[1821] S. — "There are no hell-wardens (nirayapālā) in the hells (niraya)?"
P. — "Yes."
S. — "But was it not said by the Blessed One: 'Bhikkhus, the hell-wardens then make him undergo the torture (kāraṇa) called the fivefold binding (pañcavidha-bandhana): they drive a red-hot iron stake (ayokhila) through one hand; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the second hand; they drive a red-hot iron stake through one foot; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the second foot; they drive a red-hot iron stake through the middle of his chest. There he feels painful, racking, bitter feelings (vedanā), yet he does not die so long as that evil deed (pāpakamma) is not exhausted' — is there indeed such a discourse (suttanta)?"
P. — "Yes."
S. — "If so, then there are hell-wardens in the hells."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.