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Kathopanisad

Chapter 1 Valli 1 Mantra 29

Lecture

Mantra

Response 5: “I Stick to My Original Boon”!

Yasminn-idam vicikitsanti mrtyo
yat sāmparāye mahati brūhi nas-tat;
yo’yam varo gūdham-anupravisto
nānyam tasmn-naciketā vrnīte.

Yasmin idam vicikitsanti mrtyo
Of that (the existence of the Self) over which people entertain doubt, O Lord of Death;
yat sāmparāye mahati brūhi nah tat;
Of that Great Beyond into which we pass – please tell me all about That.
yah ayam varah gūdham anupravistah    
The boon I choose is about That Self, the knowledge of which has become mysterious.
na anyam tasmāt nachiketā vrnīte.         
No boon other than that, therefore, I, Naciketa, desire to choose.

Acharyaji gave us a fitting paraphrase of Naciketa’s final summation: It is as if he is saying to Yama: “Why do you want me to remain at the lower level? Would you not like me to rise up, even if at great odds, and try for that which is really worth it among all human endeavors? Of course, you do. So, I will not be tempted – no matter how much you try. Do you really think I should be wasting my time just watching Apsaras dance before me? Do you not believe that I have other nobler things to do?”

Conclusion on Naciketa’s Stance

Naciketa does not budge from his iron resolve to spurn every temptation placed on his path to enlightenment or release from bondage to this world. His is a rare stance indeed. It is as if he is saying to Yama, “Why do you want me to change my stand? Do you think that I have not thought over this seriously enough? You are quite mistaken. I know how rare it is to ask for such a boon – very few are interested in it. Therefore, this knowledge is not easily available to us on Earth. Knowing that, do you really believe I will waste my precious visit to you and ask you for something paltry that is available on earth? You are the right person for me to ask this boon. Hence, this is the only boon I would ask for.”

Rare indeed is a soul of the Naciketa temperament. He stood firm and beat Yama at his own game. Yama would indeed be proud of such a ripe disciple as Naciketa. Only a Guru knows the joy of meeting a perfect disciple. Naciketa is that perfect disciple to the perfect teacher.

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