Part 1

Katha Upanishad

The Katha-Upanishad is probably the most widely known of all the Upanishads. It was early translated into Persian and through this rendering first made its way into Europe. Later Raja Ram Mohun Roy brought out an English version. It has since appeared in various languages; and English, German and French writers are all agreed in pronouncing it one of the most perfect expressions of the religion and philosophy of the Vedas. Sir Edwin Arnold popularized it by his metrical rendering under the name of "The Secret of Death," and Ralph Waldo Emerson gives its story in brief at the close of his essay on "Immortality."

There is no consensus of opinion regarding the place of this Upanishad in Vedic literature. Some authorities declare it to belong to the Yajur-Veda, others to the Sama-Veda, while a large number put it down as a part of the Atharva-Veda. The story is first suggested in the Rig-Veda; it is told more definitely in the Yajur-Veda; and in the Katha-Upanishad it appears fully elaborated and interwoven with the loftiest Vedic teaching. There is nothing however, to indicate the special place of this final version, nor has any meaning been found for the name Katha.

The text presents a dialogue between an aspiring disciple, Nachiketas, and the Ruler of Death regarding the great Hereafter.

5 min

Peace Chant

May He (the Supreme Being) protect us both, teacher and taught. May He be pleased with us. May we acquire strength. May our study bring us illumination. May there be no enmity among us.

May he (the Supreme Being) protect us both, teacher and student. May he be pleased with us. May we gain strength. May our study bring us understanding. May there be no hostility between us.

OM! PEACE! PEACE! PEACE!

1. Vahasrava, being desirous of heavenly rewards (at the Viswajit sacrifice), made a gift of all that he possessed. He had a son by the name of Nachiketas.

1. Vahasrava wanted heavenly rewards, so he gave away all he owned at the Viswajit sacrifice. He had a son named Nachiketas.

2. When the offerings were being distributed, faith (Shraddha) entered (the heart of) Nachiketas, who, though young, yet reflected:

2. As the offerings were being distributed, faith (Shraddha) entered Nachiketas's heart. Though young, he reflected:

3. These cows have drunk water, eaten grass and given milk for the last time, and their senses have lost all vigour. He who gives these undoubtedly goes to joyless realms.

3. These cows have drunk water, eaten grass, and given milk for the last time. All their senses have lost their vigor. Anyone who gives these cows will surely go to joyless realms.

In India, sacrifice has always meant giving freely for the joy of giving, without asking for anything in return. If the giver has even the slightest thought of name, fame, or personal benefit, the sacrifice loses all its purpose and merit. The special Viswajit sacrifice that Vajasrava was making required him to give away everything he owned. But when the gifts were brought forward, his son Nachiketas noticed how worthless the animals his father was offering were. Nachiketas was probably a boy of about twelve.

His heart was immediately filled with Shraddha. No single English word can express the meaning of this Sanskrit term. It means more than faith. It also implies self-reliance, an independent sense of right and wrong, and the courage to act on one’s convictions. As a young boy, Nachiketas had no right to question his father’s actions. Yet, driven by the sudden awakening of his higher nature, he could not help thinking: "By merely giving these useless cows, my father cannot gain any merit. If he has vowed to give all his possessions, then he must also give me. Otherwise his sacrifice will not be complete and fruitful." So, concerned for his father’s welfare, he approached him gently and respectfully.

4. He said to his father: Dear father, to whom wilt thou give me? He said it a second time, then a third time. The father replied: I shall give thee unto Death.

4. He said to his father: Dear father, to whom will you give me? He asked a second time, then a third time. His father replied: I will give you to Death.

Nachiketas was a dutiful son, eager to make up for his father's inadequate sacrifice. He tried to remind his father indirectly that he had not kept his promise to give away all his possessions. His father had not yet offered his own son, who would be a worthier gift than useless cattle. His father knew he was not making a true sacrifice and tried to ignore the boy's questions. But irritated by his persistence, he finally answered impatiently: "I give thee to Yama, the Lord of Death." The speed with which anger rose in his heart showed that he lacked the proper attitude of a sacrificer. A sacrificer must always be calm, uplifted, and free from selfishness.

5. Nachiketas thought: Among many (of my father's pupils) I stand first; among many (others) I stand in the middle (but never last). What will be accomplished for my father by my going this day to Yama?

5. Nachiketas thought: Among many of my father's pupils, I rank first. Among many others, I rank in the middle, but never last. What will my father accomplish by sending me to Yama today?

Nachiketas was not being vain when he considered his own worth and importance. He was weighing his value as a son and pupil to judge whether he was worthy enough to be given as a gift. He knew that his father's harsh reply was only a momentary outburst of anger. Yet he believed that greater harm might come to his father if he did not keep his word. So he sought to strengthen his father's resolve by reminding him that life is fleeting. He said:

6. Look back to those who lived before and look to those who live now. Like grain the mortal decays and like grain again springs up (is reborn).

6. Look back at those who lived before and look at those who live now. Like grain, a mortal decays, and like grain, springs up again (is reborn).

All things perish, but Truth alone remains. Why, then, fear to sacrifice me too? In this way, Nachiketas convinced his father to keep his word and send him to Yama, the Ruler of Death. Nachiketas went to Death’s home, but Yama was away. The boy waited there for three days without food or drink. When Yama returned, a member of his household said to him:

7. Like fire a Brahmana guest enters into houses. That fire is quenched by an offering. (Therefore) O Vaivaswata, bring water.

7. A Brahmana guest enters a house like fire. An offering quenches that fire. So, Vaivaswata, bring water.

8. The foolish man in whose house a Brahmana guest remains without food, all his hopes and expectations, all the merit gained by his association with the holy, by his good words and deeds, all his sons and cattle, are destroyed.

8. A foolish man leaves a Brahmana guest without food in his house. All his hopes and expectations are destroyed. So is all the merit he gained from associating with holy people and from his good words and deeds. All his sons and cattle are destroyed too.

According to the ancient Vedic ideal, a guest represents God and should be received with respect and honor. This is especially true of a Brahmana or a Sannyasin whose life is wholly devoted to God. Anyone who fails to care properly for a holy guest brings misfortune on himself and his household. So when Yama returned, a member of his household anxiously told him that Nachiketas was there. The member begged Yama to bring water to wash Nachiketas' feet. Washing a guest's feet was always the first act of service upon arrival.

9. Yama said: O Brahmana! Revered guest! My salutations to thee. As thou hast remained three nights in my house without food, therefore choose three boons, O Brahmana.

9. Yama said: Brahmana, honored guest, I greet you. You have spent three nights in my house without food. So choose three boons, Brahmana.

10. Nachiketas said: May Gautama, my father, be free from anxious thought (about me). May he lose all anger (towards me) and be pacified in heart. May he know and welcome me when I am sent back by thee. This, O Death, is the first of the three boons I choose.

10. Nachiketas said: May my father, Gautama, no longer worry about me. May he let go of all anger toward me and be at peace. May he recognize and welcome me when you send me back to him. Death, this is the first of the three boons I choose.

11. Yama replied: Through my will Auddalaki Aruni (thy father) will know thee, and be again towards thee as before. He will sleep in peace at night. He will be free from wrath when he sees thee released from the mouth of death.

11. Yama replied: By my will, Auddalaki Aruni, your father, will recognize you and treat you as he did before. He will sleep peacefully at night. When he sees you freed from the mouth of death, he will no longer be angry.

12. Nachiketas said: In the realm of heaven there is no fear, thou (Death) art not there; nor is there fear of old age. Having crossed beyond both hunger and thirst and being above grief, (they) rejoice in heaven.

12. Nachiketas said: In heaven there is no fear. You, Death, are not there, and there is no fear of old age. Free from hunger and thirst and beyond grief, they rejoice in heaven.

13. Thou knowest, O Death, the fire-sacrifice that leads to heaven. Tell this to me, who am full of Shraddha (faith and yearning). They who live in the realm of heaven enjoy freedom from death. This I beg as my second boon.

13. Death, you know the fire-sacrifice that leads to heaven. Teach it to me, for I am full of Shraddha (faith and yearning). Those who live in heaven are free from death. I ask for this as my second boon.

14. Yama replied: I know well that fire which leads to the realm of heaven. I shall tell it to thee. Listen to me. Know, O Nachiketas, that this is the means of attaining endless worlds and their support. It is hidden in the heart of all beings.

14. Yama replied: I know well the fire that leads to heaven. I will tell you about it. Listen to me. Nachiketas, know that this fire is the means of reaching endless worlds and the support of those worlds. It is hidden in the hearts of all beings.

15. Yama then told him that fire-sacrifice, the beginning of all the worlds; what bricks, how many and how laid for the altar. Nachiketas repeated all as it was told to him. Then Death, being pleased with him, again said:

15. Yama then taught him the fire sacrifice, the beginning of all the worlds. He explained which bricks to use, how many were needed, and how to lay them for the altar. Nachiketas repeated everything as Yama had taught him. Then Death was pleased with him and spoke again:

16. The great-souled Yama, being well pleased, said to him (Nachiketas): I give thee now another boon. This fire (sacrifice) shall be named after thee. Take also this garland of many colours.

16. The noble Yama was very pleased and said to Nachiketas: I now grant you another boon. This fire sacrifice will be named after you. Take this many-colored garland too.

17. He who performs this Nachiketa fire-sacrifice three times, being united with the three (mother, father and teacher), and who fulfills the three-fold duty (study of the Vedas, sacrifice and alms-giving) crosses over birth and death. Knowing this worshipful shining fire, born of Brahman, and realizing Him, he attains eternal peace.

17. Whoever performs this Nachiketa fire-sacrifice three times crosses beyond birth and death. He must be united with the three (mother, father, and teacher) and fulfill the threefold duty (study of the Vedas, sacrifice, and almsgiving). By knowing this sacred, shining fire, born of Brahman, and realizing him, he attains eternal peace.

18. He who knows the three-fold Nachiketa fire and performs the Nachiketa fire-sacrifice with three-fold knowledge, having cast off the fetters of death and being beyond grief, he rejoices in the realm of heaven.

18. Whoever knows the threefold Nachiketa fire and performs the Nachiketa fire-sacrifice with threefold knowledge is freed from death’s bonds and grief. They rejoice in the realm of heaven.

19. O Nachiketas, this is thy fire that leads to heaven, which thou hast chosen as thy second boon. People will call this fire after thy name. Ask the third boon, Nachiketas.

19. Nachiketas, this is your fire that leads to heaven, which you chose as your second boon. People will name this fire after you. Ask for your third boon, Nachiketas.

Fire is regarded as "the foundation of all the worlds" because it reveals creation. Without fire or light, no manifested form would be visible. We read in the Semitic Scriptures, "In the beginning the Lord said, 'Let there be light."' Fire is one of the purest symbols of the Divine in the external universe. It also dwells in subtle form in the heart of every living being as vital energy, the life-force or cause of existence.

Yama now tells Nachiketas how he may transcend grief and death and reach heaven. He can do this by performing sacrifice with three-fold knowledge. This knowledge concerns the preparation of the altar and fire. Eager to learn, Nachiketas listened with his whole heart and was able to repeat everything Yama told him. Yama was so pleased that he granted Nachiketas an extra boon. He named the fire-sacrifice after Nachiketas and gave him a garland set with precious stones.

Many regard Verses XVI-XVIII as an interpolation. This would account for certain obscurities and repetitions in them.

20. Nachiketas said: There is this doubt regarding what becomes of a man after death. Some say he exists, others that he does not exist. This knowledge I desire, being instructed by thee. Of the boons this is the third boon.

20. Nachiketas said: There is doubt about what happens to a person after death. Some say the person still exists, while others say they do not. I wish to learn the truth from you. This is the third boon I ask.

21. Yama replied: Even the Devas (Bright Ones) of old doubted regarding this. It is not easy to know; subtle indeed is this subject. O Nachiketas, choose another boon. Do not press me. Ask not this boon of me.

21. Yama replied: Even the Devas (Bright Ones) of long ago had doubts about this. It is not easy to understand. The subject is subtle indeed. Nachiketas, choose another boon. Do not press me. Do not ask me for this boon.

22. Nachiketas said: O Death, thou sayest that even the Devas had doubts about this, and that it is not easy to know. Another teacher like unto thee is not to be found. Therefore no other boon can be equal to this one.

22. Nachiketas said: O Death, you say that even the Devas had doubts about this and that it is not easy to know. No other teacher like you can be found. Therefore, no other boon can equal this one.

23. Yama said: Ask for sons and grandsons who shall live a hundred years, many cattle, elephants, gold and horses. Ask for lands of vast extent and live thyself as many autumns as thou desirest.

23. Yama said: Ask for sons and grandsons who will live a hundred years, and for many cattle, elephants, gold, and horses. Ask for vast lands, and live as many years as you wish.

24. If thou thinkest of any other boon equal to this, ask for wealth and long life; be ruler over the wide earth. O Nachiketas, I shall make thee enjoyer of all desires.

24. If you can think of another gift equal to this one, ask for wealth and a long life. Be ruler over the whole earth. Nachiketas, I will let you enjoy everything you desire.

25. Whatsoever objects of desire are difficult to obtain in the realm of mortals, ask them all as thou desirest; these lovely maidens with their chariots and musical instruments, such as are not obtainable by mortals—be served by these whom I give to thee. O Nachiketas, do not ask regarding death.

25. Ask for all the things you desire that are hard to obtain in the world of mortals. These lovely maidens, with their chariots and musical instruments, are beyond the reach of mortals. Let them serve you, for I give them to you. O Nachiketas, do not ask about death.

Nachiketas’s third boon concerned the great Hereafter. It could be granted only to those free from all mortal desires and limitations. So Yama first tested Nachiketas to see whether he was ready for such knowledge. "Do not press me regarding this secret," he said. "Even wise men cannot understand it and thou art a mere lad. Take, rather, long life, wealth, whatever will give thee happiness on the mortal plane." But the boy proved his strength and worthiness. He remained determined to know the great secret of life and death.

26. Nachiketas said: O Death, these are fleeting; they weaken the vigour of all the senses in man. Even the longest life is short. Keep thou thy chariots, dance and music.

26. Nachiketas said: Death, these things do not last. They weaken all the human senses. Even the longest life is short. Keep your chariots, dancing, and music.

27. Man cannot be satisfied by wealth. Shall we possess wealth when we see thee (Death)? Shall we continue to live as long as thou rulest? Therefore that boon alone is to be chosen by me.

27. People cannot be satisfied by wealth. Will we have wealth when we meet you, Death? Will we continue to live as long as you rule? Therefore, that boon alone is the one I choose.

28. What man dwelling on the decaying mortal plane, having approached the undecaying immortal one, and having reflected upon the nature of enjoyment through beauty and sense pleasure, would delight in long life?

28. What person living in this decaying, mortal world would still delight in a long life? After all, they have approached the immortal one, who does not decay, and reflected on the pleasures of beauty and the senses.

29. O Death, that regarding which there is doubt, of the great Hereafter, tell us. Nachiketas asks for no other boon than that which penetrates this hidden secret.

29. Death, tell us about the great Hereafter, which is surrounded by doubt. Nachiketas asks for no other boon than to uncover this hidden secret.