Changes

3.      Its sad, as his son I have no capacity to earn?

3.      Its sad, as his son I have no capacity to earn?

4.      How can I contribute to make my father’s yagna  successful, what is there within my control to give away?  

4.      How can I contribute to make my father’s yagna  successful, what is there within my control to give away?  

As he was reflecting on these repeated thoughts, being, inspired by Shraddha Devi he had realization,  “why should my father not give me in charity? This feeling emanated from the depth of his heart. Unconsciously, he developed the state of complete surrender, an indication of the completeness of Yagna (see Yagna tattva in previous chapters). In reality, Vajasravas was supposed to be fully dedicated for Yagna and unless he gave up the “I, me and mine state, the whole procedure was farcical. May be the previous pious credits vajsrava inspired the devatas to infuse shraddha in Nachiketa.   

As he was reflecting on these repeated thoughts, being, inspired by Shraddha Devi he had realization,  why should my father not give me in charity? This feeling emanated from the depth of his heart. Unconsciously, he developed the state of complete surrender, an indication of the completeness of Yagna (see Yagna tattva in previous chapters). In reality, Vajasravas was supposed to be fully dedicated for Yagna and unless he gave up the I, me and mine state, the whole procedure was farcical. May be the previous pious credits vajsrava inspired the devatas to infuse shraddha in Nachiketa.   

Eventually Nachiketa could not resist asking his father, "to whom will you give me as daana?" But his father did not heed his words. The Yagna was getting over, the guests were receiving daana (charity) and leaving one by one.  Nachiketa felt mortified, because the Yagna was meaningless. He insisted that his father answer his query, “whom would he give Nachiketa, his son to as daana? The Upanishads explain this.   

Eventually Nachiketa could not resist asking his father, "to whom will you give me as daana?" But his father did not heed his words. The Yagna was getting over, the guests were receiving daana (charity) and leaving one by one.  Nachiketa felt mortified, because the Yagna was meaningless. He insisted that his father answer his query, whom would he give Nachiketa, his son to as daana? The Upanishads explain this.   

6..   

6..   

== Charity of Nachiketa ==

== Charity of Nachiketa ==

Vajasravas was incensed when his son suggested that he himself should be given as  ‘daana’ as he thought it was foolish and meaningless to even conceive of “giving one’s son in charity,". He felt Nachiketa was trying to be over smart, falsely thinking dedication,  and this kind of charity or dana was farfetched.  Vajasravas didn’t care about the essence of the Yajna and felt that by hook or crook one should just complete it. Vajasrava showed signs of faithlessness and lost all reason and uttered words that should not be said at the Yajna place. in anger, he exploded,

Vajasravas was incensed when his son suggested that he himself should be given as  ‘daana’ as he thought it was foolish and meaningless to even conceive of giving one’s son in charity,". He felt Nachiketa was trying to be over smart, falsely thinking dedication,  and this kind of charity or dana was farfetched.  Vajasravas didn’t care about the essence of the Yajna and felt that by hook or crook one should just complete it. Vajasrava showed signs of faithlessness and lost all reason and uttered words that should not be said at the Yajna place. in anger, he exploded,

“if you have to be given then I shall give you to Yama (the god of death)."   

if you have to be given then I shall give you to Yama (the god of death)."   

In the Gita it is said,

In the Gita it is said,

||aum tatsaditi nirdeshah||

||aum tatsaditi nirdeshah||

just by saying aum, daana||charity would have  complete.  It is the recommended process in the guru shishya parampara to  do all activities like desiring liberation without any desires, doing yagna, dana and tapasa, with the chanting of “Tat, which represents Brahma, ". This is Sri Krishna’s suggestion in the Gita (XVII-25).  But one who does yagna, dana without shraddha is asat(false) and does not produce any result either material or spiritual.  (gita 17.28).  Vajasrava, broke the principle mentioned in the Shastras.

just by saying aum, daana||charity would have  complete.  It is the recommended process in the guru shishya parampara to  do all activities like desiring liberation without any desires, doing yagna, dana and tapasa, with the chanting of Tat, which represents Brahma, ". This is Sri Krishna’s suggestion in the Gita (XVII-25).  But one who does yagna, dana without shraddha is asat(false) and does not produce any result either material or spiritual.  (gita 17.28).  Vajasrava, broke the principle mentioned in the Shastras.

=== Nachiketa resolves to traverse Yama's abode ===

=== Nachiketa resolves to traverse Yama's abode ===

Nachiketa was determined to travel and spoke to himself, his statement is referred in in the Upanishad; <blockquote>"||Bahunamemi prathamah bahunamemi Madhyamah

Nachiketa was determined to travel and spoke to himself, his statement is referred in in the Upanishad; <blockquote>"||Bahunamemi prathamah bahunamemi Madhyamah

Kimsvadyamasya kartavyam

Kimsvadyamasya kartavyam

Yanmayadya karishyati|| (1-5)"</blockquote>Translation:- “Though I am not the last one to go to Yama Loka, I but may  be the first one to go  with this kind of  Shraddha. Even if I were to consider that quite a few people may have gone before me, but still i may be going  after such group of people.  While I do not fear death, what I want to know is how Yama raja would benefit from me going to his place?  Without the benefit to Yamaraja, my father’s yagna will be futile.   

Yanmayadya karishyati|| (1-5)"</blockquote>Translation:- Though I am not the last one to go to Yama Loka, I but may  be the first one to go  with this kind of  Shraddha. Even if I were to consider that quite a few people may have gone before me, but still i may be going  after such group of people.  While I do not fear death, what I want to know is how Yama raja would benefit from me going to his place?  Without the benefit to Yamaraja, my father’s yagna will be futile.   

Other commentators have attributed different meanings to Nachiketa’s wish. Nachiketa was determined to go to Yama Loka, he was not afraid of death, but he had one concern, “did i do something, which made my father angry?  I have acted as much as my  limited knowledge goes, in a way where disciples and children behave,  in 1st class way. behave, if not then at least in a    second class way but never in a manner as the lowest of students and sons behave.  Is it correct on the part of my father to  offer me as dana in a angry mood?  What will yamaraja benefit from me?   

Other commentators have attributed different meanings to Nachiketa’s wish. Nachiketa was determined to go to Yama Loka, he was not afraid of death, but he had one concern, did i do something, which made my father angry?  I have acted as much as my  limited knowledge goes, in a way where disciples and children behave,  in 1st class way. behave, if not then at least in a    second class way but never in a manner as the lowest of students and sons behave.  Is it correct on the part of my father to  offer me as dana in a angry mood?  What will yamaraja benefit from me?   

Nachiketa consoled himself as indicated by these statements in the Upanishad (Ref 1-6):<blockquote>"||anupashya yatha purve pratipashya tatha apare

Nachiketa consoled himself as indicated by these statements in the Upanishad (Ref 1-6):<blockquote>"||anupashya yatha purve pratipashya tatha apare

Sasyamiva martyah pachyte

Sasyamiva martyah pachyte

"My dear father, why do you lament my death? Everyone in the past have attained death, all those who are born in the future will also go through this phenomenon. Notwithstanding the fact that life is temporary, many have traversed the path of truth to achieve eternal life using this mortal body. Please know this and be satisfied, that many people before me have walked on this path. What is the use of mere life and death like a plant or a tree? One should search for eternal reality and it is for this reason that my death has come."

"My dear father, why do you lament my death? Everyone in the past have attained death, all those who are born in the future will also go through this phenomenon. Notwithstanding the fact that life is temporary, many have traversed the path of truth to achieve eternal life using this mortal body. Please know this and be satisfied, that many people before me have walked on this path. What is the use of mere life and death like a plant or a tree? One should search for eternal reality and it is for this reason that my death has come."

=== Rik Samhita's explanation ===

=== Rik Samhita's explanation ===

The Rik 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.  (now what does Nachketa wants to say?)  

The Rik 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.  (now what does Nachketa wants to say?)  

"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 one’s my anger was subsided, i have myself chose to follow the orders of my father as a duty and i have come here to Yamaloka.  Rik X 135-1,2)."</blockquote>These words reveal Nachiketa’s great wisdom, thoughtfulness and critical thinking  

"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 one’s my anger was subsided, i have myself chose to follow the orders of my father as a duty and i have come here to Yamaloka.  Rik X 135-1,2)."</blockquote>These words reveal Nachiketa’s great wisdom, thoughtfulness and critical thinking  

Prior to quitting his body and traveling to Yama's abode, Vagdevi spoke to  Nachiketa spoke in a disembodied voice.  

Prior to quitting his body and traveling to Yama's abode, Vagdevi spoke to  Nachiketa spoke in a disembodied voice.  

"Dear son, of the Gautam gotra, please proceed to Yama, since your father has offered you to him. Do not hesitate, good will come of it. You will have to fast for three days at the door of Yama. This will be good for you. When Yama asks you, “what did you eat in those three days?  You reply that on the 1st day you ate Yama's son, on the second, his cattle and the third all his punya   

"Dear son, of the Gautam gotra, please proceed to Yama, since your father has offered you to him. Do not hesitate, good will come of it. You will have to fast for three days at the door of Yama. This will be good for you. When Yama asks you, what did you eat in those three days?  You reply that on the 1st day you ate Yama's son, on the second, his cattle and the third all his punya   

13- IN RIGVEDA, THE NATURE OF  

13- IN RIGVEDA, THE NATURE OF  

What was the instrument he used to reach?   

What was the instrument he used to reach?   

Rik samhita gives an interesting answer to these questions. Yamaraja,while appreciating Nachiketa speaks thus;<blockquote>"“My dear boy, how is that you have come here without thinking properly, what kind of chariot have you used?  It must be extraordinary!  I have never seen anything like your chariot. It does not have wheels, it has only one tree of achina tree) but travels in all directions! Is it right for you to come in this way?""</blockquote>The chariot described here is symbolically the chariot of the mind. What was impossible for him with ||shradda?  The chariot that travels all the directions, which  does not have a wheel  and is made of Acche mara (some kind of tree) is nothing but  the focused mind.   

Rik samhita gives an interesting answer to these questions. Yamaraja,while appreciating Nachiketa speaks thus;<blockquote>"My dear boy, how is that you have come here without thinking properly, what kind of chariot have you used?  It must be extraordinary!  I have never seen anything like your chariot. It does not have wheels, it has only one tree of achina tree) but travels in all directions! Is it right for you to come in this way?""</blockquote>The chariot described here is symbolically the chariot of the mind. What was impossible for him with ||shradda?  The chariot that travels all the directions, which  does not have a wheel  and is made of Acche mara (some kind of tree) is nothing but  the focused mind.   

When Nachiketa arrived at Yamaraja’s place, he was tested and tempted by Yamaraja by making him feel foolish, if seen from mundane perspective. , thus explains Sayanacharya. Those who desire material happiness and consider themselves as intelligent for them the act of Nachiketa going to yama, is foolish and stupid.   

When Nachiketa arrived at Yamaraja’s place, he was tested and tempted by Yamaraja by making him feel foolish, if seen from mundane perspective. , thus explains Sayanacharya. Those who desire material happiness and consider themselves as intelligent for them the act of Nachiketa going to yama, is foolish and stupid.   

Yamaraja continues, “Dear Nachiketa, you have flown over the Vipras (brahamans) in the sky through your wonderful chariot.  I hope while traveling, the consoling words of your father are with you?  It is very significant that Yamaraj is glorifying Nachiketa being exceptionally greater than the Vipras of the earthly planet, in intelligent.  From mundane perspective the intelligent vipras would choose wealth by their knowledge.  This is sarcastically suggested by Yamaraja, to prove even in those days they wanted wealth.  Yamaraja indicates that Nachiketa does not belong to that category.  Yamaraja, indirectly indicates this is the one quality the person who is desiring for brahamjijnasa must have.  In 0ther words those who are  desire less,  having no enjoyment spirit, having determination in knowing brahama jnana will only be qulified to become amara, or immortal.   

Yamaraja continues, Dear Nachiketa, you have flown over the Vipras (brahamans) in the sky through your wonderful chariot.  I hope while traveling, the consoling words of your father are with you?  It is very significant that Yamaraj is glorifying Nachiketa being exceptionally greater than the Vipras of the earthly planet, in intelligent.  From mundane perspective the intelligent vipras would choose wealth by their knowledge.  This is sarcastically suggested by Yamaraja, to prove even in those days they wanted wealth.  Yamaraja indicates that Nachiketa does not belong to that category.  Yamaraja, indirectly indicates this is the one quality the person who is desiring for brahamjijnasa must have.  In 0ther words those who are  desire less,  having no enjoyment spirit, having determination in knowing brahama jnana will only be qulified to become amara, or immortal.   

When Nachiketa was going to yamaloka, his father became calm, repenting his earlier anger. It is explained here that he gave some instructions to his son (pathya vakya) as he must have realized that there was some divine intervention in whatever transpired during the yagna. He felt for some unknown reason that his son’s going to yamaloka would  be of great benefit to society.  Therefore, he tells Nachiketa to be humble so that he can get Yamaraja’s counsel  and grace.  Yamaraja calls Nachiketa a traveler who ha come on a boat.  Sayanacharaya says, “ to cross over the dreadly  oceans of Samsara, the only boat is wisdom.   

When Nachiketa was going to yamaloka, his father became calm, repenting his earlier anger. It is explained here that he gave some instructions to his son (pathya vakya) as he must have realized that there was some divine intervention in whatever transpired during the yagna. He felt for some unknown reason that his son’s going to yamaloka would  be of great benefit to society.  Therefore, he tells Nachiketa to be humble so that he can get Yamaraja’s counsel  and grace.  Yamaraja calls Nachiketa a traveler who ha come on a boat.  Sayanacharaya says, to cross over the dreadly  oceans of Samsara, the only boat is wisdom.   

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.     

== Nachiketa at the door of Yama ==

== Nachiketa at the door of Yama ==

Meanwhile, Nachiketa arrives at Yamaloka, his feelings on seeing Yamaloka is described in the Rik samhita. “Oh, this is the famous Yamaloka?  It is said that devatas created this place.  Lo and behold some are blowing the flute for the pleasure of Yamaraja.  Those who recite the “stotras are acclaiming him with special praise(stotras).  These praises or stotras are nothing but decoration of Yamaraja(7).

Meanwhile, Nachiketa arrives at Yamaloka, his feelings on seeing Yamaloka is described in the Rik samhita. Oh, this is the famous Yamaloka?  It is said that devatas created this place.  Lo and behold some are blowing the flute for the pleasure of Yamaraja.  Those who recite the stotras are acclaiming him with special praise(stotras).  These praises or stotras are nothing but decoration of Yamaraja(7).