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Line 69: − + − + + + + + − Vaajasrava performed the Visvajit yaaga and give away all that he had in charity. Nachiketa his son, a mere boy Kumaara, observing all those who received the दानम् || daana (charity) 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. The cows that were given in charity were old, barren and useless to the receiver, such an act would only lead the donar to the lands devoid of happiness. + − − Nachiketa : It can be assumed that Nachiketa must have had his उपनयन ||upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education. Or it could be that he was ready for the उपनयन ||upanayan (thread ceremony). Notably even at a young age, he sounded bright, intelligent and with shraddha (implicit faith born out of experiencing satya) Line 93:
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According to Shabdakalpadruma नचिकेत means अग्निः Agni synonymous to Nachiketagnividya.
According to Shabdakalpadruma नचिकेत means अग्निः Agni synonymous to Nachiketagnividya.
== Pathaantara ==
== पाठान्तिरम् ॥Pathaantara ==
While the story of Nachiketa as given in Kathopanishad is discussed and widely discoursed, this episode is also described much earlier in the Rig veda, which are the oldest available texts, where the name Nachiketa is not mentioned, but the rest of the events are described to be congruent with the version given in Kathopanishad.
While the story of Nachiketa as given in Kathopanishad is discussed and widely discoursed, this episode is also described much earlier in the Rig veda, which are the oldest available texts, where the name Nachiketa is not mentioned, but the rest of the events are described to be congruent with the version given in Kathopanishad.
=== Rig Veda ===
=== Rig Veda ===
Shabdakalpadruma also cites Nachiketa's story in Mahabharata - Anushashana parva (13.71.2 to 21) <ref name=":023" /><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 also cites Nachiketa's story in Mahabharata - Anushashana parva (13.71.2 to 21) <ref name=":023" /><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>
== नचिकेतस्य गुणवैशिष्टम् || Nachiketa's Qualities ==
== नचिकेतोः गुणवैशिष्टम् ॥Nachiketa's Qualities ==
Nachiketa's story throws light on the qualities of a brahmavidya sadhaka
Nachiketa's story throws light on the essential qualities of a brahmavidya साधकः॥ sadhaka.
Vaajasrava performed the Visvajit yaaga and gave away all that he had in charity. Nachiketa his son, a mere boy, Kumaara, observing all those who received the दानम् || daana (charity) 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. The cows that were given in charity were old, barren and useless to the receiver, such an act would only lead the donar to the lands devoid of happiness.
=== वाजश्रवाः || Vaajasrava ===
=== वाजश्रवाः || Vaajasrava ===
Vaajasrava (Samskrit : वाजश्रवा) was also called as औद्दालकिः || Auddalaki अरुणिः || Aruni गौतमः|| Goutama. वाजम् अन्नं तद्दानादिनिमित्तं श्रवः - यशः, यस्य सः वाजश्रवाः || One who obtains fame by giving away Annam (grains or food) in charity is Vaajasrava<ref name=":023" /><ref>Swami Gambhiranand, (1957) ''Eight Upanishads, With the Commentary of Sankaracarya, Vol 1.'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama <nowiki>http://estudantedavedanta.net/Eight-Upanisads-Vol-1.pdf</nowiki></ref>.
Vaajasrava (Samskrit : वाजश्रवा) was also called as औद्दालकिः || Auddalaki अरुणिः || Aruni गौतमः|| Goutama. वाजम् अन्नं तद्दानादिनिमित्तं श्रवः - यशः, यस्य सः वाजश्रवाः || One who obtains fame by giving away Annam (grains or food) in charity is Vaajasrava<ref name=":023" /><ref>Swami Gambhiranand, (1957) ''Eight Upanishads, With the Commentary of Sankaracarya, Vol 1.'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama <nowiki>http://estudantedavedanta.net/Eight-Upanisads-Vol-1.pdf</nowiki></ref>.
द्वामुष्यायणः ||
=== नचिकेता || Nachiketa ===
=== नचिकेता || Nachiketa ===
It can be assumed that Nachiketa must have had his उपनयन || upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education. Or it could be that he was ready for the उपनयन || upanayan (thread ceremony). Notably even at a young age, he sounded bright, intelligent and with shraddha (implicit faith born out of experiencing satya)
== Nachiketa’s Journey to Yamaloka ==
== Nachiketa’s Journey to Yamaloka ==
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?
Yama is surprised and exclaims, why would parents send such an extraordinary child to Yama? Or is it possible that there exist parents who raise their child to send them to Yama? Not only has the father given birth to such a child but also directed him to go to Yamaloka and he has given him right etiquette and conduct while interacting with Yamaraja. Yamaraja things Such a parent are intelligent and have done great service to society. Nachiketa’s father, before he became angry with Nachiketa during the yagna, also knew the art of bringing his son, Nachiketa to earthly planet. That he had resolved after apparently cursing him. This is spoken in sukta 6.
Yama is surprised and exclaims, why would parents send such an extraordinary child to Yama? Or is it possible that there exist parents who raise their child to send them to Yama? Not only has the father given birth to such a child but also directed him to go to Yamaloka and he has given him right etiquette and conduct while interacting with Yamaraja. Yamaraja things Such a parent are intelligent and have done great service to society. Nachiketa’s father, before he became angry with Nachiketa during the yagna, also knew the art of bringing his son, Nachiketa to earthly planet. That he had resolved after apparently cursing him. This is spoken in sukta 6.
This reveals that Vajasrava was a highly learned sage. While his son was more intelligent, that does not mean that Vajasrava was less intelligent. Yamaraja, who superficially ridicules Nachiketa’s father while glorifying Nachiketa in the earlier verses glorifies Vajashrava in the later verses are timely. This episode clears the prevailing confusion about Vajashrava being a karmakandi and Nachiketa being Jnanakandi and Yamaraja glorifying Vajashrava proves it clearly wrong. . This is explained in rik samhita.
This reveals that Vajasrava was a highly learned sage. While his son was more intelligent, that does not mean that Vajasrava was less intelligent. Yamaraja, who superficially ridicules Nachiketa’s father while glorifying Nachiketa in the earlier verses glorifies Vajashrava in the later verses are timely. This episode clears the prevailing confusion about Vajashrava being a karmakandi and Nachiketa being Jnanakandi and Yamaraja glorifying Vajashrava proves it clearly wrong. . This is explained in rik samhita.
== References ==
== References ==