The father spoke to his son with deep concern, saying, “My child, I am not one who speaks untruth, nor do I ever tolerate the violation of dharma. One who truly knows dharma is renowned, ever patient, and has mastered his senses. I have pleaded with you, dear son, not to go to that place—you must not. If King Vaivasvata, the lord of the departed, were to arrive there by chance, I would be lost. Behold, the destruction of the family’s bridge! That place, known as ‘pudita,’ is called hell by people, for it is marked by great suffering. For one who has no son, all efforts and achievements become futile, truly. Whether it is a Shudra serving faithfully, a Vaishya engaged in farming, one who performs severe austerities, or one who gives unsurpassed charity—none can escape the necessity of having a son. Through a son, birth is attained again, and through a grandson, the grandfather is uplifted. I cannot abandon you, my child, for you increase my lineage and ensure its continuation.” Vaiśampāyana then narrated: The son, who was supremely righteous, became joyful and his form shone with vigor. He replied to his father, “Having beheld that god, revered by all the worlds, I have come back here once more, and now I have no fear of death. O greatly fortunate one, abide in truth and uphold the truth, for the sun shines by truth, and the wind blows by truth. The ocean remains within its bounds, preserved by truth. By truth, sacrifices are performed, purified by mantras and duly honored. Truth is the very foundation of the Gāyatrī and the Sāma; everything rests upon truth. All things are obtained by truth, as I have heard from you, dear father. Long ago, the seed of the Vedas, by Rudra, the god of gods, was protected, and Brahmā himself undertook initiation, being restrained by that very one. At the dissolution of the worlds, when all the deities and realms were dissolved, Virocana’s son, dwelling in the netherworld, upheld truth and was bound by it. The great Vindhya mountain, established in truth, though it grows, does not overstep its bounds. In this way, householders perform their duties, and forest-dwellers are adorned by their observance of truth. If a thousand horse sacrifices were weighed against truth, they would be equal. By truth, dharma is protected, and dharma, in turn, protects the one who upholds it.” Having spoken these words, delighted and strengthened in his own body, the sage’s son—brilliant, truthful, and free from deceit—stood firm. Thus ends the chapter called ‘The Journey of Naciketas in the Cycle of Samsara’ in the ancient Varaha Purana. Now begins the account of Naciketas’ return. He reached the supreme abode where the formidable king resided. When the ascetic father saw his son, his heart overflowed with joy. Rejoicing, he made both heaven and earth resound with his happiness, proclaiming, “Let all behold the power of my son, radiant with divine brilliance! By the grace of paternal affection and through his devoted service to his teacher, there is no man in this world as fortunate as I. My child, I hope you were not slain, nor bound in the abode of Yama. I hope you were not afflicted by terrible diseases in the house of Yama. And I trust you beheld the mighty king, the lord of the departed.