He who recalls a gift once given, or the recipient who asks for it back, both fall into a terrible hell, a place so fearsome that it strikes terror into all beings. Such acts are considered grave sins, for the donor who regrets his gift and the recipient who seeks to reclaim it are both deemed thieves of Brahman’s property. As long as the sun and moon endure, these two must dwell in hell together. Therefore, O Lord, these are indeed great sinners. The servants of Yama, the god of death, are swift to act. At his command, with anger set upon their lips, they seize those two and hurl them into the most dreadful hell. On that very day, O King, I too, along with my wife, was led by Yama’s messengers to his abode. Listen, O King, to the deed that led me to this fate—I will recount everything from the beginning, a tale that will astonish all who hear it. In a former birth, I was a Brahmin named Sarvaga, born of a great lineage in the land of Saurāṣṭra. I was well-versed in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, honored in assemblies, accomplished in all duties, and living in the forest. I was wealthy, handsome, wise, and intent on supporting my kin. My wife, Mañjūkaṣā, was renowned for her virtue—devoted to her husband, greatly fortunate, and born into a pure family. Yet, O greatly fortunate one, in the carelessness of youth and pride in my learning, I once disrespected my parents, even if only in my thoughts. My parents, however, were themselves devoted to sinful ways, harsh in their speech, devoid of compassion, and attracted to the company of heretics. Because of their actions, all the fruits of my manliness, life, wealth, family, learning, fame, and possessions were rendered useless. Reflecting on this repeatedly, I abandoned the service of my parents, which is the source of all auspiciousness, out of contempt. Because of this deed, O King, I and my faithful wife were seized by Yama’s messengers and cast into hell, where those two greatest sinners—the regretful donor and the grasping recipient—were also brought. Together with them and my wife, I dwelled in that terrible hell, O King, enduring the torments for thousands upon thousands of ages, suffering immensely. When our time in hell ended, O King, I and my beloved wife were reborn as vultures, feeding on dead flesh. The two others, after leaving hell and seeking rebirth, were born in the lineage of moths, to reap the consequences of their own actions. Hear now, O King, what astonishing fate befell those two in their birth as moths. One day, a mighty wind arose and swept them into the pure waters of the Ganga. As soon as their delicate bodies fell into the sacred river, they perished, and all their accumulated sins were washed away. Then, messengers with beautiful eyes arrived, bringing celestial chariots filled with every enjoyment. Freed from all sins and adorned with garlands of tulasi, they ascended the divine chariot and journeyed to the city of Vishnu. For a time, they dwelled in Brahma’s realm, and then, by Brahma’s command, they went to the city of Indra, where they enjoyed happiness rare even for the gods. After some time, they were born again on earth to enjoy the fruits of their merit. Born into your own pure and illustrious lineage, O King, as they surrendered their bodies to the Ganga, they were freed from the cycle of rebirth. Yet, for the sake of enjoying the earth, they were reborn as the most virtuous of men. Surrounded by sons and grandsons, they enjoyed the world for a long time. Having attained death in the Ganga—a blessing difficult even for yogis to achieve—these two, O King, will ultimately attain union with Narayana. All this I have spoken, recounting the former lives of these two, by the power of remembering my past births, O foremost among kings. Having reached death at the Ganges, these two have attained such a blessed state. But who, O King, will deliver us, as wicked as we are? Disregard of friends among men leads to the torments of hell; this I have seen myself, and nothing else compares. Devotion to one’s father, O best of twice-born, brings suffering both here and hereafter—here, it leads to loss of wealth, and beyond, to hell. I consider, O King, that even the sin of killing a Brahmin is preferable, for sometimes there is atonement for that, but for neglect of one’s parents, the sin remains eternal. The tree of merit, painfully acquired and capable of destroying all afflictions, is cut down by men with the axe of disregard for their fathers. Whatever is offered into the mouths of one’s ancestors, O King, is eaten by Vishnu himself, for Hari takes the form of the ancestors. Those who serve their parents, who are visible gods on earth, day and night, attain all accomplishments by the grace of the Lord of the world. Men who live without devotion to their fathers remain in hell for a thousand ages. Therefore, this great suffering has come upon me now; when I shall attain liberation with my wife, I do not know. Vyasa then said: Hearing these words, O best of twice-born, the king embraced the vulture, filled with delight and repeated astonishment. The king replied: Truly wonderful are these words, O vulture, heard from your mouth. Neither I nor these others can find conviction in our hearts after hearing your tale.