“I will not abandon you, my child, who increases my lineage,” declared the father, his heart resolute and loving. Vaiśampāyana then spoke: The son, supremely righteous, flourished with joy, his form growing strong and radiant. Filled with wonder, the son addressed his father: “Having beheld that divine being, revered by all the worlds, I have returned here once more, and now I know no fear of death. “Remain steadfast in truth, O greatly fortunate father, and uphold the path of truth. By truth, the sun shines forth and the wind moves across the sky. The ocean remains within its bounds, preserved by truth. Sacrifices are accomplished by truth, purified by sacred mantras and honored as they should be. Truth forms the very foundation of the Gāyatrī and the Sāma; all things are established in truth. By truth, everything is attained, as I have heard, dear father. “Once, the essence of the Vedas was protected by Rudra, the god of gods, and Brahmā himself undertook initiation, restrained by Rudra’s power. Long ago, at the time of dissolution, when all the worlds and their deities faded, 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 exceed its measure. In the world, householders fulfill their duties and forest-dwellers are adorned by their virtue. “If a thousand horse sacrifices were weighed against truth, they would be found equal. By truth, dharma is protected, and dharma, in turn, protects the one who guards it.” Having spoken thus, the son was filled with delight and strength in his own body. He shone with great brilliance, his words sincere and free from deceit. Thus concludes the one hundred and ninety-third chapter, entitled ‘The Journey of Naciketas in the Cycle of Samsara,’ in the ancient narrative of the glorious Varaha Purana. Now begins the account of Naciketas’ return. He reached the supreme abode where the formidable king resided. When the ascetic beheld his son, his heart overflowed with joy. His happiness was so great that it seemed to make both heaven and earth resound with celebration. “Let all behold the power of my son, radiant with divine brilliance!” he proclaimed. “By the influence of paternal affection and 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 pray that terrible diseases did not afflict you in Yama’s house. I hope you saw the mighty king, lord of the departed, and that the Blessed Lord was pleased to see you arrive in person. I trust the gatekeepers in Yama’s abode were not fierce toward you. I hope you found the path and the way out from Yama’s realm.” Hearing him speak in this way, all the great and fortunate sages, and the twice-born of mighty vows, along with the forest-dwellers, gathered around. They recited sacred chants and worshipped the deities. Some stood on one foot, others gazed steadfastly at the sun. The illustrious ascetics, firm in their vows, blazed like fire. Among them were sages clothed only by the directions, those who used their teeth as mortar and pestle, others who sustained themselves on smoke, and some who endured the scorching heat of fire—all bearing witness to the power of truth and the glory of Naciketas’ return.