Significance of Heaven and hell

Heaven and hell, as described in various philosophical and spiritual texts, represent the dual realms of afterlife where individuals are rewarded or punished based on their actions during earthly life. They symbolize the consequences of one's moral choices, reflecting states of happiness or suffering. These concepts are often portrayed as metaphysical ideas rather than physical locations, shaped by human belief and experience. Ultimately, heaven and hell signify the outcomes of good and bad deeds, guiding spiritual understanding and moral judgment.

Synonyms: Paradise, Utopia, Afterlife, Celestial realm, Inferno, Underworld, Torment, Perdition, Damnation

In Dutch: Hemel en hel; In Finnish: Taivas ja helvetti; In Spanish: El cielo y el infierno; In German: Himmel und Hölle; In Malay: Syurga dan neraka; In Swedish: Himmel och helvete; In French: Le paradis et l'enfer

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Heaven and hell'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Heaven and hell symbolize the moral consequences of actions, emphasizing responsibilities such as parental care and reflecting on the ethical dimensions of practices like sacrifice, as discussed by Prince Sudhanu.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) Concepts referenced regarding the moral consequences of one’s actions, particularly concerning parents' care.[1]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Mahavastu (great story)

(1) Concepts mentioned by Prince Sudhanu in his discourse regarding the moral implications of the king's sacrificial practices.[2]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Heaven and hell'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Heaven represents happiness and spiritual reward, while Hell signifies suffering and punishment for sins. These concepts reflect the consequences of one's earthly actions and moral choices, ultimately influencing one's afterlife and reincarnation.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) Spiritual realms characterized by states of happiness (heaven) and misery (hell).[3] (2) Metaphorical regions that represent the consequences of one's actions, where those who fight fearlessly attain eternal glory while cowards face eternal disgrace.[4]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) Concepts shaped by human belief and desire, viewed as illusory states rather than absolute realities.[5]

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) Sita describes her perception of experiences, where being without Rama would make even heaven feel undesirable.[6]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) Destinations in the afterlife determined by one's piety or sin, leading to rebirth in accordance with one’s deeds.[7]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The concepts of afterlife consequences, mentioned in the context of the king's actions and the need for making charities.[8]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The ultimate good and bad outcomes associated with the effects of marriage, pertaining particularly to the bridegroom.[9]

From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra

(1) The rewards and punishments in the afterlife, dependent upon one's actions and adherence to truth.[10]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) States of existence that reflect the results of one's actions (karma) on Earth, signifying enjoyment or suffering, in both earthly and after-death contexts.[11]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)

(1) The spiritual destinations or states that result from one's actions and moral choices in life.[12]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

The concept of Heaven and hell in local and regional sources

History Books

Heaven and hell symbolize the duality of human existence and moral choices, explored through philosophical discourse about morality, reflecting internal states shaped by experiences and emotions rather than physical locations. They embody good and bad thoughts intertwined in life.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Concepts often perceived as physical locations but which the text argues are actually states of the mind shaped by one's experiences and emotions.[13] (2) Metaphorical representations of the internal states of being that are determined by one's actions and character, rather than external loci.[14] (3) Two opposing concepts that are intertwined in existence, suggesting a duality in life that people must learn to recognize.[15] (4) Concepts realized by the author as existing primarily in the human mind, rather than physical places.[16] (5) Metaphysical concepts representing the duality of human existence and moral choices.[17]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is used to describe the world of Samsar, representing a mixture of positive and negative experiences, suggesting a place where both joy and suffering exist simultaneously.[18]