Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 4
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
राजोवाच नरका नाम भगवन्किं देशविशेषा अथवा बहिस्त्रिलोक्या आहोस्विदन्तराल इति ॥ ४ ॥
rājovāca narakā nāma bhagavan kiṁ deśa-viśeṣā athavā bahis tri-lokyā āhosvid antarāla iti.
ਰਾਜਾ ਬੋਲੇ—ਹੇ ਭਗਵਨ, ਨਰਕ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕੀ ਇਹ ਕਿਸੇ ਖਾਸ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ, ਜਾਂ ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਕੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ, ਜਾਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰਲੇ ਅੰਤਰਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ?
FAQs
In this verse, King Parīkṣit specifically asks whether Naraka is in a particular place, outside the three worlds (triloka), or in an intermediate region—introducing the Bhagavatam’s cosmological explanation that follows.
Because Śukadeva is describing the consequences of karma and the structure of the universe; Parīkṣit wants clarity on whether these hells are literal regions within the cosmic geography or beyond the triloka.
It encourages sincere inquiry into karma, consequences, and dharma—prompting a seeker to understand moral cause-and-effect and to align life with devotion and righteous conduct.