<P> However, other texts like the Harihareshwara Mahatmya in the Skanda Purana mention a physical river as well, that joins in the eastern ocean; he who bathes in it is supposed to forever be free from the torment of Yama . It first appears in the TirthaYatra Parva (Pilgrimage Episode) of the Mahabharat, where it is mentioned to be rising from the Vindhyas and falling into the Bay of Bengal after passing through Orissa as present Baitarani River . Apart from that it appears in Matsya Purana, and Vamana Purana, lastly it is the Padma Purana which reveals the etymology of Vaitarani in Vaitarani Mahatmya, where it is defined as Vai (truly) tarini (saving) and that related the legend wherein it was brought on to the earth from Patala, due to the penance of Parashurama resulting in a boon from Shiva . </P> <P> It is equivalent to the Styx river in Greek mythology and is associated with the Vaitarani Vrata, observed on the eleventh day of the dark phase of the moon i.e., Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha in the Hindu calendar, wherein a cow is worshiped and donated, which is believed to take one across the dreaded river as mentioned in the Garuda Purana, verses 77 - 82 . </P> <P> This river is very frightening and when seen the inspiring misery . Even hearing the account of this river arouses fear . It is an hundred yojanas in width and it does not contain water . It is a river full of blood and pus with heaps of bones on its banks and mud of blood and flesh . It is impossible for a sinful soul to cross this river as he is obstructed by hairy moss and the river is filled with huge crocodiles and crowded with hundreds of flesh - eating birds . When a sinner comes near the river in an attempt to cross, it seethes and becomes overspread with smoke and flames like butter in a frying pan . It is also covered with dreadful throngs of insects with piercing stings and vultures and crows with metallic beaks . In addition to crocodiles it also contains leeches, fishes, turtles and other flesh - eating water animals . It is said that the hungry and thirsty sinful souls drink the blood flowing in the river . The sinners who fall into it wail with pain and fright . There is no rescuer for them . The hundreds of whirlpools in the river takes the ones fallen in to the lower region . They stay for a moment in the lower region and then they rise again . </P> <P> The river was created only for the sinful . It is extremely difficult to cross to the other bank and cannot be seen . </P>

What according to garuda purana is the meaning of hell