The Kathopanishad: A Wondrous Epic of the Spirit : 5. Swami Krishnananda.

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Saturday, November 20 2021. 9:00. PM.

The Kathopanishad: A Wondrous Epic of the Spirit : 4. Swami Krishnananda

(Spoken on June 19, 1972)

Discourse - 5.

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This encounter came before this master spirit Nachiketas also. After three days' discipline of fasting, Yama appeared before Nachiketas.

“My dear child, you have been fasting for three days. I am very sorry. What do you want from me?” asked Lord Yama.

Then we have the real Upanishad describing the history of the march of the spirit to its destination.

What does the lad say? 

What does the spirit speak? 

What does Nachiketas beg of Yama? 

He asks first of all that he may be set in harmony with the law that operates in the world. “May my father not be angry with me, and may he recognise me when I go back.”

This is again a mystical boon which speaks of the desire of the spirit to be in harmony with the different levels of manifestation. 

The realisation of the Supreme Spirit is at once the realisation of harmony in all the levels of manifestation. Spirit is nothing but harmony, and when the Spirit is realised, there is at once, instantaneously, a realisation of harmony in every realm of manifestation of reality. 

So there is, first of all, a mystical hint given to us through the first boon which Nachiketas asked for from Yama. “May I be set in harmony with my father, with society, with the world.” Everything is implied. With the universe that is astronomically present before us, the physical universe in its totality may also be implied here in this asking of the first boon, which is physically significant; and that is granted.

“May it be so,” said Lord Yama. Nachiketas is wonderfully set in tune with all human society, people recognise him as a wonderful person, and his father will recognise and receive him with delight and satisfaction when he goes back, forgetting all enmity. That is all wonderful. People will respect him and honour him in this world. That is good so far as it goes, but that is not all.

“What is the second thing? What else do you want, my child?” asked Lord Yama.

“Then, my Lord, may I be initiated into the mysteries of the celestial fire,” said Nachiketas.

Now, this language used in the Upanishads is always mystical, eluding, and its significance is difficult to grasp. 

The mystical fire is really the celestial knowledge of the heavens which is imparted to Nachiketas by Yama, and this celestial fire is also described in one or two passages of the Kathopanishad itself. 

It is the Vaishvanara, or the cosmic fire, whose mystery is given to Nachiketas. Lokadim agni? (Katha 1.1.15), says Yama. This is not the ordinary fire with which we cook our dinner. It is the fire which burns in the hearts of all beings, and it is the origin of all things.

To be continued ....

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