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## Chapter Three
**366.** The term "Nārakas" is mentioned in the sūtra "Bhavapratyayo'vadhidevanārakāṇām" and so on. Therefore, the question arises: who are these Nārakas? To explain this, we will now describe their dwelling places.
**1.** There are seven earths: Ratnaprabhā, Śarkarāprabhā, Valukāprabhā, Paṅkaprabhā, Dhūmaprabhā, Tamaḥprabhā, and Mahātamaḥprabhā. These are supported by dense water, wind, and space, and are situated one below the other.
**800.** The compound "Ratnaśarkarāvālukapāṅkadhūmatamomahātāmāḥ" is a dvandva compound. The word "Prabhā" should be understood as being connected to each of the preceding words. This is due to the principle of saṃhācarya (mutual association). The earth whose brilliance is like that of jewels like citra etc. is called Ratnaprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of sugar is called Śarkarāprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of sand is called Valukāprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of mud is called Paṅkaprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of smoke is called Dhūmaprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of darkness is called Tamaḥprabhā. The earth whose brilliance is like that of intense darkness is called Mahātamaḥprabhā. These names are derived in this way. The word "Bhūmi" is used to indicate the specific dwelling place. Just as the celestial realms are not situated on earth, so too are the dwelling places of the Nārakas not situated on earth. What then? They are situated on earth.
To understand the support of these earths, the words "ghanāmbu, vāta, etc." are used. Dense water, wind, and space are the supports of these earths. Therefore, they are called "ghanāmbu vāta ākāśa pratiṣṭhāḥ". All these earths are supported by the dense ocean ring. The dense ocean ring is supported by the dense wind ring. The dense wind ring is supported by the thin wind ring.