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Chapter 3 - Sutra 1-6
145. From the narakavas (hells) called Ratnaprabhāgati to the narakavas called Mahātamaḥprāgata, all the narakavas are like the surfaces of a flat plateau; however, their shapes and sizes are not the same. Some are circular, some triangular, some quadrangular, some resemble flattened dough, and others resemble pots; thus, they are of various different types. The number of levels (prastaras) that are equal to the floors of houses with floors is as follows: in Ratnaprabhā, there are thirteen levels, and in Śarkarāprabhā, there are eleven. In this way, by subtracting two from every level below, in the seventh Mahātamaprabha level, there is only one level. In that level, there is hell.
In the images:
In the first level, there are thirty million; in the second, twenty-five million; in the third, fifteen million; in the fourth, ten million; in the fifth, three million; in the sixth, just short of one million (99,995); and in the seventh level, there are only five hell dwellers.
Q: What does it mean to say that there is hell in the levels (prastaras)?
A: The space or gap between one level and another does not contain hell; however, the thickness of each level, which is considered to be equivalent to three thousand people, contains the various types of hells.
Q: What is the relationship between hell and the beings in hell?
A: Hell is the living being, and hell is the name of its place. They are called narak (hell) solely in relation to the place called narak.