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Meaning : This doubt that arises, consequent to the death of a man - some say, "It (the Self) exists" and others say, "It does not exist". I would like to know this, under your instruction as the third of all the boons.
 
Meaning : This doubt that arises, consequent to the death of a man - some say, "It (the Self) exists" and others say, "It does not exist". I would like to know this, under your instruction as the third of all the boons.
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On hearing the question Yama answers thus:
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देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयमणुरेष धर्मः । अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीरति मा सृजैनम् ॥ २१॥
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Meaning : In earlier days, even devatas had doubts regarding the subtle substance (the Self) which is not easily comprehended. So Nachiketa ! ask for some other boon and do not press me; give up this question that you asked of me.
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Hearing this Nachiketa insists to know about Death from Yama as follows:
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देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं किल त्वं च मृत्यो यन्न सुज्ञेयमात्थ । वक्ता चास्य त्वादृगन्यो न लभ्यो नान्यो वरस्तुल्य एतस्य कश्चित् ॥ २२॥
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Meaning : When even devatas had doubt about this subject, and O Yama! since you say that It (Knowledge of Self) is not well comprehended, and any other such learned instructor as yourself is not to be found even on searching, therefore there is no other boon comparable to this one.
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However, Yama replies to Nachiketa, and offers various things such as boons for 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.
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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 offering all the vehicles, songs and dances that you offer may remain with you (Yama) 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 go higher and higher up. 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?"
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यस्मिन्निदं विचिकित्सन्ति मृत्यो यत्साम्पराये महति ब्रूहि नस्तत् । योऽयं वरो गूढमनुप्रविष्टो नान्यं तस्मान्नचिकेता वृणीते ॥ २९॥
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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.
    
=== Significance of third boon ===
 
=== Significance of third boon ===
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Meaning : One who performs the Nachiketa yagna thrice (त्रिणाचिकेतः) after know the arrangement and placement of bricks and having known the Nachiketaagni vidya, casts off the snares of मृत्यु or death, even earlier (before death) crossing over sorrow to rejoice in Svarga.
 
Meaning : One who performs the Nachiketa yagna thrice (त्रिणाचिकेतः) after know the arrangement and placement of bricks and having known the Nachiketaagni vidya, casts off the snares of मृत्यु or death, even earlier (before death) crossing over sorrow to rejoice in Svarga.
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The following verses outline how Yama tests Nachiketa by luring him to ask for worldly pleasures instead of the inquiry about the nature of Death.
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शतायुषः पुत्रपौत्रान्वृणीष्वा बहून्पशून् हस्तिहिरण्यमश्वान् ।
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भूमेर्महदायतनं वृणीष्व स्वयं च जीव शरदो यावदिच्छसि ॥ २३॥
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एतत्तुल्यं यदि मन्यसे वरं वृणीष्व वित्तं चिरजीविकां च ।
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महाभूमौ नचिकेतस्त्वमेधि कामानां त्वा कामभाजं करोमि ॥ २४॥
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ये ये कामा दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके सर्वान् कामाश्छन्दतः प्रार्थयस्व । इमा रामाः सरथाः सतूर्या न हीदृशा लम्भनीया मनुष्यैः । आभिर्मत्प्रत्ताभिः परिचारयस्व नचिकेतो मरणं माऽनुप्राक्षीः ॥ २५॥
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श्वोभावा मर्त्यस्य यदन्तकैतत् सर्वेन्द्रियाणां जरयन्ति तेजः ।
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अपि सर्वं जीवितमल्पमेव तवैव वाहास्तव नृत्यगीते ॥ २६॥
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न वित्तेन तर्पणीयो मनुष्यो लप्स्यामहे वित्तमद्राक्ष्म चेत्त्वा ।
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जीविष्यामो यावदीशिष्यसि त्वं वरस्तु मे वरणीयः स एव ॥ २७॥
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अजीर्यताममृतानामुपेत्य जीर्यन्मर्त्यः क्वधःस्थः प्रजानन् ।
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अभिध्यायन्वर्णरतिप्रमोदान् अतिदीर्घे जीविते को रमेत ॥ २८॥
    
== References ==
 
== References ==

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