KATHA UPANISHAD - 33. Swami Advayananda.
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Wednesday, 26 Jul 2023 07:05.
Chapter 1. Section - 2: (25 Mantras): THE CHOICE:
(“A Leap Into the Beyond”): Bhashyam by Sri Swami Adi Sankaracharya ji.
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Chapter-1.
Section-2.
THE CHOICE:
Mantram - 1.2.4: Vidya & Avidya - Sreyas & Preya
Post-33.
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Mantram - 1.2.4: Vidya & Avidya - Sreyas & Preya
1
Dooram ete vipareete = Widely contradictory,
vishoochee = and following divergent courses
2
Avidyaa yaa cha = are that which is known as Avidya (ignorance)
vidyaa iti jnaataa; = and that which is known as Vidya (knowledge)
3
vidyaa-bheepsinam = Being an aspirant for knowledge
nachiketasam manye = do I consider you to be, O Nachiketas,
4
na tvaa kaamaah = since none of the desirable things, enjoyable and
bahavah alolupanta. = multifarious though they be, could shake you.
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2
The terms Vidya and Avidya are introduced here for the two paths Sreyas and
Preyas respectively. They mean ‘the path of knowledge’ and ‘the path of ignorance’. For, the
two paths are distinguished easily on the basis of knowledge. It is the knowledge which
differentiates them.
1
That they are “widely divergent” can be seen in the following table, which clearly
identifies the differences between Sreyas and Preyas:
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TABLE DIFFERENTIATING SREYAS AND PREYA
No. THE PATH OF SREYAS (Vidya) THE PATH OF PREYAS (Avidya)
1 Preferable, Electable, Good Pleasurable, Delectable, Pleasant
2 Path of Light Path of Darkness
3 Spiritual path Materialistic path
4 Based on Knowledge of Self – VIDYA Based on Ignorance – AVIDYA
5 Needs Discrimination Needs no discrimination
6 Requires a Sattwic intelligence Due to Rajasic and Tamasic intelligence
7 Has a definite GOAL: Liberates one from
Samsara; no more transmigration
Goal is enjoyment: Binds one further
into Samsara; endless transmigration
8 Brings peace of mind, stillness Brings restlessness of mind, anxiety
9 Long-term gain valued Short-term gain valued
10 Turns mind inward into meditation Turns mind outward to sense objects
11 The touchstone is Renunciation The touchstone is Indulgence
12 Universalises the consciousness Ego-centralises the consciousness
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As one can clearly notice, the two paths are widely divergent, leading to totally
different goals. The path of knowledge leads to one’s ultimate good; the path of ignorance
leads to sorrow and misery. There is a huge chasm between the two paths.
3-4
Although Nachiketas was offered all the pleasures of the world as well as all the
heavenly pleasures not obtainable on earth, he stood firmly in refusing them. He did not get
deflected from the path of knowledge. Thus he proved himself to be the perfectly qualified
student to receive the knowledge of the Self. His fitness for the spiritual path was found to
be beyond any doubt. He was the ripe student to pursue the path that leads to
enlightenment.
In Pujya Gurudev’s words, Shankaracharya goes into an “irrepressible outburst of
applause” for his student Nachiketas. [In the power of using words, it was often said that
Shankaracharyaji’s command over Samskrit was matched perfectly by Pujya Gurudev’s
command over English.]
The final analysis of Yama is that Nachiketas is high above the generality of man.
Although young, he is readily accepted by Yama as the most eligible for this path of
knowledge.
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