Changes

== पाठान्तिरम् ॥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 ===

=== ऋग्वेदस्थ मन्त्राणि ॥ Rig Veda ===

In Rig veda 10th Mandala 135th Sukta mantras<ref>http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m10.htm</ref> (1 to 7) mention a story about a rishikumaara (unnamed),very similar to that of Nachiketa <ref>Pt. Jayadevji Sharma, (2008) Rigveda Samhita, Part 7 Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref>.   

In Rig veda 10th Mandala 135th Sukta mantras<ref>http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m10.htm</ref> (1 to 7) mention a story about a rishikumaara (unnamed),very similar to that of Nachiketa <ref>Pt. Jayadevji Sharma, (2008) Rigveda Samhita, Part 7 Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref>.   

According to Sri. K. S. Narayanacharya<ref name=":02">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I.'' Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>, the Rig samhita gives a unique explanation about this episode. Nachiketa, while traveling to Yama's abode spoke to himself: <blockquote>"Yama's abode is like a big leafy tree that provides shelter to all. Pitris (ancestors) who performed pious activities reside there. The Lord of Death cuts life and the living entities fall like  leaves from the tree, hence Yama is known as vrksa vraschyan (to cut). Yama is happy with his family in this land of death and for me to reside in such place along with my pitris is the desire of my father.    Amongst the men my father is the best."  </blockquote><blockquote>"what is wrong in going to that place where my ancestors have gone?  What is the harm if i come to such a land?  By having such a desire my father has not acted wrongly, despite his harsh words. Yes certainly for some time i was agitated because of anxiety, but once my anger subsided, i have myself chosen to follow the orders of my father as a duty and I have come here to Yamaloka" (Rig. Veda. 10.135 -1 and 2)</blockquote>These words reveal Nachiketa’s great wisdom, thoughtfulness and critical thinking.  

According to Sri. K. S. Narayanacharya<ref name=":02">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I.'' Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>, the Rig samhita gives a unique explanation about this episode. Nachiketa, while traveling to Yama's abode spoke to himself: <blockquote>"Yama's abode is like a big leafy tree that provides shelter to all. Pitris (ancestors) who performed pious activities reside there. The Lord of Death cuts life and the living entities fall like  leaves from the tree, hence Yama is known as vrksa vraschyan (to cut). Yama is happy with his family in this land of death and for me to reside in such place along with my pitris is the desire of my father.    Amongst the men my father is the best."  </blockquote><blockquote>"what is wrong in going to that place where my ancestors have gone?  What is the harm if i come to such a land?  By having such a desire my father has not acted wrongly, despite his harsh words. Yes certainly for some time i was agitated because of anxiety, but once my anger subsided, i have myself chosen to follow the orders of my father as a duty and I have come here to Yamaloka" (Rig. Veda. 10.135 -1 and 2)</blockquote>These words reveal Nachiketa’s great wisdom, thoughtfulness and critical thinking.  

=== Taittiriya Brahmana ===

=== तैतिरीयब्राह्मणस्था आख्यायिका || Taittiriya Brahmana ===

Taittriya brahmana, 3rd Kanda, 11th Prapathaka<ref>https://sa.wikisource.org/s/h38</ref> refers to the legend of Nachiketa under the heading नाचिकेताग्निचयनम् || Nachiketaagnichayanam.  The process of Agnichayana is given in this brahmana mantras from 3.11.1 to 7 kandikas.   

Taittriya brahmana, 3rd Kanda, 11th Prapathaka<ref>https://sa.wikisource.org/s/h38</ref><ref name=":0" /> refers to the legend of Nachiketa under the heading नाचिकेताग्निचयनम् || Nachiketaagnichayanam.  The process of Agnichayana is given in this brahmana mantras from 3.11.1 to 7 kandikas.   

A slightly different version of the story is mentioned according to Taittriya Brahmana<ref name=":02322" />. Upon hearing his father, Vaajasravas's curse, to give him to Mrityu, Nachiketa consoles himself that by his going to Yamapuri, his father's impropriety will be nullified. As he sets forth on his journey, Asareeravani, the unseen voice directs him to go to Yamapuri when Yama is not present and thereafter fast for three days. Yama, on his return, will ask what he had eaten in the three days (Taitt. Brah. 3.11.8.43). Asareeravaani advises Nachiketa to reply as follows  

A slightly different version of the story is mentioned according to Taittriya Brahmana<ref name=":02322" />. Upon hearing his father, Vaajasravas's curse, to give him to Mrityu, Nachiketa consoles himself that by his going to Yamapuri, his father's impropriety will be nullified. As he sets forth on his journey, अशरीरवाणी || Asareeravani, the unseen voice, directs him to go to Yamapuri when Yama is not present and thereafter fast for three days. Yama, on his return, will ask what he had eaten in the three days (Taitt. Brah. 3.11.8.43). Asareeravaani advises Nachiketa to reply as follows  

On the first day : प्रजां त इति I ate your people (3.11.8.45)

On the first day : प्रजां त इति I ate your people (3.11.8.45)

पुनर्मृत्योर्मेऽपजितिं । amritattvam (mrityunjayatvam)   

पुनर्मृत्योर्मेऽपजितिं । amritattvam (mrityunjayatvam)   

=== Kathopanishad ===

=== कठोपनिषदि विषयाः ॥ Kathopanishad ===

The version of the legend given in Kathopanishad has been widely discussed and many critical editions have been given on this topic by different scholars. Under the heading [[Yama Nachiketa - 3 Boons (यम नचिकेत वरप्रदानम्)|Yama and Nachiketa - three boons]], the dialogue according to Kathopanishad has been discussed in detail.   

The version of the legend given in Kathopanishad has been widely discussed and many critical editions have been given on this topic by different scholars. Under the heading [[Yama Nachiketa - 3 Boons (यम नचिकेत वरप्रदानम्)|Yama and Nachiketa - three boons]], the dialogue according to Kathopanishad has been discussed in detail.   

=== वराहपुराणे विषयाः ॥ Varahapuranam ===

=== वराहपुराणे विषयाः ॥ Varahapuranam ===

Taittiriya brahamana version also does not address this aspect.   

Taittiriya brahamana version also does not address this aspect.   

Mahabharata Anushasana parva (106 Adhyaya) addresses this aspect as follows as given by Pt Shridhara Sastry<ref>Pt. Shridhara Shastri, Pathak (1919) ''Kaathakopanishat with Shrimad Sankaraacharya Bhashyam'' Poona: Oriental Book Supplying Agency </ref>:   

Mahabharata Anushasana parva (106 Adhyaya) addresses this aspect as follows as given by Pt Shridhara Sastry<ref name=":0">Pt. Shridhara Shastri, Pathak (1919) ''Kaathakopanishat with Shrimad Sankaraacharya Bhashyam'' Poona: Oriental Book Supplying Agency </ref>:   

Nachiketa is asked by his father to do upachara while he is observing a deeksha. Agreeing to it, Nachiketa is ordered by his father to bring back his things (darbha, kamandalu) which he forgets on the banks of the river. On going there Nachiketa does not find them and returns to his father to inform the same. Angered his father curses saying " go see Yama".   

Nachiketa is asked by his father to do upachara while he is observing a deeksha. Agreeing to it, Nachiketa is ordered by his father to bring back his things (darbha, kamandalu) which he forgets on the banks of the river. On going there Nachiketa does not find them and returns to his father to inform the same. Angered his father curses saying " go see Yama".