Bhishma dies

Yudhistira asked about Uttanka and Krishna.
Bhishma said -
Uttanka was a great devotee of Krishna. He used to worship the Lord from his childhood.
Pleased with his devotion Krishna appeared before him and blessed him.

Saying all this Bhishma said Go to Hastinupura. Take over the kingdom and rule it like an ideal king. It is time for me to leave this world. I give you to Krishna along with your brothers and Draupadi. Krishna will guide you.

Bhishma closed his eyes and started taking the name of Krishna. He closed his eyes and could see Vishnu. It was the month of Magha (January / February) and the dark phase of the moon. On the eight day Bhishma left his mortal body.

All broke down. Cries were heard everywhere. Vyasa the came there. He consoled all.
Yudhistira performed the last rites of Bhishma.

Giving away many gifts to the priests, all left.

Company of Holy Men

Yudhistira was already feeling very composed.
Bhishma said - It is difficult to cut off the bonds of the material world. The one who does is the great soul. Soul is the same in all. It is part of the divinity.
The illusion or Maya makes one create friends and enemies. It makes one gather material things. They say things like Me Mine. They do not remember Hari.
One who will take the name of Hari and enjoy the company of the Holy Men will get salvation.
There was once a hunter called Kalik. He was a cruel person.
One day he happened to arrive in a beautiful garden where there happened to be a temple. He saw a priest there. He asked the priest who he was. The priest said he was Uttanka.
The hunter saw that the idol of the God was decorated with many valuable jewels. He decided to kill the priest and rob the valuables. Taking a sword when he tried to kill the priest, the priest asked the reason for this action and then started telling him about God and Soul.
This made the hunter think. His sins were gone the moment he had touched the priest.
He bowed down at the feet of the priest and taking the name of the Lord achieved salvation.

Going around the temple

Bhishma said - Let me tell you more.

The Guru Brihaspati had a temple where he worshiped Krishna and regularly went around the temple. One Indra went there and saw the Guru worshiping the Lord and going around the temple seven times.Indra wanted to know about this. To this the Guru said Let me tell you a story.

There was a brahmin called Sudev who was known to be a cruel person. He was driven away by the town people because of his evil deeds.

He went to the banks of the river Narmada where he saw a sage lost in meditation. Sudev picked up feathers of vultures and put those on the sage.

When the sage realized this, he cursed Sudev to be transformed into a vulture.

The vulture flew around in the forest. One day a hunter shot the bird and managed to wound it. The bird flew a bit and fell on a temple. The bird unknowingly went around the temple seven times and got salvation.

Saying this Brihaspati said Going around the temple relives one off their sins. 

Worship of Krishna

Bhishma said - I will tell you about some more rituals.
I have spoken of Ekadashi earlier. I will tell you something more.
You need to get up at dawn and have a bath. After that, wearing clean clothes, you will apply oil on your body and take the name of Narayana. You will sit facing Eastwards and the pray to Narayana. You will then give offerings of food. You will then distribute the food among the poor. I have told you about the Ekadashi earlier.


At this point Vaishampayana said Yudhistira was now at peace after listening to Bhishma. He now wanted to know of the merits of worshiping Krishna.

Bhishma said - Listen to me.

There was a Brahmin called Devmali. He was earning well but he and his wife had no children. One Narada came and asked brahmin why he was said. When brahmin told him about not having children, Narada asked him not to worry. He would have twins.
After sometime time, the brahmin performed a sacrifice and then were born two sons - Yagyamali and Sumali.

Sumali was the younger one and was engrossed in evil deeds. Seeing Devmali divided all his wealth equally among his two sons and retired into the forest along with his wife, to worship Narayana.

Yagyamali spent his days in worship and giving away alms to the poor. He soon earned a lot of respect and built temples and ponds for people.
Sumali on the other hand wasted away whatever wealth he had got.

Yagyamali tried to talk to Sumali, but Sumali began beating him. Seeing this the people of the town began beating up Sumali. They bound him up but he was rescued by the kind Yagyamali. Yagyamali was driven away from that place.


Years passed. When Yagyamali died, he was brought up to the abode of Narayana. On the way he saw Sumali being dragged by servants of Yama. Yagyamali asked the attendants of Vishnu is there was a way in which his brother could be relieved.
The attendant said let me tell you a story.
In a faraway kingdom lived an evil prostitute. Tired with her, the town people drove her away. Tired and hungry she roamed around till she came across a Krishna temple. Seeing a lake nearby, she had a bath there and came back to the temple. She found the temple to be dirty and cleaned that with her hands. She then slept there and got bitten by a snake. Having served Krishna, she was taken away from the attendants of Yama by the attendants of Vishnu.
Saying this attendant said if Yagyamali was willing to give a part of his good deeds to Sumali, he would be saved. Yagyamali did that. Both the brothers got salvation.

Bhishma then said If one worships Vishnu with humility and devotion, he gets salvation.

Ashtami

Bhishma said - Let me tell you about more worships. The fasting of Ashtami is very dear to the consort of Shiva.. The person performing this is blessed. One who performs the worship of Shiva and Durga gets divine bliss. Let me tell you more.
In the olden days there was a king called Subahu. He was a great king. He performed the worship for Ashtami. He organized for a ceremony to make offerings to the departed ones. He gave away lots of gifts. Having finished he was about to have food when a brahmin came and asked for gifts. The king got angry. He was irritated but still gave gifts away.
One day the king happened to be in a garden. He found that his flowers were being stolen by a Gandharva. He tried to catch the Gandharva and one day caught him red handed. Subahu asked him who he was and the Gandharva introduced himself and said he was taking flowers for his people. He said he was seeing showers of grain falling there and wanted to know the reason for that. Subhahu said he did not see such shower. Gandharva said I will give you divine sight and you will be able to see this.
The Gandharva did that Subahu saw the shower of grain. He then said to the Gandharva I realize now. I had once given gifts to a brahmin but I had been angry. It is because of my sin that I do not see the shower of grain. How will I get salvation.
The Gandharva decided to help Subahu. He went to Indra to ask for a solution for this. Indra said giving gifts, that too food, with anger was a grave sin. To atone for this, the king would need to perform the fasting of Ashtami. He would need to please Goddess Parvati and then he would get salvation.
The king did that and got blessed.

Chandraketu dies

In the house of the king Niladhwaja, grew up and became a very beautiful maiden. The king arranged for a swayamvar for her. There the king Chandraketu wed Chandravati.
It was the time of the Chanrayana vrata. The king was smitten by his wife and ignoring the rules of the vrata, he made love to his wife. Chandravati tried to stop him but he did not listen. As a result of the incomplete worship, the king died. His son was made the king.

The dead king was taken to the abode of Yama. Yama said his sins were little and if could remove those, he would be free. To wash off the sins, the king was born as a vulture.

Chandravati hearing this went where her husband residing as a vulture. There the vulture performed the worship and soon by the blessings of Yama went back to heaven along with Chandravati.

Chandra's children

Bhishma said - Let me tell you about some more customs. There was a king called Chandraketu. He was married to Chandravati, who was the daughter of the Moon. She had been cursed to be born as a human.
Yudhistira asked - Who cursed Chandra's daughter? Why was she born on earth?
Bhishma said -
Chandra used to go to the house of Brihaspati to study. There Chandra fell with love with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati. He ran away with her when Brihaspati was not at home. When Tara became pregnant with Chandra's child, Chandra left her at her house.
When Brihaspati came to know of his, he cursed Chandra to have spots on his body. He also said Chandra would be born as the son of Arjuna.
Hearing this Chandra said I was not in control of myself when I saw Tara. I curse you to be born as a vulture.
Yudhistira asked How did Brihaspati get relieved?
Bhishma said The Guru was born as a vulture and lived in the forest. He got married and soon his wife gave birth to four eggs which hatched to four little birds. This was a happy family.
One day the vulture went to a forest to get food, leaving his wife to look after the children. A hunter spotted the bird and shot it with its arrow. Wounded, the bird managed to drag itself and take shelter in a temple. The hunter entered the temple and tried to catch the bird which was unable to fly but kept hopping around. This happened seven times. The hunter frustrated, killed the bird by shooting another arrow and took the bird along with him.
Having gone around the temple seven times, the bird was relieved of the curse and Brihaspati returned back home. He asked his wife to abort the child and only he would accept her.
Tara was scared and immediately gave birth to a boy and a girl. Tara picked up her children and said the world would know them as her children. Chandra was not sure if the daughter was his and  cursed her to be born on earth. Sure that the son was his, he took the child and named him Budha.
Tara returned with Brihaspati.
The daughter of Chandra was born on earth as Chandravati.

Ananta Vrata

Bhishma said - Leave your grief aside Yudhistira. Let me tell you about Ananta Vrata, about which I have heard from Narada. There was a king called Chitrangad in the kingdom of Kosala. He and his wife were devotees were Narayana.
The king performed the worship for Ananta Vrata and the same was announced in the city. He asked all his subjects to perform the worship.
Fearing the king, everyone started performing the worship. With performing the worship, the subjects were relieved of all their sins. With this worship, people started living longer and this dis-balanced the cycles. The celestial beings were worried that king was changing the laws of creation. This was the Dwapara Yuga and not the Satya Yuga. The spirit of Dwapara Yuga called out to Vishwakarma for help. When Vishwakarma came, Dwapara said please provide me a maiden whose beauty is incomparable.
Getting all the good qualities, an immensely beautiful woman was created.  The woman asked Dwapara what to do. Dwapara asked her to go to earth and entice Chitrangad. Who ever was performing the Ananta Vrata was to be enticed and his worship was to be broken.
The woman went and started her work. The king had gone hunting near a hill and she went there. The king wanted to know who she was and wanted to marry her. The woman said she was a resident of the hill and would marry him if he agreed to listen to whatever she said. The king agreed and took her home.
When the time for the Anata Vrata came, and the king and his first queen performed the worship and were fasting. Seeing this, the new wife said the king needed to break his fast. The king got angry and said he would not do that. He then said I will tell you about the merits.
In my previous birth I was born in a low caste family. I was called Sushena. I was cruel person who rejoiced in killing birds and animals. Seeing my nature, I was driven away. Alone, hungry and thirsty, I came across a temple of Krishna. I was fasting and entering the temple, I went to sleep there. In the middle of the night, a snake came and bit me. When I died, I was taken to Vaikuntha. This is why in this birth I am following the worship.
The woman said This means you do not respect my word and you are a liar.
The king said I will kill myself but I will not break my fast.
Saying so, the king called his eldest son, made him king. The king then sat in a yogic posture and gave up his body.

Shivaratri

Yudhistira said - Please tell me about auspicious days.
Bhishma said - Let me tell you in brief.




Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king. The sage asked, "O king! why are you observing a fast today?"
King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth.
The king said to the sage: "In my past birth I was a hunter in Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael (wood apple)  tree. I had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I engaged myself in plucking the bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my food.
At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was aShiva Linga at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Linga. My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto the Linga and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night. Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.

This is greatness of the day of Shivaratri.

Five Ghosts

Bhishma said -
On his travels around the pilgrim places, Parashurama came across five ghosts near the site of Kurukshetra. The ghosts were devouring the dead. Parashurama asked them who they were. They said - Let us tell you about ourselves. Before that tell us who you are. You have matted locks in your head and are very handsome. You seem strong and have a lean physique.
Parashurama said I am a brahmin by birth who is roaming the earth visiting every pilgrim place.
The ghosts then said I am Sachimukha. The others are Shigrakh, Pashyurshit, Lekhak and Pathak. We live in the forests.
Parashurama said Why do have such weird names?
To this, Sachimukha said - Once I was the son of a merchant. Once I had a guest in my house whom I ignored. I ate my meal with my family not caring for the guest. I was then born as a ghost Sachimukha.
Shigrakh then said I was a hunter once. I used to steal from others. Once a guest came to my house and I drove the guest away. The guest cursed me to become a ghost and live on excreta and urine of others.
One ghost said I was a son of a priest. I was cruel and a miser. One day a brahmin came and said he was hungry and asked for some food. I drove the brahmin away and now I am born as the ghost Lekhak.
One ghost said I was a son of a merchant. Once a guest came asking for food. I defiled the food by first putting my saliva in it and then gave it. That is why I was born as the ghost Pashyurshit.
The last ghost said - We roam the cremation grounds eating excreta. We look for brahmins who do not perform regular worship, and use their bodies to travel. We look for those people who are not performing their duties and we live in them. Listen to me. I was born in a low caste house. When a guest came to my house, I refused to let the person in and acted as if I was sleeping. I was then cursed to become a ghost and became Pathak.
Parashurama asked them how would they get salvation. The Ghosts said if they came across an ideal person who was a devotee, they would get relieved.
While the ghosts were talking to Parashurama, all their sins were removed. The ghosts then took divine forms and bowing down to the sage , went to heaven. 

Gaya

Bhishma then spoke of the pilgrim place of Gaya. He said - the place is named after the asura Gayasura.
Yudhistira said - Please tell me more.
Bhsihma said -
There was a asura called Tripura. He was killed by Shiva and thus Shiva became known as Tripurari. At the time, Tripura was to fight Shiva, he got to know that his wife was pregnant and she would give birth to a great child. Tripura left his wife in her father's house. He was later killed by Shiva.

In her father's house, Tripura's wife gave birth to a son who was called Gayasura.
One day the boy wanted to know who his father was as he was called fatherless by the students who went to study under the Guru, where he went. His mother said he was the son of Tripura who had met his end in the hands of Shiva.

The boy said he will take revenge. He began learning all scriptures and the use of all weapons. Completing his learning, he went and attacked the Gods. He defeated Indra and the other Gods in battle. He then fought and defeated Shiva also. The Gods, not knowing what to do, went to the cosmic ocean to take help of Vishnu. Vishnu promised to help them.

Vishnu then went where Gayasura was. A fierce battle started between the two. Vishnu was unable to defeat him and pleased with his skill, he said Ask for a boon.

Gayasura said He wanted to reside in Gaya as a rock. Let this place be known by my name. Whoever comes and performs the last rites of their departed ancestors will get salvation.

Vishnu agreed and then pressed his foot on the asura. The body disintegrated and the soul merged into the rock there with a imprint of Vishnu's foot..

Parashurama

Bhishma said - Let me tell you more.
There is a great lake near the Brahmaputra river. It is here that the sage Parashurama had bathed to clean himself off the sin of killing his mother.
Yudhistira said - I am amazed. Why did a sage like Parashurama, kill his own mother?
Bhishma said -
Jamadagni was a great sage. He was married to Renuka. They had five sons, the youngest of whom was called Rama. One day Jamadagni asked Renuka to fetch water for his worship. Renuka went with the pitcher to get water. There she saw the aprasa Gritachi dancing. She stood watching the apsara and lost track on time. When she came back with the water, it was late. The sage got angry and asked his eldest son to cut off the head of Renuka. The eldest son did not want the sin of matricide in his hands and he refused. The sage asked the other three sons and they too refused.At this, the sage asked Rama to cut off the head of his mother and four brothers. Not thinking twice, Rama did that.
The sage was pleased and blessed him to be immortal and a great warrior. He asked his son to ask for something.
Rama said Please revive my mother and brothers.
Jamadagni did that and the four brothers and Renuka got up.
The sin of death was heavy in the hands of Rama.He was not able to throw down the axe from his hand. He asked his father what to do.
Jamadagni thought for a while and said The sin of killing ones mother is a grave one. For that you need to visit all the pilgrim spots. Once done, go to the brahmin Vishnuyasha. He will tell you how to loose the axe from your hand.
Rama started off.
He went to Gaya, Varanasi, banks of Ganga, Mansarovar, Prabhasa  and all other pilgrim spots across the land.
After that he went to the land of Kosala to meet Vishnuyasha.
Vishnuyasha wanted to know who he was.
Rama told him. Vishnuyasha told him to have a dip in the lake near Brahmaputra. The lake, he said, had whirlpools in it, and one had to be careful else the person would get pulled inside.
Vishnuyaksha said - Once a great sage Sutapa went to Brahma. There he happened to see the apsara Menaka with lustful eyes. The sage was cursed to live like a crocodile in the lake and devour anyone who went there. The sage asked how he would get relief. Brahma said When Rama with the axe (Parashu) went to the lake, the crocodile would be relieved.
When Parashurama went there, he saw the whirlpools trying to drown him. With his axe, he cut the current and the water quietened. Parashurama then had a bath there. The crocodile came and bit him. Parashurama pulled the crocodile to the shore. The crocodile, relieved of its curse, left the place.
Relieved of the sin, Parashurama went home.

Sumati

Bhishma said - Listen while you I tell you.

In the land of Ayodhya lived a merchant called Dhanpati who had a wife called Sumati. The couple had no children. They prayed and performed sacrifices but there was no result.
To divert his attention, one day the merchant sailed out for business.
One day the merchant's wife went to have a bath in a nearby lake along with her maids. When she was there, a hunter happened to pass by. He spotted Sumati bathing and was smitten by her. He requested her to accept him.
This angered Sumati who rebuked him for having spotted her while she was naked and also for approaching her to make love. She told the hunter that his clan served as servants in her house.
The hunter kept quiet, head hung in shame.
When Sumati left, the hunter wondered how he would be able to get Sumati. He approached her maids and asked them to help him. The maids laughed and said he was acting like the dwarf who wanted to grab the moon.
The hunter was adamant and one of the maids jokingly said if he went to the pilgrim place of prayaga and prayed to Narayana there, Sumati could be his.
The hunter went to Prayaga and there, on the banks of the river sat and started praying.
Narayana was pleased with him and said he would get this wish fulfilled if he had a dip in the river.
The hunter had a dip in the river and when arose he was a replica of the merchant.
The hunter then went to Sumati.
Sumati thinking her husband had come, welcomed him. They began talking to each other, holding hands.
At that instant, Dhanapati also arrived.
Sumati was stunned. There were two people who looked exactly like each other.
Dhanapati said to Sumati - I knew you to be a pious, chaste woman. Whom are you sitting with, in my absence?
Sumati said - The two of you look absolutely the same. How did I figure you which is the true person?
Sumati then wondering what to do, started calling out to Krishna for help.

Hearing her prayers, Vishnu appeared before Sumati in the form of Krishna playing the flute. All three bowed down to Krishna.
Sumati then told Krishna about her dilemma.
Krishna said It is your destiny to have two husbands. I cannot do anything about that.
Sumati said Then I want to leave this world, as I will not be able to live and bear the taunts of the people.
Krishna said I will take you all with me. Saying this, he ordered for his chariot to come and Krishna and the three climbed up. The chariot then started flying in the sky.

At the same time, two of Vishnu's attendants came there. They looked like Vishnu - dark complexion and four hands. They climbed up on another chariot and Sumati saw a couple on the chariot along with them.
Sumati asked Krishna - Who are these two, who look like you? And who is the couple with them?
Krishna said - Ask them. They will tell you.
Sumati asked them.

The two said - We are attendants of Hari. The person here was born a Kshatriya and performed many evil deeds. The woman here is a prostitute. While she kept sinning she kept a parrot and taught it to say the name of Hari. She lived with many men among whom was a Gandharva called Sumali. One day she went to get flowers in a garden. The Kshatriya here happened to see her and was smitten by her. He captured her and took carried her away forcibly. When the Gandharva came to know this, he attacked the Kshatriya. A fight took place and there the Gandharva shot an arrow and the chariot went flying fell in the waters of the river at Prayaga. The two drowned in the waters. With their sins gone, they are now being taken to Vaikuntha.

Sumati then realized that hunter had drowned in the waters of Prayaga and then had taken the form of her husband. She was amazed at the divinity of the waters of Prayaga.

The three then decided to stay as servants of Vishnu in Vaikuntha.

Worship and Gifts

Bhishma continued :
Narayana should be bathed with milk, water and honey.
Shiva should be bathed with coconut water.
One who prays to Tulsi in the evening, is blessed.
Giving away gifts like cows, jewels is a very good form of worship. The blessings received from the one who gets the gifts relieves one of sins.
The poor man who gives a small meal to a beggar is equal to the rich man who gives away thousands of cows.
While the rich worship Narayana with honey and milk, the poor worships Krishna with only water.The results are the same.
It is the actions of one that decides the fate. The great ones can sin and fall down and the sinner can live in the company of the good and rise up.

Yudhistira said - Please tell me more about this.

Greatness of Hari

Bhisma said - Listen Yudhistira while I tell you more.One who worships Govinda with many gifts gets blessings from the Lord. If one bathes Vishnu on the twelfth day of the lunar cycle (Dwadashi) that falls on a Monday, he is blessed and he and his generation is taken to the abode of Vishnu. One who fasts on the day of Krishna Janamashtami and bathes Krishna with milk and water is relieved from all sins by Narayana. Let me tell you about this.
There was a king called Yagyadhwaja. He used to beg for forgiveness at the temple of Hari. His priest, worried, asked him the reason for this. The king said - In my previous birth I was the son of a merchant and my name was Yagyamali. I was an evil person. Seeing my deeds my family expelled me. What ever I had I spent on cheap women. Seeing this, my brothers tied me up, beat me and then left me far away.
In the forest, I was hungry when I came across a temple of Vishnu. It was dirty. I cleaned the temple and went to sleep there. A snake happened to come there and it bit me. Two attendants of Yama came to fetch me but were stopped by the attendants of Vishnu. Yama's attendants said this is a great sinner and he needs to go with us.
Vishnu's attendants said this person has come here, fasted and cleaned the temple of Vishnu and is subject to forgiveness. Saying this Vishnu's attendants took me with them.
Unknowingly I had prayed in the temple of Vishnu and thus I am freed.
The priest hearing this, bowed down to the king.

Ekadashi

Bhishma said-
One who lives in earth and performs good deeds gets rewarded in this life.
One who fasts on the eight day of the lunar cycle and prays to Shiva and Durga is greatly rewarded.
One who takes the name of Narayana and performs his worship is freed from all fears.
The eleventh day's fasting (Ekadashi) has great significance and I will tell you about that.
There was a sage called Galav whose son was named Bhadrasheel. He was a great devotee of Vishnu and fasted on the eleventh of Ekadashi, twice in a month.
His father wanted to know the greatness of doing this fasting.
Bhadrasheel said -
I was a king in Soma dynasty. I had received knowledge from Dharmakeerti and Dattatreya. I ruled continuously for thousand years. During this period, I committed various religious as well as irreligious tasks. In the company of impostors, I too became an impostor. Working diplomatically, I destroyed sacrifices. My subjects also followed me and began to behave in a foul manner. I received sixth part of their evil deeds. One day, I went to the forest, hunting. There, I killed many animals.
After a while, perplexed by thirst and hunger, I reached the bank of Narmada. I had strayed into deeper forests all alone. The intense sun was scorching my body. I was about to drop down because of hunger when I saw that people on the bank of Narmada were observing Ekadashi fasting. I joined them and stayed awake all along the night without taking any food. But I could not bear the starvation and exertion and died as a result. Fierce looking servants of Yama took me to him. Yamar asked Chitragupta to open the account of my life. Chitragupta thought for a moment and said: "Its true O Yama that this person is a sinner. But now he is free from his sins due to observing fast on Ekadashi and passing his night in the company of pious devotees." Hearing these words, Yama greeted me and worshiped me with devotion. Then, he called his servers."
Yama said - "Listen to me, O agents! I am narrating something to your interest. Never bring to me in future anybody who is engaged in religious task. Stay away from those who always recite the name of Hari. Greet them from a distance. This is my order as well as teaching to all of you. Spare all those who serve their teachers, love their religion, are helpless, serve the pious one and are truly deserving. Bring all such people who abuse their mother, hate the world, steal the wealth of temples and Brahmins, who are killers, who do not observe fast on Ekadashi, who are short tempered, criticize me and nurture hostility with others."
Hearing such words from Yama, fire of penance began to burn within me. More intense this fire grew, more of my sins were destroyed. I even got a vision of Hari. Even, Yama greeted me with respect. His action even surprised this servants. Worshiping me, Yama sent me on a divine chariot to the abode of Vishnu.
O father! I was passing my time happily. I did not know how and when many years passed. Then I arrived in the land of Indra. There I stayed with the gods for many years. It was after such a great experience that I have arrived on the earth. Having the knowledge of my previous birth, I always engaged in the worship of Hari and inspire others to follow suit. Earlier, I didn't know the virtues of Ekadashi . But now, because of the knowledge of my previous births, I have come to know about it. I observed it without any desire and without knowing that I was actually observing a fast and received so much in return. Hence, I cannot tell how much will one receive if he observes Ekadashi  with some desire. Those who devotedly worship Hari and observe Ekadashi  attain even the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu."
The words of his son gladdened sage Galav. He says- "My birth has been successful because I got such a devotee son like you who told me the complete method of worshipping Lord Vishnu."

Vishnu kicked

One who gives gifts is worshiped by all. Once there was a person called Subodh who was a son of a brahaman. He was a poor brahman and was barely able to meet the needs of his family. His children were always hungry and crying for food. He was looked down upon by the residents of the town.
One day, sitting in his house he wished to be rich. He felt that the rich had no worries.
Leaving that town with his family, he went to the kingdom of Kosala and requested to meet the king.
He got many gifts from the king and settled down there.
The king, because of his deeds went to heaven after death. He then went stayed in the abode of Brahma. Then we went to the abode of Vishnu and lived there.
The body of Vishnu is the place of a brahmana. Vishnu is a devotee of a brahmana and thus he gracefully accepted the kick that he got from a brahmana.
Yudhistira said - I have never heard of this. Please tell me why a brahmana kicked Vishnu.
Bhishma said -
In olden days, the sage Bhrigu wanted to know who was the supreme God. He went to see Shiva asked him the reason why he had come. The sage kept quiet and Shiva getting angry said he would kill him with his trident. The sage ran to Brahma. There too, he did not say anything and kept quiet.
Getting no answer, he went where Vishnu was. Vishnu was sleeping. Seeing this, Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on his chest. Lakshmi got angry but Vishnu getting up, started the worshiping the foot that had kicked him. He wondered if the sage had hurt his foot.
Bhrigu was ashamed. He said I know you are the Supreme One and I have kicked you.
Vishnu said You should not worry. Your mark will stay on my chest as an ornament.

Sinners and their punishment

Yudhistira asked What does one have to go through for their sins/
Bhishma said -
The one who gives gifts to Brahmanas and regrets that is taken away and tied to a pole and dipped in hot oil.
One who looks at a brahmana with angry eyes has his eyes plucked out with needles.
One who laughs at the insults of others has his ears fried.
One who sells mantras for a living is tortured and is then born as a worm and has to go through many births before he becomes a human again.
One who gives food to the Gods and then eats it up himself quickly, is born as a rakshasa.
One who refuses to give gifts is taken away hurled into blazing fires.
One who taken away another's wife is punished by being forced to make love to a blazing hot iron statue. A woman who leaves her husband for another person has to go through the same punishment.
One who looks at brahmanas when making to offerings to the departed is hurled from the mountains onto the earth. Butter is then applied to the body and it is then roasted in the fires.
One who steals flowers for worship is left in a forest of thorns. 

Bhadrasheel and Dhanurdwaj

Bhishma said - There was once a sage called Bhadrasheel in the land of Ayodhya. he was learned in the Vedas. He hired a boy called Dhanurdwaj to look after the cows. Dhanurdwaj was a brahmin in the previous birth who had been cursed by his brother to be born as a low caste person.
Yudhistira said - Why was he cursed?
Bhishma said - In the Ikshvaku dynasty, there was a brahmin who had two sons Suvanti and Avanti. While Suvanti was a person who followed the right path, Avanti always followed the wrong. He was a jealous person, who took pleasure in theft. His brother tried to correct him and when he did, he was cursed to be born as a Chandala.
This angered Avanti who went to the forests and started meditating. He gave up his body and this was was the person who was looking after the cows of Bhadrasheel. He looked after the cows well and the cows were happy too in his care. One day he died of a snake bite.
Bhadrasheel was devastated. He cried like a parent cries for a dead child.
After dying, Dhanurdwaj became a servant of Yama and at his bidding used to go and fetch the people from earth.
One day he came to get a person when he was spotted by Bhadrasheel. Bhadrasheel said People do not come alive after dying. How did you come alive?
Dhanurdwaj said Due to curse in his previous birth he had been cursed to serve Yama.
Bhadrasheel said I am intrigued. Please tell me about the cycle of birth and death.
Dhanurdwaj said Its a vast thing but I will tell you in brief.
When a female makes love to a male, from the union is created a child. In the womb the child is size of a grain of sand, which slowly grows and become the size of a thumb. Its a lump of flesh. From the second month the head forms. On the third month the limbs form and on the fourth, hair. In the fifth month it grows slightly and in the sixth month it moves in the womb. In the seventh month it starts sensing. In the eighth month it knows about the cycles it has lived through till now and the sins and virtues it has gained. It cries wondering why it did not take the name of Krishna all the time. And the moment it is born, it forgets everything.
It cries and feeds on milk from the breasts of the mother,
They come with a fixed life span. If their actions are heinous, their life span decreases and many die in childhood. Some die in their middle age and some in the old age.
Death cannot be avoided. It is a reality and strikes all.
Bhadrasheel was pleased. He said I want to see the abode of Yama. Will you show me that?
Dhanurdwaj said If you have any tasks pending complete those. If you any loans, repay those. Finish that and then come with me. I will take you to the abode of Yama.
Bhadrasheel said I will repay all. How will I see you again?
Dhanurdwaj said - Go home. After finishing your pending tasks, take leave of your family. You will give them good advise before leaving. You will then lock yourself in your room for tree days. You will tell them that if they try to open the door, you will die. Be in your room, I will come for you.
Bhadrasheel went back home. He went to his parents and took leave of them after paying any debts that he had. He then went out and repaid all loans that he had ever taken. To his wife and children he said he was going to lock himself in the room for three days. They were not to open the door or peep inside, else he would die.
He then locked himself up in the room.
Here, Dhanurdwaj was disturbed after having promised Bhadrasheel. He took another person to Yama.
Here, Yudhistira asked What was Yama's reaction. Bhishma said -
Kirtimanta was a son of a merchant. His son was Sushil. Sushil was rich and good natured. He had donated a lot to the poor and needy. Anger is a grave enemy. When a brahmin came to Sushil for alms, Sushil looked at him with angry eyes. This displeased the brahmin who refused what was given to him. He cursed Sushil to die untimely. One day when he was bathing in a river, the servants of Yama came and took him away.
Yama looked at him and said You have given a lot and have performed good deeds but have not been able to control your anger. Sushil said he was willing to pay for his sin. Yama said Go back to the river live there like a crocodile. You will meet a sage called Deval, seeing whom you will be relieved.
He went back and a ferocious crocodile, devoured all that came to the water. One day the sage Deval came there. The moment the crocodile bit the sage, he was relieved from his curse.
Yudhistira asked What happened to Bhadrasheel?
Bhishma said Bhadrasheel was taken to the abode of Yama. He saw a lovely place full of people. Some place had eternal summer and some winter and rain. At one place the attendants were beating the sinners.
Travelling thus he came across a woman. She asked him to pay her. Bhadrasheel said he had nothing to pay with and could go back to earth and get her something.
At this moment Dhanurdwaj said You have some debt pending. You said you had repaid everything. Bhadrasheel said He had really repaid everything.
At this Dhanurdwaj asked the woman to leave him. The woman said she would if the brahman gave her the skin from his chest.
Scared Bhadrasheel closed his eyes and started calling out to Krishna.
Unable to stay in his place, Vishnu appeared before Bhadrasheel. Vishnu said I am pleased, ask for something.
Bhadrasheel said I do not need anything but if you want to give me something, then let me take your name for ages to come. He also said he wanted to be relieved from the woman.
Vishnu asked Bhadrasheel not to worry. He himself took the form of Bhadrasheel and went with Dhanurdwaj to the woman. He then cut off his flesh and gave it to the woman. Taking this own form, he left.
The woman was amazed. Why did Vishnu do this? The woman then realized that the Brahmin had prayed to Vishnu in the form of a Pipal tree.
A divine chariot then came and took Bhadrasheel away.
After three days Bhadrasheel woke up in his hut. He came out and saw Vishnu's skin on the Pipal tree.
He then went worshiped the tree with full devotion.

Greatness of the name of Hari

Yudhistira asked Bhishma - Please tell me about those who have sinned and who they get relief.
Bhishma said - Yama's abode is huge. It measures sixteen hundred miles. The one gives cows to a brahmin gets the protection of Vishnu. They go to Yama's abode and treated like Gods. Chitragupta, who is Yama's assistant, weighs the sins with the virtues. One who worships Narayana and prays to Him regularly is worshiped like Vishnu, when he dies. Vishnu comes there and takes the person with him. One who gives gifts of food and clothing does not go unrewarded. They are worshiped by the Gods.
Yama is the giver of justice. The person gets exactly what he deserves. To get relief one needs to take the name of Govinda. One day Narada went to Brahma. Brahma wanted to know why Narada had come there. Narada said I want to know about the greatness of the name of Hari.
Brahma said He is the soul of the Universe. I do not know the significance. Go to Shiva, He should be able to help.
Narada went to Shiva. Shiva said I am unable to explain this. Go to the one who is only One.
Narada then went to Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. He prayed to Vishnu.
Pleased Vishnu said I am difficult to grasp but I am captivated by my devotees and bow down to them. Do tell me why you are here.
Narada said he wanted to know the reason behind the greatness of the name. Vishnu smiled and said - Go to Sanjivanipura, the abode of Yama. There you will see a form of mine. Ask Him. He will answer you.
Narada saw the four handed divine form, dark in color, wearing yellow garments. The form asked Narada to go to a certain place where he would get the answer. Narada went there. It was a wet place infested with crocodiles. People were being tormented there. Scared Narada began taking the names of Krishna. The moment Narada had uttered the names, the sins of the sinners vanished. The place changed to a beautiful place.
Narada realized the greatness of the name of Hari.

Bhishma then said - I have not told you about the North gate of Yama. The ones who take the name of Hari go there and are worshiped by Yama himself.