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Naraka () is the realm of hell in Indian religions. According to schools of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, Naraka is a place of torment. The word Neraka (modification of Naraka) in Indonesian and Malaysian has also been used to describe the Jahannam. Naraka was also a Khmer language word for hell in Cambodia.Phyllis Ghim-Lian Chew A Sociolinguistic History of Early Identities in Singapore: From Colonialism to Nationalism Palgrave Macmillan, 29 Nov 2012 p. 195
Alternatively, the "hellish beings" that are said to reside in this underworld are often referred to as Narakas. These beings are also termed in Sanskrit as Narakiyas (, ), Narakarnavas (, ) and Narakavasis (, ). The Khmer Empire had blended with Buddhism and Hinduism which understands and represents the concept of Naraka which referred to realm of torment and suffering, often depicted as hell with its integration of worldviews.
In Puranas like Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana, and Vishnu Purana, there are elaborate descriptions of many hells. They are situated above the Causal Ocean. 5.26.5 The Vishnu Purana mentions the names of the various Narakas:
Yama, the god of death and justice, judges living beings after their death and assigns appropriate punishments. For instance, the murderer of a Brahmin, the stealer of gold, or a drinker of wine goes to the hell termed as Shukara, meaning swine. According to some Vedanta schools of thought, Nitya-samsarins (forever transmigrating ones) can experience Naraka for expiation. Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, by Swami Tapasyananda After the period of punishment is complete, they are reborn on earth 5.26.37 in human or bestial bodies. 2.10.88–89, 2.46.9–10,28 Therefore, Naraka is not an abode of everlasting punishment.
Yama Loka is the abode of Yama. Yama is also referred to as the Dharmaraja, or the king of dharma; Yama Loka may be compared to a temporary purgatorium for sinners (papi). According to Hindu scriptures, Yama's divine assistant, Chitragupta, maintains a record of the individual deeds of every living being in the world, and based on the complete audit of his deeds, dispatches the soul of the deceased either to Svarga (Heaven), or to the various Narakas, according to the nature of their sins. The scriptures describe that even people who have done a majority of good deeds could come to Yama Loka for redemption from the minor sins they have committed, and once the punishments have been served for those sins, they could be sent for rebirth to earth or to heaven.
At the time of death, souls are vulnerable for capture by Yamaduttas, servants of Yama (who comes personally only in special cases). According to the Bhagavata Purana, Yama orders his servants to leave alone. 6.3 9.1–2 Sri Vaishnavism are taken by Vishnuduttas to Vaikuntha, and Gaudiya Vaishnavas to Goloka.
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