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== NACHIKETA VIDYA AND ITS ANTIQUITY ==

== Nachiketa Vidya and its Antiquity ==

Nachiketa's episode is one of the oldest in Vedic literature. Sayanacharya has alluded to this in the Rik Samhita (10th mandala 35th sukta 10:35 as yasmin vrkshe) and it is also mentioned in the Kataka Brahman, which is now part of Taittriya Brahman. The Kathopanishad also describes its spiritual significance. However, self-styled Western Indologists have claimed that this episodes are recent inclusion, and claim they do not reflect the old thoughts of the Upanishadas.  Such claim of the westerners is very sad.   

Nachiketa's episode is one of the oldest in Vedic literature. Sayanacharya has alluded to this in the Rik Samhita (10th mandala 35th sukta 10:35 as yasmin vrkshe) and it is also mentioned in the Kataka Brahman, which is now part of Taittriya Brahman. The Kathopanishad also describes its spiritual significance. However, self-styled Western Indologists have claimed that this episodes are recent inclusion, and claim they do not reflect the old thoughts of the Upanishadas.  Such claim of the westerners is very sad.   

== BACKGROUND OF UPANISHAD ==

== Background of Upanishad ==

"Nachiketa", the son of a Rishi, is one of the names of Agni and symbolically represents Agni. This effulgent flame never goes off and remains radiant, hence he is called "Kumara." Like nachiketa, the sons of Brahma who are born of his mind are also ever youthful.and symbolically called so. Significantly, the Rik Samhita (10:135) does not even  address him as Nachiketa but only Kumara (adolescent). The Brahmanas are also addressed as ||agni (fire) in the Vedas. It does not matter whether agni is addressed as blazing fire or spark of the fire. Kalidasa in Raghuvamsha states,

"Nachiketa", the son of a Rishi, is one of the names of Agni and symbolically represents Agni. This effulgent flame never goes off and remains radiant, hence he is called "Kumara." Like nachiketa, the sons of Brahma who are born of his mind are also ever youthful.and symbolically called so. Significantly, the Rik Samhita (10:135) does not even  address him as Nachiketa but only Kumara (adolescent). The Brahmanas are also addressed as ||agni (fire) in the Vedas. It does not matter whether agni is addressed as blazing fire or spark of the fire. Kalidasa in Raghuvamsha states,

||tejasam hi na vayah samikshyate||

||tejasam hi na vayah samikshyate||

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 ===

But because Vajaravas was austere and his words were suppose to come to true. The resolve to give dana was uttered.  Nachiketa’s faith did not see any anything but becoming charity to yama.  Nachiketa did not feel it was the word of anger of his father, and firmly believed that his father had genuinely agreed for this kind of daana (charity). He believed strongly in the existence of the Devas and he had only one resolve:

But because Vajaravas was austere and his words were suppose to come to true. The resolve to give dana was uttered.  Nachiketa’s faith did not see any anything but becoming charity to yama.  Nachiketa did not feel it was the word of anger of his father, and firmly believed that his father had genuinely agreed for this kind of daana (charity). He believed strongly in the existence of the Devas and he had only one resolve:

"Me being dana has to be successful otherwise the Yagna will not be successful."

"Me being dana has to be successful otherwise the Yagna will not be successful."

Nachiketa had great respect for his father and therefore felt there must be some purpose of he  being dana to yamaraja.  Nachiketa’s Shraddha (faith) gave meaning to Vajasravas’s useless and meaningless words. This clearly reveals the strength of Shraddha.     

Nachiketa had great respect for his father and therefore felt there must be some purpose of he  being dana to yamaraja.  Nachiketa’s Shraddha (faith) gave meaning to Vajasravas’s useless and meaningless words. This clearly reveals the strength of Shraddha.     

== NACHIKETA WELCOMED ==

== Nachiketa welcomed ==

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

"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."

=== 9 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  

=== 10 EXPLANATION OF TAITREYA BRAMAN ===

=== Explanation of Taitreya Braman ===

The Taittriya Brahman also gives an interesting explanation (TB III-2-8-1 to 5)  

The Taittriya Brahman also gives an interesting explanation (TB III-2-8-1 to 5)  

13- IN RIGVEDA, THE NATURE OF  

13- IN RIGVEDA, THE NATURE OF  

== NACHIKETA’S CHARIOT AND DISCUSSION WITH YAMARAJA ==

== Nachiketa’s Chariot and Discussion with Yamaraja ==

How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?  

How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?