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Nachiketa and Yama

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

A boy goes to the god of death and asks what happens after we die. The opening of the Katha Upanishad.

Source: Katha Upanishad

The lesson

Choose shreyas (what is good) over preyas (what is merely pleasant). The true Self is not born and does not die.

Young Nachiketa waits three days at Yama's door without food. Yama offers three boons. For the third, Nachiketa asks what happens to a person after death. Yama tempts him with wealth, long life and kingdoms instead, but the boy refuses. Pleased, Yama teaches him about the eternal Self (atman). The story is loved for its fearless young seeker. Swami Vivekananda held Nachiketa up as a model of shraddha (faith and conviction).

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