________________
102 / Lord Mahavira
8.
Infernal Life
According to Jainism infernal life exists. Bad deeds take the jiva to attend infernal life. Possessing immense wealth results in infernal life. Indulging in violent deeds gives infernal life. Killing the living beings possessed of five sense organs results in infernal life. Eating flesh gives infernal life. In hell, the mere touch of the ground causes so much pain as would not have been caused even by the sting of a thousand scorpions. There flow the rivers of the pus and blood, full of swamp of worms and they burn the body (of the inhabitants of hell). There in hell are semara trees the edges of whose leaves are (as sharp) as the blade of the sword and they tear the limbs (of the inhabitants) like sword. In hell, the climate is so intensely cold and hot that a lump of iron, as big as the mountain Meru, may get melted. In hell, thirst cannot be quenched even by the water of the ocean. Even then they do not get a drop to drink. If they were allowed to eat the entire corn of the three worlds, their hunger will not be appeased. Still they do not get even a grain to eat.
