In that sacred place, the great and radiant sage Nārada, foremost among all sages, arrived in his brilliance. The king, beholding Nārada’s swift and personal arrival, was filled with awe and respect. Then, the king—mighty and radiant, the illustrious son of the Sun—addressed the sage. For this king was one who knew all, who saw across all times, and was celebrated as the best among those who understood dharma. With folded hands and a heart full of reverence, the king spoke: “O Lord, your arrival purifies and sanctifies us. Whatever task you have come for, whatever occupies your mind—be it rare in the three worlds or dearest to you—please speak of it. We are eager to hear your words, for they are the words of dharma.” Hearing these respectful words, Nārada, the knower of dharma, replied: “By truth, by austerity, by patience, and by courage, there is no doubt that one attains the highest. No one but you, O king, is so discerning of others’ feelings and so grateful for every deed. Tell me, how does one attain immortality through vow and discipline? How does one gain incomparable fortune, fame, and the greatest reward in this world? And by what means do people fall into the most sinful, condemned hell?” Then Yama, the Lord of Justice, answered: “O ascetic rich in austerity, there are indeed many bonds encountered on this path. Listen, and I will explain all of this to you in detail, O foremost among sages. One who offers fire in sacrifice, one who gives away a daughter in marriage, and one who donates land—none of these go to hell. Faithful wives and those who speak the truth are spared as well. Those who practice nonviolence and remain steadfast in celibacy do not go there. Those devoted to their own wives, self-controlled, and who avoid the wives of others are also protected from that sinful place shrouded in darkness. “Those who possess true knowledge, the twice-born, and those accomplished in supreme learning, as well as the generous and those devoted to the welfare of all beings, do not go to such a place. The giving of sesame seeds, cows, gold, and the eternal earth—these acts, as previously described, along with performing sacrifices and undertaking long sacrificial rites—lead one away from hell. Those who follow the will of their teacher, who are accomplished, and who restrain themselves by silence, do not see me, for they are absorbed in their own true self. Brahmins attain immortality—there is no doubt—and do not go to that dreadful place where the evil-doers go.” Then Nārada asked, “What great action, when performed, leads to honor in heaven? Is it beauty, wealth, grain, long life, or noble lineage?” Yama replied, “To see or to inquire about the destinies of the good and evil—I shall briefly tell you, O best of sages, by what means people attain each result. Hear this secret teaching: Heaven is attained by austerity, and so is fame. Knowledge, wisdom, health, beauty, good fortune, and wealth—all these are attained by virtue. And by silence, O great sage, one attains wisdom. By nonviolence, one attains supreme beauty; by initiation, noble birth. Those who subsist on milk go to heaven; wealth is attained by birth. Those who, through vows of time and discipline, or who sleep on grass, also progress spiritually. The sacrificer attains heaven, O virtuous one, as does one who offers gifts.” Thus, the dialogue unfolded, illuminating the paths of virtue, reward, and liberation, as spoken by the wise and witnessed by the righteous.