[475] Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell (nirayapālā) then inflict upon that one the torture called the fivefold binding (pañcavidhabandhana). They drive a red-hot iron stake through one hand; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the other hand; they drive a red-hot iron stake through one foot; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the other foot; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the middle of his chest. There he feels feelings (vedanā) that are painful, racking, and piercing, yet he does not die so long as that evil deed is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then throw him down and plane him with axes. There he feels feelings that are painful, racking, … is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then seize him, feet up and head down, and plane him with adzes. There he feels feelings that are painful, racking, … is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then harness him to a chariot and drive him back and forth over ground that is burning, blazing, and glowing. There he feels feelings that are painful, racking, … is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then make him climb up and climb down a great mountain of coals, burning, blazing, and glowing. There he feels feelings that are painful, racking, and piercing, yet he does not die so long as that evil deed is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then seize him, feet up and head down, and plunge him into a red-hot copper cauldron, burning, blazing, and glowing. There he is boiled amid a swirl of froth; and as he is boiled there amid a swirl of froth, he is swept now upward, now downward, now across. There he feels feelings that are painful, racking, and piercing, yet he does not die so long as that evil deed is not exhausted.
Bhikkhus, the wardens of hell then throw him into the Great Hell. Now, bhikkhus, as to that Great Hell:
Four are its corners, four its doors;
it is divided out, measured into portions;
encircled by a rampart of iron,
it is shut in with a covering of iron.
Its floor is made of iron,
ablaze, charged with fire;
spreading a hundred yojanas all around,
it stands so at all times.
Bhikkhus, I could speak of hell in many a way; so much so, bhikkhus, that it is not easy to convey by telling how great is the suffering (dukkha) of hell.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.