While trying to re-arrange the rising pile of books at home, I came across one of my late father-in-law's books, printed in 1921, a commentary on the Katha Upanishad by Swami Sharvananda. And was reminded once again of Nachiketa's story, and his conversations with Yama, the God of Death.
Once when his father Vajasravasa was donating cows to gain religious merit, Nachiketa, who was just a teenage boy, asks him - "What merit can one obtain by giving away cows that are too old to give milk?"
His father does not pay heed to his questions, and is irritated that his young son is seeing through his hypocrisy, and spelling it out too.
To make his father realize the meaninglessness of this false ritual, he asks, "To whom will you offer me?" He asks this again and again. Angered, his father blurts out ,"To death I give you!"
Nachiketa is the main character of the Katha Upanishad. The name Nachiketa, (nA chiketas, that which is unperceived) "refers to the quickening Spirit that lies within all things like fire, latent in wood, the spirit that gives."
Once when his father Vajasravasa was donating cows to gain religious merit, Nachiketa, who was just a teenage boy, asks him - "What merit can one obtain by giving away cows that are too old to give milk?"
His father does not pay heed to his questions, and is irritated that his young son is seeing through his hypocrisy, and spelling it out too.
To make his father realize the meaninglessness of this false ritual, he asks, "To whom will you offer me?" He asks this again and again. Angered, his father blurts out ,"To death I give you!"
So the obedient Nachiketa goes to meet Yama, the God of Death, and waits until he gets an audience with him.
All of the Katha Upanishad is the dialogue between Yama and Nachiketa, after Nachiketa asks to know about life after death, as the last of the 3 boons that Yama grants him, a boon that Yama hesitates to grant him at first.
Not swayed by the riches and pleasures that Yama offers him instead, he remains steadfast in his desire for the knowledge of the Self. Yama, impressed by the young boy's steadfastness and readiness, then proceeds to teach Nachiketa about self-knowledge, realizing the Atman, and emancipation from rebirth.
It will soon be a year since this death in my family. The Katha Upanishad is read during death ceremonies. And like the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and the Garuda Purana, it gives you so much perspective on life - on living so well, with so much understanding, that Death, when it comes, will hold no terror for you.
All of the Katha Upanishad is the dialogue between Yama and Nachiketa, after Nachiketa asks to know about life after death, as the last of the 3 boons that Yama grants him, a boon that Yama hesitates to grant him at first.
Not swayed by the riches and pleasures that Yama offers him instead, he remains steadfast in his desire for the knowledge of the Self. Yama, impressed by the young boy's steadfastness and readiness, then proceeds to teach Nachiketa about self-knowledge, realizing the Atman, and emancipation from rebirth.
It will soon be a year since this death in my family. The Katha Upanishad is read during death ceremonies. And like the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and the Garuda Purana, it gives you so much perspective on life - on living so well, with so much understanding, that Death, when it comes, will hold no terror for you.
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