History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.655

v5.c71.s1.655

That *naraka* is a place below the earth is frequently stated in the Purāṇas For example, in the Garuḍa and Brahmāṇḍa purāṇas all Hells such as Raurava are stated to be situated below the earth. Vide Viṣṇupurāṇa II. 6. 1 also. The Bhāgavatapurāṇa states that Hells are below the earth and above water to the south of the three worlds and hang without support, in which dwell the troups of pitṛs called *Agniṣvātta* and others.⁴⁰⁰ The Agnipurāṇa (371 13–14) avers that the 28 groups of narakas are below the earth and even below the 7th Pātāla