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Line 122: − + − It can be assumed that Nachiketa must have either had or was ready for the उपनयन || upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education. Notably even at a young age, he was bright, intelligent and infused with shraddha (implicit faith born out of experiencing Satya)<ref name=":02" />.+ + + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − पितात्मनः सत्यतायै प्रेषयामास +
added discussion points
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 ===
Maharshi Vaisampayana relates this story of Nachiketa to King Janamejaya according to [[वराहपुराणम् ॥ Varaahapurana|वराहपुराणम् ॥ Varahapurana]]<ref name=":02322" />. The story of Nachiketa starts in Adhyaya 193 of Varahapurana<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D sa.wikisource.org/varahapuranam]</ref> with नचिकेतः प्रयाणवर्णनम् ।। Description of journey of Nachiketa (to Yamapuri). Janamejaya asks Vaisamapaya rishi as follows <blockquote>भगवञ्जायते तीव्रं चिन्तयानस्य सुव्रत ।। कर्मपाकफलं यस्मिन्मानुषैरुपभुज्यते।।६।। (Vara. Pura. 193.6)</blockquote><blockquote>One thought that makes me greatly think is what are the fruits of karma that man consumes (what is the result of good or bad actions).</blockquote>Vaisampayana rishi answering this question says Nachiketa is of one of the blessed people who visited Yamapuri with his mortal body.
Maharshi Vaisampayana relates this story of Nachiketa to King Janamejaya according to [[वराहपुराणम् ॥ Varaahapurana]]<ref name=":02322" />. The story of Nachiketa starts in Adhyaya 193 of Varahapurana<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D sa.wikisource.org/varahapuranam]</ref> with नचिकेतः प्रयाणवर्णनम् ।। Description of journey of Nachiketa (to Yamapuri). Janamejaya asks Vaisamapaya rishi as follows <blockquote>भगवञ्जायते तीव्रं चिन्तयानस्य सुव्रत ।। कर्मपाकफलं यस्मिन्मानुषैरुपभुज्यते।।६।। (Vara. Pura. 193.6)</blockquote><blockquote>One thought that makes me greatly think is what are the fruits of karma that man consumes (what is the result of good or bad actions).</blockquote>Vaisampayana rishi answering this question says Nachiketa is of one of the blessed people who visited Yamapuri with his mortal body.
=== Mahabharata ===
=== Mahabharata ===
Patiently, Nachiketa refuses all of Yama's offers of material things, and waits until Yama is totally convinced that he is a worthy disciple ready for the knowledge.
Patiently, Nachiketa refuses all of Yama's offers of material things, and waits until Yama is totally convinced that he is a worthy disciple ready for the knowledge.
== Discussion ==
== सम्वाद || Discussion ==
==== Upanayanam ====
==== Upanayanam ====
Many views are present whether Nachiketa was already initiated into formal education and had gone through upanayana ceremonies.
Some say Nachiketa must have either had or was ready for the उपनयन || upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education <ref name=":02" />.
==== Journey to Yamaloka ====
==== Journey to Yamaloka ====
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka? is a much discusses aspect. According to Shrimad Sankaraacharya bhasyam
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka? : is another much discussed aspect.
According to Shrimad Sankaraacharya bhasyam of Kathopanishad<ref name=":22" />
पितात्मनः सत्यतायै प्रेषयामास || the father himself sent him for veracity of truth to the abode of Yama. How and what was the means of travel to Yamapuri is not explicitly given.
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>:
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".
तदा क्षमस्वेति प्रार्थयमानस्यैव तस्य नाचिकेतस्य देहो गतसत्वो भूमौ न्यपतत् | पतितं सुतं दृष्ट्वा पितापि किं मयानुष्ठितं पापेनेति ब्रुवन् भूमौ निपपात |
As he was asking for forgiveness Nachiketa becomes senseless and falls on the ground. Seeing him so lying down, his father with remorse utters - alas ! what a bad deed have I done and falls down.
After a day and night passes, the father sees his son return in a divine chariot : अथ च प्रातर्दिव्यरथेन पुनः प्रत्यागतः सुतः ! Seeing him he says -
न दृष्यते मानुषं ते वपुः I do not see your mortal body.
What was the instrument he used to reach?
What was the instrument he used to reach?