KATHA UPANISHAD - 7. Swami Advayananda.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 06:30.

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 Shankaracharya ji.

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Chapter-1, Section-1.

Mantram-1.1.7: Lord Yama Instructs on Hospitality

Post-7.

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Mantram-1.1.7:

"Vaishvaanarah pravishati atithih braahmanah grihaan; 

tasya etaam shaantim kurvanti hara vaivasvata udakam."

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Translation :

1 Vaishvaanarah pravishati            = “Like the entry of fire,

2 atithih braahmanah grihaan;      = a Brahmana guest has come to our house.

3 tasya etaam shaantim kurvanti   =  We should pacify him, as is customary 

(amongst us)

4 hara vaivasvata udakam.              =  Go, fetch (cool) water for Vaivasvata to 

drink.

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Commentary :

These words are probably uttered by Lord Yama to his wife or his minister-in-charge.

1-2 A visit from a Brahmana is like the entry of fire into the house. It has to be 

quenched (controlled) or it will burn the house down.

The Brahmana in this context refers to one who possesses all the qualities of a 

true Brahmana, that is, nobility, culture, learning, purity and righteous conduct. 

It does not refer to a Brahmana by birth, as we may understand it.

3-4 As fire is quenched with water, so also the idea conveyed here by this custom 

is that the fiery guest can be comforted or satisfied by giving him water to drink.

Nachiketas austere refusal to have the refreshment offered is simply to indicate

the preparation needed before going to one’s Guru. It does not have to be taken 

too deeply.

For the same reason, it is absurd to debate how Nachiketas arrived at the abode 

of  Yama. The point is that he thirsted so intensely for knowledge that it brought 

him to the most qualified person to give it to him – Lord Yama himself.

The young Nachiketas proved to be single-minded and unflinching in his 

devotion!

The womenfolk were worried about the consequences of not having treated their

guest well. They addressed Yama about it…

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Next - Mantram : 1.1.8: Consequences of Inadvertence

To be continued .....

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