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-316 $ 376] Chapter Three
[155 6375. The *asuras* who throw others (paranitayasuras) are those who have the *karma* called *devagati* and *namakarma*. Due to the intense suffering they experienced in their previous birth, they have accumulated *papakarma* (negative karma) which, upon its fruition, causes them constant suffering. They are called *san-klishta* (afflicted) *asuras*. The epithet *san-klishta* does not imply that all *asuras* inflict suffering on the inhabitants of hell. Who then? Only some, like *Ambavareesha* and others. The epithet "prior to the fourth" is used to indicate the extent of the *avadhi* (clairvoyance). This is to show that the *san-klishta* *asuras* are the cause of suffering only in the first three earths, not beyond. The "c" (cha) in the sutra is used to indicate the collection of the aforementioned causes of suffering. They inflict suffering on the inhabitants of hell by means such as feeding them molten iron, embracing them with red-hot iron pillars, making them climb and descend the *Kuta* *Shalmali* tree, striking them with iron hammers, cutting them with knives and swords, pouring hot oil on them, cooking them in oil, roasting them in a pot, immersing them in the *Vaitarani* river, crushing them with a machine, etc. Even when their bodies are dismembered by cutting, piercing, etc., they do not die prematurely. Why? Because their lifespan is not diminished. 6376. If this is so, then tell us the lifespan of the inhabitants of hell. To this, the sutra says: The lifespan of beings in hell is, in order of their superior status, one, three, seven, fifteen, seventeen, twenty-two, and thirty *sagaropama* (ocean-like). ||6|| 8375. In the *namakarma* called *devagati*, there is a *namakarma* called *asura* which, upon its fruition, causes the *paranitayasuras* to throw others. Due to the intense suffering they experienced in their previous birth, they have accumulated *papakarma* (negative karma) which, upon its fruition, causes them constant suffering. They are called *san-klishta* (afflicted) *asuras*. The sutra, although it uses the epithet *san-klishta* for *asuras*, does not imply that all *asuras* inflict suffering on the inhabitants of hell. Only some, like *Ambavareesha* and others, inflict suffering. The epithet "prior to the fourth" is used to indicate the extent of the *avadhi* (clairvoyance). This is to show that the *san-klishta* *asuras* are the cause of suffering only in the first three earths, not beyond. The "c" (cha) in the sutra is used to indicate the collection of the aforementioned causes of suffering. They inflict suffering on the inhabitants of hell by means such as feeding them molten iron, embracing them with red-hot iron pillars, making them climb and descend the *Kuta* *Shalmali* tree, striking them with iron hammers, cutting them with knives and swords, pouring hot oil on them, cooking them in oil, roasting them in a pot, immersing them in the *Vaitarani* river, crushing them with a machine, etc. Even when their bodies are dismembered by cutting, piercing, etc., they do not die prematurely. Why? Because their lifespan is not diminished.
Special Note: The inhabitants of hell are inherently cruel. They become enraged at the sight of each other and begin to kill and maim each other. Their bodies are *vaikriyika* (changeable), so they can assume the form of various weapons and other things to inflict pain on other inhabitants of hell. Even the gods can go to the third hell, so these *asuras* also provoke them into fighting each other and take pleasure in watching them kill each other. However, not all gods do this, but only some *asura* *kumara* gods, like *Ambavareesha* and others. Even though all this happens, the inhabitants of hell do not die prematurely. This is something important to know.
6376. If this is so, then tell us the lifespan of the inhabitants of hell. To this, the sutra says: The lifespan of beings in hell is, in order of their superior status, one, three, seven, fifteen, seventeen, twenty-two, and thirty *sagaropama* (ocean-like). ||6|| 1. *Sammani* *Sam-bhaavi* - Mu. 2. *Klishta* *San-klishta* *asuras* - Mu. 3. -*Pusha* *svāt* - Ā. Di. Di. 2.