Some souls, having been cut and wounded, ran about in desperate search for water, tormented by an unquenchable thirst. The limbs by which men had performed wrongful actions on earth now brought them suffering in the afterlife. Those who had ever looked upon their teacher, the gods, or Brahmins with eyes of anger found their own eyes pierced and torn with cruel iron spikes. Soon after, their ears too were filled with iron spikes, causing unspeakable agony. For those who had listened to slander against their teachers, iron implements struck their bodies with force. Wicked tongues, which had uttered malicious words, were split hundreds of times by blades glowing like fire. The mouths of those devoted to slander were struck again and again, their pain unending. There were also those who had killed in the name of the gods, and others who, driven by evil intent, had embraced another’s wife. These sinful souls were seized and punished by the fierce servants of Yama, the lord of death. In a house made entirely of iron, they were laid upon beds blazing with fire, suffering pains as intense as any known in the world. Some among the damned were devoured by crows, scorpions, and vultures. Their cries of distress echoed endlessly, yet peace was forever beyond their reach. The torments they endured were unbearable, O Parvati. It is said that the illustrious King Nimi once witnessed this dreadful path of Yama with his own eyes. The road was fierce and terrifying, difficult to cross, and crowded with those who had committed evil deeds. The air was thick with the stench of sinners, and the ground was muddied with flesh and blood. Serpents with downward-facing mouths and hungry vultures attacked the wretches who traveled there. Grotesque trees, made of blood and flesh, stood along the way, their branches hung with severed arms, legs, and hands. The place reeked of death, inauspicious and devoid of any pleasure. The ground was strewn with gruel, sand, and pieces of iron stone. As King Nimi beheld this foul-smelling realm, he turned to his guide and asked, “What is this land, and to whom among the gods does it belong? I wish to know.” The guide led him onward, saying, “Come here.” Again, the righteous king respectfully questioned the servant, “By what cause have I, who have lived righteously, come to such misfortune? I was born in the land of Videha, a true protector of men. I upheld Manu’s ancient rule, making righteousness my chief principle. I never abandoned battle, nor turned away a guest. How, then, have I come to this exceedingly dreadful hell?” Though the servant was fierce, he bowed and spoke humbly, “O king, I will remind you of one small sin you committed. The offering prescribed at the śrāddha was not given by you. That alone is your fault; there is nothing else.” Hearing this, the royal sage Nimi spoke to the messenger, “I wish to ask you something. Tell me the truth as it is. Again and again, I see the eyes of these souls become as you described. Their tongues, too, are taken away, only to be born anew each time. Are these men, whose minds are lost, tormented day and night? For how long does this last? Please, tell me exactly.” The messenger replied, “I shall now explain this to you, briefly and truthfully. A person attains the fruits of merit through meritorious deeds, each in its proper turn. But apart from actual enjoyment, a human does not experience the fruits of either merit or sin. Thus, these great sinners endure their punishments day and night.” And so, the dreadful consequences of sinful actions were revealed, and the path of Yama stood as a warning to all.