[1822] S.: In the hells (niraya) there are no hell-wardens (nirayapālā)?
P.: Yes.
S.: But was it not said by the Blessed One: "Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens lay him down and hew him with axes (kuṭhārī) … Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens place him feet up and head down and hew him with adzes (vāsī) … Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens harness him to a chariot and drive him forth and drive him back over ground that is burning, blazing, glowing … Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens make him climb up and make him climb down a great mountain of coals — burning, blazing, glowing … Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens seize him feet up and head down and plunge him into a heated copper cauldron — burning, blazing, glowing. There he is cooked in a swirl of froth; and being cooked there in a swirl of froth, he goes now up, now down, now across. There he [feels] painful (dukkhā) … Then, bhikkhus, the hell-wardens throw him into the Great Hell (mahāniraya). Now, bhikkhus, that Great Hell:
Four-cornered, with four gates,
divided into measured parts,
encircled by a rampart of iron,
covered over with iron;
its floor is made of iron,
blazing, charged with fire;
pervading a hundred yojanas
all around, it stands for all time"¹ —
is there indeed such a discourse?
P.: Yes.
S.: Then there are indeed hell-wardens in the hells.
The Discussion of Hell-Wardens (Nirayapālakathā) [concluded].
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¹ Aṅguttaranikāya, Tikanipāta 180; Majjhimanikāya, Uparipaṇṇāsa 316.
Tiracchānakathā (Discussion of Animals)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.