The messenger declared, “This alone is your sin; there is nothing else at all.” Hearing these words, the royal sage Nimi addressed the messenger with humility and curiosity. “I wish to ask you something,” he said, “and you must tell me the truth as it is.” Nimi continued, troubled by what he had witnessed, “Again and again, I see their eyes become like that. Their tongues are taken away, only to be born anew each time. Are these men, whose minds seem lost, tormented day and night without respite? For how long does this suffering last? Please, tell me exactly.” The messenger replied, “I shall explain this to you here, 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 enough here.” At that very moment, when all those suffering men cried out in agony, the wind that had touched Nimi’s body swept over them and brought them relief. All their pain, distress, and torment vanished from their limbs, and they were freed, even if only briefly, from their suffering. Hearing these grateful words from the tormented souls, King Nimi turned to the servant of Yama and asked, “What great meritorious act did I perform in the mortal world to bring about such a change?” The messenger replied, “On the fourteenth day of the month of Ashvina, this is the fruit obtained. The wind that touched your body and then theirs brought delight and relief to them.” Moved by compassion, Nimi declared, “Therefore, O noble-faced one, I shall remain here, unmoving like a pillar. Let me enjoy pleasures here; I do not wish to go to the torment reserved for evil deeds. My intention is to bring liberation to these suffering creatures. Therefore, I shall not depart until these greatly afflicted ones are relieved. If by my presence many who suffer because of me attain happiness, then I shall remain here.” But the messenger insisted, “It is indeed necessary to depart from here; therefore, O king, go forth.” At that moment, Dharma, accompanied by Indra, appeared and spoke, “Come, come, O tiger among men; by this much, O lord, it has been accomplished. You should not be angry. Listen to my words, O mighty one. I shall lead you to heaven, having been properly worshipped by you.” Nimi, however, was still troubled. He said, “In hell, O Dharma, people are tormented here by the thousands. How can I leave them behind?” Dharma replied, “By your own meritorious deeds, O king, you too must go to heaven.” Nimi asked, “What is the special merit or virtue of mine? You ought to tell me that auspicious thing.” Dharma answered, “O mighty-armed one, in that most excellent great Kāla forest, you performed a deed whose merit cannot be measured.” Yet Nimi persisted, “If, in my presence, their elevation does not arise, then whatever greater good deed there is, let a portion of that merit be given to these here.” Dharma agreed, “By the power of that merit, these first ones will be released from hell.” Then the king of Dharma, together with Indra, turned to Nimi and said, “See these inhabitants of hell, freed from their sinful deeds.” Thus, through the compassion and merit of King Nimi, the suffering souls were liberated, and the greatness of selfless virtue was revealed.