As the assembly listened, a voice rose with a tone of both reproach and command: “Why do you utter words that are blameworthy? Wait, just for a moment.” There was tension in the air, for the speaker challenged the others, saying, “You call her ‘devoted to her husband’ and ‘virtuous,’ yet you whisper in secret. How is he brought here, knowing full well he desires enjoyment? How, O Hari?” The speaker’s gaze swept over the gathering. “You are all righteous here; I alone am accused of acting cruelly.” Then, with a swift and decisive utterance, he pronounced transformations upon those present: “Quickly, you become a serpent; and you, a tiger; you, a reptile. You have entered hell, afflicted by disease—become a terrible fever, a formidable crocodile in water. Become a fierce wind-disease, and likewise, you become dropsy. Become confusion quickly, and again become obstruction.” He paused, his words heavy with authority. “Let the time remain here as is appropriate and as is seen. And you, having performed your actions, will then attain liberation. The boon-command of Dharma’s king which I have declared—three nights, or four nights, six nights, or ten nights—after passing the time as is appropriate, then you will attain liberation. At whatever time I am, and as long as I remain, the instructions have been given by me as before, just as they were heard. Therefore, you must act accordingly with effort, by my command. Therefore, go to the sages and to the women, O mighty ones. Do what must be said, so that the proper time does not pass. I have especially instructed you, together with Mṛtyu. Just as Rudra himself has spoken, and as Śakra, lord of Śacī, has said.” Thus concluded the two hundred and fourth chapter, called ‘The Sending of the Messenger,’ in the Saṃsāra Cycle of the glorious Varāha Purāṇa. Now, the speaker turned to the brāhmaṇas, inviting them to listen: “Hear the description of the results of good and bad deeds; listen, O brāhmaṇas, to this ancient speech. Let this one of yours go, let him go to heaven, O kings of the earth. Let this serpent quickly attain the highest state.” He spoke of those who suffer, who weep, and who repeat their words in sorrow; of those who abandon their wives, who are unrighteous, deprived of sons and grandsons. “Let all these be released, both those who have passed and those yet to come. In both prosperity and adversity, those who uphold all dharmas—on the lap of a very beautiful woman, the foremost and supremely righteous—will find their residence in heaven free from suffering and inexhaustible.” He continued, “One who dies for the sake of a brāhmaṇa, for cows, or for the kingdom—there, becoming a celestial being, he will dwell for one kalpa. He is ever devoted to abundant charity and compassionate toward all beings. To this great soul, as I have ordained, worship should be offered. Abandoning the realm of the departed, let him ascend to heaven. With the sound of conches and drums, with victory there—let this blessed one go to Indra’s domain, which is difficult to attain. Indra awaits him there, together with virtues numbering in the hundreds. He will rejoice in heaven for as long as his merit endures. He who gives a jewel-adorned flute, adorned with all virtues—” So, the results of actions, the fate of souls, and the rewards for virtue and sacrifice were declared, as the ancient teachings echoed through the assembly, guiding all toward righteousness and liberation.