Lalabaksha, Hell in Purana

Lalabaksha is described as one of the twenty-eight hells mentioned in ancient Hindu Puranic literature. It is specifically identified as a place of punishment in the Devi-bhagavata Puraṇa, where souls are sent to atone for the consequences of their actions. According to the text, the departed are brought to such realms by the messengers of Yama, the deity who presides over justice and the fate of the dead. In hell or naraka as mentioned in Hindu texts, individuals are subjected to punishments corresponding to the karmas and transgressions accumulated during their earthly lives.

The reference to Lalabaksha appears in the Devi-bhagavata Puraṇa, also known as the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, one of the eighteen Mahapuraṇas of Hindu tradition. This extensive Sanskrit work contains a wealth of information relating to ancient Indian culture, religious and spiritual teachings, and various subjects connected to the arts and sciences. Comprising approximately 18,000 metrical verses, the text is believed to have originated before the sixth century CE. Through its descriptions of realms such as Lalabaksha, the Devi-bhagavata Puraṇa illustrates the moral and spiritual principles that govern the consequences of human actions according to Hindu belief.

Lalabaksha is the place where the souls are punished who eats their meals without offering food to the gods, to the manes, Pitrus, or to guests. The souls who mistreat their wives or disrespect their wives sexually are brought and punished in this realm of naraka. This is also a place to punish souls who nurture malicious sexual desires. 

In Lalabhaksha, the condemned souls endure a punishment that reflects the nature of their misdeeds. According to Puranic texts, those sent to this realm are deprived of actual food and are instead forced to consume their own saliva. This punishment symbolizes the consequences of neglecting proper duties, offerings, and obligations toward others. The suffering experienced in Lalabhaksha shows karmic retribution, emphasizing the belief that every action ultimately bears consequences.

The Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Bhagavata Purana further associate this realm with individuals who abuse their authority and violate moral conduct within marriage. The texts state that a Brahmin, Kshatriya, or Vaishya husband who, driven by lust and a desire for domination, compels his wife to engage in degrading acts is condemned after death to a severe form of punishment. Such individuals are said to be cast into a river of semen and forced to drink from it, mirroring the suffering they inflicted upon others during their lifetime.

Twenty-eight hells described in the Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Bhagavata Purana are as follows: 

1. Tamisra (Darkness): Reserved for those who seize another person's wealth, spouse, or children through deceit or force. 

2. Andhatamisra (Blind Darkness): The abode of those who deceive others and unlawfully enjoy their family or possessions, leading to severe torment and loss of awareness. 

3. Raurava (Hell of Rurus): Assigned to individuals who pursue their own welfare while harming other living beings and harboring envy. 

4. Maharaurava (Great Raurava): Here, those who prosper by exploiting others are devoured by fierce creatures known as rurus. 

5. Kumbhipaka (Boiling Pot): Those who cruelly cook animals and birds alive are themselves boiled in scorching oil. 

6. Kalasutra (Thread of Death): The destination of those who murder Brahmins or disrespect parents, elders, ancestors, and spiritual authorities. 

7. Asipatravana (Forest of Sword Leaves): Reserved for people who abandon sacred teachings and follow heretical paths. 

8. Shukaramukha (Hog's Mouth): Kings and officials who unjustly punish the innocent are subjected to suffering here. 

9. Andhakupa (Hidden Well): Those who maliciously harm others, including small creatures and insects, are confined in this dark realm. 

10. Krimibhojana (Food for Worms): Selfish individuals who refuse to share food or neglect religious duties become food for worms. 

11. Sandamsa (Hell of Pincers): Thieves who steal gold, jewels, or the property of others without necessity suffer torment here. 

12. Taptasurmi (Red-Hot Iron Forms): Those engaged in illicit sexual relationships are forced to embrace burning iron figures. 

13. Vajrakantaka-Salmali: Individuals guilty of unnatural or excessive sexual conduct are torn apart on a thorn-covered tree. 

14. Vaitarni: A dreadful river filled with filth and decay, where sinners endure attacks from terrifying aquatic creatures. 

15. Puyoda (Water of Pus): Those who live without cleanliness, morality, or self-restraint are cast into this foul realm. 

16. Pranarodha (Obstruction of Life): Hunters who kill animals merely for sport are punished here. 

17. Visashana (Murderous Torment): Those who sacrifice animals for prestige and act arrogantly because of wealth or status are whipped and slain. 

18. Lalabhaksha (Saliva as Food): Those who consume food without first honoring gods, ancestors, or guests are forced to subsist on their own saliva. 

19. Sarameyadana (Hounds of Sarama): Plunderers, arsonists, poisoners, and corrupt rulers are attacked by ferocious hounds. 

20. Avici (Waterless Hell): Liars and dishonest traders are repeatedly hurled from great heights onto hard surfaces. 

21. Ayahpana (Iron Drink): Those who violate sacred vows through intoxication are forced to drink molten iron.

22. Ksarakardama (Caustic Mud): The proud who refuse to honor worthy and virtuous individuals sink into corrosive filth. 

23. Raksogana-Bhojana (Food of Rakshasas): Practitioners of human sacrifice and cannibalism are torn apart by demonic beings. 

24. Shulaprota (Impaled): Those who betray and torment creatures under their protection are pierced by sharp weapons. 

25. Dandasuka (Serpents): Envious and cruel individuals are devoured by venomous snakes. 

26. Avata-Nirodhana (Dark Confinement): Those who imprison others in pits, caves, or hidden places suffer suffocation in a smoke-filled abyss. 

27. Paryavartana (Retribution): Householders who insult or mistreat guests have their eyes torn out by predatory birds. 

28. Sucimukha (Needle-Faced): Misers obsessed with hoarding wealth are stitched and pierced throughout their bodies.

The Vishnu Purana refers to a total of twenty-eight hells (Narakas), each associated with the consequences of sinful actions. Several hells mentioned in the Vishnu Purana are absent from the lists found in the Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Bhagavata Purana. The following hells belong to this distinct group described exclusively in the Vishnu Purana tradition. 

1. Rodha (Obstruction): Assigned to those guilty of abortion, cow slaughter, robbery, or strangulation. 

2. Sukara (Hog Hell): Murderers of Brahmins, thieves of gold, alcoholics, and their associates suffer here. 

3. Tala (Padlock): The destination of those who kill Kshatriyas or Vaishyas or commit adultery with the wife of a spiritual teacher. 

4. Taptakumbha (Hot Pots): Reserved for those guilty of incest or the murder of envoys and messengers. 

5. Taptaloha (Hot Iron): Those who betray dependents, sell their spouses, or abuse authority are tormented with burning iron. 

6. Mahajwala (Great Fire): Those who engage in incestuous relations with daughters or daughters-in-law are consumed by intense flames. 

7. Lavana (Salt Hell): Those who insult their gurus, superiors, or sacred scriptures are punished here. 

8. Vimohana (Realm of Delusion): Thieves and those who disregard prescribed religious observances suffer confusion and torment. 

9. Krimisha (Hell of Insects): Practitioners of harmful sorcery and black magic are condemned to this realm. 

10. Vedhaka (Piercing): The makers of weapons that used to injure others are subjected to repeated piercing. 

11. Adhomukha (Upside-Down): Corrupt officials, dishonest astrologers, and those who worship improper objects are cast headfirst into suffering. 

12. Puyavaha (Carrier of Filth): Those who profit from prohibited trades, commit violence, or refuse to share their food are punished here. 

13. Rudhirandha (Well of Blood): Violent entertainers, poisoners, arsonists, traitors, and other wrongdoers are immersed in blood-filled torment. 

14. Krishna (Dark Hell): Fraudsters, trespassers, and those who deliberately harm others are confined in darkness. 

15. Vahnijwala (Fiery Flame): Certain occupations associated with violence or harm are believed to incur punishment in this fiery realm. 

16. Shwabhojana (Food of Dogs): Those who neglect spiritual discipline and sacred learning are condemned to become food for dogs.