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Line 1: − + − + − − − − − − − This Upanishad is commonly studied to understand the secret of Death unraveled through the dialogue between Nachiketa and Mrityu (Yama, the devata for death). Kathopanishad is a short exposition consisting of 3 adhyayas, each of which is divided into 3 vallis (ref 3). Each valli has varying number of slokas embedded with words of great thoughts that reveal the secrets to the path of realization of the Self. + − − In Upanishad Shri, Pandit Ramachandra summarizes the essence of Kathopanishad as follows − − स्वान्तःप्राणाक्षिवाणीप्रभृति च विषयाभासकं यस्य योगाद् यन्न प्राप्नोति चैतद्विदितं यद्भवेन्नात्मरूपम्। इन्द्राद्या देवमुख्या अपि किल न विदुर्यस्य शक्तिं निगूढां तद्बुद्धं येन सोऽसौ भवति नरवरोऽनन्तसौख्यप्रतिष्ठः ॥ − + − + − − Yama hastily comes to the gates to receive Nachiketa and duly offers him three boons, one for each night (of his stay) in an act to remedy the evil effect of an honorable guest lying without food at his doorstep. − − A spark even though it is just a spark, possesses all the qualities of the fire. Therefore it is not at all surprising that when Nachiketa entered Yamapuri after fasting for three days, Yama’s associates were told to bring him water and give him a resting place immediately. − Nachiketa who had already reached the platform of immortality has not come to Yamaloka for boons. However, Yamaraja begging Nachketa to ask him for a boon is one of most delightful aspects of this Vedic compilation. Nachiketa was forced to ask the boons, not for himself but as a favour to Yama. <blockquote>किँ्स्विद्यमस्य कर्तव्यं यन्मयाऽद्य करिष्यति ॥ ५॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.5)</blockquote><blockquote>kim̐svidyamasya kartavyaṁ yanmayā'dya kariṣyati ॥ 5॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.5)</blockquote>Meaning : what purpose can there of Yama, that my father will achieve through me (by sending me here). + + − "What will my father achieve of Yama by sending me to him" was Nachiketa’s first thought as he was coming to Yamapuri, but is received with good reception and grant of boons upon arrival. + − + − + − + Line 55:
Line 42: − − Those who are the knower of the Vedas they explain- this is the good cause of Brahma upasana and cause for liberation and while studying three anuwaka, while performing three kinds of actions; yagna, adhyana and dana, or perfroming paka yagna, haviyshya yajna, and somayajna. <blockquote>"''One who perform these yagnas and then be connected with that agni, in this way one who attains connection with Paramatma, he crosses over birth and death and he becomes immortal. The living entity, which appears from Paramatma and by his grace who understands Paramatma and he becomes Brahma –agya, this is real knowledge. And one who does not understand then he does not know his swarupa- constitutional nature but one who understands the nature of Paramatma, who is worthy of glorification, worships him and experiences his presence, ultimately achieves peace. This is the way Yama glorifies Nachiketa-agni. It is very clear that, if Nachiketa had gone to the regular heaven, the land of gratification, which is full of bhoga bhumi of Indra then Yamaraja would not have glorified the real swarga in such a beautiful language. It is significant that, Yamaraja himself is talking about that agni which is beneficial to crossing over birth and death. In the future mantras the person who has realized the anuwakas, which are related to Nachiketagni, such person before quitting the body, first, he becomes frees from the noose of death, crosses over the miserable ocean, achieves the highest destiny which is parampada, therein, he experiences eternal bliss. This is nothing but moksha. This is explained in Kathopanishad. Thereofore , there is no doubt that Yamaraja’s answer to the second question is the grace offered by him to Nachiketa to achieve Brahama achievement, through the nachiketa-agni."''</blockquote> − +
Yama Nachiketa Samvada (यमनचिकेतसोः संवादः) (view source)
Revision as of 10:15, 8 December 2017
, 10:15, 8 December 2017Editing
Nachiketa (Samskrit : नचिकेता) is the son of Vaajasrava (also Uddalaka) who at a young age is known to have sought brahmavidya from Yama (Mrityu devata) himself. Kathopanishad describes in great detail the story of brahmagnani Nachiketa, with lofty thoughts, who takes upon the consequences of the imperfection he observes in his father's Vaajasrava's performance of Visvajit yagna.
Nachiketa (Samskrit : नचिकेता) is the son of Vaajasrava (also Uddalaka) who at a young age is known to have sought [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|brahmavidya]] from Yama (Mrityu devata) himself. Kathopanishad describes in great detail the story of brahmajnani Nachiketa, with lofty thoughts, who takes upon the consequences of the imperfection he observes in his father's Vaajasrava's performance of Visvajit yagna.
Accordingly, upon questioning his father thus he receives the answer that he will be given to Mrityu (Death)
Accordingly, upon questioning his father thus he receives the answer that he will be given to Mrityu (Death)<blockquote>'''कस्मै मां दास्यसीति ॥ to whom will you offer me to?'''</blockquote><blockquote>'''मृत्यवे त्वा ददामीति ॥ to Mrityu (Death) I offer you.'''</blockquote>With perseverance he undertakes the journey to the Yamapuri (land of death) and awaits the return of Yama at his abode for three nights. For his exceptional courage to face death, Yama grants him three boons, the dialogue between them forms the essence of brahmavidya as elucidated in Kathopanishad (Krishna Yajurveda shaka of Taittriya Samhita).
कस्मै मां दास्यसीति ॥ to whom will you offer me to?
मृत्यवे त्वा ददामीति ॥ to Mrityu (Death) I offer you.
With perseverance he undertakes the journey to the Yamapuri (land of death) and awaits the return of Yama at his abode for three nights. For his exceptional courage to face death, Yama grants him three boons, the dialogue between them forms the essence of brahmavidya as elucidated in Kathopanishad belonging to Krishna Yajurveda shaka of Taittriya Samhita.
== कठोपनिषद्सारम् ॥ Kathopanishad Saaram ==
== कठोपनिषद्सारम् ॥ Kathopanishad Saaram ==
Kathopanishad is commonly studied to understand the secret of Death unraveled through the dialogue between Nachiketa and Mrityu (Yama, the devata for death). It is a short exposition consisting of 3 adhyayas, each of which is divided into 3 vallis<ref>http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_yajurveda_Krishna_Kathopanisad01.htm</ref>. Each valli has varying number of slokas embedded with words of great thoughts that reveal the secrets to the path of realization of the Self.
svāntaḥprāṇākṣivāṇīprabhr̥ti ca viṣayābhāsakaṁ yasya yogād yanna prāpnoti caitadviditaṁ yadbhavennātmarūpam। indrādyā devamukhyā api kila na viduryasya śaktiṁ nigūḍhāṁ tadbuddhaṁ yena so'sau bhavati naravaro'nantasaukhyapratiṣṭhaḥ ॥
In Upanishad Shri<ref>Dasopanishad Rahasya of Ramachandra Pandita by ML Wadekar (2001) extracted from ''Upanishad Shree'' by Urmila Srivatsav available from https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.273637</ref>, Pandit Ramachandra summarizes the essence of Kathopanishad as follows <blockquote>स्वान्तःप्राणाक्षिवाणीप्रभृति च विषयाभासकं यस्य योगाद् यन्न प्राप्नोति चैतद्विदितं यद्भवेन्नात्मरूपम्। इन्द्राद्या देवमुख्या अपि किल न विदुर्यस्य शक्तिं निगूढां तद्बुद्धं येन सोऽसौ भवति नरवरोऽनन्तसौख्यप्रतिष्ठः ॥</blockquote><blockquote>svāntaḥprāṇākṣivāṇīprabhr̥ti ca viṣayābhāsakaṁ yasya yogād yanna prāpnoti caitadviditaṁ yadbhavennātmarūpam। indrādyā devamukhyā api kila na viduryasya śaktiṁ nigūḍhāṁ tadbuddhaṁ yena so'sau bhavati naravaro'nantasaukhyapratiṣṭhaḥ ॥</blockquote>
== अतिथिमर्यादा ॥ Atithi maryada ==
== अतिथिमर्यादा ॥ Atithi maryada ==
When the Yama’s family offered entry and welcome to Nachiketa, he refuses and remains at the gate of Yamapuri for three nights without food as Yama the host was not present. Upon return the gate-keepers address Yama as follows to carry water for Nachiketa.<blockquote>वैश्वानरः प्रविशति अतिथिर्ब्राह्मणो गृहान् । तस्यैताँ् शान्तिं कुर्वन्ति हर वैवस्वतोदकम् ॥ ७॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.7)</blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvānaraḥ praviśati atithirbrāhmaṇō gr̥hān । tasyaitām̐ śāntiṁ kurvanti hara vaivasvatōdakam ॥ 7॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.7)</blockquote>Meaning : Like fire a brahmin guest enters the house (of a grhasta). It is wise to quench the fire by offering water, O Vaivasvata!<blockquote>आशाप्रतीक्षे सङ्गतँ् सूनृतां च इष्टापूर्ते पुत्रपशू्ँ्श्च सर्वान् । एतद्वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसो यस्यानश्नन्वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे ॥ ८॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.8)</blockquote><blockquote>āśāpratīkṣē saṅgatam̐ sūnr̥tāṁ ca iṣṭāpūrtē putrapaśūm̐śca sarvān । ētadvr̥ṅktē puruṣasyālpamēdhasō yasyānaśnanvasati brāhmaṇō gr̥hē ॥ 8॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.8)</blockquote>Meaning : Hope, expectation, company of holy men, righteousness and good opinion of men, fruits of religious and charitable deeds, sons and cattle - all these - of that man of little intelligence get destroyed in whose house a Brahmin guest stays without taking food.
When Yama’s family offered entry and welcome to Nachiketa, he refuses and remains at the gate of Yamapuri for three nights without food as Yama, the host, was not present. Upon return the gate-keepers address Yama as follows to carry water for Nachiketa.<blockquote>वैश्वानरः प्रविशति अतिथिर्ब्राह्मणो गृहान् । तस्यैताँ् शान्तिं कुर्वन्ति हर वैवस्वतोदकम् ॥ ७॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.7)</blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvānaraḥ praviśati atithirbrāhmaṇō gr̥hān । tasyaitām̐ śāntiṁ kurvanti hara vaivasvatōdakam ॥ 7॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.7)</blockquote>Meaning : Like fire a brahmin guest enters the house (of a grhasta). It is wise to quench the fire by offering water, O Vaivasvata!<blockquote>आशाप्रतीक्षे सङ्गतँ् सूनृतां च इष्टापूर्ते पुत्रपशू्ँ्श्च सर्वान् । एतद्वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसो यस्यानश्नन्वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे ॥ ८॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.8)</blockquote><blockquote>āśāpratīkṣē saṅgatam̐ sūnr̥tāṁ ca iṣṭāpūrtē putrapaśūm̐śca sarvān । ētadvr̥ṅktē puruṣasyālpamēdhasō yasyānaśnanvasati brāhmaṇō gr̥hē ॥ 8॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.8)</blockquote>Meaning : Hope, expectation, company of holy men, righteousness and good opinion of men, fruits of religious and charitable deeds, sons and cattle - all these - of that man of little intelligence get destroyed in whose house a Brahmin guest stays without taking food.
== यमस्य वरप्रदानम् ॥ Yama grants 3 boons ==
Yama hastily comes to the gates to receive Nachiketa and duly offers him three boons, one for each night (of his stay) in an act to remedy the evil effect of an honorable guest lying without food at his doorstep. A spark even though it is just a spark, possesses all the qualities of the fire. Therefore it is not at all surprising that when Nachiketa entered Yamapuri after fasting for three days, Yama’s associates were told to bring him water and give him a resting place immediately.
Nachiketa who had already reached the platform of immortality has not come to Yamaloka for boons. However, Yamaraja begging Nachketa to ask him for a boon is one of most delightful aspects of this Vedic compilation. Nachiketa was forced to ask the boons, not for himself but as a favour to Yama<ref>Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I.'' Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>. <blockquote>किँ्स्विद्यमस्य कर्तव्यं यन्मयाऽद्य करिष्यति ॥ ५॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.5)</blockquote><blockquote>kim̐svidyamasya kartavyaṁ yanmayā'dya kariṣyati ॥ 5॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.5)</blockquote>Meaning : what purpose can there of Yama, that my father will achieve through me (by sending me here).
Nachiketa's boons from Yamaraja reveals his sterling qualities and character.
"What will my father achieve of Yama by sending me to him" was Nachiketa’s first thought as he was coming to Yamapuri, but is received with good reception and grant of boons upon arrival. Nachiketa's boons from Yamaraja reveals his sterling qualities and character.
== प्रथम वरम् ॥ First boon - Saadhaka Gunas ==
== प्रथम वरम् ॥ First boon - Saadhaka Gunas ==
<blockquote>शान्तसङ्कल्पः सुमना यथा स्याद्वीतमन्युर्गौतमो माभिमृत्यो । त्वत्प्रसृष्टं माऽभिवदेत्प्रतीत एतत् त्रयाणां प्रथम वरं वृणे ॥ १०॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.10)</blockquote><blockquote>śāntasaṅkalpaḥ sumanā yathā syādvītamanyurgautamō mābhimr̥tyō । tvatprasr̥ṣṭaṁ mā'bhivadētpratīta ētat trayāṇāṁ prathama varaṁ vr̥ṇē ॥ 10॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.10)</blockquote>Meaning : Oh Mrityu, give me as the first boon, that Gautama (my father), have शान्तसङ्कल्पः calmness (free from anxiety on my account), सुमना be pleased in mind वीतमन्युः free from anger towards me, and greet me with the same old affection, when sent back by you.
<blockquote>शान्तसङ्कल्पः सुमना यथा स्याद्वीतमन्युर्गौतमो माभिमृत्यो । त्वत्प्रसृष्टं माऽभिवदेत्प्रतीत एतत् त्रयाणां प्रथम वरं वृणे ॥ १०॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.10)</blockquote><blockquote>śāntasaṅkalpaḥ sumanā yathā syādvītamanyurgautamō mābhimr̥tyō । tvatprasr̥ṣṭaṁ mā'bhivadētpratīta ētat trayāṇāṁ prathama varaṁ vr̥ṇē ॥ 10॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.10)</blockquote>Meaning : Oh Mrityu, give me as the first boon, that Gautama (my father), have शान्तसङ्कल्पः calmness (free from anxiety on my account), सुमना be pleased in mind वीतमन्युः free from anger towards me, and greet me with the same old affection, when sent back by you.
Yama is pleased and replies <blockquote>यथा पुरस्ताद्भविता प्रतीत औद्दालकिरारुणिर्मत्प्रसृष्टः । सुखँ् रात्रीः शयिता वीतमन्युः त्वां ददृशिवान्मृत्युमुखात् प्रमुक्तम् ॥ ११॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.11)</blockquote><blockquote>yathā purastādbhavitā pratīta auddālakirāruṇirmatprasr̥ṣṭaḥ । sukham̐ rātrīḥ śayitā vītamanyuḥ tvāṁ dadr̥śivānmr̥tyumukhāt pramuktam ॥ 11॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.11)</blockquote>Meaning : Your father Auddalakiaruni will consider you as affectionately as he does normally and will be freed from anger. When you return from the jaws of death, he will get over his anger and with my blessings will for many nights henceforth be happily resting.
Yama is pleased and replies <blockquote>यथा पुरस्ताद्भविता प्रतीत औद्दालकिरारुणिर्मत्प्रसृष्टः । सुखँ् रात्रीः शयिता वीतमन्युः त्वां ददृशिवान्मृत्युमुखात् प्रमुक्तम् ॥ ११॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.11)</blockquote><blockquote>yathā purastādbhavitā pratīta auddālakirāruṇirmatprasr̥ṣṭaḥ । sukham̐ rātrīḥ śayitā vītamanyuḥ tvāṁ dadr̥śivānmr̥tyumukhāt pramuktam ॥ 11॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.11)</blockquote>Meaning : Your father Auddalakiaruni will consider you as affectionately as he does normally and will be freed from anger. When you return from the jaws of death he will get over his anger and with my blessings will, for many nights henceforth, be happily resting.
=== Esoteric meaning ===
=== साधकलक्षणम् ''||'' Sadhaka Lakshana ===
The first boon asked by Nachiketa indicates what one needs to do for achieving the highest perfection, parama purusha. Nachiketa’s father who was angry, was simply an instrument in giving the message that anger has to be controlled by a sadhaka. The prayers offered by Nachiketa is the secondary characteristics which sadhakas must have.
The first boon asked by Nachiketa indicates what one needs to do for achieving the highest perfection, parama purusha. Nachiketa’s father who was angry, was simply an instrument in giving the message that anger has to be controlled by a sadhaka. The prayers offered by Nachiketa is the secondary characteristics which sadhakas must have.
=== Sadhaka in Brahma-sutras ===
=== Sadhaka in Brahma-sutras ===
Yama pleased with Nachiketa offers another boon besides the three boons. He blesses Nachiketa by saying that in future, the Agni-vidya, so explained by him will be called as Nachiketa-agni. The functioning of this Agni, and how to install it is explained in the Taittirya brahmana 3.11.7 and 9.
Yama pleased with Nachiketa offers another boon besides the three boons. He blesses Nachiketa by saying that in future, the Agni-vidya, so explained by him will be called as Nachiketa-agni. The functioning of this Agni, and how to install it is explained in the Taittirya brahmana 3.11.7 and 9.
=== स्वर्गलोकः ॥ Svargaloka ===
=== स्वर्गलोकः ॥ Svargaloka ===
In the present context the word स्वर्गलोकः ॥ Svargaloka has been used to explain the place attained by a realized soul.
In the present context the word स्वर्गलोकः ॥ Svargaloka has been used to explain the place attained by a realized soul.
According to Sri. K. S. Narayanacharya - these are not the lands where one enjoys sensuality as described in kingdom of Devatas where many celestial beings exist along with Indra, it's king. The context describes Nachiketa as one who seeks Infinite Worlds अनन्तलोकाप्तिम् beyond such pleasures. Thus, the characteristics of Svarga described by the enlightened Nachiketa does not equate with the Svargaloka.
According to Sri. K. S. Narayanacharya - these are not the lands where one enjoys sensuality as described in kingdom of Devatas where many celestial beings exist along with Indra, it's king. The context describes Nachiketa as one who seeks Infinite Worlds अनन्तलोकाप्तिम् beyond such pleasures. Thus, the characteristics of [[लोकाः॥ Lokas|Svargaloka]] described by the enlightened Nachiketa does not equate with the Svargaloka.
It is well known that Svargaloka or heavenly abode is not permanent as it gets destroyed at kalpanta. Here Nachiketa explains about a state of fearlessness or liberation from all kinds of fear. Different Upanishads explain the state of highest achievement in different ways.
It is well known that Svargaloka or heavenly abode is not permanent as it gets destroyed at kalpanta. Here Nachiketa explains about a state of fearlessness or liberation from all kinds of fear. Different Upanishads explain the state of highest achievement in different ways.