Library·Kaṭha Upaniṣad·1

Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1

कठोपनिषत् उशन् ह वै वाजश्रवसः सर्ववेदसं ददौ । तस्य ह नचिकेता नाम पुत्र आस

kaṭhopaniṣat uśan ha vai vājaśravasaḥ sarvavedasaṃ dadau / tasya ha naciketā nāma putra āsa

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

तं ह कुमारं सन्तं दक्षिणासु नीयमानासु श्रद्धाविवेश । सो ऽमन्यत

taṃ ha kumāraṃ santaṃ dakṣiṇāsu nīyamānāsu śraddhāviveśa / so 'manyata

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

Translated by Swami Paramananda

पीतोदका जग्धतृणा दुग्धदोहा निरिन्द्रियाः । अनन्दा नाम ते लोकास् तान् स गच्छति ता ददत्

pītodakā jagdhatṛṇā dugdhadohā nirindriyāḥ / anandā nāma te lokās tān sa gacchati tā dadat

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

स होवाच पितरं तत कस्मै मां दास्यसीति । द्वितीयं तृतीयम् । तं होवाच मृत्यवे त्वा ददामीति

sa hovāca pitaraṃ tata kasmai māṃ dāsyasīti / dvitīyaṃ tṛtīyam / taṃ hovāca mṛtyave tvā dadāmīti

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

बहूनाम् एमि प्रथमो बहूनाम् एमि मध्यमः । किं स्विद् यमस्य कर्तव्यं यन् मयाद्य करिष्यति

bahūnām emi prathamo bahūnām emi madhyamaḥ / kiṃ svid yamasya kartavyaṃ yan mayādya kariṣyati

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?

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अनुपश्य यथा पूर्वे प्रतिपश्य तथापरे । सस्यम् इव मर्त्यः पच्यते सस्यम् इवाजायते पुनः

anupaśya yathā pūrve pratipaśya tathāpare / sasyam iva martyaḥ pacyate sasyam ivājāyate punaḥ

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).

Translated by Swami Paramananda

वैश्वानरः प्रविशति अतिथिर् ब्राह्मणो गृहान् । तस्यैतां शान्तिं कुर्वन्ति हर वैवस्वतोदकम्

vaiśvānaraḥ praviśati atithir brāhmaṇo gṛhān / tasyaitāṃ śāntiṃ kurvanti hara vaivasvatodakam

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

Translated by Swami Paramananda

आशाप्रतीक्षे संगतं सूनृतां च इष्टापूर्ते पुत्रपशूंश् च सर्वान् । एतद् वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसो यस्यानश्नन् वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे

āśāpratīkṣe saṃgataṃ sūnṛtāṃ ca iṣṭāpūrte putrapaśūṃś ca sarvān / etad vṛṅkte puruṣasyālpamedhaso yasyānaśnan vasati brāhmaṇo gṛhe

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

तिस्रो रात्रीर् यद् अवत्सीर् गृहे मे अनश्नन् ब्रह्मन्न् अतिथिर् नमस्यः । नमस् ते ऽस्तु ब्रह्मन् स्वस्ति मे ऽस्तु तस्मात् प्रति त्रीन् वरान् वृणीष्व

tisro rātrīr yad avatsīr gṛhe me anaśnan brahmann atithir namasyaḥ / namas te 'stu brahman svasti me 'stu tasmāt prati trīn varān vṛṇīṣva

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

शान्तसङ्कल्पः सुमना यथा स्याद् वीतमन्युर् गौतमो माभि मृत्यो । त्वत्प्रसृष्टं माभिवदेत् प्रतीत एतत् त्रयाणां प्रथमं वरं वृणे

śāntasaṅkalpaḥ sumanā yathā syād vītamanyur gautamo mābhi mṛtyo / tvatprasṛṣṭaṃ mābhivadet pratīta etat trayāṇāṃ prathamaṃ varaṃ vṛṇe

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यथा पुरस्ताद् भविता प्रतीत औद्दालकिर् आरुणिर् मत्प्रसृष्टः । सुखं रात्रीः शयिता वीतमन्युस् त्वां ददृशिवान् मृत्युमुखात् प्रमुक्तम्

yathā purastād bhavitā pratīta auddālakir āruṇir matprasṛṣṭaḥ / sukhaṃ rātrīḥ śayitā vītamanyus tvāṃ dadṛśivān mṛtyumukhāt pramuktam

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

स्वर्गे लोके न भयं किंचनास्ति न तत्र त्वं न जरया बिभेति । उभे तीर्त्वा अशनायापिपासे शोकातिगो मोदते स्वर्गलोके

svarge loke na bhayaṃ kiṃcanāsti na tatra tvaṃ na jarayā bibheti / ubhe tīrtvā aśanāyāpipāse śokātigo modate svargaloke

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

स त्वम् अग्निं स्वर्ग्यम् अध्येषि मृत्यो प्रब्रूहि तं श्रद्दधानाय मह्यम् । स्वर्गलोका अमृतत्वं भजन्त एतद् द्वितीयेन वृणे वरेण

sa tvam agniṃ svargyam adhyeṣi mṛtyo prabrūhi taṃ śraddadhānāya mahyam / svargalokā amṛtatvaṃ bhajanta etad dvitīyena vṛṇe vareṇa

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

प्र ते ब्रवीमि तद् उ मे निबोध स्वर्ग्यम् अग्निं नचिकेतः प्रजानन् । अनन्तलोकाप्तिम् अथो प्रतिष्ठां विद्धि त्वम् एतं निहितं गुहायाम्

pra te bravīmi tad u me nibodha svargyam agniṃ naciketaḥ prajānan / anantalokāptim atho pratiṣṭhāṃ viddhi tvam etaṃ nihitaṃ guhāyām

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

लोकादिम् अग्निं तम् उवाच तस्मै या इष्टका यावतीर् वा यथा वा । स चापि तत् प्रत्यवदद् यथोक्तम् अथास्य मृत्युः पुनर् आह तुष्टः

lokādim agniṃ tam uvāca tasmai yā iṣṭakā yāvatīr vā yathā vā / sa cāpi tat pratyavadad yathoktam athāsya mṛtyuḥ punar āha tuṣṭaḥ

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:

Translated by Swami Paramananda

तम् अब्रवीत् प्रीयमाणो महात्मा वरं तवेहाद्य ददामि भूयः । तवैव नाम्ना भवितायम् अग्निः सृङ्कां चेमाम् अनेकरूपां गृहाण

tam abravīt prīyamāṇo mahātmā varaṃ tavehādya dadāmi bhūyaḥ / tavaiva nāmnā bhavitāyam agniḥ sṛṅkāṃ cemām anekarūpāṃ gṛhāṇa

The great-soured 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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

त्रिणाचिकेतस् त्रिभिर् एत्य सन्धिं त्रिकर्मकृत् तरति जन्ममृत्यू । ब्रह्मजज्ञं देवम् ईड्यं विदित्वा निचाय्येमां शान्तिम् अत्यन्तम् एति

triṇāciketas tribhir etya sandhiṃ trikarmakṛt tarati janmamṛtyū / brahmajajñaṃ devam īḍyaṃ viditvā nicāyyemāṃ śāntim atyantam eti

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

त्रिणाचिकेतस् त्रयम् एतद् विदित्वा य एवं विद्वांश् चिनुते नाचिकेतम् । स मृत्युपाशान् पुरतः प्रणोद्य शोकातिगो मोदते स्वर्गलोके

triṇāciketas trayam etad viditvā ya evaṃ vidvāṃś cinute nāciketam / sa mṛtyupāśān purataḥ praṇodya śokātigo modate svargaloke

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एष ते ऽग्निर् नचिकेतः स्वर्ग्यो यम् अवृणीथा द्वितीयेन वरेण । एतम् अग्निं तवैव प्रवक्ष्यन्ति जनासस् तृतीयं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व

eṣa te 'gnir naciketaḥ svargyo yam avṛṇīthā dvitīyena vareṇa / etam agniṃ tavaiva pravakṣyanti janāsas tṛtīyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

येयं प्रेते विचिकित्सा मनुष्ये अस्तीत्य् एके नायम् अस्तीति चैके । एतद् विद्याम् अनुशिष्टस् त्वयाहं वराणाम् एष वरस् तृतीयः

yeyaṃ prete vicikitsā manuṣye astīty eke nāyam astīti caike / etad vidyām anuśiṣṭas tvayāhaṃ varāṇām eṣa varas tṛtīyaḥ

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

देवैर् अत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुज्ञेयम् अणुर् एष धर्मः । अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीर् अति मा सृजैनम्

devair atrāpi vicikitsitaṃ purā na hi sujñeyam aṇur eṣa dharmaḥ / anyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva mā moparotsīr ati mā sṛjainam

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

देवैर् अत्रापि विचिकित्सितं किल त्वं च मृत्यो यन् न सुज्ञेयम् आत्थ । वक्ता चास्य त्वादृग् अन्यो न लभ्यो नान्यो वरस् तुल्य एतस्य कश्चित्

devair atrāpi vicikitsitaṃ kila tvaṃ ca mṛtyo yan na sujñeyam āttha / vaktā cāsya tvādṛg anyo na labhyo nānyo varas tulya etasya kaścit

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

शतायुषः पुत्रपौत्रान् वृणीष्व बहून् पशून् हस्तिहिरण्यम् अश्वान् । भूमेर् महद् आयतनं वृणीष्व स्वयं च जीव शरदो यावद् इच्छसि

śatāyuṣaḥ putrapautrān vṛṇīṣva bahūn paśūn hastihiraṇyam aśvān / bhūmer mahad āyatanaṃ vṛṇīṣva svayaṃ ca jīva śarado yāvad icchasi

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एतत् तुल्यं यदि मन्यसे वरं वृणीष्व वित्तं चिरजीविकां च । महाभूमौ नचिकेतस् त्वम् एधि कामानां त्वा कामभाजं करोमि

etat tulyaṃ yadi manyase varaṃ vṛṇīṣva vittaṃ cirajīvikāṃ ca / mahābhūmau naciketas tvam edhi kāmānāṃ tvā kāmabhājaṃ karomi

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

ये ये कामा दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके सर्वान् कामांश् छन्दतः प्रार्थयस्व । इमा रामाः सरथाः सतूर्या न हीदृशा लम्भनीया मनुष्यैः । आभिर् मत्प्रत्ताभिः परिचारयस्व नचिकेतो मरणं मानुप्राक्षीः

ye ye kāmā durlabhā martyaloke sarvān kāmāṃś chandataḥ prārthayasva / imā rāmāḥ sarathāḥ satūryā na hīdṛśā lambhanīyā manuṣyaiḥ / ābhir matprattābhiḥ paricārayasva naciketo maraṇaṃ mānuprākṣīḥ

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

श्वोभावा मर्त्यस्य यद् अन्तकैतत् सर्वेन्द्रियाणां जरयन्ति तेजः । अपि सर्वं जीवितम् अल्पम् एव तवैव वाहास् तव नृत्यगीते

śvobhāvā martyasya yad antakaitat sarvendriyāṇāṃ jarayanti tejaḥ / api sarvaṃ jīvitam alpam eva tavaiva vāhās tava nṛtyagīte

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

न वित्तेन तर्पणीयो मनुष्यो लप्स्यामहे वित्तम् अद्राक्ष्म चेत् त्वा । जीविष्यामो यावद् ईशिष्यसि त्वं वरस् तु मे वरणीयः स एव

na vittena tarpaṇīyo manuṣyo lapsyāmahe vittam adrākṣma cet tvā / jīviṣyāmo yāvad īśiṣyasi tvaṃ varas tu me varaṇīyaḥ sa eva

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अजीर्यताम् अमृतानाम् उपेत्य जीर्यन् मर्त्यः क्वधःस्थः प्रजानन् । अभिध्यायन् वर्णरतिप्रमोदान् अतिदीर्घे जीविते को रमेत

ajīryatām amṛtānām upetya jīryan martyaḥ kvadhaḥsthaḥ prajānan / abhidhyāyan varṇaratipramodān atidīrghe jīvite ko rameta

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?

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्मिन्न् इदं विचिकित्सन्ति मृत्यो यत् साम्पराये महति ब्रूहि नस् तत् । यो ऽयं वरो गूढम् अनुप्रविष्टो नान्यं तस्मान् नचिकेता वृणीते

yasminn idaṃ vicikitsanti mṛtyo yat sāmparāye mahati brūhi nas tat / yo 'yaṃ varo gūḍham anupraviṣṭo nānyaṃ tasmān naciketā vṛṇīte

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.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अन्यच्छ्रेयोऽन्यदुतैव प्रेय- स्ते उभे नानार्थे पुरुषँ सिनीतः । तयोः श्रेय आददानस्य साधु भवति हीयतेऽर्थाद्य उ प्रेयो वृणीते

// iti prathamā vallī // anyac chreyo 'nyad utaiva preyas te ubhe nānārthe puruṣaṃ sinītaḥ / tayoḥ śreya ādadānasya sādhu bhavati hīyate 'rthād ya u preyo vṛṇīte

Yama said: The good is one thing and the pleasant another. These two, having different ends, bind a man. It is well with him who chooses the good. He who chooses the pleasant misses the true end.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

श्रेयश्च प्रेयश्च मनुष्यमेतः तौ सम्परीत्य विविनक्ति धीरः । श्रेयो हि धीरोऽभि प्रेयसो वृणीते प्रेयो मन्दो योगक्षेमाद्वृणीते

śreyaś ca preyaś ca manuṣyam etas tau saṃparītya vivinakti dhīraḥ / śreyo hi dhīro 'bhi preyaso vṛṇīte preyo mando yogakṣemād vṛṇīte

The good and the pleasant approach man; the wise examines both and discriminates between them; the wise prefers the good to the pleasant, but the foolish man chooses the pleasant through love of bodily pleasure.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

स त्वं प्रियान्प्रियरूपांश्च कामान् अभिध्यायन्नचिकेतोऽत्यस्राक्षीः । नैतां सृङ्कां वित्तमयीमवाप्तो यस्यां मज्जन्ति बहवो मनुष्याः

sa tvaṃ priyān priyarūpāṃś ca kāmān abhidhyāyan naciketo 'tyasrākṣīḥ / naitāṃ sṛṅkāṃ vittamayīm avāpto yasyāṃ majjanti bahavo manuṣyāḥ

O Nachiketas after wise reflection thou hast renounced the pleasant and all pleasing forms. Thou hast not accepted this garland of great value for which many mortals perish.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

दूरमेते विपरीते विषूची अविद्या या च विद्येति ज्ञाता । विद्याभीप्सिनं नचिकेतसं मन्ये न त्वा कामा बहवोऽलोलुपन्त

dūram ete viparīte viṣūcī avidyā yā ca vidyeti jñātā / vidyābhīpsinaṃ naciketasaṃ manye na tvā kāmā bahavo 'lolupanta

Wide apart are these two,--ignorance and what is known as wisdom, leading in opposite directions. I believe Nachiketas to be one who longs for wisdom, since many tempting objects have not turned thee aside.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अविद्यायामन्तरे वर्तमानाः स्वयं धीराः पण्डितंमन्यमानाः । दन्द्रम्यमाणाः परियन्ति मूढा अन्धेनैव नीयमाना यथान्धाः

avidyāyām antare vartamānāḥ svayaṃ dhīrāḥ paṇḍitaṃ manyamānāḥ / dandramyamāṇāḥ pariyanti mūḍhā andhenaiva nīyamānā yathāndhāḥ

Fools dwelling in ignorance, yet imagining themselves wise and learned, go round and round in crooked ways, like the blind led by the blind.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

न साम्परायः प्रतिभाति बालं प्रमाद्यन्तं वित्तमोहेन मूढम् । अयं लोको नास्ति पर इति मानी पुनः पुनर्वशमापद्यते मे

na sāmparāyaḥ pratibhāti bālaṃ pramādyantaṃ vittamohena mūḍham / ayaṃ loko nāsti para iti mānī punaḥ punar vaśam āpadyate me

The Hereafter never rises before the thoughtless child (the ignorant), deluded by the glamour of wealth. "This world alone is, there is none other": thinking thus, he falls under my sway again and again.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

श्रवणायापि बहुभिर्यो न लभ्यः शृण्वन्तोऽपि बहवो यं न विद्युः । आश्चर्यो वक्ता कुशलोऽस्य लब्धा आश्चर्यो ज्ञाता कुशलानुशिष्टः

śravaṇāyāpi bahubhir yo na labhyaḥ śṛṇvanto 'pi bahavo yaṃ na vidyuḥ / āścaryo vaktā kuśalo 'sya labdhā āścaryo jñātā kuśalānuśiṣṭaḥ

He about whom many are not even able to hear, whom many cannot comprehend even after hearing: wonderful is the teacher, wonderful is he who can receive when taught by an able teacher.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

न नरेणावरेण प्रोक्त एष सुविज्ञेयो बहुधा चिन्त्यमानः । अनन्यप्रोक्ते गतिरत्र नास्ति अणीयान् ह्यतर्क्यमणुप्रमाणात्

na nareṇāvareṇa prokta eṣa suvijñeyo bahudhā cintyamānaḥ / ananyaprokte gatir atra nāsty aṇīyān hy atarkyam aṇupramāṇāt

When taught by a man of inferior understanding, this Atman cannot be truly known, even though frequently thought upon. There is no way (to know It) unless it is taught by another (an illumined teacher), for it is subtler than the subtle and beyond argument.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

नैषा तर्केण मतिरापनेया प्रोक्तान्येनैव सुज्ञानाय प्रेष्ठ । यां त्वमापः सत्यधृतिर्बतासि त्वादृङ्नो भूयान्नचिकेतः प्रष्टा

naiṣā tarkeṇa matir āpaneyā proktānyenaiva sujñānāya preṣṭha / yāṃ tvam āpaḥ satyadhṛtir batāsi tvādṛṅ no bhūyān naciketaḥ preṣṭā

O Dearest, this Atman cannot be attained by argument; It is truly known only when taught by another (a wise teacher). O Nachiketas, thou hast attained It. Thou art fixed in Truth. May we ever, find a questioner like thee.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

जानाम्यहं शेवधिरित्यनित्यं न ह्यध्रुवैः प्राप्यते हि ध्रुवं तत् । ततो मया नाचिकेतश्चितोऽग्निः अनित्यैर्द्रव्यैः प्राप्तवानस्मि नित्यम्

jānāmy ahaṃ śevadhir ity anityaṃ na hy adhruvaiḥ prāpyate hi dhruvaṃ tat / tato mayā nāciketaś cito 'gnir anityair dravyaiḥ prāptavān asmi nityam

I know that (earthly) treasure is transitory, for the eternal can never be attained by things which are non-eternal. Hence the Nachiketa fire (sacrifice) has been performed by me with perishable things and yet I have attained the eternal.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

कामस्याप्तिं जगतः प्रतिष्ठां क्रतोरानन्त्यमभयस्य पारम् । स्तोममहदुरुगायं प्रतिष्ठां दृष्ट्वा धृत्या धीरो नचिकेतोऽत्यस्राक्षीः

kāmasya āptiṃ jagataḥ pratiṣṭhāṃ krator anantyam abhayasya pāram / stomamahad urugāyaṃ pratiṣṭhāṃ dṛṣṭvā dhṛtyā dhīro naciketo 'tyasrākṣīḥ

O Nachiketas, thou hast seen the fulfillment of all desires, the basis of the universe, the endless fruit of sacrificial rites, the other shore where there is no fear, that which is praiseworthy, the great and wide support; yet, being wise, thou hast rejected all with firm resolve.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

तं दुर्दर्शं गूढमनुप्रविष्टं गुहाहितं गह्वरेष्ठं पुराणम् । अध्यात्मयोगाधिगमेन देवं मत्वा धीरो हर्षशोकौ जहाति

taṃ durdarśaṃ gūḍham anupraviṣṭaṃ guhāhitaṃ gahvareṣṭhaṃ purāṇam / adhyātmayogādhigamena devaṃ matvā dhīro harṣaśokau jahāti

The wise, who by means of the highest meditation on the Self knows the Ancient One, difficult to perceive, seated in the innermost recess, hidden in the cave of the heart, dwelling in the depth of inner being, (he who knows that One) as God, is liberated from the fetters of joy and sorrow.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एतच्छ्रुत्वा सम्परिगृह्य मर्त्यः प्रवृह्य धर्म्यमणुमेतमाप्य । स मोदते मोदनीयँ हि लब्ध्वा विवृतँ सद्म नचिकेतसं मन्ये

etac chrutvā saṃparigṛhya martyaḥ pravṛhya dharmyam aṇum etam āpya / sa modate modanīyaṃ hi labdhvā vivṛtaṃ sadma naciketasaṃ manye

A mortal, having heard and fully grasped this, and having realized through discrimination the subtle Self, rejoices, because he has obtained that which is the source of all joy. I think the abode (of Truth) is open to Nachiketas.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अन्यत्र धर्मादन्यत्राधर्मा- दन्यत्रास्मात्कृताकृतात् । अन्यत्र भूताच्च भव्याच्च यत्तत्पश्यसि तद्वद

anyatra dharmād anyatrādharmād anyatrāsmāt kṛtākṛtāt / anyatra bhūtāc ca bhavyāc ca yat tat paśyasi tad vada

Nachiketas said: That which thou seest, which is neither virtue nor vice, neither cause nor effect, neither past nor future (but beyond these), tell me That.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपाँसि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदँ संग्रहेण ब्रवीम्योमित्येतत्

sarve vedā yat padam āmananti tapāṃsi sarvāṇi ca yad vadanti / yad icchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti tat te padaṃ saṃgraheṇa bravīmi // om ity etat

Yama replied: That goal which all the Vedas glorify, which all austerities proclaim, desiring which (people) practice Brahmacharya (a life of continence and service), that goal I tell thee briefly--it is Aum.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ब्रह्म एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं परम् । एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ज्ञात्वा यो यदिच्छति तस्य तत्

etad dhy evākṣaraṃ brahma etad dhy evākṣaraṃ param / etad dhy evākṣaraṃ jñātvā yo yad icchati tasya tat

This Word is indeed Brahman. This Word is indeed the Supreme. He who knows this Word obtains whatever he desires.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एतदालम्बनँ श्रेष्ठमेतदालम्बनं परम् । एतदालम्बनं ज्ञात्वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

etad ālambanaṃ śreṣṭham etad ālambanaṃ param / etad ālambanaṃ jñātvā brahmaloke mahīyate

This is the best Support, This is the highest Support; he who knows this Support is glorified in the world of Brahman.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

न जायते म्रियते वा विपश्चिन् नायं कुतश्चिन्न बभूव कश्चित् । अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे

na jāyate mriyate vā vipaścin nāyaṃ kutaścin na babhūva kaścit / ajo nityaḥ śāśvato 'yaṃ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

This Self is never born, nor does It die. It did not spring from anything, nor did anything spring from It. This Ancient One is unborn, eternal, everlasting. It is not slain even though the body is slain.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

हन्ता चेन्मन्यते हन्तुँ हतश्चेन्मन्यते हतम् । उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायँ हन्ति न हन्यते

hantā cen manyate hantuṃ hataś cen manyate hatam / ubhau tau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate

If the slayer thinks that he slays, or if the slain thinks that he is slain, both of these know not. For It neither slays nor is It slain.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अणोरणीयान्महतो महीया- नात्माऽस्य जन्तोर्निहितो गुहायाम् । तमक्रतुः पश्यति वीतशोको धातुप्रसादान्महिमानमात्मनः

aṇor aṇīyān mahato mahīyān ātmāsya jantor nihito guhāyām / tam akratuḥ paśyati vītaśoko dhātuprasādān mahimānam ātmanaḥ

The Self is subtler than the subtle, greater than the great; It dwells in the heart of each living being. He who is free from desire and free from grief, with mind and senses tranquil, beholds the glory of the Atman.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

आसीनो दूरं व्रजति शयानो याति सर्वतः । कस्तं मदामदं देवं मदन्यो ज्ञातुमर्हति

āsīno dūraṃ vrajati śayāno yāti sarvataḥ / kas taṃ madāmadaṃ devaṃ mad anyo jñātum arhati

Though sitting, It travels far; though lying, It goes everywhere. Who else save me is fit to know that God, who is (both) joyful and joyless?

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अशरीरँ शरीरेष्वनवस्थेष्ववस्थितम् । महान्तं विभुमात्मानं मत्वा धीरो न शोचति

aśarīraṃ śarīreṣu anavastheṣv avasthitam / mahāntaṃ vibhum ātmānaṃ matvā dhīro na śocati

The wise who know the Self, bodiless, seated within perishable bodies, great and all- pervading, grieve not.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

नायमात्मा प्रवचनेन लभ्यो न मेधया न बहुना श्रुतेन । यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभ्यः तस्यैष आत्मा विवृणुते तनूँ स्वाम्

nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena / yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṃ svām

This Self cannot be attained by study of the Scriptures, nor by intellectual perception, nor by frequent hearing (of It); He whom the Self chooses, by him alone is It attained. To him the Self reveals Its true nature.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

नाविरतो दुश्चरितान्नाशान्तो नासमाहितः । नाशान्तमानसो वाऽपि प्रज्ञानेनैनमाप्नुयात्

nāvirato duścaritān nāśānto nāsamāhitaḥ / nāśāntamānaso vāpi prajñānenainam āpnuyāt

He who has not turned away from evil conduct, whose senses are uncontrolled, who is not tranquil, whose mind is not at rest, he can never attain this Atman even by knowledge.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्य ब्रह्म च क्षत्रं च उभे भवत ओदनः । मृत्युर्यस्योपसेचनं क इत्था वेद यत्र सः

yasya brahma ca kṣatraṃ ca ubhe bhavata odanaḥ / mṛtyur yasyopasecanaṃ ka itthā veda yatra saḥ

Who then can know where is this mighty Self? He (that Self) to whom the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas are but food and death itself a condiment.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

ऋतं पिबन्तौ सुकृतस्य लोके गुहां प्रविष्टौ परमे परार्धे । छायातपौ ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति पञ्चाग्नयो ये च त्रिणाचिकेताः

// iti dvitīyā vallī // ṛtaṃ pibantau sukṛtasya loke guhāṃ praviṣṭau parame parārdhe / chāyātapau brahmavido vadanti pañcāgnayo ye ca triṇāciketāḥ

There are two who enjoy the fruits of their good deeds in the world, having entered into the cave of the heart, seated (there) on the highest summit. The knowers of Brahman call them shadow and light. So also (they are called) by householders who perform five fire- sacrifices or three Nachiketa fire-sacrifices.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यः सेतुरीजानानामक्षरं ब्रह्म यत् परम् । अभयं तितीर्षतां पारं [https://puranastudy.000space.com/pur_index15/nachiketa.htm नाचिकेतँ] शकेमहि

yaḥ setur ījānānām akṣaraṃ brahma yat param / abhayaṃ titīrṣatāṃ pāraṃ nāciketaṃ śakemahi

May we be able to learn that Nachiketa fire-sacrifice, which is a bridge for those who perform sacrifice. May we also know the One, who is the highest imperishable Brahman for those who desire to cross over to the other shore which is beyond fear.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

आत्मानँ रथिनं विद्धि शरीरँ रथमेव तु । बुद्धिं तु सारथिं विद्धि मनः प्रग्रहमेव च

ātmānaṃ rathinaṃ viddhi śarīraṃ ratham eva tu / buddhiṃ tu sārathiṃ viddhi manaḥ pragraham eva ca

Know the Atman (Self) as the lord of the chariot, and the body as the chariot. Know also the intellect to be the driver and mind the reins.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

इन्द्रियाणि हयानाहुर्विषयाँ स्तेषु गोचरान् । आत्मेन्द्रियमनोयुक्तं भोक्तेत्याहुर्मनीषिणः

indriyāṇi hayān āhur viṣayāṃs teṣu gocarān / ātmendriyamanoyuktaṃ bhoktety āhur manīṣiṇaḥ

The senses are called the horses; the sense objects are the roads; when the Atman is united with body, senses and mind, then the wise call Him the enjoyer.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्त्वविज्ञानवान्भवत्ययुक्तेन मनसा सदा । तस्येन्द्रियाण्यवश्यानि दुष्टाश्वा इव सारथेः

yas tv avijñānavān bhavaty ayuktena manasā sadā / tasyendriyāṇy avaśyāni duṣṭāśvā iva sāratheḥ

He who is without discrimination and whose mind is always uncontrolled, his senses are unmanageable, like the vicious horses of a driver.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्तु विज्ञानवान्भवति युक्तेन मनसा सदा । तस्येन्द्रियाणि वश्यानि सदश्वा इव सारथेः

yas tu vijñānavān bhavati yuktena manasā sadā / tasyendriyāṇi vaśyāni sadaśvā iva sāratheḥ

But he who is full of discrimination and whose mind is always controlled, his senses are manageable, like the good horses of a driver.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्त्वविज्ञानवान्भवत्यमनस्कः सदाऽशुचिः । न स तत्पदमाप्नोति संसारं चाधिगच्छति

yas tv avijñānavān bhavaty amanaskaḥ sadāśuciḥ / na sa tat padam āpnoti saṃsāraṃ cādhigacchati

He who does not possess discrimination, whose mind is uncontrolled and always impure, he does not reach that goal, but falls again into Samsara (realm of birth and death).

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यस्तु विज्ञानवान्भवति समनस्कः सदा शुचिः । स तु तत्पदमाप्नोति यस्माद्भूयो न जायते

yas tu vijñānavān bhavati samanaskaḥ sadā śuciḥ / sa tu tat padam āpnoti yasmād bhūyo na jāyate

But he who possesses right discrimination, whose mind is under control and always pure, he reaches that goal, from which he is not born again.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

विज्ञानसारथिर्यस्तु मनः प्रग्रहवान्नरः । सोऽध्वनः पारमाप्नोति तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

vijñānasārathir yas tu manaḥ pragrahavān naraḥ / so 'dhvanaḥ pāram āpnoti tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam

The man who has a discriminative intellect for the driver, and a controlled mind for the reins, reaches the end of the journey, the highest place of Vishnu (the All-pervading and Unchangeable One).

Translated by Swami Paramananda

इन्द्रियेभ्यः परा ह्यर्था अर्थेभ्यश्च परं मनः । मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्बुद्धेरात्मा महान्परः

indriyebhyaḥ parā hy arthā arthebhyaś ca paraṃ manaḥ / manasas tu parā buddhir buddher ātmā mahān paraḥ

Beyond the senses are the objects, beyond the objects is the mind, beyond the mind is the intellect, beyond the intellect is the great Atman.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

महतः परमव्यक्तमव्यक्तात्पुरुषः परः । पुरुषान्न परं किंचित्सा [https://sa.wikisource.org/s/3gst काष्ठा] सा परा गतिः

mahataḥ param avyaktam avyaktāt puruṣaḥ paraḥ / puruśān na paraṃ kiṃcit sā kāṣṭhā sā parā gatiḥ

Beyond the great Atman is the Unmanifested; beyond the Unmanifested is the Purusha (the Cosmic Soul); beyond the Purusha there is nothing. That is the end, that is the final goal.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

एष सर्वेषु भूतेषु गूढोऽऽत्मा न प्रकाशते । दृश्यते त्वग्र्यया बुद्ध्या सूक्ष्मया सूक्ष्मदर्शिभिः

eṣa sarveṣu bhūteṣu gūḍho 'tmā na prakāśate / dṛṣyate tv agryayā buddhyā sūkṣmayā sūkṣmadarśibhiḥ

This Atman (Self), hidden in all beings, does not shine forth; but It is seen by subtle seers through keen and subtle understanding.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

यच्छेद्वाङ्मनसी प्राज्ञस्तद्यच्छेज्ज्ञान आत्मनि । ज्ञानमात्मनि महति नियच्छेत्तद्यच्छेच्छान्त आत्मनि

yacched vāṅmanasī prājñas tad yacchej jñāna ātmani / jñānam ātmani mahati niyacchet tad yacchec chānta ātmani

A wise man should control speech by mind, mind by intellect, intellect by the great Atman, and that by the Peaceful One (the Paramatman or Supreme Self).

Translated by Swami Paramananda

उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत । क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता दुरत्यया दुर्गं पथस्तत्कवयो वदन्ति

uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhata / kṣurasya dhārā niśitā duratyayā durgaṃ pathas tat kavayo vadanti

Arise! Awake! Having reached the Great Ones (illumined Teachers), gain understanding. The path is as sharp as a razor, impassable and difficult to travel, so the wise declare.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

अशब्दमस्पर्शमरूपमव्ययं तथाऽरसं नित्यमगन्धवच्च यत् । अनाद्यनन्तं महतः परं ध्रुवं निचाय्य तन्मृत्युमुखात् प्रमुच्यते

aśabdam asparśam arūpam avyayaṃ tathārasaṃ nityam agandhavac ca yat / anādy anantaṃ mahataḥ paraṃ dhruvaṃ nicāyya tan mṛtyumukhāt pramucyate

Knowing That which is soundless, touchless, formless, undecaying; also tasteless, odorless, and eternal; beginningless, endless and immutable; beyond the Unmanifested: (knowing That) man escapes from the mouth of death.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

नाचिकेतमुपाख्यानं मृत्युप्रोक्तँ सनातनम् । उक्त्वा श्रुत्वा च मेधावी ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

nāciketam upākhyānaṃ mṛtyuproktaṃ sanātanam / uktvā śrutvā ca medhāvī brahmaloke mahīyate

The intelligent man, who has heard and repeated the ancient story of Nachiketas, told by the Ruler of Death, is glorified in the world of Brahman.

Translated by Swami Paramananda

य इमं परमं गुह्यं श्रावयेद् ब्रह्मसंसदि । प्रयतः श्राद्धकाले वा तदानन्त्याय कल्पते । तदानन्त्याय कल्पत इति

ya imaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ śrāvayed brahmasaṃsadi / prayataḥ śrāddhakāle vā tad ānantyāya kalpate / tad ānantyāya kalpata iti

He who with devotion recites this highest secret of immortality before an assembly of Brahmanas (pious men) or at the time of Shraddha (funeral ceremonies), gains everlasting reward, he gains everlasting reward.

Translated by Swami Paramananda