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Line 55: − + − Vaajasrava performed the Visvajit yaaga and gave away all that he had in charity. Nachiketa his son, a mere boy, कुमारं प्रथमवयसं सन्तमप्राप्तप्रजननशक्तिं बालमेव <ref name=":222" /> Kumaara, young, not yet possessed of the power of procreating, was observing all those who received the दानम् || dana (charity). He was filled with anxiety at the impropriety of the act, all the faith in the principles laid down by the Vedas, rushed into his senses. He realized that the cows given in charity were old, barren and useless to the receiver, such an act would only lead the donor to the lands devoid of happiness. + − ==== निश्चितबुद्धिः || Determination ==== − उशन्ह वै वाजश्रवसः सर्ववेदसं ददौ (Katha. Upan. 1.1.1) − Meaning : Once, desirous of heaven, the son on Vajasrava (Vaajasrava) gave away all that he possessed. + − − − ==== दानधर्माचरण विज्ञानम् || Knowledge of Charity ==== − पीतोदका जग्धतृणा दुग्धदोहा निरिन्द्रियाः (Katha. Upan. 1.1.3) − − Meaning : Ones (cows) which have drunk water, eater grass, given their milk are barren. − − Anything that is given in charity has to given with an intent that it would be useful to the receiver. Nachiketa was completely knowledgeable at a tender age, that his father's donation of barren cows would not serve the purpose of such a charity and is not advisable according to sastras. This aspect of charity is discussed in the Sikshavalli of Taittiriya Brahmana<ref name=":023222" />. − ==== वाक्कौशलम् || Expert orator ==== − Nachiketa's way of questioning and choice of words is an important quality that is required for a sadhaka. He was well versed in the knowledge of charitable things, yet he did not directly question his father's improper act of donation of barren cows. Indirect questioning - Paroksha--- devaaha is a characteristic that is appreciated and followed by Devatas in order not to hurt any being by direct harsh speech. − ==== दूरदृष्टिः || Farsightedness ==== − Nachiketa aware of the evil results of an improperly conducted charity was impelled to take on the consequences and asks his father<ref name=":122" /><ref name=":222" /> − − स होवाच पितरं तत कस्मै मां दास्यसीति। (Katha. Upan. 1.1.4) − − Meaning : So he asks his father "to whom will you offer me". − ==== पितृभक्तिः || Affection for elders ==== − Seeing the charity of barren cows, पितुर्हितकामप्रयुक्ताविवेश wishing heartily for the welfare of his father, पितुरनिष्टं फलं मया पुत्रेण सता निवारणीयमात्मप्रदानेनापि क्रतुसंपत्तिं कृत्वेत्येवं मत्वा<ref name=":222" /> (Shrimad Sankaraacharya Bhashyam) to ward off the evil result that his father would accrue, Nachiketa making an offering of himself as an object to be given away<ref name=":122" /> shows his affection for his father. − ==== आत्मपरिशीलनम् || Introspection ==== − बहूनामेमि प्रथमो बहूनामेमि मध्यमः । (Katha. Upan. 1.1.5) − − Meaning: Among many (disciples) I rank first (foremost in conduct of a disciple), among many I may be counted as (madhyama - may behave not as foremost in conduct). But I never did behave as the worst<ref name=":122" />. − − Nachiketa inspite of hearing that he would be given to Yama, introspected his actions and mind as to why his father gave such a remorseful curse on him. − ==== पितृवाक्यपालनम् || Treading the path of Truth ==== − अनुपश्य यथा पूर्वे प्रतिपश्य तथा परे । सस्यमिव मर्त्यः पच्यते सस्यमिवाजायते पुनः ॥ ६॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.1.6) − − Meaning : Nachiketa implores saying "considering the actions of forefathers (it behoves that one should tread in their footsteps) and consider the actions of others presently. Like corn, the mortal decays, and like corn they are born again. − − Nachiketa reminds his father that his forefathers were सत्यवाक्परिपालकाः followers of Truth, so his father's words should not be falsified even if they are uttered in anger. What does one gain in this impermanent human world by breaking one's own words? Thus the concept पालयात्मनः सत्यम्। प्रेषय मां यमायेत्यभिप्रायः || protect your own truth and send me to mrityuloka<ref name=":222" /> (Shrimad Sankaraacharya bhasyam) ; establishes Nachiketa's adherence to truth. He consoles saying that everything is temporary in this material world, so there is no need to be desolate. − ==== शक्तिसंपन्नः || Strength ==== − Nachiketa, addressed as Kumara, is at a tender age of initiation into the formal education. Enlightenment at such age and knowledge of the rituals and sastras endowed him the ability to travel to Yamapuri and return from the point where no mortal can return<ref name=":023222" />. − ==== परार्थम् || Welfare of others ==== − Nachiketa's quest for knowledge of Agni or Brahman and Yama's revealing it is Paropakarakam for the welfare of all the mortal beings<ref name=":023222" />. Once the benefits of Agnichayanam and piling the fire thrice are known, people would be motivated to pursue it for their own good. − − तवैव नाम्ना भवितायमग्निः सृङ्कां चेमामनेकरूपां गृहाण ॥ १६॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.1.16) − ==== पारलौकिकार्थम् || Goals beyond worldly things ==== − त्रिणाचिकेतस्त्रिभिरेत्य सन्धिं त्रिकर्मकृत्तरति जन्ममृत्यू । (Katha. Upan. 1.1.17) − − Pleased with Nachiketa's quest for brahmavidya, Yama grants that it (Agnichayana) will be celebrated with Nachiketa's name and blesses that those who perform Agnichayana will realize Atma by overcoming the cycles of birth and death. This shows that knowledge beyond the material world and for attainment of brahmajnana is the ultimate goal. − ==== कार्यदक्षता || Steadfastness ==== − देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयमणुरेष धर्मः । (Katha. Upan. 1.1.21) − − Meaning : Nachiketa says "Even devatas have doubts and it is not easily understood." − − Nachiketa pursues what is not easily understood even by the devatas shows his determination to achieve the apparently impossible task. − ==== प्रलोभराहित्यम् || Unallured ==== − Mantras from Kathaopanishad 1.1.23 to 29 reveal how Yama tries to lure Nachiketa into the materialistic world with grant of sons, cattle, gold, kingdom, horses and elephants among other things. Nachiketa remains unagitated and insists to learn about the secrets of death only. This shows his conquering of Preyas without getting lured into worldly pleasures. − ==== सहनशीलता || Patience ==== − Patiently, Nachiketa refuses all of Yama's offers of material things, and waits until Yama is totally convinced that he is a worthy disciple ready for the knowledge.
→नचिकेतः गुणवैशिष्टम् ॥Nachiketa's Qualities: moved content to new page Nachiketa's qualities
Shabdakalpadruma and Vachaspatyam (नाचिकेतोपाख्यानञ्च भा० अनु० ७१ अ० आदौ दृश्यम् ।) refer to Nachiketa's story in Mahabharata - Anushashana parva (13.71.2 to 21) <ref name=":023222" /><ref>[http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Mahabharata : Anushasana Parva 71 Adhyaya (Slokas 2 to 21)]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheMahabharataOfKrishna-dwaipayanaVyasa/MahabharataOfVyasa-EnglishTranslationByKMGanguli#page/n5125/mode/2up/search/Nachiketa Ganguli, K. M. (English Translation) ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana'' Anushasana Parva (Adhyaya 71)]</ref> In the context of Yudhisthira's questioning Bhishma about the merits of making donations of cows, Bhishma recites Nachiketa's story. Similar to the version as given in Varahapurana, there are descriptions Yamapuri including the mansions, rivers and streams of milk and ghee for the enjoyment of righteous persons who have made the gifts of cows. <blockquote>ऋषिरुद्दालकिर्दीक्षामुपगम्य ततः सुतम्। त्वं मामुपचरस्वेति नाचिकेतमभाषत॥ (13-71-3) </blockquote><blockquote>r̥ṣiruddālakirdīkṣāmupagamya tataḥ sutam। tvaṁ māmupacarasvēti nācikētamabhāṣata॥ (13-71-3)</blockquote><blockquote>यानं समारोप्य तु मां स देवो वाहैर्युक्तं सुप्रभं भानुमत्तत्। सन्दर्शयामास तदात्मलोकान्सर्वांस्तथा पुण्यकृतां द्विजेन्द्र॥ (13-71-21)</blockquote><blockquote>yānaṁ samārōpya tu māṁ sa dēvō vāhairyuktaṁ suprabhaṁ bhānumattat। sandarśayāmāsa tadātmalōkānsarvāṁstathā puṇyakr̥tāṁ dvijēndra॥ (13-71-21)</blockquote>
Shabdakalpadruma and Vachaspatyam (नाचिकेतोपाख्यानञ्च भा० अनु० ७१ अ० आदौ दृश्यम् ।) refer to Nachiketa's story in Mahabharata - Anushashana parva (13.71.2 to 21) <ref name=":023222" /><ref>[http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Mahabharata : Anushasana Parva 71 Adhyaya (Slokas 2 to 21)]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheMahabharataOfKrishna-dwaipayanaVyasa/MahabharataOfVyasa-EnglishTranslationByKMGanguli#page/n5125/mode/2up/search/Nachiketa Ganguli, K. M. (English Translation) ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana'' Anushasana Parva (Adhyaya 71)]</ref> In the context of Yudhisthira's questioning Bhishma about the merits of making donations of cows, Bhishma recites Nachiketa's story. Similar to the version as given in Varahapurana, there are descriptions Yamapuri including the mansions, rivers and streams of milk and ghee for the enjoyment of righteous persons who have made the gifts of cows. <blockquote>ऋषिरुद्दालकिर्दीक्षामुपगम्य ततः सुतम्। त्वं मामुपचरस्वेति नाचिकेतमभाषत॥ (13-71-3) </blockquote><blockquote>r̥ṣiruddālakirdīkṣāmupagamya tataḥ sutam। tvaṁ māmupacarasvēti nācikētamabhāṣata॥ (13-71-3)</blockquote><blockquote>यानं समारोप्य तु मां स देवो वाहैर्युक्तं सुप्रभं भानुमत्तत्। सन्दर्शयामास तदात्मलोकान्सर्वांस्तथा पुण्यकृतां द्विजेन्द्र॥ (13-71-21)</blockquote><blockquote>yānaṁ samārōpya tu māṁ sa dēvō vāhairyuktaṁ suprabhaṁ bhānumattat। sandarśayāmāsa tadātmalōkānsarvāṁstathā puṇyakr̥tāṁ dvijēndra॥ (13-71-21)</blockquote>
== नचिकेतः गुणवैशिष्टम् ॥Nachiketa's Qualities ==
== नचिकेतः गुणवैशिष्टम् ॥Nachiketa's Qualities ==
Nachiketa's story throws light on the essential qualities of a साधकः॥ brahmavidya sadhaka.
Vaajasrava performed the Visvajit yaaga and gave away all that he had in charity. Nachiketa his son, a mere boy, कुमारं प्रथमवयसं सन्तमप्राप्तप्रजननशक्तिं बालमेव <ref name=":222" /> Kumaara, young, not yet possessed of the power of procreating, was observing all those who received the dana (दानम् । charity). He was filled with anxiety at the impropriety of the act, all the faith in the principles laid down by the Vedas, rushed into his senses. He realized that the cows given in charity were old, barren and useless to the receiver, such an act would only lead the donor to the lands devoid of happiness. Nachiketa's thoughts and questions display the essential qualities of a brahmavidya sadhaka (साधकः).
Such [[Nachiketa's Qualities (नचिकेतसः गुणाः)|qualities of Nachiketa]]<ref name=":023222" /> include '''Determination''' (निश्चितबुद्धिः) to remedy the improper act of his father, by himself being offered in charity; '''Knowledgeable''' (विज्ञः) about the shastras, being a '''Pitrubhakta''' (पितृभक्तिः | Affection for elders), and hence an ardent '''Pitrvakyaparipalaka''' (पितृवाक्यपालनम् | Treading the path of Truth) his '''Duradrshti''' (दूरदृष्टिः | Farsightedness) of where the consequences of an improper dana will lead to are the most required qualities in a Sadhaka.
Apart from these Nachiketa was endowed with '''Vakkoushala''' (वाक्कौशलम् | Expert orator) that endeared even the most feared Mrityudevata, which also showed his Inner '''Strength''' (शक्तिसंपन्नः | Strength) and courage even to face the dreaded. While talking to Yama, Nachiketa carefully introspected his words and actions, with '''Karyadakshata''' (कार्यदक्षता | Steadfastness) and determination he stood ground when Yama said his request for secrets about death could not be fulfilled. Yama tested his '''Sahanasheelata''' (सहनशीलता | Patience) while Nachiketa waited for Yama to yield to his request, overcoming Yama's '''Pralobha''' (Nachiketa showed प्रलोभराहित्यम् || Unallured nature) of sons, children and pleasures of the materialistic world. Nachiketa did not deter or waver from his goal of '''Paraloukika Jnana''' (पारलौकिकज्ञानार्थम् | Goals beyond worldly things) Brahmajnana which he later revealed for the '''Welfare of others''' (परार्थम्) after his return from Yamapuri was the ultimate Paramartha.
Nachiketa was fully aware that his father was desirous of giving away everything that he possessed. Nachiketa himself filled with श्रद्धास्तिक्यबुद्धिः made up his mind that - he was also "possessed" by his father and so he could also be given away in charity<ref name=":023222" />.
== संवादः || Discussion ==
== संवादः || Discussion ==
==== Upanayanam ====
==== Upanayanam ====