Nachiketa asked for 3 boons from Yama... 2 boons were immediately granted. But Yama hesitated giving the third boon about life after death.
Can someone tell why Yama was so reluctant giving the 3rd boon ??
2007-12-19 20:20:39 · 9 answers · asked by ۞Aum۞ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
His third boon was
1.1.20. Nachiketa said: There is this doubt about a man when he is dead: Some say that he exists; others, that he does not. This I should like to know, taught by you. This is the third of my boons.
This boon is question about the nature of Atman.
Yama said: On this subject even the gods formerly had their doubts. It is not easy to understand: the nature of Atman is subtle.
But in the next two chapters Yama expounds this knowledge. These two chapters are deep philosophical thoughts.
Yama was not reluctant but he wanted to test the asker by offering all material temptations. When Nachiketa renounced such desire, Yama did give him knowledge.
2007-12-19 20:45:46 · answer #1 · answered by rupee100 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Yama was reluctant to educate Nachiketa in Atman-Gyaan,
This did not stem from his selfishness (for position) or Nachiketa's persistence. Yama gave so many material temptations to Nachiketa because he was testing Nachiketa for the following...
1. Atman Gyaan is not something to be read in a school. One has to go through some steps and sacrifices to learn this. By making Nachiketa reject all those material comforts, Yama also ensured that Nachiketa got ready for this topic. Nachiketa had to make all those sacrifices by rejecting material comfort.
2. Not everyone can grasp every knowledge hurled at him. If Nachiketa were not ready, this would have meant a lot of hard work for Yama - and the subject may be so profound that Nachiketa may lose interest mid-way. How does Yama keep his promise then?
3. This knowledge is sacred - and sacred things are kept as such. (We do not keep religious books with all other books.). Yama wanted to know whether Nachiketa would be able to hold and respect this knowledge.
2007-12-20 07:03:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Friend,
what the boy Nachiketa asked Yama was Atma gnaam or Brahma vidya in other sense.
It can not be said to any one so easily .Yama wants to know whether Nachiketa is fit and firm in knowing the Vidya, so he tests him in several ways by tempting him in many ways to see whether his mind is steadfast to know that Gnaan or is not yet ripe.
when Nachiketa stood firm in all the tests and temptation and was firm like a mountain, then Yama was satisfied and takes him as his disciple and imparts the knowledge of the soul after death of body.
So I understand.
2007-12-20 06:17:01 · answer #3 · answered by Radhakrishna( prrkrishna) 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Wisdom related with 3rd question was sacred and secret. For this Nachiketa was suppose to prove that he is the right recipient (Patrata) of the knowledge, which he did successfully and was able to get the wisdom from Yama.
2007-12-21 01:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by shanky_andy 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
One who is free from all type of MAYA;
Can knock the doors of KNOWLEDGE.
Yama was reluctant because, his answer to the Nachiketa will negate his own identity, that the God of death will vanish.
Katopanishad is surprising document , because, it is refusing the idea of 'hell' and "heaven" . It refuses even the the God of Death .
At this juncture in the story, Yama gives a "bonus" boon to Nachiketa. And it is "Trinachiketa Agni".
Tinachiketa Agni is really very surprising science of dying. By centralising the fire of body in "mooladhara" burning the 3 nadis of spinal cord, which are called Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna.
Sri Ramachandra and Rishi Dhadeechi used this science.
Being Nachiketa too small child , and asked difficult questions, it is quite natural that Yama became so reluctant to answer.
2007-12-20 07:17:45 · answer #5 · answered by Shripathi Krishna Acharya 5 · 9⤊ 2⤋
Yama is the death himself and there is no one except death himself to tell about death.So when nachiketa asked about death he is asking about his own trade secret .Nobody wants to reveal their trade secret so easily! So yama was reluctant yet after so much insisting he gave it to him.I think this was the greatest event that nachiketa understood what death was and the real being is deathless and left his body consciously.
2007-12-20 10:13:13 · answer #6 · answered by shivamat bhairav 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yama wanted to know the depth and genuineness of Nachiketa's desire which indeed is the eligibility/qualification to acquire knowledge of the higher.Moreover, when one knows and be that knowledge Yama will be jobless!!
Yama has to protect his position and dharma,you see!!
2007-12-20 06:19:15 · answer #7 · answered by Thimmappa M.S. 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps he was testing nachiketa if he is really worth knowing the secret ?
2007-12-20 05:01:21 · answer #8 · answered by ansuya 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Good question (i thought it was kenoupanished) and some great answers.
Thanks
2007-12-20 10:30:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋