KATHA UPANISHAD: 5. Swami Gurubhaktananda.

 

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Turesday 09, December 2025, 19:40.
KATHA UPANISHAD: “A Leap into the Beyond”:Parts 1 & 2 
with Bhashya by Sri Adi Shankaracharyaji.
on the 90 Lectures delivered by Swami Advayanandaji 
KATHA UPANISHAD:  Part 1 – Total 71 Mantras
Reflections by Swami Gurubhaktananda 
Chapters 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 
Chapter 1.1: (29) Mantras
Mantram -1.1.6: The Glory of Upholding Tradition 
Post-5. 

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Mantram -1.1.6: The Glory of Upholding Tradition 

Nachiketas to his Father: 

1.

Anupashya yathaa poorve = “Consider how your forefathers behaved. 

2. 

prati-pashya tathaa apare; = And consider how others behave (now).” 

3. 

sasyam iva martyah pachyate =  To himself: “Like corn does Man decay and die; 

4 .

sasyam iva aajaayate punah. =  like corn he emerges (or  is born) again.” 

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At this point come out words from the little boy Nachiketas which belie his age. He tells his father a deep philosophical truth about his action and its consequences. 

The mantram may be split into two parts: 

1-2.

i) This part is addressed to the father as food for thought. 

ii) This part is a soliloquy when, just before making his way to the abode of Death, he ponders inwardly how fickle one’s life-span is. 

1.

Their forefathers lived an exemplary life. His grandfather was well-known for his charity (mantram 1). Could his father not see that and behave accordingly? By not giving the right charity to the priests, he was breaking a respectable family tradition. He had brought degradation of the family name.  

2.

Besides the family forefathers, there are the examples of great and wise ones even today who practice the traditions of the past in such matters as charity.  

3-4.

The trip to Yama’s abode is on the boy’s mind. We may infer that his father probably begged him not to go. But Nachiketas stood for the truth and would not retract on the curse. He was ready to go, and unafraid of Lord Yama. He philosophises how insignificant life is on earth – “Man decays and dies like corn.” This world is impermanent and human life is even more fragile. Of what use is it to break one’s words?

Thus the boy did what was necessary for him to go to Yama-Loka and offer himself as a ‘Gift’ to Lord Yama from his father. Upon reaching Lord Yama’s abode, he found that Yama was out on his usual duty on Earth. Nachiketas waited for three days and nights, refusing to eat anything that was offered to him by Yama’s wife or housekeepers. On Yama’s return his  family informed him of what happened. Lord Yama’s response is as follows: 

*****

Next
Mantram - 1.1.7: Lord Yama Instructs on Hospitality
Continues

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