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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
// 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.