With the conclusion of the chapter describing Naciketas’ journey through the cycle of samsara, the ancient Varaha Purana now turns to the account of his return. Naciketas, having traversed the mysterious realms, reached the supreme abode where the formidable king, the lord of the departed, resides. His father, an ascetic of great virtue, saw his beloved son and was overwhelmed with joy. In his delight, he made heaven and earth resound with his rejoicing, exclaiming for all to witness the power of his son, who now shone with a radiant, divine brilliance. He declared that, by the influence of paternal affection and through Naciketas’ devoted service to his teacher, there was no man as fortunate as he in this world. Turning to his child, the ascetic anxiously inquired, “My son, I hope you were not slain nor bound in the abode of Yama. I hope you were not afflicted by terrible diseases in that house. Did you see the mighty king, lord of the departed? Was the Blessed Lord pleased to see you arrive in person? Were the gatekeepers in Yama’s realm gentle with you? Did you find the path and the way out from Yama’s abode?” As he spoke, the great and fortunate sages, those twice-born and steadfast in mighty vows, gathered around. The forest-dwellers, hearing these words, began reciting sacred chants and worshipping the deities. Some stood on one foot in penance, others gazed at the sun. The illustrious ascetics, firm in their vows, blazed like fire with their spiritual energy. Among them were sages clothed only by the directions, those who used their teeth as mortar and pestle, others who subsisted on smoke, and some scorched by fire. Some sat, others stood, and many were well-restrained in their discipline. Seeing Naciketas, who had returned from the realm of Yama, some among them felt disheartened, while others began to speak with doubt. The sages addressed him, saying, “O wise son Naciketas, upholder of your own duty, tell us the truth of what you have seen and heard, in detail. If you have been asked, you must also speak any secret, especially. O dear one, by the illusion of time, the dead are never truly seen. Whatever is done here is enjoyed in the next world. Likewise, here too, things are seen at the proper time, but only by the illusion of time. Many who ponder the far shore do not reach it. One should not worry here; they seek what is truly beneficial. What is the form of Dharmaraja? O sage, what is time like? By doing what might one be freed, or what action should one perform? How does one overcome the suffering born of the bonds of anger, as well as torment and cutting? How do those who have mastered themselves go, and how does the doer of evil depart? Out of affection, friendship, and love, we have asked you.” At this point, Vaiśampāyana spoke to the great king Janamejaya, recounting how Yadu addressed the assembly. Thus ended the chapter describing the coming of Naciketas in the cycle of samsara in the glorious Varaha Purana. Now begins the description of the sinners dwelling in Yama’s realm. The sages, established in austerity, were called to listen as this account was recounted. “Hear, as far as I am able to explain,” the narrator said, “about the cycle of existence.