As mentioned in the Puranas, Naraka was a son of the Earth who ruled over the city of Pragjyotisha.

There is a mythical story relating to the life of Naraka. Lord Indra went to Dwaraka and reported to Krishna the cruelty of Naraka. Having heard this account, the divine Hari, mounting Garuda, flew to Pragjyotisha. In Pragjyotisha there was a fierce conflict, which took place with the troops of Naraka, in which Govinda destroyed thousands of demons and when Naraka came into the field, showering upon the deity all sorts of weapons, the wielder of the discus cut him in two with his celestial missile. Naraka being slain, Earth bearing the two earrings of Aditi, approached the lord of the world and said that when she was upheld by her in the form of a boar. Then with the Earth contact created her son. When he was killed the two earrings was taken and kept to cherish his progeny. She vow down before Krishna and pleaded to forgive the sins which Naraka, which he committed.

Krishna then proceeded to redeem the various gems from the dwelling of Naraka. In the apartments of the women he found sixteen thousand and one hundred damsels, who became Krishna`s wives. In the palace were six thousand large elephants each having four tusks, twenty-one lakhs of horses of Kamboja and other animals. The Govinda dispatched to Dwaraka, in charge of the servants of Naraka. The umbrella of Varuna, the jewel mountain which he also recovered, he placed upon Garuda; and mounting himself, and taking Satyabhama with him, he set off to the heaven of the gods to restore the earrings of Aditi.

Naraka is also the name of a son of Antira and Nikriti. Antira means falsehood and Nikriti means immorality.

Again Naraka is one of the sons of Viprachitti.