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Monday, August 01, 2022, 20:20.
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 : 1.1.8: Consequences of Inadvertence
Post-8.
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Mantram : 1.1.8: Consequences of Inadvertence
"Aashaa prateekshe, sangatam soonritaam cha ishtaa-poorte, putra-pashoon cha sarvaan;
etad vringkte purushasya alpa-medhasah yasya anashnan grihe vasati braahmanah."
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Translation :
1 Aashaa prateekshe, sangatam soonritaam = “Hopes and expectations and merits gained in good company & their friendly discourses;
2 cha ishtaa-poorte, putra-pashoon cha sarvaan; = the beneficial results of sacrifices & pious gifts such as having sons and many cattle – all
3 etad vringkte purushasya alpa-medhasah = these are destroyed, nullified, in the case of the ignorant man
4 yasya anashnan grihe vasati braahmanah. = in whose house, without taking food, a Brahmana stays as a guest.”
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Commentary :
The serious consequences of inadvertence in hospitality are pointed out. Hosts have
so much to lose by not taking proper care of a Brahmana guest as laid down in scriptures.
1 Aashaa Prateekshe: Here the context of the “hopes and expectations” is of
something personal that one desires to get when serving a saint, such as heaven or
acquiring merit or material wealth, good relationships, etc. Through nurturing good
company and listening to the talks of the wise, such wishes are fulfilled.
2 Putra-Pashoon: The favourable results mentioned above are listed here. Sons and
domestic animals were high on the list of “wealth” in those days. Today it would be luxury
homes and German automobiles, and gifts such as holiday tours with all expenses paid!
3 Alpa Medhasah: Those who overlook their responsibilities of attending properly to
learned and saintly guests are referred to in the Shrutis as “dull-witted with little sense”.
They lose a great opportunity to earn merit through serving holy men who come to them as
guests.
4 Brahmanah: Swami Chinmayanandaji suggests that Katha Upanishad may here be
“considered as indulging in Brahmana-propaganda in the sense in which we understand
Brahmanas today as a special privileged class.”
And Lord Yama, who was the very embodiment of such adherence to propriety,
would not brook any excuse. He does not justify himself, saying that he was out of town. He
accepts full responsibility for the inadvertence, even in his absence, in hosting his guest.
Therefore, with the humility of one who has erred, he pleads with Nachiketas to
overlook his fault…
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Next - Mantram -1.1.9: Lord Yama Offers Justice
To be continued .....
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