In the ancient times, there was a house fashioned from iron, its bed blazing with fire. Within, the suffering endured by its inhabitants was as intense as any agony found in the mortal world. Some unfortunate men were tormented by crows, scorpions, and vultures, which devoured their flesh. Their cries echoed repeatedly, yet peace never came to them. The pain was unbearable, O Parvati. The illustrious King Nimi once witnessed the path of Yama, the lord of death. This path was fierce and terrifying, difficult to traverse, and filled with those who had committed evil deeds. The air was heavy with the stench of sinners, and the ground was thick with mud made of flesh and blood. Serpents with downward-facing mouths and vultures attacked those who passed by. Trees grew there, made of blood and flesh, their branches adorned with severed arms, legs, and hands. The place was saturated with the stench of corpses, utterly inauspicious and devoid of any pleasure. Gruel and sand covered the ground, alongside scattered iron stones. When King Nimi saw that foul-smelling place, he turned to the man guiding him and asked, “What is this land, and to which of the gods does it belong? I wish to know.” The guide, leading the way, replied, “Come here.” Again, Nimi respectfully questioned the servant, “By what cause have I, though righteous, come to this misfortune? Born in the land of Videha, I was a protector of men, upholding Manu’s ancient rule, with righteousness as my chief principle. I never abandoned battle, nor turned away a guest. How then have I come to this exceedingly dreadful hell?” Bowing down, he spoke humbly, despite his fierce nature. The servant answered, “I will remind you of a small sin you committed. The offering prescribed at the śrāddha was not given by you, O king. This alone is your sin; there is nothing else at all.” Hearing this, the royal sage Nimi addressed the messenger, “I wish to ask you something; please tell the truth as it is. Again and again, their eyes become like that. Their tongues are taken away, only to be reborn each time. Are these men, whose minds are lost, tormented day and night? For how long will this suffering last? Please tell me exactly.” The messenger replied, “I shall explain this to you briefly and truthfully. A person attains merit through meritorious deeds, each in its proper turn. But apart from enjoyment, a human does not experience the fruits of merit or sin. Thus, these great sinners endure punishments day and night. In the states of divinity, humanity, or animal existence, both auspicious and inauspicious results occur. O King, I have explained this to you in summary. Now, let us go elsewhere, as you have seen here just now.” Then, as all those suffering men cried out, the wind that touched King Nimi’s body brought relief to those around him. All the pain, distress, and torment vanished from their limbs. Hearing these words of gratitude, the king addressed the servant of Yama, “What great meritorious act did I perform in the mortal world?” The servant replied, “On the fourteenth day of the month of Ashvina, this is the fruit obtained.” Again, the wind that touched those bodies brought delight. Seeing this, King Nimi declared, “Therefore, O noble-faced one, I shall remain here, unmoving like a pillar.