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Line 56: − ** नचिकेतसो आगमनवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 194) After his return from Yamapuri, Nachiketa is welcomed by his delighted father and people throng to see him and seek his experiences of his stay there. Nachiketa goes about + − ** यमलोकस्थपापिवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 195) where he describes the people पापिनः who go to Naraka to taste the पापकर्मफलं || fruits of his bad actions. + − ** धर्मराजपुरवर्णनं (Vara. Pura. 196) where he describes the spanning golden abode of Yama filled with great rishis and divine grandeur. Dharmarajapuri is the seat of the devi who is worshiped by Yama and also seen there is Kaala, ferocious and ever youthful. + − ** संसारचक्रे कृतान्तकालमृत्युकिङ्करवर्णनं (Vara. Pura. 197) He describes a few Narakas (Tapta, mahatapta, raourava among others) and what deeds make a person go there (karma vipaka) and that it is Chitragupta who maintains the record of all deeds, good or bad, of every person. + − ** संसारचक्रयातनास्वरूपवर्णनम् || the cycle of man's sorrows in the world (Vara. Pura. 198 and 199). Again the description of bad unworthy deeds and different punishments meted out are explained. Nachiketa's praise of Yama is given in a stuti. + − + − + − + − + Line 78:
Line 78: − == Nachiketa welcomed == − Nachiketa was determined to travel and spoke to himself, his statement is referred in in the Upanishad; <blockquote>"||Bahunamemi prathamah bahunamemi Madhyamah − 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. − − Nachiketa consoled himself as indicated by these statements in the Upanishad (Ref 1-6): <blockquote>"||anupashya yatha purve pratipashya tatha apare − Sasyamiva martyah pachyte − Sasyamivaajayate punah||"</blockquote><blockquote>"Men born before you had to take birth on some day and die on some other day. similarly those who will be born in the future will die too. If this is life, than what is there to lament. If life is like plant then one day it will born and eventually die, this is another mood of Nachiketa has been depicted. Or as it mentioned in the beginning of the chapter "is there nothing permanent in this temporary life? This statement reveals the core character of Nachiketa, which is to look for that amrutuattva(Immortality) even in temporary life. This is Nachiketa’s condition."</blockquote>Another perspective is presented by the Gurus on Nachiketa’s action. It is in anger that Vajsravas had given his son, Nachiketa as daana to Yama. Notably, words uttered at the ||Yagna place cannot go in vain. Nachiketa is determined to go through his father’s promise and prepares to go to Yama. When his father realises the consequences of his anger, he feels great remorse (Rik Samhita X-135-4). Repentant, he prays that his son should not die and go to Yamaloka, even if it means that his words become false and the Yagna remains incomplete. Utterly distressed, Vajasravas tries to stop his son, but Nachiketa consoles him with these words, − − "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."
→Nachiketa’s Journey to Yamaloka
Once a rishi cursed his son to "visit Yama" and advised him the way to return back after visiting him. Even though kumara was at first anguished by his father's words, kumara comforted himself as his father's order to "tread in the path of his ancestors" to "stay with his ancestors", so he ascends to the abode of Yama<ref name=":02">Kodandaramacharyulu. K. (2011) Kathopanishat - Samajikaamsamulu (Pages 78 to 92) from Upanishat Sudha Lahari, Hyderabad: Sahiti Samskritika Samstha</ref>. In the conversation with Yama it is revealed that the world is the कर्मक्षेत्र ॥ karmakshetra (the ground for enacting the karma) and all living beings take birth, blame themselves and yet again be born based on their past actions. Paramatma is eternal and bears witness to all actions.
Once a rishi cursed his son to "visit Yama" and advised him the way to return back after visiting him. Even though kumara was at first anguished by his father's words, kumara comforted himself as his father's order to "tread in the path of his ancestors" to "stay with his ancestors", so he ascends to the abode of Yama<ref name=":02">Kodandaramacharyulu. K. (2011) Kathopanishat - Samajikaamsamulu (Pages 78 to 92) from Upanishat Sudha Lahari, Hyderabad: Sahiti Samskritika Samstha</ref>. In the conversation with Yama it is revealed that the world is the कर्मक्षेत्र ॥ karmakshetra (the ground for enacting the karma) and all living beings take birth, blame themselves and yet again be born based on their past actions. Paramatma is eternal and bears witness to all actions.
According to Sri. K. S. Narayanacharya<ref>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>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 ===
=== 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> 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.
According to Varaahapuranam<ref>[http://www.vcscsd.org/content/balabhavan/18-Puranas.pdf Varahapuranam from ''The Puranas'' by Dharmic Scriptures Team (English Translation Pages 404 to 407)]</ref>, Nachiketa's father regrets cursing his son and after his anger subsides tries to convince him against going to the abode of Yama. सत्येन वेदा गायन्ति सत्ये लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः ।। ३९ ।। (Vara. Pura. 193.39) He convinces his father that one should truthfully abide by his word for Satya is the base for the existence of the worlds.
According to Varaahapuranam<ref>[http://www.vcscsd.org/content/balabhavan/18-Puranas.pdf Varahapuranam from ''The Puranas'' by Dharmic Scriptures Team (English Translation Pages 404 to 407)]</ref>, Nachiketa's father regrets cursing his son and after his anger subsides tries to convince him against going to the abode of Yama. सत्येन वेदा गायन्ति सत्ये लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः ।। ३९ ।। (Vara. Pura. 193.39) He convinces his father that one should truthfully abide by his word for Satya is the base for the existence of the worlds.
*नचिकेतसो आगमनवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 194) After his return from Yamapuri, Nachiketa is welcomed by his delighted father and people throng to see him and seek his experiences of his stay there.
*यमलोकस्थपापिवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 195) where he describes the people पापिनः who go to Naraka to taste the पापकर्मफलं || fruits of his bad actions.
*धर्मराजपुरवर्णनं (Vara. Pura. 196) where he describes the spanning golden abode of Yama filled with great rishis and divine grandeur. Dharmarajapuri is the seat of the devi who is worshiped by Yama and also seen there is Kaala, ferocious and ever youthful.
*संसारचक्रे कृतान्तकालमृत्युकिङ्करवर्णनं (Vara. Pura. 197) He describes a few Narakas (Tapta, mahatapta, raourava among others) and what deeds make a person go there (karma vipaka) and that it is Chitragupta who maintains the record of all deeds, good or bad, of every person.
*संसारचक्रयातनास्वरूपवर्णनम् || the cycle of man's sorrows in the world (Vara. Pura. 198 and 199). Again the description of bad unworthy deeds and different punishments meted out are explained. Nachiketa's praise of Yama is given in a stuti.
** नरकयातनास्वरूपवर्णनम् || Narakayatana swaroopam (Vara. Pura. 198 199, 200) As the name indicates this adhyaya gives a full description of the Narakas (Maharourava, Rourava, Kumbhipaaka) kinds of punishments including the details of the instruments (suffering caused by piercing of sharp objects, fires, heated oils etc) and time the punishments are given. What fate one experiences in these narakas, are vividly described.
*नरकयातनास्वरूपवर्णनम् || Narakayatana swaroopam (Vara. Pura. 198 199, 200) As the name indicates this adhyaya gives a full description of the Narakas (Maharourava, Rourava, Kumbhipaaka) kinds of punishments including the details of the instruments (suffering caused by piercing of sharp objects, fires, heated oils etc) and time the punishments are given. What fate one experiences in these narakas, are vividly described.
** नारकिदण्डनकर्मविपाकवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 201 to 204) The details of various bad deeds (sins) such as one who abandons his parents, stealing (gold, salt, food), conniving, giving false witness, liars and the corresponding punishments are they obtain are described here. After suffering for the sins, they take birth in various lower life forms (trees, donkeys, pigs). Souls of virtuous people were sent to the heaven. People who attain martyrdom in wars and battles were sent to Indrapuri,while those engaged in virtuous deeds all their lives are rewarded.
*नारकिदण्डनकर्मविपाकवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura. 201 to 204) The details of various bad deeds (sins) such as one who abandons his parents, stealing (gold, salt, food), conniving, giving false witness, liars and the corresponding punishments are they obtain are described here. After suffering for the sins, they take birth in various lower life forms (trees, donkeys, pigs). Souls of virtuous people were sent to the heaven. People who attain martyrdom in wars and battles were sent to Indrapuri,while those engaged in virtuous deeds all their lives are rewarded.
** शुभकर्मफलोदय प्रकरणम् (Vara. Pura 206) The rewards for good deeds are described here.
*शुभकर्मफलोदय प्रकरणम् (Vara. Pura 206) The rewards for good deeds are described here.
** पापनाशोपायवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura 211) Here the description of prayaschitta for different bad deeds are given by Yama. पंचगव्यं तु यः पिबेत् - one who drinks the Panchagavya, does go-seva are relieved from sins.
*पापनाशोपायवर्णनम् (Vara. Pura 211) Here the description of prayaschitta for different bad deeds are given by Yama. पंचगव्यं तु यः पिबेत् - one who drinks the Panchagavya, does go-seva are relieved from sins.
Thus Nachiketa shares his experiences in Yamapuri.
Thus Nachiketa shares his experiences in Yamapuri.
Nachiketa : It can be assumed that Nachiketa must have had his उपनयन ||upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education. Or it could be that he was ready for the उपनयन ||upanayan (thread ceremony). Notably even at a young age, he sounded bright, intelligent and with shraddha (implicit faith born out of experiencing satya)
Nachiketa : It can be assumed that Nachiketa must have had his उपनयन ||upanayana (thread ceremony) and was about to be initiated into his formal education. Or it could be that he was ready for the उपनयन ||upanayan (thread ceremony). Notably even at a young age, he sounded bright, intelligent and with shraddha (implicit faith born out of experiencing satya)
== Nachiketa’s Journey to Yamaloka ==
== Nachiketa’s Journey to Yamaloka ==
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?
How did Nachiketa reach Yamaloka?