- There was a sage Vajasrava who was performing a yajna.
- After the Yagna his son Nachiketa was bothering him and so the sage banished him to hell where Nachiketa found himself in the domain of Yama, the Lord of Death.
- Nachiketa waited three days in front of Yama’s house and for this Yama granted him three boons.
- For this first boon Nachiketa asked for his father’s welfare and that when he went back to his father, his father would recognise him and be happy with him.
- This was granted. For this second boon Nachiketa asked to know how to reach heaven and Yama gave him the knowledge he had requested.
Freedom concept. Escaping from the cage - He told Nachiketa between Preyas (worldly pleasure) and shreyas (spiritual good), the latter which can give permanent peace and happiness and that Atman is the highest form of shreyas.
- For his third boon Nachiketa wanted to know what is beyond good and evil, cause and effect.
- Here he learned that OM is the symbol of the omniscient self, and this self dwells within all.
- Yama also declared that one’s destiny after death is decided by his karma in life.
- One who realizes this becomes immortal.
- Brahman is the end of the journey and the supreme goal.
- The whole universe comes forth from Brahman and moves into Brahman.
- When all the senses are stilled and the mind is at rest, this is the highest state, called yoga.
- He who attains this is free from delusions and is pure and impartial.