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Keno Upanishad states that apart from Indra, Agni, Vayu, and the other devatas, a person who understands brahmavidya is freed from all kalmasha and contamination and will achieve and permanently adore the highest place of Svarga. Here the word svarga indicates the highest destination. <blockquote>"''yo va yetham evam veda apahathya papananama ananthe''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''swarge loke jyehe prati tishti pratitishtati (4.9)''"</blockquote>

Keno Upanishad states that apart from Indra, Agni, Vayu, and the other devatas, a person who understands brahmavidya is freed from all kalmasha and contamination and will achieve and permanently adore the highest place of Svarga. Here the word svarga indicates the highest destination. <blockquote>"''yo va yetham evam veda apahathya papananama ananthe''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''swarge loke jyehe prati tishti pratitishtati (4.9)''"</blockquote>

==== Aitreyaopanishad ====

==== Aitreyaopanishad ====

In Aithreya Upanishad, Vamadeva rishi while glorifys brahmajnana. Those who understand the consequences of attaining this knowledge will be, after quitting the body, raised to svarga where after fulfilling all their desires, they become immortal or achieve liberation. Here also Svarga denotes an existence of higher planets. <blockquote>"''||sa evam vidvan asmacharira bedadurdvam''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''Utkramya amushmin svarge loke sarvan''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''Kamanaptva amruta samabhavat samabhavat || (2.4)''"</blockquote>

In Aithreya Upanishad, Vamadeva rishi while glorifies brahmajnana. Those who understand the consequences of attaining this knowledge will be, after quitting the body, raised to svarga where after fulfilling all their desires, they become immortal or achieve liberation. Here also Svarga denotes an existence of higher lokas. <blockquote>"''||sa evam vidvan asmacharira bedadurdvam''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''Utkramya amushmin svarge loke sarvan''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''Kamanaptva amruta samabhavat samabhavat || (2.4)''"</blockquote>

==== Chandogya Upanishad ====

==== Chandogya Upanishad ====

Chandogya Upanishad 8.4.5 explains about Svarga as the paramapada or the final/great place of destination described as Brahmaloka  

Chandogya Upanishad 8.4.5 explains about Svarga as the paramapada or the final/great place of destination described as Brahmaloka  <blockquote>apahata papma esa brahma lokaha  </blockquote>This loka is the third from the prithvi loka. In that land there are forests knows as Ara, and nyas, lakes known as asairam-madi, ashwatha tree called as Somasavan. This place is said to be eternal called the city of Aparajitha where there is hiranya –golden hued pandal. Only those who practice brahmacarya, achieve this loka. This clearly indicates that this is not the land of caturmukha,  Sruti does not explain any other higher loka than this Brahmaloka. 

 

apahata papma esa brahma lokaha  

 

This planet is the third from the earthly planet. In that land there are forests knows as Ara, and nyas, lakes known as asairam-madi, ashwatha tree called as Somasavan. This place is said to be eternal called the city of Aparajitha where there is hiranya –golden hued pandal. Only those who practice brahmacarya, achieve this planet. This clearly indicates that this is not the land of caturmukha,  Sruti does not explain any other higher planet than this Brahmaloka. 

==== Kaushitaki Upanishad ====

==== Kaushitaki Upanishad ====

Kaushitaki Upanishad also describes a similar place called Brahmaloka (1.21.67) as given in Chandogya Upanishad. According to this Upanishad the ultimate destination of those souls on the path of Devayana (path of devatas) is brahmaloka.  A similar description of lakes, forest and beautiful pandal is also mentioned here. Here also Brahmapura is described as Aparajitha meaning undefeatable.  

Kaushitaki Upanishad also describes a similar place called Brahmaloka (1.21.67) as given in Chandogya Upanishad. According to this Upanishad the ultimate destination of those souls on the path of Devayana (path of devatas) is brahmaloka.  A similar description of lakes, forest and beautiful pandal is also mentioned here. Here also Brahmapura is described as Aparajitha meaning undefeatable.  

In Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.6 the final destination of those on the arichiradi path is called as Brahmaloka.<blockquote>"''Esha vaha punyah sukrito brahma lokah.''"</blockquote>It is amruthamaya and the abode of parama purusha. This is explained in 1.2.11 and therefore all this can give us the clear understanding that this is the same parama pada.<blockquote>"''Yasyarvagnya sarva vitha yasmaisa mahima buhi''"</blockquote>divye brahma pure haiva yo mnyatma  pratishitaha (2.2.7) One who is all knowing bhagvantha(Bhagavan) is residing in brahmapura. Same paramdhama is  It is explained in 3.2.11. as Para brahma dhama bandhu in 3.2.4; braham dhama in 3.2.6--it is described as  brahama loka.

In Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.6 the final destination of those on the arichiradi path is called as Brahmaloka.<blockquote>"''Esha vaha punyah sukrito brahma lokah.''"</blockquote>It is amruthamaya and the abode of parama purusha. This is explained in 1.2.11 and therefore all this can give us the clear understanding that this is the same parama pada.<blockquote>"''Yasyarvagnya sarva vitha yasmaisa mahima buhi''"</blockquote>divye brahma pure haiva yo mnyatma  pratishitaha (2.2.7) One who is all knowing bhagvantha(Bhagavan) is residing in brahmapura. Same paramdhama is  It is explained in 3.2.11. as Para brahma dhama bandhu in 3.2.4; braham dhama in 3.2.6--it is described as  brahama loka.

==== Prashnopanishad ====

==== Prashnopanishad ====

Prashnopanishat (1.15) also describes the highest place as Brahmaloka. In here (5.5) it is described as that planet which is higher than all other lokas, where the Paramapurusha of the Brahmaloka is resting in Yoga nidra.  

Prashnopanishad (1.15) also describes the highest place as Brahmaloka. In here (5.5) it is described as that loka which is higher than all other lokas, where the Paramapurusha of the Brahmaloka is resting in Yoga nidra.  

In this way different schools of thought describe the highest platform of ascent of soul variously as Svarga, Paramapada and Brahamaloka.

In this way different schools of thought describe the highest platform of ascent of soul variously as Svarga, Paramapada and Brahamaloka.

However, Yama replies to Nachiketa by offering various things such as granting sons, grandsons, animals, elephants, gold, horses, huge kingdom, fitness to enjoy all delectable things and ultimately even chiranjivatvam or life as long as wished to enjoy all pleasures.  

However, Yama replies to Nachiketa by offering various things such as granting sons, grandsons, animals, elephants, gold, horses, huge kingdom, fitness to enjoy all delectable things and ultimately even chiranjivatvam or life as long as wished to enjoy all pleasures.  

Nachiketa, as serene as an unperturbed lake, replies that all such things are ephemeral and waste away the vigour of the senses that man has. Nachiketa is an exemplary example of an enlightened soul at a young age who realised that all life, without exception, is short indeed and easily turns away from temptations. He offers back all the vehicles, songs and dances offered by Yama may remain with him only. And he persists that men may rule as long as the worlds exist but that boon of knowledge of Self is worth praying for as every person wants to ascend and reach higher levels (material or spiritual). Therefore, Nachiketa says "O Yama! I am not to be seduced by the lure of sons, wealth, cattle and kingdoms. What are these to a sensible man who realises that worldly pleasures are transient in nature?"<blockquote>यस्मिन्निदं विचिकित्सन्ति मृत्यो यत्साम्पराये महति ब्रूहि नस्तत् । योऽयं वरो गूढमनुप्रविष्टो नान्यं तस्मान्नचिकेता वृणीते ॥ २९॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.29)</blockquote><blockquote>yasminnidaṁ vicikitsanti mr̥tyō yatsāmparāyē mahati brūhi nastat । yō'yaṁ varō gūḍhamanupraviṣṭō nānyaṁ tasmānnacikētā vr̥ṇītē ॥ 29॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.29)</blockquote>Meaning : Oh Mrityu ! tell me what I pray you for. About which (Self) people entertain many doubts as to whether It exists or not, in the context of the next world and whose knowledge leads to a great result. This boon that relates to the Self, which is inscrutable and secretive - is what Nachiketa prayed for.  

Nachiketa, as serene as an unperturbed lake, replies that all such things are ephemeral and waste away the vigour of the senses that man has. Nachiketa is an exemplary example of an enlightened soul at a young age who realised that all life, without exception, is short indeed and easily turns away from temptations. He offers back all the vehicles, songs and dances offered by Yama may remain with him only. And he persists that men may rule as long as the worlds exist but that boon of knowledge of Self is worth praying for as every person wants to ascend and reach higher levels (material or adhyatmik). Therefore, Nachiketa says "O Yama! I am not to be seduced by the lure of sons, wealth, cattle and kingdoms. What are these to a sensible man who realises that worldly pleasures are transient in nature?"<blockquote>यस्मिन्निदं विचिकित्सन्ति मृत्यो यत्साम्पराये महति ब्रूहि नस्तत् । योऽयं वरो गूढमनुप्रविष्टो नान्यं तस्मान्नचिकेता वृणीते ॥ २९॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.29)</blockquote><blockquote>yasminnidaṁ vicikitsanti mr̥tyō yatsāmparāyē mahati brūhi nastat । yō'yaṁ varō gūḍhamanupraviṣṭō nānyaṁ tasmānnacikētā vr̥ṇītē ॥ 29॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.1.29)</blockquote>Meaning : Oh Mrityu ! tell me what I pray you for. About which (Self) people entertain many doubts as to whether It exists or not, in the context of the next world and whose knowledge leads to a great result. This boon that relates to the Self, which is inscrutable and secretive - is what Nachiketa prayed for.  Yama grants him what is called as [[Nachiketavidya (नचिकेतविद्या)]].  

=== ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ Knowledge of Brahman ===

=== ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ Knowledge of Brahman ===

Nachiketa’s third question is very subtle and its significance forms the essence of Kathopanishad. It can be said  that the entire purva paksha of vedanta is hidden in this question.

Nachiketa’s third question is very subtle and its significance forms the essence of Kathopanishad. It can be said  that the entire purva paksha of vedanta is hidden in this question.