Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c26.1171

v2.c26.1171

Niraya.—Various lists of Nirayas are found in the books. In the Jātaka Commentary¹ occurs the following: Sañjīva, Kālasutta, Saṅghāta, Jālaroruva, Dhūmaroruva, Mahāvīci, Tapana, Patāpana. The Saṃyutta and Aṅguttara Nikāyas and the Sutta Nipāta contain a different list: Abbuda, Nirabbuda, Ababa, Aṭaṭa, Ahaha, Kumuda, Sogandhika, Uppala, Puṇḍarīka, Paduma.² The Commentaries explain³ that these are not separate Nirayas but specified periods of suffering in Avīci. The Devadūta Sutta⁴ of the Majjhima Nikāya contains yet another list: Gūtha, Kukkula, Simbalivana, Asipattavana and Khārodakanadī. Other names, also, occur sporadically—e.g., Khuradhāra (J. v. 269), Kākola (J. vi. 247), Sataporisa (J. v. 269) and Sattisūla (J. v. 143). The most fearful of the Nirayas is, however, the Avīcimahāniraya (see *s.v.* Avīci).