Abstract
This article deals with the eschatological imagery of hell as can be traced in the Hindu Puranas. The most important references to hell from the older stratums of Sanskrit literature are briefly mentioned (esp. instances from Brahmanas, Mahabharata, Dharmasutras), before the main focus is turned to the vast corpus of the Mahapuranas.
Puranas as a specific literary genre are introduced shortly, together with the importance they have played in the religious life of the medieval as well as modern India. Article further summarizes all the occurences of hell in the textual body of the Mahapuranas (approximately 70 full chapters), distinguishes their uses as different tools of intended plotlines, and gives a detailed description of the Puranic concept of hell.
Several options of interpretation of the hellish imagery are offered in conclusion.