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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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