Katha Upanishad demonstrates how Upanishadic wisdom could arise from both the wise and the young.
In a fit of irritation, Vajasravasa gave away his young son Nachiketa to death. Abiding by his father’s words, Nachiketa goes to meet Yama without the fear of death. The young Nachiketa insists on Yama teaching him the meaning of soul (or I) and what happens after death. Yama is reluctant to explain and instead offers him and offers him wealth, life and power.
Nachiketa refuses, arguing that when I have seen you (death) and since you will take everything away at the end, what use are these material possessions to me? Who better to teach me about soul and death than you, Yama?
Katha Upanishad captures their dialogue on Self and Death. It is a dramatic question posed by a fearless teenager hungry for wisdom to the ideal teacher, death itself.
The picture is from Rameswaram depicting Yama teaching Nachiketa.
Source: Eknath Easwaran, The Upanishads.
Katha Upanishad demonstrates how Upanishadic wisdom could arise from both the wise and the young.
In a fit of irritation, Vajasravasa gave away his young son Nachiketa to death. Abiding by his father’s words, Nachiketa goes to meet Yama without the fear of death. The young Nachiketa insists on Yama teaching him the meaning of soul (or I) and what happens after death. Yama is reluctant to explain and instead offers him and offers him wealth, life and power.
Nachiketa refuses, arguing that when I have seen you (death) and since you will take everything away at the end, what use are these material possessions to me? Who better to teach me about soul and death than you, Yama?
Katha Upanishad captures their dialogue on Self and Death. It is a dramatic question posed by a fearless teenager hungry for wisdom to the ideal teacher, death itself.
The picture is from Rameswaram depicting Yama teaching Nachiketa.
Source: Eknath Easwaran, The Upanishads.
