Mukunda, a Brahmin, recounted his remarkable experience at a sacred ford, where he had fallen among the scattered fragments of bones. At that moment, the sin he had incurred from neglecting his teacher was instantly destroyed, cleansed by the sanctity of the holy place. By the grace of this sacred site, Mukunda attained heaven, where he would dwell in happiness for as long as the reign of fourteen Indras endured. He described the city of Yama, the realm of the god of death, where the beings who reside are terrifying to sinners but enchanting to the righteous. These denizens have faces like lions, elephants, boars, and cats, with great fangs, swollen bellies, tawny hair, radiant forms, and long hands. Yet, when Mukunda was freed from sin by the grace of the sacred ford, he saw these beings in Yama’s abode in their divine forms. All were truthful, humble, well-conducted, adorned with celestial ornaments, and clothed in heavenly garments. Mukunda then said, “O dear one, I have told you what you asked; now permit me to go to the city of the Lord of the Immortals.” Hearing this, the sage Nārada noted that the ascetic listened to his disciple’s words, then, righteous in soul, questioned the twice-born Mukunda again. Vedāyana, Mukunda’s teacher, spoke: “From childhood, you have learned everything from me with the affection of a teacher, including the science of words and the entirety of the Veda. You have served me with devotion, showing tranquility and self-restraint. How did the sin arising from neglect of your teacher come upon you? Tell me, dear one, so I may know the truth.” Mukunda replied, “I have not violated the commands regarding the sacred thread for girls, nor the Veda, nor the giver of the sacred thread. I have served my father-in-law and mother-in-law faithfully, and I have never disobeyed you, my teacher. Yet, some offense was committed by me against the family priest, the preceptor accomplished in the Veda. You ought to hear of it. When a son skilled in righteousness is born in our family, a cow or something equivalent must be given as a fee to the family priest. Doing so purifies and establishes the lineage. But when my own son was born, I did not perform the family rites, being foolish. By neglecting them, I caused the loss of my lineage. All this I have reported to you—how sin befell me due to the loss of my lineage. Grant me permission to go to the abode of the gods.” Vedāyana then said, “Within the region of Indraprastha lies the auspicious Kośalā. By her grace, memory of one’s previous birth is revealed. By what merit have your bones fallen in this holy place? Tell me, Mukunda, if you recall.” Mukunda explained, “Once, a Brahmin came to my house in the evening. I gave him a place and food according to proper custom. He ate as he wished and slept on a fine bed, but at midnight, a severe fever afflicted his whole body. Tormented in every limb, he could not sleep, and at dawn, with death approaching, he departed from life. I performed the prescribed rites for his cremation, O teacher, and his bones were properly cast into the Ganges. By that merit, my bones have fallen in this holy place, Kośalā, created by Brahmadeva, which bestows auspiciousness.” Nārada continued: Having spoken thus, that Brahmin, radiant as a god, immediately ascended to heaven in a celestial vehicle. Thus, I have narrated how he met death at the hands of a thief, yet attained heaven by the grace of this king of holy places. Here ends the two hundred and tenth chapter in the story of Mukunda, in the section on the glory of the Kalindi, in the Uttarakhaṇḍa of the revered Padma Mahāpurāṇa. Nārada then spoke: “O auspicious one, before you I have recounted the excellent story of Mukunda; now listen to the tale of Caṇḍaka, the barber.” On the day Mukunda, the Brahmin, was slain by Caṇḍaka, word quickly spread among the townspeople. They reported it clearly before the king: “Caṇḍaka has killed Mukunda, the foremost Brahmin, O king. He has taken much wealth; if it is proper, let it be restored. You are the protector of our people and ruler over the wicked.” Hearing this, the king’s eyes reddened with anger. He addressed his minister: “What are these people saying? Listen. Quickly bring the wicked one; otherwise, I will have you killed. Arise, arise, O most sinful one; let the welfare of the virtuous be ensured. In whose realm the subjects are oppressed by fierce robbers, that king goes to hell if he does not protect them.” Obeying the king’s command, the minister, together with the king, swiftly mounted a horse, accompanied by hundreds of foot soldiers. They went to Mukunda’s house and questioned his relatives: “By whom was Mukunda killed? Tell me the truth before me. I will destroy that wicked one by the king’s order.” Hearing these words, Mukunda’s relatives replied, “Mukunda was killed by the fierce barber. As he was fleeing, his turban fell off. He was seen with her own eyes by Mukunda’s wife, committing the crime. What can we do with that sinner, drowned in the ocean of grief?” Upon hearing these words, the minister went to the house of the wicked barber, Caṇḍaka.