give details about 7 hells

In Jainism, the concept of hells (Naraka) is an important part of cosmology. According to Jain texts, there are seven main hells where souls experience suffering due to their accumulated bad karma. These hells are not eternal; souls remain there only until their negative karmas are exhausted.

Here are details about the seven hells (also called the seven grounds or layers of Naraka):

1. Ratna Prabha (First Hell):

- The uppermost and least torturous hell. - The ground is studded with precious stones (ratna), and the torments are relatively mild compared to the lower hells.

1. Sharkara Prabha (Second Hell):

- The ground is gravelly and rough (sharkara means gravel). - Suffering here is more intense than in the first hell.

1. Valuka Prabha (Third Hell):

- The ground is covered with hot sand (valuka). - The torments involve burning and scalding.

1. Panka Prabha (Fourth Hell):

- The ground is sticky, like mud or slush (panka). - Sufferings are severe, including getting stuck and burned in the hot mud.

1. Dhūma Prabha (Fifth Hell):

- The ground and atmosphere are filled with thick smoke (dhūma). - Inhabitants suffer from choking, suffocation, and lack of visibility.

1. Tamaḥ Prabha (Sixth Hell):

- A region of darkness (tamaḥ) and intense suffering. - The atmosphere is dense with darkness, and souls face excruciating pain.

1. Mahā-Tamaḥ Prabha (Seventh Hell):

- The deepest and most torturous hell. - It is characterized by complete darkness and the most severe forms of suffering.

Key Points

• Beings are reborn in these hells due to extremely negative karma, such as violence, deceit, and intense passions.
• The duration in each hell varies according to the karma, but it is always finite.
• Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (moksha) is possible by following the Jain path of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

These descriptions are based on Jain scriptures such as the Tattvartha Sutra and commentaries by Jain Acharyas.