This is a vast universe! Perhaps, the 4 divine layers manifest in various configurations all across this great universe.

Can there be real heavens and hells?

I have seen various definitions of heavens and hells. Let us look at some of them.

Some have the notion that all heavens or hells are products of our state of minds! If you are matured and altruistic, then you may experience peace and blessing and if the state of mind is diabolic and selfish, then that person may experience hellish states. The magnitude of heaven or hellish experience may be different for each person and according to his/her karma.

This is perhaps true!

The next is concerning the various realms of the universe. Some scriptures say that this is a 14-layered universe and the earth realm is right in the middle. The realms below may contain more hellish experiences, and the realms above may have more heavenly experiences. Accordingly, the souls may be of the matching qualities.

This is perhaps true too!

The next is concerning an actual place called hell or heaven and there can be many such places. Again, many scriptures talk about such places where there are heavenly and hellish experiences. For instance, in Garuda Purana, there are detailed talks about a hell called as ‘Naraka’ where punishments are meted out to the evil souls as per their deeds.Then, there are the hellish places referenced in Buddhist scriptures variously called as cutting, crushing, piercing, hot and cold hells etc.,And some puranas talk about heavenly places suitable for gods and advanced souls.

When we have various kinds of stars and atoms, when we have birds/butterflies on one hand and scorpions/snakes on the other hand capable of giving different experiences, then there must be multitudes of places capable of giving heavenly and hellish experiences. Even or earth we have searing hot deserts and tropical paradises!

The experiences spectrum is infinity.

The various souls and their activities are infinity too.

The various stages where the karmic debts are cancelled are infinity too.

Our aim should be to get closer to the protagonist and as far away from the antagonist as possible - in thoughts and deeds!

Hence there may be various places in this universe capable of blessing a divine soul or punishing an evil soul. Thus the concept of heaven or hell is perhaps true and may not be just a single location or planet.

The divine Adi Para Sakthi manifested as 'the Law of Karma" decides where the stage is going to be for a soul based on its karmic load.

Actual 'designated' place called 'hell' may not be needed if there are hellish realms existing, awaiting redemption, where countless souls thrash about in a sea of karma. Even earth has places that we can call as 'hell' or 'heaven'. Thus - a soul may need not be hauled to 'hell' for punishment. When the universe is more matured and all the hellish realms have been converted into decent places, then to mete out punishments to evil souls, there may be a need for a separate place called as 'hell'. In the same line, when expulsion as an option is with Gods, there may not be a need for infinity hells such as crushing/cutting hells!

Similarly, there may not be a need for a designated place called 'heavens'. For instance humans are capable of creating heavens or hells based on their attitude and behaviour - either in mind or in the real world. An altruistic definition of heaven is a conceptualization of the afterlife that is entirely focused on the selfless well-being and service of others, rather than on one's own personal reward or happiness. This type of life is possible on earth too, even when we are living!

Hari Om!

Copyright © 2023-2048 Vijayabhaskar Natarajan. All rights reserved

Reference:

1.     Sogyal Rinpoche, 2008, Edition (ISBN 978-1-8460-4105-1), Rider, Random House, “The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying”