narok (นรก)

Thai term referring to 'hell', a place comparable with Christian purgatory. The place is divided in eight pits known as sanjihwa, kalasut(ra), sangkaht, rohruwon, maharohruwon, tapon, patahpon and awejih. The abyss or deepest pit where those with the most severe sins receive punishment is awejih. Hell is presided over by Yama (in Thai called Phra Yom), the Vedic god of death, who is also known as Yommaraat, the 'king of the realm of death'. He is assisted by his envoy Yommathoot, the angel of death who has it as his task to lead the souls of the dead to judgment before Yama and his scribes Suwan and Suwaan. He is usually depicted with horns and holding a trident or some other weapon. Temples often have gardens displaying horrifying images, displaying beings called Yommabaan dealing out cruel punishments to the wicked in the underworld. One punishment for the wicked in the underworld is that they are forced to climb up the thorny trunk of a ton ngiw, naked. The images of these punishments are used by monks and novices for contemplation and meditation. The name narok is derived from the Sanskrit word naraka. Also called Yommalohk and badahn. See also kratha thong daeng.

Nataraja (नटराज)

Sanskrit. 'Dancer-king'. A depiction of Shiva as the 'Lord of Dance' representing cosmic truth and energy. His cosmic dance symbolizes creation, preservation and destruction at the same time. He stands with one foot on a midget who represents 'ignorance'. Statues of Nataraja are worshipped in most Hindu temples. See also kalachakra and tandava.