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Who Passed Through Narak While Going to Swarg?
Although the most known name comes to the mind is of Yudhishthir, but there are some more stories like that in our books :-

(1) Yudhishthir
Everybody knows that Yudhishthir went to Swarg with this physical body. When he was taken to Swarg, he didn't want to live in swarg withpout his people, so Indra asked his messenger to take him to the place he wanted to go. the messenger took him and came to Narak. Yudhishthir could not tolerate the smell and the condition of Narak. He asked him, "How far we have to like this and where are my brothers?" The messenger said - "Our chief has ordered us to bring you up to here only, so if you wish, you may return with us."

Since Yudhishthir was not feeling good he got ready to return. as he returned, he heard the voices - "Please stay for some more time, we are feeling very comfortable while you are around." Yudhishthir thought that he had heard these voices but he could not recognize them immediately. He asked them, "Who are you and why are you here?" They said, I am Bheem, I am Karn...". He could not understand why Duryodhan was in Swarg and why his own people were here in Narak. So he said to the messenger, "Go and tell your master, that I am not going anywhere. I am living here with my own people." The messenger returned. Within a moment Indra arrived there. The whole scene disappeared and Indra and other Devataa took him to Swarg.
[ MBH, 7-Postwar-35]

(2) Maheerath
This story comes in Padm Puraan, 4/21. In this story also, when king Maheerath was taken to Swarg by Vishnu's messengers, he was taken through Hell. There people got relieved by feeling the air which was coming touching the king to them. The king refused to move from there since he could not see them suffering. But Vishnu's messengers told him that he could not stay there as he was a Punyavaan. But the king saw that the sinners were relieved by his presence, so he refused to move from there. Later he donated his Punya to them (see this story below - "Who donated their Punya to others?")

(3) Janak
This story comes in Padm Puraan, 4/6. Jaabaali Rishi told this to Satyavaan - "At one time King Janak left his body through Yog. A Divine Vimaan came and took him to Swarg. As he he was passing Dharm Raaj's Sanyamanee Puree, the sinful people living there started crying and said - "Please don't go from here. Even the air which is coming through touching your body, is giving us so much relief." The King thought, "if these people feel so comfortable in my presence then I will live here only. This is the only Swarg for me." So he stopped at the door of Narak.

At the same time Yam Raaj came there to punish those sinners. He found King Janak standing on the door of Narak. He said to him - "Punya souls do not come here, how come that you are standing here? Go from here and enjoy your Punya." Janak said - "I feel pity for these people. Even the air which is flowing touching my body is giving them so much relief. If you free them from Narak, then only I can go from here comfortably." Yam Raaj said to him pointing to people - "All these sinners will have to suffer for their sins and then only they will be freed from this place. Therefore you go to your own Lok because you have earned a lot of Punya (results of good actions)."

Janak asked - "Dharm Raaj, Please tell me how they can be uplifted from this Narak?" Dharm Raaj said - "If you want them to be freed, then you offer them your Punya. Which one? I tell you that. One day you meditated upon Raghunaath and pronounced "Raam, Raam", give that Punya to them. That will free them from this Narak."

Jaabaali said - "Thus Janak gave them all his Punya earned in his lifetime to those sinners. As he did Sankalp of giving that Punya to them, they all immediately got freed from that Narak. They all got Divine bodies and said to Janak - "Because of you only we got freed from this Narak and now we are going to Param Dhaam." When they all left, Janak asked Dharm Raaj - "You said - "Only sinners come here, Punya souls do not come here, then why did I come here? Tell me what sin I committed?" Dharm Raaj said - "Raajan, You have earned a lot of Punya. Nobody else on earth is as pious as you. Still you committed a sin because of which you had to come here. Once a cow was grazing somewhere. You created an obstacle in her grazing, this is the fruit of the same sin. Now you are freed from that sin and your Punya has increased a lot than before. Only the kind people like you feel concerned about others' pain." And the King Janak went to Param Dhaam.

[It is not clear that which Janak was this, as people know that Janak is not a name, it was a kind of surname, all Kings of that family were called Janak.]

Who Saw Narak Before Coming Back to Prithvi?
We have cited some incidents where people passed Narak while going to Swarg. Here we write some incidents where people saw Narak before coming back to Prithvi.

(1) This incident is from Padm Puraan, 5/32. In reference to the glory of Maagh Snaan, Vashishth Jee told this to the King Dileep - Mrigshring Rishi brought 4 girls to life while they were dead. They went to take bath in Kaaveree River for Maagh Snaan, that an elephant followed them and they ran so much to save themselves from him that they got tired and fell in a dry well which was covered with straws and leaves and died. Mrigshring Muni came, worshipped Yam Raaj and when he appeared and asked him to ask for a Var, he asked only their life which he gave instantly. Then those four girls told Yam Lok's description to their parents.

(2) This incident is also from Padm Puraan, 5/33. In this incident Yam Raaj sends his messenger to bring one Pushkar named Braahman who lived in Nandi Graam. Now there were two Pushkar Braahman in Nandi Graam. One was who was a great devotee of Vishnu and did Maagh Snaan regularly and other one was an ordinary Braahman. the messengers took the devotee Braahman to Yam Raaj by mistake. Yam Raaj found him innocent so he ordered his people to take him back to Earth. But before going back to Prithvi, he requested Yam Raaj to show him Narak where sinners suffered for their sins. Yam Raaj showed him hundreds of Narak. Innumerable people were crying there.

As he was standing there, those people got some relief. Pushkar asked them if they did any Punya in their previous lives. They said "No" and asked him to stand there for some time more. Yam Raaj reminded him to go back to Prithvi but he did not go. He told he would not go till they were crying. He started reciting Vishnu's names and immediately they all become free from their sins. Then only he came back to Prithvi.

Who Relieved People Living in Narak?
There are some people who when happened to pass from Narak, the people suffering in Narak got relieved, here are some --

(1) First names to our mind is of Yudhishthir - read about his visit above in "Who Passed Narak While Going to Swarg"

(2) Maheerath
This story comes in Padm Puraan, 4/21. In this story also, when king Maheerath was taken to Swarg by Vishnu's messengers, he was taken through Hell. There people got relieved by feeling the air which was coming touching the king to them. The king refused to move from there since he could not see them suffering. But Vishnu's messengers told him that he could not stay there as he was a Punyavaan. But the king saw that the sinners were relieved by his presence, so he refused to move from there. Later he donated his Punya to them (see this story below - "Who donated their Punya to others?")

(3) This incident comes in Bhavishya Puraan 4/46 in reference to Dhenu Daan. Although it is not like the above two incidents, but it shows that how Punyaaatmaa people can relieve the afflictions of the people in Narak - Once Mudgal Rishi went to Yam Lok wandering around. He found many sinners suffering in various Narak. Seeing Mudgal Rishi people got relief and they became very happy. Muni got surprised to see those people relieved. He asked Yam Raaj the reason for this. Yam Raaj said - "Its main reason is this that you have done Dhenu Daan in three consecutive lives. Whoever will think of you, will talk about you, will see you ; or to whoever you will see and remember, they all will be happy and comforted. Who does this Daan, he does not get afflicted for thousands of life. Now you also go to your own Lok, because who have meditated upon Krishn, they don't come under my rule. Who does Krishn's Vrat, worship, pronounces His name and mediates upon Him, he never comes to this Lok. Who donates saying "Achyutah Preeyataam" he never comes to my Lok. I rule on all Lok and Krishn rules me."

(4) Pushkar Braahman   see No 2 incident above under the Heading "Who Saw Narak Before Coming Back to Prithvi?" He also relieved people in Narak by reciting Vishnu's names.

(5) Mudgal Rishi
A mention of Mudgal Rishi comes in Bhavishya Puraan, 4/46 also, in the context of Dhenu Daan - Once Mudgal Rishi went to Yam Lok wandering around. He found many sinners suffering in various Narak. Seeing Mudgal Rishi people got relief and they became very happy. Muni got surprised to see those people relieved. He asked Yam Raaj the reason for this. Yam Raaj said - "Its main reason is this that you have done Dhenu Daan in three consecutive lives. Whoever will think of you, will talk about you, will see you; or to whoever you will see and remember, they all will be happy and comforted. Who does this Daan, he does not get afflicted for thousands of life. Now you also go to your own Lok, because who have meditated upon Krishn, they don't come under my rule. Who does Krishn's Vrat, worship, pronounces His name and mediates upon Him, he never comes to this Lok. Who donates saying "Achyutah Preeyataam" he never comes to my Lok. I rule all Lok and Krishn rules me."

Who Donated Their Punya to Others?
No specific person comes to mind while thinking about this, but still there are some stories in which people gave their Punya to others.

(1) Yayaati's Four Grandsons
After his death, Raajaa Yayaati went to Swarg and there he misbehaved, so Indra sent him down. While he was coming down, he wished that he should fall among Rishi. He had four sons of his daughter Maadhavee who were doing Yagya at one place. He fell there. When they saw their father coming down, they got worried and thought how could they help him? Then they decided to give him all their Punya. As they gave their Punya to him, he start rising again and went to Swarg again.
[MBH, Yayaati]

(2) Maheerath
When Raajaa Maheerath arrived in Narak, he heard cries of sinners. As he reached there, they felt a little comfortable, so he decided to stay there near them so that they could be relieved of their pain. But Vishnu's messengers told that he could not stay there as he did not commit any sin. Then he decides to give them his Punya's fruits, so that they can go to Swarg in his place. And he does so. He donated them his one day Punya of Vaishaakh Maas and because of that their all sins were destroyed and they went to Swarg.
[Padm Puraan, 4/21]

(3) Janak
Read his story above under the heading "Who Passed Narak While Going to Swarg?"

Who Spread Vaishnav Dharm
The following kings spread Vishnu's name in their kingdoms :--

(1) King Yayaati
When Naarad Jee praised Yayaati, Indra got worried and he thought to invite him to Swarg, so he sent a messenger with his Saarathee Maatali. Yayaati talked to Maatali and decided not to go to Swarg, and preferred rather to convert this Prithvi into Swarg. He sent his messengers all over to follow his instructions that they should meditate only upon Vishnu and be happy. Whoever will not follow his teachings he will be considered as thief and will be punished. People started doing it and they lived happily and did not go to Yam Lok. Even after living for 100,000 years he looked as young as of a 25 years young man.
[Padm Puraan, 2/11, p 286-310]

(2) King Rukmaangad
This story comes in Naarad Puraan in reference to Ekaadashee fast. This king was so much devotee of Vishnu that he regularly kept fast of Ekaadashee, Vishnu's favorite day, and asked his public also to observe the same. He used to declare it in his kingdom a day before that "tomorrow is Ekaadashee, keep fast on this day". All people, from the age of 8 years to 80 years, used o keep fast on that day. This observance of fast resulted that nobody was going to Narak, and both Yam Raaj and Chitragupt were soon out of job.

Yam Raaj got so much worried seeing this, that he had to go to Brahmaa Jee and do something about it, otherwise he would resign from his position. Brahmaa Jee did something, but he could not move the king and his family from his vow.
[Naarad Puraan, 2/2, p 580-639]

(3) King Satyavaan
His story comes in Padm Puraan. When Raam sent His horse for Ashwamedh Yagya, the King of Tejpur, Satyavaan had ordered his people, from the age of 8 to 80 years, to observe Ekaadashee Vrat. He was such a devotee of Vishnu that only by taking his name, people would be free from Brahm Hatyaa sin.
[Padm Puraan, 4/6, p 474]

(4) King Surath
His story comes in Padm Puraan. When Raam sent His horse for Ashwamedh Yagya, King Surath of Kundal city held him. He also spread Vaishnav Dharm. All people listened to Raam's Kathaa daily and thus they did not go to Yam Lok. Yam Raaj got worried seeing this, so he went to Surath in a disguise of a Muni. Surath worshipped him and requested him to tell him Raam's stories. But Yam Raaj tried to misguide him by suggesting to follow Karm path. Surath got angry and asked his servants to expel him out of his kingdom. Yam Raaj got very pleased seeing his Bhakti. Then Surath asked the Var from him that he should not die until he sees Raam.
(Padm Puraan, 4/9, p 503-504)

(5) King Muchukund
His story comes in Padm Puraan, that he used to announce in his kingdom on Dashamee itself that nobody would eat food on next day, Ekaadashee day. Even elephant, horses and other animals also did not eat grass, then how human beings could eat food on that day?
[Padm Puraan, 5/7]

Who Saw Extraordinary Animals?
It is really surprising that appearing as an extraordinary deer is a common trick to misguide people :-

(1) Raam and Seetaa
The first and most common names that come to our mind are of course of Seetaa and Raam. Seetaa saw the golden Mrig (deer) and sent Raam to bring him for her. Surprisingly Raam also went to bring him to please His dear wife. That deer was not really a deer, he was Maareech Raakshas in disguise of the golden deer to move Raam and Lakshman from their hut, so that Raavan could kidnap Seetaa.

(2) King Yayaati
This name is unknown to most people in relation to seeing an extraordinary deer in a forest. When Naarad Jee praised Yayaati, Indra got worried and he thought to invite him to Swarg, so he sent a messenger with his Saarathee Maatali. Yayaati talked to Maatali and decided not to go to Swarg, and preferred rather to convert this Prithvi into Swarg. He sent his messengers all over to follow his instructions that they should meditate only upon Vishnu and be happy. Whoever will not follow his teachings he will be considered as thief and will be punished. People started doing it and they lived happily. Even after living for 100,000 years he looked as young as of a 25 years young man.

This worried Indra. After Maatali failed to bring Yayaati to Swarg, he took help of Kaam Dev to bring the King to Swarg. Kaam Dev succeeded in forgetting his Dharm and sprouting the feelings of desires in his heart. One day when he went to a forest for hunting, he saw an extraordinary deer in the forest. He had four horns and was extraordinarily beautiful. King followed him, and that deer took him far away (as Raam's deer took Him away) in the forest. This was a trick to get Yayaati into trouble so that he forgets everything and comes to Swarg Lok.
(Padm Puraan, 2/13, p 302-303)

(3) King Nal and Damayantee
They saw golden swans, through whom they sent their messages of love to each other.
(MBH, Stories, 4-7-Nal-1)

Who Loved Animals and Were Born as Animals
Hindu religion believes in rebirth, and that with whatever feelings one dies, he is born again with the same. There are two examples of this--

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