The Katha Upanishad (Kathopanishad) - Complete

Death as the Teacher

Eknath Easwaran Translation
PART I
[1]
1. Once, long ago, Vajasravasa gave away his possessions to
gain

religious

merit.

2. He had a son named Nachiketa who, though only a boy, was

full of faith in the scriptures. Nachiketa thought when the
offerings

were

made:

3. "What merit can one obtain by giving away cows that are too
old

to

give

milk?"

4. To help his father understand this, Nachiketa said: "To whom

will you offer me?" He asked this again and again. "To death I
give you!" said his father in anger.
5. The son thought: "I go, the first of many who will die, in the
midst of many who are dying, on a mission to Yama, king of
death.
6. See how it was with those who came before, How it will be
with those who are living. Like corn mortals ripen and fall; like
corn They come up again."

Nachiketa went to Yama's abode, but the king of death was not
there. He waited three days. When Yama returned, he heard a
voice say:
7.

"When

Like
8.

spiritual

bright

With

flame,

water

Are
To

to

those
such

The

guest
he

religious

the

be

received

must

wash

his

who
guest.

enters
feet.

are

They

from

not

will

merit

Far

lose

well,
wise

hospitable

all

they

house,

their

have

hopes,
acquired,

Their sons and their cattle."

YAMA
9.

To

spiritual
atone

You

guest,

for

the

have

grant
three

spent

you

three

boons

inhospitable

nights

my

abode.

in

Ask for three boons, one for each night.

NACHIKETA
10.

Grant
So

king

of

that
he

may

death,

my

father's
recognize

And receive me with love.

YAMA

as

the

first
anger

me

of

these

be
when

boons

appeased,
I

return

11. I grant that your father, The son of Uddalaka and Aruna,
Will

love

you

Released

as

from

in

the

the

past.

jaws

of

When

he

sees

death,

he

will

in

heaven;

you
sleep

Again with a mind at peace.

NACHIKETA
12.

There

Are

not

13.

no

fear

there,

Passing
All

is

You

king

In

you

and

the

the

fire

of
and

old

hunger
in

know

all

neither

beyond
rejoice

at

nor

thirst

kingdom

sacrifice

death.
ask

age

I
for

that

for

and
of

leads

have
instruction.

you
death.
pain,

heaven.
to

heaven,

full

faith

Let

this

Be your second boon to me.

YAMA
14.

Yes,

Teach
To

you

heaven

and

do

know,

the

fire

sustains

Nachiketa,
sacrifice

the

world,

and
that

that

shall
leads

knowledge

Concealed in the heart. Now listen.

THE NARRATOR
15. Then the king of death taught Nachiketa how to perform the
fire sacrifice, how to erect the altar for worshipping the fire from
which the universe evolves. When the boy repeated his
instruction, the dread king of death was well pleased and said:

YAMA
16.

Let

Shall

me
be

Accept
17.

give
called

from

Those

Realized

who

Of

studying
giving

Birth

and

Born

of

18.

Conscious
The

those

its

noose

full
of

need,
the

out

sacrifice
mother,
duties
worship

rise

god

above

of

fire

perfect
this

meaning
death

too.

three

attain

carry

this

ritual

in

they

who

dread

the

Knowing

Brahman,

Nachiketa.

father,

scriptures,

to

sacrifice

chain

performed

discharged

death.

of

name,

with

the

this

many-hued

unity

alms

boon:

your

thrice

and

Those

special

this

have

their

teacher,

a
by

me

And
And

you

triple

will

and

peace.
duty

shake

transcend

off

sorrow

To enjoy the world of heaven.

19.

Thus

have

Nachiketa,
That

the

leads

to

granted

you

secret

heaven.

the

second

of

It

will

the

have

boon,
fire

your

name.

arises

this

doubt:

"he

does

not,"

the

truth.

Ask now, Nachiketa, for the third boon.

NACHIKETA
20.

When

"He

still

Say

others.

person

exists,"
I

want

This is my third boon.

dies,
say
you

there
some;
to

teach

me

YAMA
21.

This

doubt

haunted

For

the

secret

Nachiketa,

ask

of

even

death

the
is

for

gods

hard

some

of
to

old;
know.

other

boon

And release me from my promise.

NACHIKETA
22.

This

For

it

doubt

is

can

haunted

hard

to

have

even

the

gods

Death,

as

know,

no

greater

teacher

of

old;

you

say.

than

you,

And there is no boon equal to this.

YAMA
23.
A

Ask

for

sons

hundred

years.

Elephants
And
24.

and

ask
Or,

if

Of

The
25.

you
as

great

The
in

of

that,

well.

Nachiketa,
I

loveliness
chariots,

life.
rarely

more

wealth

and

be

the

ruler

will

give

to
Ask

you
enjoy

for

seen

skilled

desire.

anything

capacity
of

land,

you

with

and

live
cattle,

vast

as

for
kingdom,

will
of

and

long
think

who

herds

gold

can

pleasures
of

for

as

utmost

Women
Riding

Ask

live

ask

life

grandsons

horses,

to

Desirable,
Long

and

on
in

beautiful
earth,
music,

To

attend

on

you.

But

Nachiketa,

Don't ask me about the secret of death.

NACHIKETA
26.

These

And

they

How

wear

fleeting

Keep
And

Be

made

for

of

know

yourself.

wealth
we

when

cannot

of

earth!

Therefore

chariots,

dancing

Never

wealth.

can

How
we

live

tomorrow,

powers

on

and

by

until

vital

life

horses

happy

but

the

all

music,

Desirous

last

out

is

your

27.

And

pleasures

while

mortals

can

see

we

your

you

life.

be
face

are

here?

like

you,

This is the boon I choose and ask you for.

28.
How

Having
can

Ever
For
29.
Does

approached
I,

subject

try
the

sake

Dispel
a

Nachiketa

to
this

person

an
to

immortal
old

age

in

rejoice
of

the

doubt
live

asks

of
after

senses'
mine,
death

for

and
long

fleeting
O
or

no

death,

king
does
other

life

pleasures?
of
he

death:
not?
boon

Than the secret of this great mystery.

[2]
Having tested young Nachiketa and found him fit to receive
spiritual instruction, Yama, king of death, said:

YAMA
1.

The

joy

But

not

what

Both
Man

of

these,
to

the

seems

differing

action.

All

joy

of

the

The

goal

of

life

2.

Perennial

This

is

The
The
The

who
one

joy,

latter

first

purpose,

prompt

who

choose

but

they

miss

the

pleasant.

passing
is

to

pleasure?

make

two,

painful

goaded

always.

but

welcome

though

run,

senses.

those

these

The

abides,

the

prefer

or

recognize

abiding

for

Atman,

choice

ignorant.

To

well

ever
to

their

joy

the

wise

pleasant
in

is

The

Atman

not

what

leads

the

time.

at

by

their

senses,

these

passing

pleasures

After what seems immediate pleasure.

3.

Well

So
And
Which
4.

have

you

dear

to

turned

your

makes
Far

the
back

mankind

apart

The

first

The

second

Estranged

renounced
on

one

Nachiketa,

one

his

way

real

worthy

Nachiketa,
of

the

wisdom

makes

from

the

forget

are

leads

senses,
goal
and
to

of

world
life.

ignorance.

Self-realization;

more
Self.

the

of

and

more

regard

you,

instruction,

For passing pleasures tempt you not at all.

5.

Ignorant

In

their

of
own

their
esteem,

ignorance,
these

yet

wise

deluded

men

Proud
6.

of

their

Like

Their

the

eyes,

Opens
"I

vain

learning

blind

led

by

the

hypnotized

by

the

the
am

go

way

my

body;

die."

round

and

blind.

Far

beyond

of

sense,

world
to

immortality.

when

my

in

this

Living

round

body

dies,

superstition

They fall life after life under my sway.

7.

It

is

Fewer

but

few

still

make

Blessed

their

Wonderful

speaks

Who

hear

dedicate

Realization.
Who

who

about
it

are

Self.

lives

to

its

the

Self;

supreme

they

the

is

the

the

about

who,

one

rare

are

they

of

their

lives.

goal
through

an

illumined

Teacher, attain to Self-realization.

8.

The

Who

truth
has

The

of
not

the

realized

intellect

Beyond

Self

object.

And

all

that

cannot

its

And

cannot

They

in

them

come
he

who
help

one

the

Self.

is

reveal

duality

through
the

of

see

subject

themselves

others

Self

through

in

all

spiritual

Osmosis to realize the Self themselves.

9.

This

awakening

Through
Close
Wise

logic
association
are

you,

you
and

have

known

scholarship,

with
Nachiketa,

comes
but

realized
because

not
from

teacher.
you

seek

The

Self

eternal.

May

we

have

more

Seekers like you!

NACHIKETA
10.

know

And

never

that

can

earthly

reach

treasures

the

are

eternal

transient

through

them.

Hence have I renounced all my desires for earthly treasures

To win the eternal through your instruction.
YAMA
I

spread

The

before

fulfillment

Power

to

your
of

all

dominate

Celestial

gained

Miraculous

powers

eyes,
worldly

desires:

earth,

delights

the

through
beyond

Nachiketa,

religious
time

rites,

and

space.

These with will and wisdom have you renounced.

12.

The

The

wise,

timeless

Hidden

in

Leave

pain

13.

Those

But
Of
I

Self,
the

who

the

Principle

realizing
beyond
cave

and
know

they

all

joy

see

the

For you, Nachiketa.

meditation

all
of

perception,
the

pleasure

far

are

body

immemorial
of

through

existence,

neither

heart,
behind.
nor

mind

Self,

the

divine

find

the

source

and

live

in

joy

abiding.

gates

of

joy

are

opening

NACHIKETA
14.

Teach

me

of

That

you

see

as

beyond

right

And wrong, cause and effect, past and future.

YAMA
15.

will

give

Glorify,
to

life

of

16.

It

is

It

Those

all

M.

This

the

symbol

of

are

the

it

Godhead

one

one's

support

hearts

lead

self-naughting.

of

all

greatest

whose

Unceasingly

and

Realizing

fulfillment
in

scriptures

aspirants

sense-restraint

of

the

disciplines

which

highest.

is

Word
spiritual

attain

the

Complete
17.

the

all

Express,

Is

you

finds
longings.

to

all

seekers.

reverberates

indeed

blessed

And deeply loved as one who is the Self.

18.

The

Nor

will

This

all-knowing
it

Self

When

the

19.

If

Or

the

Neither

body

the

Self

die.

Beyond

is

eternal
dies,

slayer

believes

slain

believes

knows

the

Slays not, nor is ever slain.

the
that
truth.

was

never

born,

and

effect,

cause
and
Self
that
he
The

immutable.

does

not

die.

he

can

slay

can

be

slain,

eternal

Self

20.

Hidden

Exists

in

the

Greater

the

Self,

than

Sorrow

subtler

the

of

every

creature

than

the

subtlest,

greatest.

who

And

heart

They

extinguish

behold

the

go

beyond

their

glory

of

self-will
the

Self

Through the grace of the Lord of Love.

21.

Though

one

Particular
Can

sits

in

place,
exercise

meditation

the
his

in

Self

influence

within
far

away.

Though still, he moves everything everywhere.

22.

When

Formless
In

the

in

wise

the

the

realize

midst

midst

of

of

the

forms,

Self

changeless

change,

omnipresent

And supreme, they go beyond sorrow.

23.

The

Self

Of

the

scriptures,

Nor
The

cannot

through
Self

Whom

nor

known

be

Self

through

through

hearing

can

the

be

the

intellect,

learned

attained
chooses.

only

study

discourses.
by

those

Verily

unto

them

known

by

anyone

unrighteous

ways,

Does the Self reveal himself.

24.

The

Who

cannot

desists

Controls
And
25.

Self
not

not
his

be
from

senses,

practices
None

else

can

stills
not

know

the

not

his

mind,

meditation.
omnipresent

Self,

Whose
Of

glory

the

sweeps

priest

and

away

the

the

prowess

of

rituals

the

warrior

And puts death itself to death.

[3]
1.

In

the

By

secret

life's
of

Liking

the

the

the

The

light.

And

the

drinks

seated
ego

bitter

stuff,

the
sweet

nor

in

are

separate
and

this
So

two

disliking

Self

gropes

in

heart,

The

sweet,

liking
ego

Lives

the

sweet

supreme

Neither

of

fountain.

Drinks
While

cave

bitter,
and

bitter

disliking

darkness,
declare

while

the

that.
the

Self

illumined

householders

who

sages
worship

The sacred fire in the name of the Lord.

2.

May

That

we

burns

To

light
out

pass

the

the

fire

ego

from

of

and

fearful

Nachiketa
enables

us

fragmentation

To fearless fullness in the changeless whole.

3.

Know

The

the
body

Self
as

The

discriminating

And

the

4.

The

Selfish
When

senses,
desires
the

as

Self

lord

of

the
mind

are
is

the
the

chariot,

chariot

intellect

say

the

wise,

as

charioteer,

as

reins.

are

roads

confused

itself,

with

the

horses;

they

travel.

the

body,

Mind,

and

senses,

they

point

out,

he

seems

To enjoy pleasure and suffer sorrow.

5.

When

And

his

Run

hither

6.

But

one

mind

When

one

The

mind

is

thither

obey

the

has

Over
Reach
8.

wander

Who

have

And

Never

again

9.
They

who

lack
control

of

immortality

to

death;

with

reach
the

pure,

but

those

still

mind

journey's

end,

jaws

of

death.

discriminating

and

attain

made

from

state

into

charioteer

has

far

death

fall

With

As

pure

heart,

to

horses

Those

discrimination,
pure

trained

and

and

from

horses.

little

thoughts
the

senses

wild

like

with

not

But

rein

one-pointed.

their

the

like

discrimination

Discrimination,

discrimination

undisciplined,

and

they

lacks

the

trained

intellect

mind

supreme

as

goal

reins,

of

life

To be united with the Lord of Love.

10.

The

Sense

senses

derive

objects

from

And
Ego

mind,

from

And
is

the

Brahman,
not

shine

sense-perception,
from

intellect.

from

ego;

undifferentiated

consciousness,

from

Brahman.

first
the

of

mind

consciousness

Brahman
Does

objects

intellect

11.

12.

from

cause
hidden

forth.

He

and
Self
is

last
in

refuge.
everyone

revealed

only

To

those

On

the

who

keep

Lord

of

their
Love

superconscious

13.
From

thus

of

knowing.
to

into

words

develop

them

deeper

world

one-pointed

of

enables

and
the

and

manner

Meditation

Deeper

mind

to

the

go

consciousness,
world

of

thoughts,

Then beyond thoughts to wisdom in the Self.

14.

Get

up!

Illumined

Wake

up!

teacher

Sharp

like

Seek

and

the

guidance

realize

razor's

edge,

the

of

an

the

Self.

sages

say,

and

form,

Is the path, difficult to traverse.

15.

The

supreme

Self

Beyond

the

Without

beginning,

Time,

beyond

name

senses,

inexhaustible,

without

space,

Immutable.

is

end,

and

Those

beyond

causality,

who

eternal,

realize

the

Self

Are forever free from the jaws of death.

16.

The

Of

wise,

this

Narrated

who

gain

timeless
by

Of

living

Those

who,

experiential

tale

Death,
in
full

Supreme

mystery

Gathering,

are

of

attain

fit

They are indeed fit for eternal life.

for

glory
awareness.

devotion,
at

Nachiketa,
the

spiritual
of

knowledge

recite
a
eternal

this
spiritual
life.

PART II
[1]
1.

The

To

turn

self-existent
outward.

Outside
A

and

sage

Of

Lord

Thus

see

we

not

withdrew

look

the

his

change

pierced
to

senses

the

Self

senses

and,

the

world

within

from

us.

the

seeking

world

immortality,

Looked within and beheld the deathless Self.

2.

The

And

immature

fall

But

into

the

run

the

wise,

after

sense

widespread

knowing

the

net
Self

pleasures
of

as

death.
deathless,

Seek not the changeless in the world of change.

3. That through which one enjoys form, taste, smell, sound,
Touch,

and

Can

there

Who

is

4.
And

sexual
be

the

That

anything

One

through

sleeping

union

in

states

not

all?

which
is

is
known

Know
one

the

the
to

One,

enjoys
Self.

To

Self.
That

know
the
know

all.

waking
That

As consciousness is to go beyond sorrow.

5.
Of
Ever

Those
the

who

honey
present

know
from

the

within,

the

Self

flowers
ruler

Go beyond fear. For this Self is supreme!

of

as

enjoyer

the

senses,

of

time,

6.

The

Born

god

of

Before

the

the

Who

of
Godhead

waters

stands

in

of

the

creation,

Brahma,

through

meditation

life

heart

were

created,

every

creature,

energy,

Aditi,

of

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

7.

The

Born

goddess

of

the

Mother
Who

of
stands

of
Godhead

through

vitality,

the

cosmic

forces

all
in

the

heart

of

every

creature,

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

8.

The

Two
In

god

of

firesticks
the

Agni,

hidden

between

child

well

protected

like

mother's

Every

fire,
womb,

day

whom

we

in

adore

meditation,

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

9.

That

And

of

which
every

There

is

is

the

power

in

neither

source

the

of

cosmos,

going

the

beyond
nor

sun
which

coming,

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

What
Also
But

is

here

is

here.
not

also

there;

Who
the

what

sees
one

indivisible

Must wander on and on from death to death.

is

there,

multiplicity
Self

11.

Only

This

state

But

the

But

the

one-pointed

of

unity.

There

Self.

Who

the

one

not

mind

attains

is

no

sees

one

multiplicity

indivisible

Self

Must wander on and on from death to death.

12.

That

Ruler
To

thumb-sized
of

see

being

enshrined

time,

whom

past

is

to

in

the

heart,

and

go

future,

beyond

all

fear,

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

13.

That

Ruler
The

thumb-sized
of

same

being,

time,
on

flame

past

this

day

as

without

smoke,

and

future,

on

tomorrow,

Is the Self indeed. For this Self is supreme!

14.
The

As

the

slopes

Only

rain

on

on

the

all

mountain

sides,

seeming

so

peak
those

multiplicity

runs

off

who

see

of

life

pure

water

Run after things on every side.

15.

As

Becomes
Of

the

pure
the

water
very

illumined

poured
same,

man

so
or

Verily become one with the Godhead.

[2]

into
does
woman,

the

Self

Nachiketa,

1.

There

is

Of

which

the

Whose

light

Sorrow
And

a
ruler

with
is

forever

who

are

city

the

shines.

from

the

on

cycle

of

gates

unborn

They

meditate

freed

eleven

Self,

go

beyond

the

Self

birth

and

death.

For this Self is supreme!

2.

The

The

Self

wind

is

the

blowing

At

the

altar

He

dwells

And

in

the

Born

in

water,

The

river

sun

in

and

in

space;

he

the

home

in

human
vast

shining

beings,

in

firmament;

the

flowing

in

the

sky,

is

the

fire

the

gods,
he

in

is

plant

growing

in

down

from

the

guest;
truth,

the
the

fish
earth,

mountain.

For this Self is supreme!

3.

The

In

adorable

the

Unto

heart

him

4.

When

In

freedom

rules

all
the

one
the

the

senses

dweller

in

from

the

who

bonds

is

seated

breath
pay

the
of

of

their

body
flesh,

life.

homage.

breaks
what

out

remains?

For this Self is supreme!

5.
And

We

live

flows

not

out,

but

by
by

the

breath

that

flows

in

him

who

causes

the

breath

will

tell

you

To flow in and flow out.

6.

Now,

Of

this

Nachiketa,

unseen,

eternal

Brahman,

and

7.

What

befalls

Unaware

of

Self

the

Embodied
In

the

Self,

after

death.

some

are

creatures

while

lower

stage

Of

those

born

others

as

remain

of

evolution,

As determined by their own need for growth.

8.

That

which

Giving

form

Sense

craving,

Brahman
The

is

awake

in

dreams
that

the

cosmos,

even
to

our

the

indeed
who

beyond

whom

sleep,

objects

is

immortal,
and

in

pure

light,

contains
none

of
all

can

go.

For this Self is supreme!

9.

As

When

the
it

does

Of

every

10.

As

the

it
does

assumes

objects

one

Self

take

in

whom

same

air

assumes

enters

objects

the

one

different

differing

creature
the

When

fire

consumes

So

So

same

he

in

shape,

the

shape

is

present.

different

differing

Self

shapes

take

shapes

in

shape,

the

shape

Of every creature in whom he is present.

11.

As

the

Cannot
Or

be
by

So

the

Be

tainted

sun,

who

tainted

by

the
one

the

the

the

For this Self transcends all!

eye

defects

objects
Self,

by

is

dwelling
evils

it

of

the

in

our

looks

world,
eyes
on,

in

all,

cannot

of

the

world.

12.

The

ruler

Multiplies

supreme,

his

Eternal

joy

inner

Self

oneness

is

theirs

of

into

who

all,
many.

see

the

Self

pass

away,

In their own hearts. To none else does it come!

13.

Changeless

amidst

Pure

consciousness

The

One

Eternal

the

in

answers

peace

things

all

who

the

is

that
are

prayers

theirs

who

conscious,
of

see

many.

the

Self

In their own hearts. To none else does it come!

NACHIKETA
14.

How

can

know

Inexpressible,

that

blissful

realized

Self,

by

supreme,

the

wise?

Is he the light, or does he reflect light?

YAMA
15.

There

Nor

flash

The

Self

shines
of

not

the

sun,

lightning,

nor

is

the

neither

moon

fire

light

lit

nor

on

reflected

star
earth.

by

all.

He shining, everything shines after him.

[3]
1.
And
Its

The

Tree
its

pure

of

Eternity

branches
root

is

has

its

roots

above

on

earth

below.

Brahman

the

immortal

From

whom

all

the

worlds

draw

their

life,

and

whom

from

Brahman

and

moves

power

it

None can transcend. For this Self is supreme!

2.

The

In

cosmos

him.

comes

forth

With

his

reverberates

Like thunder crashing in the sky. Those who realize him

Pass beyond the sway of death.
3.

In

The

fear

sun

of

him

shines,

the

fire

burns,

clouds

rain,

in

and

fear
the

of

him

winds

blow.

In fear of him death stalks about to kill.

4.

If

one

Before

fails

to

the

He

realize

Brahman

physical

must

again

in

sheath
put

this

is

on

life
shed,

body

In the world of embodied creatures.

5.
In

Brahman
a

As
As

pure
in

can
heart;

the

be
in

dream;

seen,

as

the

world

in

the

reflections

in
of

the

ancestors

gandharva

in

trembling

mirror
world
waters;

And clear as light in the realm of Brahma.

6.
From

Knowing
the

the
Self,

senses
and

to

the

be
sense

separate
experience

To be fleeting, the wise grieve no more.

7.
Above

Above
the

the

senses
mind

is
is

the
the

mind,
intellect,

Above

that

Is

is

the

ego,

the

8.

And

above

the

unmanifested

beyond

Attributeless.

and

is

Realizing

Cause.

Brahman,
him

ego

omnipresent,

one

is

released

From the cycle of birth and death.

9.

He

With

is

formless,

these

In

the

And

two

and

eyes.

heart

But

made

sense-restraint.

can

never

he

pure

Realizing

be

seen

reveals

through
him

himself
meditation

one

is

released

From the cycle of birth and death.

10.

When

Is
That

the

stilled,
is
They

In

which

is

state
this

not

the

is
by

the

wise.
stillness

unitive

state,

separate

established

mind
stilled,

complete

the

become

is

when

intellect

enters

to
one

stilled,

highest

yoga

one

are

the

the

say

Never

senses

when

called

11.

If

five

again.

in

this

state,

The sense of unity will come and go.

12.

The

Through
How

unitive

words
can

state

or

it

cannot

thoughts

be

or

attained

be

through

except

attained
the

eye.

through

one

separate

ego

Who is established in this state himself?

13.
And
One

There

are

two

the
rises

selves,

indivisible
above

the

Atman.
and

me

When
and

mine,

The
14.

Atman
When

Are
15.

is

revealed

all

desires

renounced,
When

Are

all

the
the

loosened,

as

that

one's
surge

mortal
knots

the

real

Self.

the

heart

in

becomes

that

immortal.

strangle

mortal

the

becomes

heart

immortal.

This sums up the teaching of the scriptures.

16.

From

And

one

To

the

heart

vital

the

there

tracks.

crown

of

radiate

One

the

of

head.

This

hundred

them

rises

way

leads

To immortality, the others to death.

17.
Is

The
ever

Draw
As

Lord

Know

Love,

enshrined

him
one

of
clear

draws

not
in

out
stalk

to

be

than

the
of

the

thyself

larger

hearts

the
from

the

thumb,
of

physical
the

pure

sheath

munja
and

all.
grass.

immortal!

Know thyself to be pure and immortal!

THE NARRATOR
Nachiketa
The
Freeing
He

learned
whole
himself
won

from

the

king

discipline
from

of
all

immortality

So blessed is everyone who knows the Self!

O M shanti shanti shanti

of

death

meditation.
separateness,

in

Brahman