers,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.37.35)

जलं देहीति शब्दं च कुर्वद्भिः शुष्कतालुकैः । महाभियातिव्यग्रैश्च दण्डैः सम्भग्नमस्तकैः

jalaṁ dehīti śabdaṁ ca kurvadbhiḥ śuṣkatālukaiḥ | mahābhiyātivyagraiśca daṇḍaiḥ sambhagnamastakaiḥ

— crying "give me water!", their palates parched, deeply distraught with terror, their heads shattered by rods,

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.37.36)

प्रचलद्भिर्यथा तप्ततैलजीविभिरेव च । विषोदैस्तक्षकाणां च पूर्वं च क्रोशमानकम्

pracaladbhiryathā taptatailajīvibhireva ca | viṣodaistakṣakāṇāṁ ca pūrvaṁ ca krośamānakam

— restless, as though living in boiling oil; nearby is the Serpent-Venom-Water pit, resounding with cries as before —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.37.37)

तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडिते । प्रतप्ततैलपूर्णं च कीटादिपरिवर्जितम्

tadbhakṣaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍite | prataptatailapūrṇaṁ ca kīṭādiparivarjitam

— filled with sinners forced to consume it, beaten by my messengers. The boiling Oil-Pit is filled with scalding oil, free of worms and the like,

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.37.38)

महापातकिभिर्युक्तं दग्धाङ्गारैश्च वेष्टितम् । काकुशब्दं प्रकुर्वद्भिश्चलद्भिर्दूतपीडितैः

mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ dagdhāṅgāraiśca veṣṭitam | kākuśabdaṁ prakurvadbhiścaladbhirdūtapīḍitaiḥ

— filled with great sinners, surrounded by burning coals, its inhabitants crying out in anguish, restless, tormented by the messengers;

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.37.39)

ध्वान्तयुक्तं क्रोशमानं क्लेशदं च भयानकम् । शूलाकारैः सुतीक्ष्णाग्रैर्लोहशस्त्रैश्च वेष्टितम्

dhvāntayuktaṁ krośamānaṁ kleśadaṁ ca bhayānakam | śūlākāraiḥ sutīkṣṇāgrairlohaśastraiśca veṣṭitam

— steeped in darkness, resounding with cries, painful and terrifying. The Spear-Pit is surrounded by spear-shaped, exceedingly sharp iron weapons;

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.37.40)

शस्त्रतल्पस्वरूपञ्च कोशतुर्यप्रमाणकम् । वेष्टितं तत्पातकिभिः कुन्तविद्धैश्च वेष्टितैः

śastratalpasvarūpañca kośaturyapramāṇakam | veṣṭitaṁ tatpātakibhiḥ kuntaviddhaiśca veṣṭitaiḥ

— its very form a bed of weapons, a quarter-krosha in measure; surrounded by those sinners, themselves pierced through by the spears;

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.37.41)

ताडितैर्मम दूतैश्च शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकैः । कीटैश्च शङ्कुप्रमितैः सर्पमानैर्भयङ्करैः

tāḍitairmama dūtaiśca śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaiḥ | kīṭaiśca śaṅkupramitaiḥ sarpamānairbhayaṅkaraiḥ

— beaten by my messengers, throats, lips, and palates parched. The Worm-Pit is filled with worms the size of stakes, huge as serpents, terrifying,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.37.42)

तीक्ष्णदन्तैश्च विकृतैर्व्याप्तं ध्वान्तयुतं सति । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडिते

tīkṣṇadantaiśca vikṛtairvyāptaṁ dhvāntayutaṁ sati | mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍite

— sharp-toothed and grotesque, steeped in darkness, filled with great sinners, beaten by my messengers.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.37.43)

द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणं च पूयकुण्डं प्रचक्षते । तद्भक्ष्यैः प्राणिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः

dvigavyūtipramāṇaṁ ca pūyakuṇḍaṁ pracakṣate | tadbhakṣyaiḥ prāṇibhiryuktaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ

The Pus-Pit is declared to be two gavyutis in measure, filled with creatures forced to eat it, beaten by my messengers.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.37.44)

तालवृक्षप्रमाणैश्च सर्पकोटिभिरावृतम् । सर्पवेष्टितगात्रैश्च पापिभिः सर्पभक्षितैः

tālavṛkṣapramāṇaiśca sarpakoṭibhirāvṛtam | sarpaveṣṭitagātraiśca pāpibhiḥ sarpabhakṣitaiḥ

The Serpent-Pit is covered with crores of serpents, huge as palm trees; its sinners have bodies coiled about by serpents, devoured by them,

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.37.45)

सङ्कुलं शब्दकृद्भिश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । कुण्डत्रयं मशादीनां पूर्णं च मशकादिभिः

saṅkulaṁ śabdakṛdbhiśca mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | kuṇḍatrayaṁ maśādīnāṁ pūrṇaṁ ca maśakādibhiḥ

— crowded, crying out, beaten by my messengers. The three pits of the mosquito and the like are filled with mosquitoes and similar creatures,

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.37.46)

सर्वं कोशार्धमानं च महापातकिभिर्युतम् । हस्तपादादिबद्धैश्च क्षतजौघेन लोहितैः

sarvaṁ kośārdhamānaṁ ca mahāpātakibhiryutam | hastapādādibaddhaiśca kṣatajaughena lohitaiḥ

— each half a krosha in measure, filled with great sinners bound hand and foot, red with streams of blood,

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.37.47)

हाहेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्ताडितैर्मम पार्षदैः । वज्रवृश्चिकयोः कुण्डं ताभ्यां च परिपूरितम्

hāheti śabdaṁ kurvadbhistāḍitairmama pārṣadaiḥ | vajravṛścikayoḥ kuṇḍaṁ tābhyāṁ ca paripūritam

— crying "alas! alas!", beaten by my attendants. The pit of thunder-fanged creatures and scorpions is filled entirely with them,

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.37.48)

वाप्यर्धं पापिभिर्युक्तं वज्रवृश्चिकदंशितैः । कुण्डत्रयं शरादीनां तैरेव परिपूरितम्

vāpyardhaṁ pāpibhiryuktaṁ vajravṛścikadaṁśitaiḥ | kuṇḍatrayaṁ śarādīnāṁ taireva paripūritam

— half the size of a stepwell, filled with sinners bitten by the fanged creatures and scorpions. The three pits of the arrow and the like are filled entirely with those weapons;

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.37.49)

तैर्विद्धैः पापिभिर्युक्तं वाप्यर्धं रक्तलोहितैः । तप्ततोयोदकैः पूर्णं सध्वान्तं गोलकुण्डकम्

tairviddhaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ vāpyardhaṁ raktalohitaiḥ | taptatoyodakaiḥ pūrṇaṁ sadhvāntaṁ golakuṇḍakam

— half the size of a stepwell, filled with sinners pierced by them, red with blood. The Ball-Pit is filled with scalding water and steeped in darkness,

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.37.50)

कीटैः शङ्कुसमानैश्च भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । वाप्यर्थमानं भीतैश्च पापिभिः कीटभक्षितैः

kīṭaiḥ śaṅkusamānaiśca bhakṣitaiḥ pāpibhiryutam | vāpyarthamānaṁ bhītaiśca pāpibhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ

— filled with sinners devoured by stake-sized worms, the size of a stepwell, filled with terrified sinners devoured by worms,

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.37.51)

रुदद्भिः क्रोशमानैश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । अतिदुर्गन्धिसंयुक्तं दुःखदं पापिनां सदा

rudadbhiḥ krośamānaiśca mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | atidurgandhisaṁyuktaṁ duḥkhadaṁ pāpināṁ sadā

— weeping, crying out, beaten by my messengers; possessing an overwhelming stench, ever painful for sinners.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.37.52)

दारुणैर्विकृताकारैर्भक्षितं पापिभिर्युतम् । वाप्यर्धं परिपूर्णं च जलस्थैर्नक्रकोटिभिः

dāruṇairvikṛtākārairbhakṣitaṁ pāpibhiryutam | vāpyardhaṁ paripūrṇaṁ ca jalasthairnakrakoṭibhiḥ

— devoured by dreadful, grotesque creatures, filled with sinners. The Crocodile-Pit, half the size of a stepwell, is filled entirely with crores of crocodiles dwelling in water,

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.37.53)

विण्मूत्रश्लेष्मभक्षैश्च संयुतं शतकोटिभिः । काकैश्च विकृताकारैर्भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम्

viṇmūtraśleṣmabhakṣaiśca saṁyutaṁ śatakoṭibhiḥ | kākaiśca vikṛtākārairbhakṣitaiḥ pāpibhiryutam

— filled with a hundred crores of creatures that feed on excrement, urine, and phlegm, and filled with sinners devoured by grotesque crows.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.37.54)

मन्थानकुण्डं बीजकुण्डं ताभ्यां पूर्णं धनुःशतम् । भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युक्तं शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम्

manthānakuṇḍaṁ bījakuṇḍaṁ tābhyāṁ pūrṇaṁ dhanuḥśatam | bhakṣitaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ śabdakṛdbhiśca santatam

The Churning-Pit and the Seed-Pit, filled with those implements and seeds, a hundred bow-lengths in extent, filled with sinners being devoured, continually crying out;

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.37.55)

धनुःशतं जीवयुक्तं पापिभिः सङ्कुलं सदा । शब्दकृद्भिर्वज्रदंष्ट्रैः सान्द्रध्वान्तमयं परम्

dhanuḥśataṁ jīvayuktaṁ pāpibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ sadā | śabdakṛdbhirvajradaṁṣṭraiḥ sāndradhvāntamayaṁ param

— a hundred bow-lengths, filled with living creatures, ever crowded with sinners crying out, tormented by thunder-fanged beings, and utterly steeped in dense darkness.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.37.56)

वापीद्विगुणमानं च तप्तप्रस्तरनिर्मितम् । ज्वलदङ्गारसदृशं चलद्भिः पापिभिर्युतम्

vāpīdviguṇamānaṁ ca taptaprastaranirmitam | jvaladaṅgārasadṛśaṁ caladbhiḥ pāpibhiryutam

The burning-Stones-Pit, twice the size of a stepwell, is made of scalding rock, resembling blazing coals, filled with sinners restlessly moving about;

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.37.57)

क्षुरधारोपमैस्तीक्ष्णैः पाषाणैर्निर्मितं परम् । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं लालाकुण्डं च लोहितैः

kṣuradhāropamaistīkṣṇaiḥ pāṣāṇairnirmitaṁ param | mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ lālākuṇḍaṁ ca lohitaiḥ

— made supremely of stones sharp as a razor's edge, filled with great sinners. The Saliva-Pit is filled with bloody saliva,

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.37.58)

क्रोशमात्रं च गम्भीरं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । तप्ताञ्जनाचलाकारैः परिपूर्णं धनुःशतम्

krośamātraṁ ca gambhīraṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | taptāñjanācalākāraiḥ paripūrṇaṁ dhanuḥśatam

— a krosha in extent and deep, its inhabitants beaten by my messengers. The Soot-Pit is filled with things shaped like a burning mountain of collyrium, a hundred bow-lengths;

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.37.59)

चलद्भिः पापिभिर्युक्तं मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । पूर्णं चूर्णद्रवैः क्रोशमानं पापिभिरन्वितम्

caladbhiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | pūrṇaṁ cūrṇadravaiḥ krośamānaṁ pāpibhiranvitam

— filled with sinners moving restlessly, beaten by my messengers. The Powder-Pit, a krosha in measure, is filled with powdery liquid, crowded with sinners,

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.37.60)

तद्भोजिभिः प्रदग्धैश्च मम दूतैश्च ताडितैः । कुण्डं कुलालचक्रं च घूर्णमानञ्च सन्ततम्

tadbhojibhiḥ pradagdhaiśca mama dūtaiśca tāḍitaiḥ | kuṇḍaṁ kulālacakraṁ ca ghūrṇamānañca santatam

— its inhabitants who are made to consume it, scorched, beaten by my messengers. The Wheel-Pit, shaped like a potter's wheel, continually whirls,

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.37.61)

सुतीक्ष्णं षोडशारं च चूर्णितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । अतीव वक्रं निम्नं च द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम्

sutīkṣṇaṁ ṣoḍaśāraṁ ca cūrṇitaiḥ pāpibhiryutam | atīva vakraṁ nimnaṁ ca dvigavyūtipramāṇakam

— exceedingly sharp, with sixteen spokes, filled with sinners ground to powder. The Crooked-Pit is exceedingly winding and sunken, two gavyutis in measure,

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.37.62)

कन्दराकारनिर्माणं तप्तोदैश्च समन्वितम् । महापातकिभिर्युक्तं भक्षितैर्जलजन्तुभिः

kandarākāranirmāṇaṁ taptodaiśca samanvitam | mahāpātakibhiryuktaṁ bhakṣitairjalajantubhiḥ

— fashioned in the shape of a cave, filled with scalding water, filled with great sinners devoured by aquatic creatures;

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.37.63)

ज्वलद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च ध्वान्तयुक्तं भयानकम् । कोटिभिर्विकृताकारैः कच्छपैश्च सुदारुणैः

jvaladbhiḥ śabdakṛdbhiśca dhvāntayuktaṁ bhayānakam | koṭibhirvikṛtākāraiḥ kacchapaiśca sudāruṇaiḥ

— burning, crying out, steeped in darkness, terrifying, filled with crores of grotesque, dreadful tortoises,

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.37.64)

जलस्थैः संयुतं तैश्च भक्षितैः पापिभिर्युतम् । ज्वालाकलापैस्तेजोभिर्निर्मितैः क्रोशमानकम्

jalasthaiḥ saṁyutaṁ taiśca bhakṣitaiḥ pāpibhiryutam | jvālākalāpaistejobhirnirmitaiḥ krośamānakam

— dwelling in that water, filled with sinners devoured by them. The Flame-Pit is made of masses of blazing flame, a krosha in measure,

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.37.65)

शब्दकृद्भिः पातकिभिः संयुतं क्लेशदं सदा । क्रोशमानञ्च गम्भीरं तप्तभस्मभिरन्वितम्

śabdakṛdbhiḥ pātakibhiḥ saṁyutaṁ kleśadaṁ sadā | krośamānañca gambhīraṁ taptabhasmabhiranvitam

— filled with sinners crying out, ever painful. The Ash-Pit, a krosha in measure and deep, is filled with scalding ash,

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.37.66)

शश्वज्ज्वलद्भिः संयुक्तं पापिभिर्भस्मभक्षितैः । तप्तपाषाणलोहानां समूहैः परिपूरितैः

śaśvajjvaladbhiḥ saṁyuktaṁ pāpibhirbhasmabhakṣitaiḥ | taptapāṣāṇalohānāṁ samūhaiḥ paripūritaiḥ

— ever ablaze, filled with sinners forced to eat the ash, and filled entirely with heaps of scalding stones and iron;

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.37.67)

पापिभिर्दग्धगात्रैश्च युक्तञ्च शुष्कतालुकैः । क्रोशमानं ध्वान्तयुक्तं गम्भीरमतिदारुणम्

pāpibhirdagdhagātraiśca yuktañca śuṣkatālukaiḥ | krośamānaṁ dhvāntayuktaṁ gambhīramatidāruṇam

— filled with sinners whose bodies are burned and whose palates are parched; a krosha in measure, steeped in darkness, deep, exceedingly dreadful —

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.37.68)

ताडितैश्च प्रदग्धैश्च दग्धकुण्डं प्रकीर्तितम् । अतीवोर्मियुतं तोयं प्रतप्तक्षारसंयुतम्

tāḍitaiśca pradagdhaiśca dagdhakuṇḍaṁ prakīrtitam | atīvormiyutaṁ toyaṁ prataptakṣārasaṁyutam

— beaten and scorched, thus is the Burnt-Pit described. Its water, exceedingly turbulent with waves, is mixed with scalding alkali,

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.37.69)

नानाप्रकारैर्विरुतैर्जलजन्तुभिरन्वितम् । द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणं च गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुतम्

nānāprakārairvirutairjalajantubhiranvitam | dvigavyūtipramāṇaṁ ca gambhīraṁ dhvāntasaṁyutam

— filled with aquatic creatures crying out in various ways; two gavyutis in measure, deep, steeped in darkness,

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.37.70)

तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिर्युक्तं दंशितैर्जलजन्तुभिः । ज्वलद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च न पश्यद्भिः परस्परम्

tadbhakṣyaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ daṁśitairjalajantubhiḥ | jvaladbhiḥ śabdakṛdbhiśca na paśyadbhiḥ parasparam

— filled with sinners forced to eat it, bitten by aquatic creatures, burning, crying out, unable even to see one another.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.37.71)

प्रतप्तसूचीकुण्डञ्च कीर्तितं च भयानकम् । असीव धारापत्रस्याऽप्युच्चैस्तालतरोरधः

prataptasūcīkuṇḍañca kīrtitaṁ ca bhayānakam | asīva dhārāpatrasyā'pyuccaistālataroradhaḥ

The scalding Needle-Pit too is declared terrifying. Regarding the Sword-Leaf forest: its leaves are sharp as sword-blades, beneath a towering palm tree —

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.37.72)

क्रोशार्धमानं कुण्डं च पतत्पत्रसमन्वितम् । पापिनां रक्तपूर्णं च वृक्षाग्रात्पततां ध्रुवं

krośārdhamānaṁ kuṇḍaṁ ca patatpatrasamanvitam | pāpināṁ raktapūrṇaṁ ca vṛkṣāgrātpatatāṁ dhruvaṁ

— the pit, half a krosha in measure, is filled with those falling leaves; it is surely filled with the blood of sinners falling from the treetop,

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.37.73)

परित्राहीति शब्दं च कुर्वतामसतामपि । गम्भीरं ध्वान्तयुक्तं च रक्तकीटसमन्वितम्

paritrāhīti śabdaṁ ca kurvatāmasatāmapi | gambhīraṁ dhvāntayuktaṁ ca raktakīṭasamanvitam

— those wicked ones crying "save me!"; it is deep, steeped in darkness, and filled with blood-worms.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.9.37.74)

तदसीपत्रकुण्डं च कीर्तितं च भयानकम् । धनुःशतप्रमाणं च क्षुरधारास्त्रसंयुतम्

tadasīpatrakuṇḍaṁ ca kīrtitaṁ ca bhayānakam | dhanuḥśatapramāṇaṁ ca kṣuradhārāstrasaṁyutam

That is the Sword-Leaf Pit, declared terrifying, a hundred bow-lengths in measure, fitted with razor-edged weapons.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.9.37.75)

पापिनां रक्तपूर्णं च क्षुरधारं भयानकम् । सूचीमुखास्त्रसंयुक्तं पापिरक्तौघपूरतम्

pāpināṁ raktapūrṇaṁ ca kṣuradhāraṁ bhayānakam | sūcīmukhāstrasaṁyuktaṁ pāpiraktaughapūratam

The Razor's-Edge is filled with sinners' blood, terrifying; the Needle-Mouth is fitted with needle-weapons, filled with a flood of sinners' blood,

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.9.37.76)

पञ्चाशद्धनुरायामं क्लेशदं सूचिकामुखम् । कस्यचिज्जन्तुभेदस्य गोकाख्यस्य मुखाकृति

pañcāśaddhanurāyāmaṁ kleśadaṁ sūcikāmukham | kasyacijjantubhedasya gokākhyasya mukhākṛti

— fifty bow-lengths in extent, causing affliction. The Gokamukha is shaped like the mouth of a certain kind of creature called "goka";

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.9.37.77)

कूपरूपं गभीरं च धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम् । महापातकिनां चैव महत्क्लेशप्रदं परम्

kūparūpaṁ gabhīraṁ ca dhanurviṁśatpramāṇakam | mahāpātakināṁ caiva mahatkleśapradaṁ param

— shaped like a well and deep, twenty bow-lengths in measure, causing supreme and immense affliction to great sinners,

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.9.37.78)

तत्कीटभक्षितानां च नम्रास्यानां च सन्ततम् । कुण्डं नक्रमुखाकारं धनुःषोडशमानकम्

tatkīṭabhakṣitānāṁ ca namrāsyānāṁ ca santatam | kuṇḍaṁ nakramukhākāraṁ dhanuḥṣoḍaśamānakam

— continually devoured there by worms, their faces bowed low. Nakramukha, the crocodile-mouth-shaped pit, is sixteen bow-lengths in measure,

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.9.37.79)

गम्भीरं कूपरूपं च पापिनां सङ्कुलं सदा । धनुःशतप्रमाणं च कीर्तितं गजदंशनम्

gambhīraṁ kūparūpaṁ ca pāpināṁ saṅkulaṁ sadā | dhanuḥśatapramāṇaṁ ca kīrtitaṁ gajadaṁśanam

— deep, well-shaped, ever crowded with sinners. Gajadamshana, the Elephant's-Bite, is declared to be a hundred bow-lengths in measure.

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.9.37.80)

धनुस्त्रिंशत्प्रमाणं च कुण्डं च गोमुखाकृति । पापिनां क्लेशदं शश्वद् गोमुखं परिकीर्तितम्

dhanustriṁśatpramāṇaṁ ca kuṇḍaṁ ca gomukhākṛti | pāpināṁ kleśadaṁ śaśvad gomukhaṁ parikīrtitam

The pit shaped like a cow's mouth is thirty bow-lengths in measure; Gomukha, the Ox-Mouth, is declared to be an ever-abiding source of affliction for sinners.

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.9.37.81)

कालचक्रेण संयुक्तं भ्रममाणं भयानकम् । कुम्भाकारं ध्वान्तयुक्तं द्विगव्यूतिप्रमाणकम्

kālacakreṇa saṁyuktaṁ bhramamāṇaṁ bhayānakam | kumbhākāraṁ dhvāntayuktaṁ dvigavyūtipramāṇakam

Kumbhipaka is fitted with the Wheel of Time, ever revolving, terrifying, shaped like a great cauldron, steeped in darkness, two gavyutis in measure,

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.9.37.82)

लक्षपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं विस्मृतं सति । कुत्रचित्तप्ततैलं च ताम्रादिकुण्डमेव च

lakṣapauruṣamānaṁ ca gambhīraṁ vismṛtaṁ sati | kutracittaptatailaṁ ca tāmrādikuṇḍameva ca

— a hundred thousand men's-heights in depth, O virtuous one, of immeasurable extent; in some parts filled with scalding oil, in others with copper and the like,

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.9.37.83)

पापिनां च प्रधानैश्च मूर्च्छितैः कृमिभिर्युतम् । परस्परं च नश्यद्भिः शब्दकृद्भिश्च सन्ततम्

pāpināṁ ca pradhānaiśca mūrcchitaiḥ kṛmibhiryutam | parasparaṁ ca naśyadbhiḥ śabdakṛdbhiśca santatam

— filled with the foremost of sinners, unconscious, mingled with worms, ceaselessly destroying one another and crying out,

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.9.37.84)

ताडितैर्यमदूतैश्च मुसलैर्मुद्गरैस्तथा । घूर्णमानैः पतद्भिश्च मूर्च्छितैश्च क्षणं क्षणम्

tāḍitairyamadūtaiśca musalairmudgaraistathā | ghūrṇamānaiḥ patadbhiśca mūrcchitaiśca kṣaṇaṁ kṣaṇam

— beaten by Yama's messengers with pestles and clubs, whirling about, falling, fainting moment by moment,

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.9.37.85)

पातितैर्यमदूतैश्च रुदन्त्यस्मात्क्षणं पुनः । यावन्तः पापिनः सन्ति सर्वकुण्डेषु सुन्दरि

pātitairyamadūtaiśca rudantyasmātkṣaṇaṁ punaḥ | yāvantaḥ pāpinaḥ santi sarvakuṇḍeṣu sundari

— cast down by Yama's messengers, weeping again in that same instant. O beautiful one, however many sinners there are in all the other pits,

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.9.37.86)

ततश्चतुर्गुणाः सन्ति कुम्भीपाके च दुःखदे । सुचिरं वध्यमानास्ते भोगदेहा न नश्वराः

tataścaturguṇāḥ santi kumbhīpāke ca duḥkhade | suciraṁ vadhyamānāste bhogadehā na naśvarāḥ

— four times that number dwell in the painful Kumbhipaka. Slain there for a very long time, their bodies of experience do not perish.

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.9.37.87)

सर्वकुण्डप्रधानं च कुम्भीपाकं प्रकीर्तितम् । कालनिर्मितसूत्रेण निबद्धा यत्र पापिनः

sarvakuṇḍapradhānaṁ ca kumbhīpākaṁ prakīrtitam | kālanirmitasūtreṇa nibaddhā yatra pāpinaḥ

Kumbhipaka is declared to be foremost among all the pits; there sinners are bound by a thread fashioned by Time itself,

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.9.37.88)

उत्थापिताश्च दूतैश्च क्षणमेव निमज्जिताः । निःश्वासबद्धाः सुचिरं तथा मोहं गताः पुनः

utthāpitāśca dūtaiśca kṣaṇameva nimajjitāḥ | niḥśvāsabaddhāḥ suciraṁ tathā mohaṁ gatāḥ punaḥ

— raised up by the messengers, and in that same instant plunged under; bound by their own breath for a very long time, and again falling into unconsciousness.

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.9.37.89)

अतीव क्लेशसंयुक्ता देहभोगेन सुन्दरि । प्रतप्ततोययुक्तं च कालसूत्रं प्रकीर्तितम्

atīva kleśasaṁyuktā dehabhogena sundari | prataptatoyayuktaṁ ca kālasūtraṁ prakīrtitam

O beautiful one, they are afflicted exceedingly through the experience of the body. Kalasutra is declared to be filled with scalding water,

Verse 90 (devibhagavatam.9.37.90)

अवटः कूपभेदश्च मत्स्योदः स उदाहृतः । प्रतप्ततोयपूर्णं च चतुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम्

avaṭaḥ kūpabhedaśca matsyodaḥ sa udāhṛtaḥ | prataptatoyapūrṇaṁ ca caturviṁśatpramāṇakam

Avata is a kind of well; it is what is called Matsyoda, filled with scalding water, twenty-four (bow-lengths) in measure,

Verse 91 (devibhagavatam.9.37.91)

व्याप्तं महापातकिभिर्व्यादग्धाङ्गैश्च सन्ततम् । मद्दूतैस्ताडितैः शश्वदवटोदं प्रकीर्तितम्

vyāptaṁ mahāpātakibhirvyādagdhāṅgaiśca santatam | maddūtaistāḍitaiḥ śaśvadavaṭodaṁ prakīrtitam

— pervaded by great sinners, their limbs continually scorched, ever beaten by my messengers — thus is Avatoda, the Well-Water hell, described.

Verse 92 (devibhagavatam.9.37.92)

यत्रोदस्पर्शमात्रेण सर्वव्याधिश्च पापिनाम् । भवेदकस्मात्पततां यस्मिन्कुण्डे धनुःशते

yatrodasparśamātreṇa sarvavyādhiśca pāpinām | bhavedakasmātpatatāṁ yasminkuṇḍe dhanuḥśate

Where, by the mere touch of that water, sinners are instantly afflicted with every disease; in that pit, a hundred bow-lengths in size, where they suddenly fall —

Verse 93 (devibhagavatam.9.37.93)

अरुन्तुदैर्भक्षितैस्तु प्राणिभिर्यच्च सङ्कुलम् । हाहेति शब्दं कुर्वद्भिस्तदेवारुन्तुदं विदुः

aruntudairbhakṣitaistu prāṇibhiryacca saṅkulam | hāheti śabdaṁ kurvadbhistadevāruntudaṁ viduḥ

— that which is crowded with creatures devoured by piercing things, crying "alas! alas!" — that is known as Aruntuda, the Piercing-Pit.

Verse 94 (devibhagavatam.9.37.94)

तप्तपांसुभिराकीर्णं ज्वलद्भिस्तुषदग्धकैः । तद्भक्षैः पापिभिर्युक्तं पांसुभोजैर्धनुःशतम्

taptapāṁsubhirākīrṇaṁ jvaladbhistuṣadagdhakaiḥ | tadbhakṣaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ pāṁsubhojairdhanuḥśatam

The Dust-Pit is strewn with scalding dust, blazing with burning husks, a hundred bow-lengths, filled with sinners forced to eat that dust,

Verse 95 (devibhagavatam.9.37.95)

पातमात्रेण पापी च पाशेन वेष्टितो भवेत् । क्रोशमात्रेण कुण्डं च तत्पाशवेष्टनं विदुः

pātamātreṇa pāpī ca pāśena veṣṭito bhavet | krośamātreṇa kuṇḍaṁ ca tatpāśaveṣṭanaṁ viduḥ

— the sinner, by the mere act of falling, becomes bound by a noose; a krosha in extent, that pit is known as the Noose-Binding-Pit.

Verse 96 (devibhagavatam.9.37.96)

पातमात्रेण पापी च शूलेन वेष्टितो भवेत् । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च शूलप्रोतं प्रकीर्तितम्

pātamātreṇa pāpī ca śūlena veṣṭito bhavet | dhanurviṁśatpramāṇaṁ ca śūlaprotaṁ prakīrtitam

By the mere act of falling, the sinner becomes impaled upon a spike; twenty bow-lengths in measure, this is declared the Impaling-Pit.

Verse 97 (devibhagavatam.9.37.97)

पततां पापिनां यत्र भवेदेव प्रकम्पनम् । अतीव हिमतोयाक्तं क्रोशार्धं च प्रकम्पनम्

patatāṁ pāpināṁ yatra bhavedeva prakampanam | atīva himatoyāktaṁ krośārdhaṁ ca prakampanam

Where sinners, upon falling, are seized with trembling — exceedingly icy-cold, half a krosha, this is the Trembling-Pit.

Verse 98 (devibhagavatam.9.37.98)

ददत्येव हि मे दूता यत्रोल्काः पापिनां मुखे । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं तदुल्काभिश्च सुसङ्कुलम्

dadatyeva hi me dūtā yatrolkāḥ pāpināṁ mukhe | dhanurviṁśatpramāṇaṁ tadulkābhiśca susaṅkulam

Where my messengers apply burning torches to the mouths of sinners — twenty bow-lengths in measure, crowded with those torches.

Verse 99 (devibhagavatam.9.37.99)

लक्षपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं च धनुःशतम् । नानाप्रकारकृमिभिः संयुक्तं च भयानकम्

lakṣapauruṣamānaṁ ca gambhīraṁ ca dhanuḥśatam | nānāprakārakṛmibhiḥ saṁyuktaṁ ca bhayānakam

The Blind Well is a hundred thousand men's-heights in depth, a hundred bow-lengths, filled with various kinds of worms and terrifying,

Verse 100 (devibhagavatam.9.37.100)

अत्यन्धकारव्याप्तं च कूपाकारं च वर्तुलम् । तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिर्युक्तं प्रणश्यद्भिः परस्परम्

atyandhakāravyāptaṁ ca kūpākāraṁ ca vartulam | tadbhakṣyaiḥ pāpibhiryuktaṁ praṇaśyadbhiḥ parasparam

— pervaded by utter darkness, round, well-shaped, filled with sinners forced to eat it, mutually destroying one another,

Verse 101 (devibhagavatam.9.37.101)

तप्ततोयप्रदग्धैश्च ज्वलद्भिः कीटभक्षितैः । ध्वान्तेन चक्षुषा चान्धैरन्धकूपः प्रकीर्तितः

taptatoyapradagdhaiśca jvaladbhiḥ kīṭabhakṣitaiḥ | dhvāntena cakṣuṣā cāndhairandhakūpaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

— scorched by scalding water, burning, devoured by worms, their eyes blinded by the darkness — thus is the Blind Well described.

Verse 102 (devibhagavatam.9.37.102)

नानाप्रकारशस्त्रौघैर्यत्र विद्धाश्च पापिनः । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च वेधनं तत्प्रकीर्तितम्

nānāprakāraśastraughairyatra viddhāśca pāpinaḥ | dhanurviṁśatpramāṇaṁ ca vedhanaṁ tatprakīrtitam

Where sinners are pierced by floods of various kinds of weapons — twenty bow-lengths in measure, this is declared the Piercing-Pit.

Verse 103 (devibhagavatam.9.37.103)

दण्डेन ताडिता यत्र मम दूतैश्च पापिनः । धनुःषोडशमानं च तत्कुण्डं दण्डताडनम्

daṇḍena tāḍitā yatra mama dūtaiśca pāpinaḥ | dhanuḥṣoḍaśamānaṁ ca tatkuṇḍaṁ daṇḍatāḍanam

Where sinners are beaten with rods by my messengers — sixteen bow-lengths in measure, that pit is the Rod-Beating-Pit.

Verse 104 (devibhagavatam.9.37.104)

निरुद्धाश्च महाजालैर्यथा मीनाश्च पापिनः । धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणं च जालरन्ध्रं प्रकीर्तितम्

niruddhāśca mahājālairyathā mīnāśca pāpinaḥ | dhanurviṁśatpramāṇaṁ ca jālarandhraṁ prakīrtitam

Where sinners are trapped by great nets, as fish are — twenty bow-lengths in measure, this is declared the Net-Hole.

Verse 105 (devibhagavatam.9.37.105)

पततां पापिनां कुण्डे देहश्चूर्णो भवेदिह । लोहबन्दीनिबद्धानां कोटिपौरुषमानकम्

patatāṁ pāpināṁ kuṇḍe dehaścūrṇo bhavediha | lohabandīnibaddhānāṁ koṭipauruṣamānakam

In the pit where, upon falling, a sinner's body is pulverized — a crore men's-heights in measure, for those bound in iron chains,

Verse 106 (devibhagavatam.9.37.106)

गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुक्तं धनुर्विंशत्प्रमाणकम् । मूर्च्छितानां जडानां च देहचूर्णं प्रकीर्तितम्

gambhīraṁ dhvāntasaṁyuktaṁ dhanurviṁśatpramāṇakam | mūrcchitānāṁ jaḍānāṁ ca dehacūrṇaṁ prakīrtitam

— deep, steeped in darkness, twenty bow-lengths in measure, for those unconscious and torpid — this is declared the Body-Pulverizing-Pit.

Verse 107 (devibhagavatam.9.37.107)

दलिताः पापिनो यत्र मम दूतैश्च ताडिताः । धनुःषोडशमानं च तत्कुण्डं दलनं स्मृतम्

dalitāḥ pāpino yatra mama dūtaiśca tāḍitāḥ | dhanuḥṣoḍaśamānaṁ ca tatkuṇḍaṁ dalanaṁ smṛtam

Where sinners are crushed, beaten by my messengers — sixteen bow-lengths in measure, that pit is remembered as the Splitting-Pit.

Verse 108 (devibhagavatam.9.37.108)

पतनेनैव पापी च शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः । बालुकासु च तप्तासु धनुस्त्रिंशत्प्रमाणकम्

patanenaiva pāpī ca śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaḥ | bālukāsu ca taptāsu dhanustriṁśatpramāṇakam

By the very fall, the sinner's throat, lips, and palate become parched, upon scalding sand — thirty bow-lengths in measure,

Verse 109 (devibhagavatam.9.37.109)

शतपौरुषमानं च गम्भीरं ध्वान्तसंयुतम् । शोषणं कुण्डमेतद्धि पापिनां परदुःखदम्

śatapauruṣamānaṁ ca gambhīraṁ dhvāntasaṁyutam | śoṣaṇaṁ kuṇḍametaddhi pāpināṁ paraduḥkhadam

— a hundred men's-heights in depth, steeped in darkness — this indeed is the Withering-Pit, supremely painful for sinners.

Verse 110 (devibhagavatam.9.37.110)

नानाचर्मकषायोदपरिपूर्णं धनुःशतम् । दुर्गन्धियुक्ततद्भक्ष्यैः प्राणिभिः सङ्कुलं कषम्

nānācarmakaṣāyodaparipūrṇaṁ dhanuḥśatam | durgandhiyuktatadbhakṣyaiḥ prāṇibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ kaṣam

The Scraping-Pit, a hundred bow-lengths, is filled entirely with the astringent runoff of various hides, crowded with foul-smelling creatures forced to eat it,

Verse 111 (devibhagavatam.9.37.111)

शूर्पाकारमुखं कुण्डं धनुर्द्वादशमानकम् । तप्तलोहबालुकाभिः पूर्णं पातकिसंयुतम्

śūrpākāramukhaṁ kuṇḍaṁ dhanurdvādaśamānakam | taptalohabālukābhiḥ pūrṇaṁ pātakisaṁyutam

The pit shaped like a winnowing-fan's mouth is twelve bow-lengths in measure, filled with scalding iron sand, filled with sinners,

Verse 112 (devibhagavatam.9.37.112)

दुर्गन्धियुक्तं तद्भक्ष्यैः पापिभिः सङ्कुलं सति । शूर्पाकारमुखं कुण्डं धनुर्द्वादशमात्रकम्

durgandhiyuktaṁ tadbhakṣyaiḥ pāpibhiḥ saṅkulaṁ sati | śūrpākāramukhaṁ kuṇḍaṁ dhanurdvādaśamātrakam

— foul-smelling, crowded with sinners forced to eat it. (This repeats the description:) the pit shaped like a winnowing-fan's mouth is twelve bow-lengths in measure,

Verse 113 (devibhagavatam.9.37.113)

प्रतप्तबालुकापूर्णं महापातकिभिर्युतम् । अन्तरग्निशिखानां च ज्वालाव्याप्तमुखं सदा

prataptabālukāpūrṇaṁ mahāpātakibhiryutam | antaragniśikhānāṁ ca jvālāvyāptamukhaṁ sadā

— filled with scalding sand, filled with great sinners. The Flame-Mouth-Pit has, within it, tongues of flame, its mouth ever pervaded by fire,

Verse 114 (devibhagavatam.9.37.114)

धनुर्विंशतिमात्रं च प्रमाणं यस्य सुन्दरि । ज्वालाभिर्दग्धगात्रैश्च पापिभिर्व्याप्तमेव च

dhanurviṁśatimātraṁ ca pramāṇaṁ yasya sundari | jvālābhirdagdhagātraiśca pāpibhirvyāptameva ca

— twenty bow-lengths in measure, O beautiful one, filled with sinners whose bodies are burned by those flames,

Verse 115 (devibhagavatam.9.37.115)

तन्महाक्लेशदं शश्वत्कुण्डं ज्वालामुखं स्मृतम् । पातमात्राद्यत्र पापी मूर्च्छितो वै नरो भवेत्

tanmahākleśadaṁ śaśvatkuṇḍaṁ jvālāmukhaṁ smṛtam | pātamātrādyatra pāpī mūrcchito vai naro bhavet

— that pit, an ever-abiding source of great affliction, is remembered as the Flame-Mouth. Where a sinner, by the mere act of falling, becomes unconscious —

Verse 116 (devibhagavatam.9.37.116)

तप्तेष्टकाभ्यन्तरितं वाप्यर्धं जिह्मकुण्डकम् । धूमान्धकारसंयुक्तं धूम्रान्धैः पापिभिर्युतम्

tapteṣṭakābhyantaritaṁ vāpyardhaṁ jihmakuṇḍakam | dhūmāndhakārasaṁyuktaṁ dhūmrāndhaiḥ pāpibhiryutam

The Jihma-Pit is enclosed within scalding bricks, half the size of a stepwell; filled with smoke and darkness, filled with sinners blinded by the smoke,

Verse 117 (devibhagavatam.9.37.117)

धनुःशतं श्वासरन्ध्रैर्धूम्रान्धं परिकीर्तितम् । पातमात्राद्यत्र पापी नागैश्च वेष्टितो भवेत्

dhanuḥśataṁ śvāsarandhrairdhūmrāndhaṁ parikīrtitam | pātamātrādyatra pāpī nāgaiśca veṣṭito bhavet

— a hundred bow-lengths, riddled with breath-holes; thus is Dhumrandha, Smoke-Blindness, described. Where a sinner, by the mere act of falling, becomes coiled about by serpents —

Verse 118 (devibhagavatam.9.37.118)

धनुःशतं नागपूर्णं तन्नागैर्वेष्टितं भवेत् । षडशीति च कुण्डानि मयोक्तानि निशामय । लक्षणं चापि तेषां च किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

dhanuḥśataṁ nāgapūrṇaṁ tannāgairveṣṭitaṁ bhavet | ṣaḍaśīti ca kuṇḍāni mayoktāni niśāmaya | lakṣaṇaṁ cāpi teṣāṁ ca kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

— a hundred bow-lengths, filled with serpents; there he becomes coiled about by them — this is the Serpent-Coil-Pit. Thus have I told you of the eighty-six pits and the description of each — attend well. What more do you wish to hear?