Sham S.Misri
(In continuation to previous blog)
Nachiketa was the son of sage Vajashravas. One day in a fit of anger Vajashravas gifted
his son Nachiketa to Lord of Death? Later, the father repented. Nachiketa told his father, “Death means nothing
but meeting Lord Yuma. Let me see what Yuma will say." Then Nachiketa
approached his father and said, "Father, whatever has happened has
happened. Do not be upset."
Vajashravas repented that he had committed
a sin. He took his son Nachiketa in his arms and began to weep. "Son, if you want to meet Lord of Death
you may go ahead,” Said his father. When
Nachiketa got the permission, he sat in the lotus posture. With folded hands he
closed his eyes and began to pray to Lord Yuma. Gradually he completely forgot
the outside world.
Suddenly Nachiketa felt as if someone was calling him. On
opening his eyes he found that his father was not there. So, what did he find?
It was a wonderful place indeed. He saw a big palatial building in his front.
The walls were decorated with golden frills. It was a wonder of wonders to him.
Slowly he proceeded towards the gates of the palace. Two persons with open
swords were guarding the palace. He was taken aback on seeing those fellows. He
approached them and said, "Sirs, may I know where I am and who you
are?" They replied, "This is the palace of king Yuma (the god of
Death). By the way, what brought you here, young lad?"
Nachiketa was delighted and felt that he was very fortunate.
He said, "Respected Sirs, I am the son of the sage Vajashravas. My father
has asked me to meet God Yuma. Please take me to him." The guards went
inside with the information. They returned and said, "The Lord is out of
station on some business. He is expected to return after three days. The Queen
has requested you to make yourself comfortable as a guest of the palace."
But the proposal was not acceptable to Nachiketa. He said,
"Sirs, my father has kept an appointment and I should act according to the
instructions Of Lord Yuma, the God of Death. Hence I will wait for him at the
gate itself till he returns." So saying, he selected a spot outside the
palace and sat upon it.
Three nights passed. Nachiketa did not move from his place.
He had not eaten any food. Still his mind never wavered. It concentrated upon
God and God alone. Gods and Goddesses in the heaven were wonder struck at the
penance of the boy.
As soon as Lord Yuma returned to the palace, he was told of
the developments. God of Death was greatly pleased with the self punishment of
Nachiketa. Though Nachiketa was a junior, still God of Death addressed him with
folded hands with the words, "O famous and noble Brahmin, Nachiketa, open
your eyes.” Nachiketa slowly opened the eyes. The sight he saw had no parallel
in his life. He held Lord of Death in all his heavenly glory. He stood up and
with folded hands prayed thus: "O, Lord of Justice, I have come here at
the order of my father. I am at your disposal now."
The Lord of Death, Yuma, led him inside the palace and
offered him a seat. He offered him milk and fruits. Nachiketa accepted the
offerings. Then the Lord Yuma began the conversation with the words, "Dear
boy, guests are considered as Gods in our land. Unfortunately you, though being
my guest, had to fast for three days because of me. I beg your pardon for this
mistake of mine. Since you underwent fast for three days, I grant you three
boons. Choice is yours."
Nachiketa replied: "Lord, your blessings are enough for
me. Only my father has desired that I must act according to your
instructions."
"Nachiketa, I am pleased with your humbleness,"
said Lord Yuma, "but my words shall not go unfulfilled. I insist upon
granting you three boons. Please spell out your choice."
Nachiketa continued: "Lord, I believe that anger is bad
for anybody. Whenever a person becomes angry, he knows not what he speaks. But
later on he repents for his uttering. If only my father had remained peaceful
during the period of sacrifice, there would have been no necessity at all for
the sad happenings. But if a person should attain peace of mind, he should be
satisfied within himself. My father is all the more sorry because the events of
the sacrifice have been disrupted."
Yuma replied: "Don't worry, Nachiketa. You have not
come here after dying. Your father has performed many a prayers. In order that
his words may be achieved, I myself made you to go over here. Please ask
whatever you desire."
Nachiketa said, “My father should be relieved of his anger
and he should become a peaceful and happy person. He should recognize me when I
return and also he should show the same affection. This shall be my first request."
Lord said, "All right, your father will be at peace
with himself henceforth. The sacrifice shall be completed and he will be happy
about it. He will be very happy to see you again. Now proceed to the
second."
Nachiketa said, "Lord, I have learnt that Gods and
Goddesses thrive in Heaven. They know no fear. They have not to worry about old
age. They are deathless. If we have to attain Godhood, it seems we must be well
versed in the Knowledge of Fire. I seek
that Knowledge of Fire from you."
Now Lord Yuma, the God of Death was pure in a dilemma. How
can he transmit such high knowledge to such a young boy? Still he replied:
"Nachiketa, no doubt you are a dedicated boy. A person with dedication
will find it easier to understand the intricacies of knowledge. So listen with
care." So saying, he taught him the Knowledge of Fire. At the end he said:
"Nachiketa, only those gifted with good memory are able to retain this
knowledge. Otherwise it is difficult. Let me see if you can repeat my
teachings."
Nachiketa was too brilliant a student for such tests. His
grasping power was wonderful. Without missing a single letter, he repeated
everything that Lord Yuma had spoken. Lord Yuma was filled with joy. He was all
praise for the boy. 'Enough’ he said, "Now that you have become a learned
person, I will grant a boon on my own. This Knowledge of Fire will henceforth
be known as 'Nachiketagni' named after you. Whoever acquires this knowledge
will attain Godhood automatically. Naturally you will also attain Godhood."
With these words he placed a garland of beautiful gems around Nachiketa's neck.
Now, only the third boon remained to be asked. Nachiketa
became thoughtful. He recollected that one-day at the teacher’s place; he was
weeping over the death of a cow. He said aloud: "Lord! Every living being
in the world is mortal. They go through a cycle of happiness and grief in
accordance with their good work or sin. It is said that even if the body dies,
the soul remains undying. So there are cycles of births and deaths. What is the
secret of this? Are there no ways and means of overcoming this grief? Kindly
let me know if there is one. This shall be my third request."
The Lord was wonderstruck at this question, because it is
not easy for children to dig into such deep knowledge. Yuma said: "Dear
boy, I request you not to press for such a boon. I can shower on you wealth,
money, or whatever you desire. The knowledge, which you are seeking, is known
as Knowledge of Self. It is a tough subject even for the elders. So, please
drop this and ask for any other thing."
But Nachiketa was a different man. It was not easy to
convince him to leave his path. He was already in possession of the Knowledge
of Fire, which offered him Godhood. Then why should he crave after dull things?
Instead knowledge, if shared, could enrich the whole world. He requested Yuma:
"Lord, Please do teach me Atmavidya. Where else can I get a teacher like
you if you refuse?"
Yuma had no other choice but to teach the young sage. He
taught the knowledge of yaga also along with that. Wishing good to the entire
humanity, Lord Yuma said: "O great boy, one should be fortunate indeed to
be born as a human being. He should cultivate good friends, he should learn
good things and he should do well to others. These are the meritorious deeds.
It will be a sin if one keeps bad company and one's actions are motivated by
evil thoughts.
"Learned people will never resort to sins, only an
ignorant person does. The ignorant shall pay for their sins by taking rebirth.
That is why it is said that it is only the body that dies and not the soul.
Attaining salvation is the only path to avoid grief. And the path to salvation
is through devotion to God. God is greater than the greatest. We worship Him as
omnipotent and omniscient. He is visible to us through sun, moon, man and even
animals. We should feel the presence of God everywhere. We should treat
everybody equally. We should do well to all. Such persons will attain
salvation. Nachiketa, May you become a devotee of God and may you do good to
one and all." Thus the Lord ended his advice.
Nachiketa was transformed into a different person. The shine
on his face surpassed even that of Gods. Brimming with joy, he said, "May
I take leave of you Lord? My salutations to thee." There was rejoicing in
Heaven and the Gods showered flower-petals on him.
Bidding him farewell, the Lord of Death said,
"Nachiketa, go and spread this knowledge in the world. Now you can join
your father."
With a loud voice audible throughout the world the Lord said
thus: "Ye the people of Mankind! Arise! May you follow the Path of Virtue
shown by the enlightened ones? Awake."
The heavenly voice was heard throughout the world. All the
holy men in the Holy Land of India- received the message. It reached the
sacrificial hall of Vajashravas also. Vajashravas ran out and gazed towards the
sky. The other sages also joined him. They saw a brilliant object descending to
the earth. It landed near the sacrificial hall. Lo! They saw Nachiketa.
Vajashravas embraced his son with open arms and said,
"My dear son, please forgive me." Mother Vishwavara Devi was
overwhelmed with joy. She called, "Darling child! How did you acquire this
shine on your face? Who presented this jewelled garland?"
Nachiketa narrated the entire story to all those present
there. Praise was showered on Nachiketa for his achievement. The sages turned
to Vajashravas and said, "O sage Vajashravas! Truly your son is great! He
has earned praise from Lord Yuma himself. How fortunate you both are to be his
parents. The fruits of this sacrifice are doubled because of him. He struggled
so that you can attain Godhood. He should be respected since he caused the
Knowledge of Nachiketagni to come to this world. He has brought the knowledge
of Soul (Atmavidya) along with him. Though he might be a boy, he has already
attained sage hood, His name will find a place in the books of Vedas. He will
remain immortal." Nachiketa carried the knowledge from Heaven to the
earth. He was tender in age but attained sage hood by his knowledge. He was the
one who argued with Lord Yuma that knowledge is supreme. His service to his
parents as well as to his teachers is a shining example for others to follow.
He wished nothing but good to the world. Thus Nachiketa became great sage.
The
story of Nachiketa is narrated in the holy book of Vedas.
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