NEVER TOO EARLY

OM

ॐ

Atman (Self within) and Brahmin (ultimate reality)

This story is 2500 year old and is from the Katha Upanishad which is one of our most sacred texts.

Once upon a time there lived a Brahmin named Vaajashravas who had a son name Nachiketa. As a Brahmin, Vaajashravas knew the scriptures and all the sacrifices that could be performed for a person’s welfare. He decided to perform a grand yajna (fire sacrifice). At the end of this particular yajna, Vaajashravas as the yajman or performer of the yajna was required to give up all his possessions.

Nachiketa, though just a very young child, showed a keen interest in the yajna. He sat through the whole ceremony and observed all that was being done. However the little child noticed that once the yajna was over his father instead of generously giving up all his wealth was in fact giving up only those cows that were sick or too old to provide any milk. He retained the healthy cows for himself.

Nachiketa was a pure hearted child and extremely intelligent. He had heard his father mention that this yajna required him to give up all his worldly wealth but he was not doing so. In fact he was taking the opportunity to rid himself of whatever was worthless to him. The little boy noticing this went up to his father and asked, “Father you had said that with this fire sacrifice you would give away all your valuable possessions. Then why are you giving away only those cows that are no longer of use to you?”

His father pretended at first to have not heard him. He continued, with a great pretense of generosity, gifting away his worthless possessions.

Nachiketa was persistent. He was disturbed by the fact that his father was not being true to his word. Once again, going up to his father he tapped him on the shoulder to get his father’s attention. Then as he faced his father and looking directly up at him he said. “Father these cows are worthless. The yajna requires you to give up all your worldly possessions. You have not done this. You are giving away cows that are of no use to you and they will be of no use to the Brahmins who receive them.”

Vaajashravas now began to get irritated with his son’s constant insistence that he give away his valuable assets. He also began to worry that the others might hear his son. Turning to Nachiketa he said very curtly, “Son, go away. Don’t keep bothering me. Can’t you see that I am very busy?”

Nachiketa was hurt by his father’s harsh words. He left his father’s side and sat quietly in a corner but kept watching his father as he continued with his donations. Finally he could not bear to see his father keep doing something so dishonorable. Once again he went up to Vaajashravas and this time he enquired, “Father, whom would you give me away to?”

Vaajashravas was startled by this question and now became angry. In a stern and loud voice he said, “I have told you not to bother me and yet you continue to do so. Go and sit quietly somewhere and don’t come near me.”

By now Nachiketa was determined to get an answer from his father. He asked his question again and his father glared at him with rage in his eyes and put out his arm to direct his son away from him. But Nachiketa did not give up. In his soft and gentle child’s voice he said, “Father, please answer my question. Who would you give me to?”

By now his father was completely enraged and shouted loudly, “You want to know whom I would give you to? Well hear this – I would give you to Lord Yama, the God of Death.”

Hearing this Nachiketa without a moment’s hesitation went in search of Lord Yama’s in his kingdom - the kingdom of Death. Unfortunately Lord Yama was not in his palace. He had gone out on his work of guiding people into the kingdom of Death. It is Lord Yama who helps people to move from life to death. He gently guides those who are stuck in the agony of purgatory. He helps them transform and purify themselves so that they can move on to a better place. Hence Yama was busy for a few days.

Three days past. Finally on the fourth day Lord Yama returned to his palace. He was surprised to see a child waiting for him at the palace. Generally people tried to avoid meeting him and often even prayed that they never meet Lord Yama, the God of death. Yet here was this innocent little child waiting for him. Not just that - the child had waited without eating a morsel of food or taking a sip of water.

He was sad to see that he had inadvertently made this child suffer and wait for such a long time. Rushing up to Nachiketa he apologized for keeping him waiting and welcomed him into the palace. Lord Yama ordered his attendants to fetch holy water so that he could welcome the Brahmin boy appropriately.

Having done this Lord Yama said, “I should never have made you wait for three whole days to meet me. In order to recompense you in some small way I wish to grant you three boons, Please, my little child, ask for whatever you wish and I will readily grant it to you.”

Nachiketa nodded and asked for his first boon, “Lord Yama, let my father not worry about my disappearance from the house and let his anger vanish so that he can welcome me back when I return home.”

Lord Yama smiled benignly at the child admiring his readiness to forgive his father who had been both unjust and unkind to him. He said, “I grant you this, your first wish. Your father will welcome you with open arms when you return. What is your second wish?”

“Lord, my second wish,” said Nachiketa, "is for you to teach me the proper manner and rituals in performing the fire sacrifice.”

Yama gauging the intelligence and genuine desire in the child for learning immediately began to tutor Nachiketa in the correct procedures in conducting a yajna. Nachiketa listened intently and absorbed all that Lord Yama taught him. Once he had received and understood all of Lord Yama’s detailed instruction there remained just one boon left for Nachiketa.

Nachiketa’s third wish left Lord Yama speechless. The child said, “I wish to know about life after death. What happens after death?"

For a few moments Lord Yama could do nothing other than stare at the child in complete wonder. He had taught him the scriptures in full detail. The child had understood the deeper meaning of the yajna and even the mental attitude required when performing the yajna. Lord Yama had taught him all the knowledge of our scriptures but he had not been prepared for this last request from Nachiketa.

Looking at Nachiketa with concern he said, “The knowledge you are now seeking is not even known to many of the Devas. Please ask for something else and I will grant it to you immediately.”

Nachiketa was not one to give up this easily and shook his head to indicate that there was no other boon he wished granted.

Lord Yama continued, “Son, ask me for unimaginable riches, for kingdoms to rule, for super human strength or long life and I will grant it all to you. Ask me for a heaven on earth and I will willingly give it to you but please do not ask me for the knowledge of the mysteries of death.”

Nachiketa answered Lord Yama, “Lord from all that you have taught me I know that these earthly glories that you offer are worthless. What good are riches, kingdoms or strength when I die? Even long life does not spare me from death. I have no need for any of these.”

Lord Yama persisted, “My child, think of something you desire other than this knowledge and I will grant it to you.”

Nachiketa refuse and said, “You had promised me three boons so you must fulfil your promise and grant me this my third boon – the knowledge of death.”

Lord Yama is also known as Dharmaraja, because he is always righteous and just. As he could not change Nachiketa’s mind he knew that he would have to fulfil his promise and teach this young boy the divine knowledge of Death and the hereafter.

Lord Yama taught Nachiketa about the true nature of all living beings. Nachiketa learnt that all living beings are imperishable and a part of the Supreme Spirit. Though our physical body will decay and die the Supreme Spirit or the Self within us never dies. Though just a very young child, Nachiketa was truly blessed to received Aatmagnyaanam or Self Realization from Lord Yama.

Having received this divine and secret knowledge Nachiketa returned from the and of the dead to the land of the living as an enlightened Jivanmukta - a liberated being who had attained eternal bliss. Having learned the wisdom of the Brahman (the Absolute, the Eternal Reality) from Lord Yama, Nachiketa was now freed from the cycle of births and deaths.

LIFE LESSONS

1. Unlike Nachiketa’s father, Vaajashravas, we must not be deceitful.

2. Like Nachiketa we should uphold the truth and have the strength to have and follow high principles.

3. Like Nachiketa we should be determined to uphold our word. Nachiketa went to Lord Yama to uphold his father’s word.

4. Like Lord Yama we should have the humility to meet and greet everyone be they young or old, powerful or poor with respect and courtesy.

5. Like Nachiketa we should learn to forgive.

6. Like Nachiketa we should strive to understand our scriptures and grow into better human beings.