In Jain understanding, the Nilanjana episode is mainly a teaching of impermanence and detachment, not a case of ordinary murder.

Why did the gods do it?

The gods arranged the scene to remove pride and attachment by showing that beauty, youth, and bodily pleasure are temporary. The purpose was spiritual instruction, not selfish cruelty.

Did they “kill” Nilanjana?

In many Jain tellings, Nilanjana is a celestial form or illusion created by the gods, which then disappears or transforms. So it is not always treated as the killing of a real embodied jīva in the same way as ordinary violence.

If one interprets it as harm done to a living being, then in Jain law of karma:

• intention matters
• violence causes karmic bondage
• and even gods are not free from karma

So yes, if a being truly commits हिंसा with harmful intention, that being would incur karmic consequences, and a deva is not exempt just because of divine status.

Should they go to hell?

In Jainism, devas can fall from heaven and take lower births if they accumulate bad karma. But “going to hell” is not a simple punishment by a judge. In Jainism, karma naturally ripens according to one’s actions and inner intentions.

The key Jain point

The story is meant to teach:

• all beauty is temporary
• worldly pride is dangerous
• no heavenly being is above karma
• non-violence and detachment are supreme

So the short answer is: the gods are not automatically innocent, but this episode is usually understood as a divine lesson rather than ordinary killing. If it were true हिंसा with harmful intent, then karmic consequences would indeed follow.