At each moment, man has the freedom to either follow the path of Shreyas; wherein lies our absolute good as it frees us from bondage permanently or the path of Preyas; wherein we gain only temporary gratification of the senses and material prosperity. Swami Tejomayananda reminds us to use right thinking and pick our paths accordingly.

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In the concluding verse of the first section of Kathopanishad, Swami Tejomayananda encourages us to have Nachiketa as our benchmark - to imbibe his ability to objectively introspect, the extreme clarity of a goal and the courage to pursue it. By putting in the self-effort and invoking the grace of the Lord and Guru, we too can gain the qualifications that will enable us to attain the highest Self Knowledge.

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Having failed at his initial attempts to dissuade Nachiketa, Lord Death now presents Nachiketa with an endless array of temptations including power, wealth, progeny, long life and the ability to enjoy all possible desires. Nachiketa remains unmoved, knowing that the nature of all objects and pleasures is temporary. Thus, he becomes even more determined to seek the third boon from Lord Death.

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Swami Tejomayananda expounds on the next few verses of the Kathopanishad where Lord Death tests the calibre of Nachiketa to determine if he is fit to receive the Knowledge. Despite the attempts by Lord Death to dissuade Nachiketa from seeking the Knowledge, Nachiketa remains relentlessly firm in his resolve. He knows that only with the grace of the Guru, is it possible to gain the Knowledge of the Infinite Truth.

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After deep introspection, Nachiketa has come to know that the transcendental question of “Is there an existence after death?”, is not one that can be grasped by the mind or the intellect. Nachiketa therefore poses the question to the Lord of Death as only a Master who has realised the Truth, is able to reveal that Truth, which cannot be otherwise known by direct perception or inference.

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Nachiketa uses his second boon for the benefit of the society, asking the Lord of Death to reveal the secret knowledge by which a mortal in the world can come to gain the pleasures of heaven. Pleased with Nachiketa’s intelligence, sincerity and devotion, Lord Yama heaps blessings upon him and beseeches him to ask for his third boon.

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Having unintentionally kept Nachiketa waiting for three days without due hospitality, the Lord of Death apologises by offering Nachiketa three boons. Listen to find out what three boons the little boy decides to ask from the Lord of Death; which then sets the background for Kathopanishad.

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After his father bursts out, ‘Unto Death do I give thee’, Nachiketa introspects that the words of his father (and Guru) cannot be futile. He becomes curious about the great work that Yama (the Lord of Death) seeks to accomplish for which he has been sent by his father. Swami Tejomayananda extols the qualities of the ideal student, Nachiketa who follows the path of righteousness uncompromisingly.

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Kathopanishad begins as the young Nachiketa questions the actions of his father, who is involved in a great sacrifice. Nachiketa taps into the two most important qualities of a student; Shraddha (faith) and Viveka (right thinking) to probe into the deeper significance of the sacrifice and the dissonance that he observes with his father’s actions.

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What exists after death? Is there a Truth after that? Join Swami Tejomayananda as he takes us through the dialogue between the Lord of Death and Nachiketa. In this episode, he offers an introduction of the knowledge covered in the Kathopanishad; beginning with a detailed explanation of the invocatory prayer recited by the teacher and the student as they begin this journey.

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