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Kathopanisad

Chapter 1 Valli 1 Mantra 23

Lecture

Mantra

Test 2: Limitless Wealth & Lordliness

Yama says to Nachiketas, by way of temptation:

Šatāyusah putra-pautrān vrnīsva
bahūn pasūn hasti hiranyam ašvān;
bhūmer mahadāyatanam vrnīsva
svayam ca jīva šarado yāvadicchasi.

šatāyusah putra-pautrān vrnīsva
Guaranteed to be centenarians such sons and grandsons you may choose;
bahūn pasūn hasti hiranyam ašvān;           
Choose herds and herds of cattle and elephants, any amount of gold, any number of horses;
bhūmer mahadāyatanam vrnīsva
From this vast Earth (over which I rule), choose an estate of any size;
svayam cha jīva šarado yāvadicchasi.        
and for yourself a long life consisting of as many autumns (years) as you like.

Yama now tries tempting the boy through material comforts and lordliness – things which are usually looked upon as very covetable; as the best security in this world.

Domestic Security: Yama offers a nice big family, with many children who would live for a long, and thereby maintain his fame for decades to come. Unimaginable domestic security is offered to Nacikata.

Material Security: Yama offers any amount of wealth in terms of possessions. Such are the things that most people seek and ask for in their prayers to the Lord daily. In those days wealth was measured in terms of cattle, elephants, and horses, in addition to gold.

Property Security: Yama, the Ruler over the whole of Earth, offers lordliness in Naciketa and could own a huge estate if he chooses to. He would have all the property security needed.

Life Security: Yama now throws into the bargain something which only a life insurance company will find displeasing! He assures Nachiketas a long life; he promises not to snatch him prematurely away from this earth plane. He will come only when Nachiketas reaches a ripe old age. A full life span is guaranteed to him – who will not be pleased with such an offer?

Yama waits eagerly to see how Nachiketas would respond to all these tempting offers. Nachiketas does not bat even an eyelid – he seems to have no interest in them. Is it possible for so young a boy, at the threshold of life and faced with a dream future, to be so indifferent to it? Yama can hardly believe that such heroic boys can exist on earth.

He now pulls out his trump card to shake off the idea from Nachiketas’s mind . . .

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Kathopanisad

Chapter 1 Valli 1 Mantra 22

Lecture

Mantra

Response 1: All the More Determined

Naciketa says to Lord Yama:

Devairatrāpi vicikitsitam kila
tvam ca mrtyo yanna suvijñeyamāttha;
vaktā cāsya tvādrganyo na labhyo
nānyah varastulya etasya kascit.

Devaih atra api vicikitsitam kila
Indeed, on this matter, even by the Gods doubts have been entertained!
tvam ca mrityo yat na suvijneyamāttha;
You also say, O Death, that this principle is not truly comprehended with ease!
vaktaa cha asya tvaadrik anyah na labhyah 
But, a teacher like you who can explain this; another such teacher I shall never find.
na anyah varah tulyah etasya kaschit.
(So, I have no option before me but this:) No other boon equal to this can there be (for me to choose)!

The Brilliance of Naciketa

Naciketa emerges with sheer brilliance. He is so sincere as to not be put off by any fear. Yama’s deterrents are all the more reason for him to stick stubbornly to this boon!

Naciketa’s words were paraphrased for us by Acharyaji himself, who rose in brilliant eloquence equal to the occasion:

• “If the gods could not understand it, it is all the more reason why I would want to have this knowledge. Perhaps they did not have a teacher like you. I have you, so I have an advantage over and if it is so difficult to comprehend, it must be something very special indeed. I have come all the way to you from Earth; after such an effort it would be foolish of me if I asked for anything lesser. The lesser things can be got on earth itself, I need not have come here for them!
• “If you are hinting that this is the knowledge that bestows liberation, it implies that the other knowledge asked for earlier (in boon two) will only get me some temporary pleasure but not liberation. So would you not like me to choose this knowledge instead of the other? Isn’t this the knowledge that you should want me to learn?
• “Putting all these reasons together, how can I waste such a golden opportunity to obtain this precious knowledge which cannot come to one in a hurry? Surely, judging from your own standard, this is the only boon worth having!”

The class was simply stunned into silence after this outpouring from Acharyaji. Our entire minds were raised, as it were, to Naciketa’s level.

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