Lord Vishnu said, "My dear
Lakshmi, in the town of Janasthan was a brahmana of the name Jada,
who was born in the dynasty of Kaushik. That brahmana gave up the
religious activities enjoined in the shastras to be followed by the
brahmana class, and took to many irreligious activities. He was very
fond of gambling and drinking, hunting, and visiting the prostitutes. In
this way, he wasted his wealth. He went to the northern countries on a
business trip. While there, he gained much wealth and decided to
return to Janasthan.
After
having traveled a long distance he, found himself in a very deserted
place. One day, as the sun set, and everywhere became engulfed by
darkness, he decided to take rest for the night under a tree. While
resting, some robbers came and beat him to death, and stole his wealth.
Because Jada had given up all religious activities and led a sinful
life, after his death he attained the form of a ghost.
The
son of Jada was very religious and learned in the Vedic shastras. When
he saw that his father had not returned to Janasthan after a long time,
he decided to go and search for him. For many days he traveled here
and there, in search of his father, and whatever travelers he
would meet, he would inquire from them, about his father. One day, he
met one person who knew his father, and informed him of the events
that had taken place.
When
the son of Jada heard the news of his father's death, he
decided to go to Kasi (Banaras) to offer pinda (worship) for the
release of his father from his hellish condition.
On
the ninth day of his journey, he happened to take rest under the same
tree under which his father had been killed. At that place, in the
evening, he performed his daily worship to Lord Krishna, and he also
recited the Third Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. As he
completed his recitation, a loud sound came from the sky. When he looked
up, he saw his father there, and in front of his eyes, his
father's form changed into one of the most beautiful beings, who
had four hands, and was wearing a yellow dhoti. His body was the color
of a dark rain was wearing a yellow dhoti. His body was the color of a
dark rain cloud and his bodily effulgence was lightening up all
the directions. At that time, his father offered his blessing to
him. The son inquired from the father, as to the meaning of these
wonderful happenings. The father said, "My dear son, you recited the
Third chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita, and thus freed me from the
ghost form which I had received, due to my sinful activities. Now you
should return to your home, because the purpose for which you were
traveling to Kasi (Banaras) has been achieved by your reciting the Third
Chapter of Bhagavad-gita".
When
the son inquired from the father, if there were any further
instructions from him, the father said, "My brother also had led a very
sinful life and he is suffering some where in the darkest regions of
hell. So if you wish to free him, and our other ancestors, who are
suffering here and there, in different species in the material
universe, then kindly, recite the Third Chapter of Srimad
Bhagavad-gita. And by that recitation they will all attain a form
similar to Lord Vishnu's, and go to Vaikuntha".
When
the son heard the father's instructions he replied, "If that
is the case, then I will recite the Third Chapter until all the
souls, who are trapped in the hellish life, are freed" At that time
his father blessed him with the words, "Let it be." Then an airplane
arrived from the spiritual world of Vaikuntha and took the father to his
destination.
Thereafter, the
son returned to Janasthan and sat in front of the Deity of Lord
Krishna, and with a desire to free all of the conditioned souls
in the hellish condition, started reciting the Third Chapter of
Srimad Bhagavad-gita. While his recitation was continuing, day after
day, Lord Vishnu sent His messengers, the Vishnudutas, to the
kingdom of Yamaraja, who is in charge of administering
punishment to the sinful living entities.
When
the Vishnudutas arrived in front of Yamaraja, they informed him,
that they had a message from Lord Vishnu, who is lying on the bed
of Ananta-Sesha in the ocean of milk. They told him that Lord
Vishnu was inquiring as to his welfare, and also was ordering
him to free all of the conditioned souls, who were suffering in hell.
When Yamaraja heard this instruction from Lord Vishnu, he immediately
had all of the conditioned souls released from hell and then
personally went with those Vishnudutas to the ocean of milk, known as
Svetadwipa, to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu.
When
he arrived there, he saw Lord Vishnu, lying on the bed of Ananta-Sesha.
His body had the effulgence of suns, and Lakshmi-Devi, the Goddess of
Fortune, was massaging His feet. He was surrounded on all sides by
rishis, sages, and demigods, headed by Lord Indra, who were all singing
the Praises of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma was also present, reciting the
Vedas. Yamaraja fell down and offered his respects before Lord Vishnu,
and offered the following praise, "My dear Vishnu, You are the
well-wisher of all the conditioned souls. There is no Limit of
Your glories. From You the Vedas have come,
You
are time. And in The course of time You will destroy all things. You
are the cause and maintainer of the three worlds and You are the
Supersoul in every one's heart, who is directing their activities. You
are the Guru of the whole universe, and the goal of all
devotees. Oh, lotus-eyed one, please accept my obeisances again and
again. Your glories are unlimited."
In
this way Yamaraja with folded hands offered his respects to Lord
Vishnu. Yamaraja continued, "As per Your instructions, I have released
all the conditioned souls from hell. So kindly instruct me, what work
You wish me to perform now" Lord Vishnu replied in a voice as deep as
thunder, and as sweet as nectar, "My dear Dharmaraja (Yamaraja), you are
equal to every one, and I do not need to instruct you on your duties.
Kindly return to your abode with my full blessings, and continue your
duty"
At that time, Lord
Vishnu disappeared from the vision of Yamaraja, and Yamaraja
returned to his own abode. After that brahmana had successfully freed
all of his ancestors and the rest of the conditioned souls from hell,
the Vishnudutas came, and took him to the abode of Lord Vishnu, where he
was able to engage in the service of the lotus-feet of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead eternally.