At the very root of the netherworld dwells the mighty Śeṣa, revered by all the gods. His power, his might, his true nature, and even his very form are beyond description—so profound that not even the gods themselves can comprehend or speak of him fully. The entire earth, tinged red by the radiance of the crest-jewels on his countless hoods, is but a small portion of his vast being. Śeṣa appears as if adorned with garlands of flowers, yet who indeed can recount his immeasurable strength? When Ananta, as he is also known, stretches out in his majesty, his eyes rolling with divine intoxication, the earth itself trembles—its mountains, waters, and forests all quivering in awe. Celestial beings such as Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, Kinnaras, mighty serpents, and even the great elephants cannot fathom the end of his qualities. Thus, he is called Ananta, the imperishable one. Serpent maidens lovingly apply sandal paste to his vast body, but the wind from his breath, powerful and ceaseless, dries it again and again, spreading its fragrance in all directions. By worshipping this supreme serpent, the ancient sage Garga came to truly understand the mysteries of the stars. Through Śeṣa’s grace, Garga knew all the results revealed by omens. It is this best of serpents who upholds the earth itself upon his mighty head, supporting all the worlds—those of the gods, asuras, and humans alike. Beyond Śeṣa’s domain, O Brāhmaṇas, lie the dreadful hells, beginning with Raurava, where the sinful are cast down. Listen, O best of the twice-born, as the names of these terrifying realms are recounted: Raurava, Shukara, Rodha, Tana, Vishasana, Mahajvala, Taptakudya, Mahalobha, and Vimohana; then Rudhira-andha, Vasataptah, Krimisha, Krimibhojana, Asipattravana, Krishna, Lalabhaksha, and Daruna; and further, Puyavaha, Papa, Vahnijvala, Adhahshira, Sadamsha, Krishnasutra, Tamas, and Avichi; also Shvabhojana, Apratishtha, Avichi, and many others—these and more are the exceedingly terrible hells. In the realm of Yama, lord of justice, these hells are filled with weapons, fire, and venom. Into these terrible places fall those who delight in evil deeds. For example, one who gives false testimony, speaks with partiality, or utters any kind of falsehood is cast into Raurava. Those who kill a fetus, destroy a city, slay a cow, or obstruct another’s breath also fall into this dreadful hell. A drinker of liquor, a Brahmin-killer, a thief, one who steals gold, or even one who associates with such sinners—all these are dragged to Shukara. One who kills a Kshatriya or a Vaishya, violates his teacher’s bed, commits incest with his sister, or kills a royal servant is plunged into a boiling cauldron. Those who sell honey, guard the condemned, sell lion’s hair, or abandon food are cast into molten metal. One who approaches his own daughter or daughter-in-law, or insults teachers and abuses others, is thrown into the blazing Mahajvala. Those who corrupt the Veda, sell the Veda, or consort with forbidden women are sent to Shabala. A thief falls into Vimoha, while one who violates boundaries, hates the gods, Brahmins, or ancestors, or corrupts gems is sent to Krimibhaksha. Those who commit grave sins or eat before offering food to ancestors, gods, or guests are condemned to Lalabhaksha. Those who wound with arrows, pierce, mutilate ears, or wield a sword are sent to the fearsome Vishasana; and one who accepts improper gifts is doomed to a hell where he hangs with his head downward. He who performs sacrifices for the unworthy, predicts omens from the stars, or always seeks fine food is sent alone to a hell of worms and pus. A Brahmin who sells lac, meat, juices, sesame, or salt is sent to that very hell. Those who keep cats, cocks, goats, horses, boars, or birds also go to hell. A gambler, fisherman, one who eats from a pit, poisoner, needle-maker, buffalo-keeper, and a twice-born who travels on festival days—all these are condemned. Arsonists, friend-slayers, bird-catchers, village priests, those blinded by blood, and those who sell Soma all fall into hell as well. A honey-thief, a destroyer of villages, one who drinks semen, and those who break boundaries are all dragged to the dreadful river Vaitarani. Those who are impure, live by deceit, or cut down forests without cause suffer the torment of the sword-leaf forest. Sheep-keepers, hunters, and those who set fires are thrown into the flames, and Brahmins who set fire to others’ houses join them. He who obstructs vows or falls from his own order is sent into the midst of biting tortures. Celibates who emit semen in dreams by day and those whose sons become their teachers are cast as food for dogs. These and countless other hells, by the hundreds and thousands, are the places where those who have performed evil deeds are cooked and tormented. In the same way, all manner of sins—committed by people of various castes and conditions—are suffered in these many hells. Those who act against the duties of their caste and order—by deed, mind, or word—are cast down to hell. The hell-dwellers see the gods above with their heads downward, while the gods look down upon them, also facing downward. All beings—immovable creatures, worms, goats, birds, cattle, men, the righteous, the gods, and the liberated—exist in their proper order in the cosmos. From the first, the second receives but a thousandth part, and so on in succession; all these great beings remain in their state until liberation is finally attained.