Varaha Purana

दीक्षां धारयते ब्रह्मा स तेनैव सुयन्त्रितः

Brahmā undertook initiation, being well restrained by that very one.

संवर्तेन पुरा तात सर्वे लोकाः सदैवताः

Long ago, father, at the dissolution, all the worlds with their deities—

पाताले पालयन् सत्यं बद्धो वैरोचनो वसन्

Virocana’s son, dwelling in the netherworld, upheld truth and was bound.

स्थितः सत्ये महाविन्ध्यो वर्द्धमानो न वर्द्धते

The great Vindhya, established in truth, though growing, does not increase.

गृहधर्माश्च ये दृष्टा वानप्रस्थाश्च शोभिताः

Household duties are seen, and forest-dwellers are adorned.

अश्वमेधसहस्रं च सत्यं च तुलया धृतम्

A thousand horse sacrifices and truth are weighed in a balance.

सत्येन पाल्यते धर्मो धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

By truth, dharma is protected; dharma protects the one who protects it.

एवमुक्त्वा हृष्टपुष्टः स्वेन देहेन सुव्रत 193.

Having spoken thus, delighted and strengthened in his own body, O virtuous one—

ऋषिपुत्रो महातेजा सत्यवागनसूयकः

The sage’s son, possessed of great brilliance, truthful in speech, and free from deceit—

इति श्रीवराहपुराणे प्रागितिहासे संसारचक्रे नचिकेतप्रयाणं नाम त्रिनवत्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends 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.

अथ नचिकेतसो आगमनवर्णनम् गतश्च परमं स्थानं यत्र राजा दुरासदः

Now, the account of Naciketas' return: He reached the supreme abode where the formidable king resided.

ततो हृष्टमना राजन्पुत्रं दृष्ट्वा तपोनिधिः

Then, O King, the ascetic, seeing his son, was filled with joy in his heart.

दिवं च पृथिवीं चैव नादयामास हृष्टवत्

Rejoicing, he made both heaven and earth resound.

पश्यन्तु मम पुत्रस्य प्रभावं दिव्यतेजसः

Let all behold the power of my son, radiant with divine brilliance.

पितृस्नेहानुभावेन गुरुशुश्रूषयापि च

By the influence of paternal affection and through devoted service to his teacher,

लोके मत्सदृशो नास्ति पुमान्भाग्यसमन्वितः

In this world, there is no man as fortunate as I.

कच्चित्त्वं न हतो वत्स नैव बद्धो यमालये

My child, I hope you were not slain, nor bound in the abode of Yama.

कच्चित्ते व्याधयो घोरा नान्वगच्छन्यमालये

I hope terrible diseases did not afflict you in the house of Yama.

कच्चिद्राजा त्वया दृष्टः प्रेतानामधिपो बली

I hope you saw the mighty king, lord of the departed.

कच्चिन्न तुष्टो भगवांस्त्वां दृष्ट्वा स्वयमागतम् 194.

I hope the Blessed Lord was pleased to see you come in person.

कच्चिद्दौवारिकास्तत्र न रौद्रास्त्वां यमालये

I hope the gatekeepers there in Yama's abode were not fierce toward you.

कच्चित्पन्थास्त्वया लब्धो निर्गमो वा यमालये

I hope you found the path and the way out from Yama's abode.

ऋषयश्च महाभागा द्विजाश्च सुमहाव्रताः

The great and fortunate sages, and the twice-born of mighty vows,

एवमाभाषमाणं तु श्रुत्वा सर्वे वनौकसः

Hearing him speak thus, all the forest-dwellers,

जपन्तश्चैव जाप्यानि पूजयन्तश्च देवताः

Reciting sacred chants and worshipping the deities,

एकपादेन तिष्ठन्तः पश्यन्तोऽन्ये दिवाकरम्

Some stood on one foot, others gazed at the sun.

वैश्वानरा महाभागास्तपसा संशितव्रताः

The illustrious ascetics, firm in their vows, were blazing like fire.

दिग्वाससश्च ऋषयो दन्तोलूखलिनस्तथा

The sages, clothed only by the directions, and those with teeth as their only mortar and pestle,

धूमदाश्च तथा चान्ये तप्यमानाश्च पावके

And others who feed on smoke, as well as those who are scorched by fire,