KATHA UPANISHAD - 20. Swami Advayananda.

Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) :

The auspicious Maha Shivaratri night was celebrated in a grand way in the Illom, the maternal birth home of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. 

The Chaturyama puja performed by Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya began at 7:00 PM IST on 18th February and culminated with the last Yama puja early the next morning at 5:30 AM IST, followed by prasada. 

All present onsite reveled in the glory of Lord Shiva with the yama pujas, chanting and bhajans throughout the night. 

Students of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth presented a dance as part of the shodashopachara puja and also participated in the chanting and bhajans. 

Prior to the puja the Chinmaya Swayambhu Ayyappa Temple temple complex was lit with beautiful oil lamps with the offerings of Chuttu vilakku.

▶️Watch the Maha Shivaratri Puja: https://www.youtube.com/live/p4QoUTcQ6Ts?feature=share

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Tuesday, February 21,  2023, 07:00.

Chapter 1.Section-1: (29 Mantras) : The story of Nachiketas in the House of Death

(“A Leap Into the Beyond”) :  Bhashyam by Sri Swami Adi Sankaracharya ji.

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Chapter-1, Section-1.

THE THIRD BOON :

Mantram - 1.1.21: Test 1: “It’s Too Difficult For You!”

Post-20.

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Mantram - 1.1.21: Test 1: “It’s Too Difficult For You!”

With Translation :

Lord Yama says to Nachiketas:

1 Devaih atra api vichikitsitam puraa = “With regard to this, even among the gods there have been doubts in days of yore;

2 na hi suvijneyam  anuh eshah dharmah; = Verily, it is not easy to understand, for very subtle is this principle of the Self.

3 anyam varam nachiketah vrineeshva = For some other boon (that will befit your tender age), O Nachiketas, you may ask.

4 maa maa uparotseeh ati maa srija enam . = Do not, please do not press me on this matter;  release me from this (demand that you are making).”

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Bhashyam (Vyakyanam) :

The reluctance to impart precious wisdom and knowledge is being seen. 

1 The first strategy Yama uses is to frighten away the seeker. Yama says that even 

the gods have entertained this doubt – and not just now, but throughout history, from the 

earliest of times. The suggestion here is that there is no answer to this question.

2 Next comes the second strategy. Yama moves on to saying how difficult it is to 

understand it. Even the gods cannot grasp it fully. What chance would a young boy like 

Nachiketas have of grasping it?

3-4 Maa Maa: “Do not, do not”. Thirdly, Yama employs the strategy of diverting 

Nachiketas’ mind to something else, to some other boon. He urges Nachiketas not to press 

his demand for the “Great Secret” any further. Is Lord Yama simply evading the question? 

We shall see.

Nachiketas’s reply to these words of Yama are surprisingly intelligent for a boy.

Even Secular Knowledge is Guarded

The strategies of jealously guarding knowledge is utiised on earth by wealthy tycoons 

who keep a close watch over the intellectuals in society. Their theory is that it is people with 

knowledge who pose the greatest threat to them. They keep a tight control over the 

educational system. Only that which will promote their philosophy of life is taught at the 

schools and colleges. They also see to it that historical records of previous social uprisings 

are doctored to remove facts which may reflect badly upon their own rule. Even religion is 

not spared, and sacred scriptures are re-written to suit their own political philosophy.

*****

Next
Mantram -1.1.22: Response 1: All the More Determined
To be continued

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