The story of Naciketas from the Katha Upanisad
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- Category: Naciketas
- Published: Monday, 21 October 2013 16:33
- Written by Super User
(Painting by Alessia Birri. Visit her website here.)
From the Katha Upanisad
Translation by Sri Krishna Prem (Ronald Nixon)
From his book The Yoga of the Katha Upanisad
(1) Once Vājaśravasa, desirous of heavenly reward, gave away all his
possessions. He had a son named Naciketas.
(2) Into him, boy as he was, faith entered, while the gifts (of cattle
for the priests) were being led away and he reflected.
(3) “To joyless realms goes he who gives such cows as these, cows
which have drunk their last water, eaten their last grass, have given
their last milk and who will breed no more.”
(4) Therefore he said to his father once, twice and thrice: “To whom
will you give me (who also am one of your possessions)?” The father
replied, “To Death do I give thee.”
(5) Of many I go as the first (and yet) of many I am in the
midst. What is the task that Yama, Lord of Death, will accomplish on
my today?
(6) Bear in mind how went those who have gone before. Note how in the
same way go others now. Like grain a mortal ripens and like grain is
he born again.
(7) As a very fire, the brāhmaṇa guest enters into houses, therefore,
O Son of the Sun, bring water to assuage him.
(8) Hope and expectation, friendly intercourse, the merits gained by
sacrifice and charitable acts, offspring and cattle—for the foolish
man in whose house a brāhmaṇa (guest) has to fast all these things are
destroyed.
(9) "O Brāhmaṇa, you, a worshipful guest, have dwelt for three nights
food-less in my house. Therefore, I offer you my reverence. Choose in
return three boons (and) may it be well for me."
(10) "As the first of the three boons I choose that when sent back by
thee, O Death, my father Gautama, his sacrificial intent accomplished,
may recognize and welcome me with a mind peaceful and free from the
fiery turmoil of the heart.
(11) “As aforetime will that son of ancient Sages behave towards thee.
Having seen thee liberated from the mouth of Death and recognizing
thee as one sent back by Me he will sleep happily of nights, his
turmoil stilled.”
(12) “In the Heaven World there is no fear. Thou (death) art not there
nor does one fear old age. Having passed beyond both of these, as
also beyond hunger and thirst, the Sorrowless Ones there in that
Heaven rejoice.
(13) Thou, O Death, knowest that Fire by which the Heaven Dwellers
attain immortality; teach it to me, therefore, who am full of faith.
This I choose as my second boon.”
(14) “Knowing that Heavenly Fire, I explain it to thee. Do thou
therefore, O Naciketas, understand it well of me. Know that that
Fire, the means of attainment of the unending being, the Support or
Basis of all the worlds is hidden in the Cave of the Heart.”
(15) Then He told him of that Fire which is the creative power that
builds the worlds, with what kind of bricks its altar is made, both
how many and how they are to be arranged. And Naciketas repeated
whatever was told him by Death, so that the latter, satisfied with the
pupil, spoke again.
(16) Being pleased, the Mahātmā said: “Here and now I give to thee
another boon. In thy own name shall this Fire be known in the
future. Accept from me also this garland of many forms.”
(17) “He who has thrice kindled the Naciketas Fire (or perhaps a triple
Naciketas Fire), has united with the Three, and performed the three
Acts, crosses over beyond birth and death. Having known and
thoroughly realised that Shining Power, the Knower who is born of
Brahman and (who is the one) Power deserving of worship, one goes to
the everlasting Peace.
(18) “The wise man who having kindled the triple Naciketas Fire and
known this Triad, builds up that Fire in meditation, he having already
(that is, while still living) destroyed the bonds of death, gone
beyond sorrow, enjoys the bliss of the Heaven World.
(19) “This is thy Heavenly Fire, O Naciketas, which thou hast chosen as
thy second boon. After thee in truth will this Fire be named by men.
Now choose thy third boon.”
(20) “There is this doubt about a man who has gone Beyond, some saying
that he exists, others saying that he exists no more. This I desire to
know as thy disciple (literally, being taught by thee). This the
third of my boons. ”
Yama replies:
(21) “Even by the very Gods has {the answer to) this been doubted in
former times. Nor is this very subtle subject one that is easy to
understand, O Naciketas. Choose another boon, do not, O do not press
me. Release me from this promise.”
Naciketas:
(22) “By the Gods indeed was this matter doubted and thou too, O
Death, tellest me that it is not easy to understand. Another Teacher
like thyself is not to be found, nor is there any other boon that is
equal to this.”
Yama:
(23) “Choose sons and grandsons who shall live a hundred years; choose
many cattle, elephants, horses and gold; choose broad lands to dwell
in and for thyself to live as many autumns as thou wishest:
(24) “If thou thinkest of any boon that is equal to this then choose
it; wealth or longevity: be (ruler) of the great earth; I will make
you an enjoyer of all desires.
(25) “Whatever desires are difficult of attainment in this mortal
world; ask for all desires at thy will. See these desirable maidens,
seated on chariots and with instruments of music—their like cannot
be had by man—by them, as my gift, be waited on and served; O
Naciketas, do not ask about (the Great) Dying.”
Naciketas replies:
(26) “Ender of all things; transient, ephemeral are all
these. Moreover, they wear out the brightness of such sense powers as
a mortal has. Even aeonic life is short (in comparison with that
eternal state about which I have asked). Keep for thyself the
chariots: thine be the song and dance.
(27) “Not with wealth is man to be satisfied and if we
should desire it, having once seen Thee (face to face) we shall
surely obtain it. (As for life), so long as Thou rulest, so
long shall we surely live. That (Knowledge) alone is the boon
to be chosen by me.
(28) Having approached the Undecaying Immortal Ones, knowing (their
unchanging nature) and reflecting analytically on the pleasures of
lust and beauty, who is there among ageing mortals here below who
would delight in long living (under such conditions as rule here). Tell
me, O Death, of that Great Passing On, concerning which people have
such doubts. That which is wrapped in such great mystery (literally,
that has entered into secrecy), that and no other boon shall
Naciketas ask.”