Now begins the tale of Nachiketas, the wise disciple of Vyasa, who was deeply versed in the Vedas and their branches. After King Janamejaya had completed the solemn horse sacrifice, he undertook the prescribed expiations and arrived at Gajasāhvaya. There, he approached the sage Vaiśampāyana, a master of supreme accomplishment. Janamejaya, the last king of the Kurus, was troubled by remorse. He asked Vaiśampāyana, “In what place do humans experience the fruits of their actions? I wish to hear about this—what sort of abode is that of Yama? How, O Brahmin, may I avoid going to the dwelling of the lord of the dead?” Sūta recounts that Vaiśampāyana spoke gentle, sweet words to the king. “Hear, O King, the ancient and supremely beautiful tale that ever increases righteousness, fame, and glory. Its telling purifies from all sins and brings auspiciousness. Once, O King, there lived a sage of the highest righteousness. His son was endowed with great brilliance, wisdom, and established in yoga. When angered by his father, this supremely righteous son was cursed. Yet, having accepted the curse, the son of great brilliance and virtue agreed to its consequences. In a moment, he vanished, but then spoke to his father, “Let your words never be false, for one who is righteous. I will certainly return here again—there is no doubt. Father, he will rescue the one who falsely invokes, as he wishes. But I, who have spoken falsely, am unfit to act or to be addressed.” His father replied, “Son, I am not a speaker of truth, nor do I tolerate the violation of dharma. He who knows dharma is renowned, always patient, and has mastered his senses. You have been entreated by me, son, not to go there—you should not. If King Vaivasvata happens to arrive there by chance, I will perish—see, the destruction of the family bridge. The place called ‘pudita’ is known as hell by its suffering. For one without a son, all of that becomes futile, certainly. Whether a Shudra who serves, or a Vaishya who lives by farming, or one who performs great austerity, or gives unsurpassed charity, birth is attained through a son, and the grandfather through a grandson. I will not abandon you, child, who increases my lineage.” Vaiśampāyana continued: The son, supremely righteous, became joyful and robust in form. He said, “Having seen that god who is revered by all the worlds, I have returned again, and I have no fear of death. Abide in truth, O greatly fortunate one, and uphold the truth. The sun shines by truth, and the wind blows by truth. The ocean does not cross its boundary, preserved by truth. By truth, sacrifices proceed, purified by mantras and duly honored. Truth is the foundation of the Gāyatrī and the Sāma; everything is established in truth. By truth, everything is obtained, as I have heard, dear father.” Thus, the tale unfolds, revealing the power of truth and righteousness, and the importance of lineage and dharma in the eternal journey of the soul.