諸經要集 18.10

18.10

Some say that nara means 'man' and ka means 'evil'; because evil people are born in that place, it is called naraka. Question: Why is the lowest and largest one called Avīci (uninterrupted)? Answer: That place continually experiences painful sensations without any interval of gladness or delight; hence it is called Avīci (Uninterrupted). Question: In the other hells, could there be singing, dancing, food, and drink, so that they experience the vipāka (maturation) of gladness and delight, and for that reason are not called Avīci? Answer: Although in the other hells there is no vipāka of gladness and delight, there is an outflow (niṣyanda) of gladness and delight. As stated in the Prajñapti-śāstra: In the Sañjīva (Reviving) Hell, sometimes a cool wind blows and their flesh and blood regenerate; sometimes a voice sounds calling out 'Revive!', and those sentient beings suddenly come back to life. Only at such times when the flesh and blood regenerate and when they come back to life do they temporarily produce gladness and delight, interrupting the painful sensations; therefore it is not called Avīci.