<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">underworld</topic></authority><related type="other"><topic>hell</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>doctrinal concepts</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>underworlds</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ A deep pit or distant land located under the earth or in a dark precinct where humans and other creatures exist after earthly death, common to many mythologies. The nature of the place varies from a dreary land where the dead are gathered and from which only a few exceptional human heroes are permitted to enter heaven, to a terrible precinct where sinners pay for misdeeds. In many religions, it is from the underworld that dreams, ghosts, and demons originate. ]]></note></mads>