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== Yama Nachiketa Varapradanam ==

== Yama Nachiketa Varapradanam ==

Kathopanishad reveals the secrets of Death, in the dialogue between Nachiketa and Mrityu. In this context, Nachiketa asks Yama to grant him Atmajnana or brahmavidya as his third boon. Yama, in an attempt to dissuade him from seeking the knowledge of Self and secrets of death, allures him by offering pleasures of life, kingship, wealth, progeny and cattle. Nachiketa with steadfastness says "O Yama! I am not to be seduced by the lure of sons, wealth, cattle and kingdoms. What are these to a sensible man who realises that worldly pleasures are transient in nature?"

Kathopanishad reveals the secrets of Death, in the dialogue between [[Yama Nachiketa - 3 Boons (यम नचिकेत वरप्रदानम्)|Yama and Nachiketa]]. In this context, Nachiketa asks Yama to grant him Atmajnana or brahmavidya as his third boon. Yama, in an attempt to dissuade him from seeking the knowledge of Self and secrets of death, allures him by offering pleasures of life, kingship, wealth, progeny and cattle. Nachiketa with steadfastness says "O Yama! I am not to be seduced by the lure of sons, wealth, cattle and kingdoms. What are these to a sensible man who realises that worldly pleasures are transient in nature?"

Greatly impressed by his non-attachment to worldly pleasures at such a tender age, Yama imparts the secrets of death and the path of ascent of soul to higher planes to Nachiketa.   

Greatly impressed by his non-attachment to worldly pleasures at such a tender age, Yama imparts the secrets of death and the path of ascent of soul to higher planes to Nachiketa.   

== श्रेयो शुभकरः प्रेयो सुखकरः॥ Qualities of Shreya and Preya ==

== श्रेयो शुभकरः प्रेयो सुखकरः॥ Qualities of Shreya and Preya ==

The first adhyaya second valli (6 verses) of Kathopanishad teaches the concept of Shreyaha and Preyaha, where Yama talks about how the discriminatory power of the mind enables man to take either the path to worldly prosperity or to immortality. <blockquote>अन्यच्छ्रेयोऽन्यदुतैव प्रेयस्ते उभे नानार्थे पुरुषँ् सिनीतः । तयोः श्रेय आददानस्य साधु भवति हीयतेऽर्थाद्य उ प्रेयो वृणीते ॥ १॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.2.1)</blockquote><blockquote>anyacchreyo'nyadutaiva preyaste ubhe nānārthe puruṣam̐ sinītaḥ । tayoḥ śreya ādadānasya sādhu bhavati hīyate'rthādya u preyo vr̥ṇīte ॥ 1॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.2.1)</blockquote>Meaning : The preferable and pleasurable are indeed different things. Both of these, serving divergent purposes bind men (chosen by will), however, Shreya brings about wellness to him who accepts it among the two. One who chooses Preya (pleasure) falls down from the eternal supreme goal.   

The first adhyaya second valli (6 verses) of Kathopanishad teaches the concept of Shreyaha and Preyaha, where Yama talks about how the discerning power of the mind enables man to take either the path to worldly prosperity or to immortality. <blockquote>अन्यच्छ्रेयोऽन्यदुतैव प्रेयस्ते उभे नानार्थे पुरुषँ् सिनीतः । तयोः श्रेय आददानस्य साधु भवति हीयतेऽर्थाद्य उ प्रेयो वृणीते ॥ १॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.2.1)</blockquote><blockquote>anyacchreyo'nyadutaiva preyaste ubhe nānārthe puruṣam̐ sinītaḥ । tayoḥ śreya ādadānasya sādhu bhavati hīyate'rthādya u preyo vr̥ṇīte ॥ 1॥ (Katha. Upan. 1.2.1)</blockquote>Meaning : The preferable and pleasurable are indeed different things. Both of these, serving divergent purposes bind men (chosen by will), however, Shreya brings about wellness to him who accepts it among the two. One who chooses Preya (pleasure) falls down from the eternal supreme goal.   

It is clear that every being chooses his own path at his own will. Preyas is that which attracts us at the first sight because it can give us immediate pleasure. Shreyas is that which does not attract us but is good for us. These two, though related severally to the human goals (prosperity here in this world and in after-worlds), they are opposed to each other as much as the nature of knowledge and ignorance. Thus, it is a choice of the two, as both cannot be performed together by the same person.

It is clear that every being chooses his own path at his own will. Preyas is that which attracts us at the first sight because it can give us immediate pleasure. Shreyas is that which does not attract us but is good for us. These two, though related severally to the human goals (prosperity here in this world and in after-worlds), they are opposed to each other as much as the nature of knowledge and ignorance. Thus, it is a choice of the two, as both cannot be performed together by the same person.