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Teaching of truth

CHENNAI: The Upanishads are metaphorically referred to as the head of the Vedas (Veda siras) as the teachings reach their logical culmination in these texts. In general they discuss the life journey of a human being in this world and where he is headed for. Like the first explorers who pave the way for others to traverse more easily, the Vedic seers to whom the truth was revealed have expounded it in a manner that can be easily understood by spiritual seekers.

In his discourse, Sri K.V. Seshadrinatha Sastrigal said the Upanishads were called as Vedanta because they form the concluding section of the Vedas. The word “Upanishad” indicates that knowledge which destroys the seeds of worldly existence, such as ignorance of seekers of emancipation, by removing all the obstacles to it. The Katha Upanishad states “knowing that, one becomes freed from the jaws of Death.” The Katha Upanishad belongs to the Kataka sakha of the Yajur Veda, and hence derives its name from it. The truth in the Upanishads is couched in similes, stories and dialogues to facilitate easy understanding. The Katha also begins with a story which is famous in Upanishadic lore about how Nachiketa went to the abode of Yama (Lord of Death) and learnt the truth that made him immortal.

The story goes that Vajasrava performed a sacrifice in which he gave away everything as gifts to gain merit and this young boy seeing his father presenting old and emaciated cows was concerned that the whole objective of performing such a sacrifice would be in vain. So he ventured to ask his father to whom he would offer him. Once, twice the father did not pay heed, but when he persisted the third time, Vajasrava declared, “To Death I offer you.”

Though rightly concluding that his father must have spoken in anger without any intention, Nachiketa set off to the abode of Yama as his father’s word had to be obeyed. There he had to wait at the entrance for three days without food or water before Yama returned. As expiation for not honouring his guest immediately Yama gave him three boons. As the third boon he sought spiritual knowledge and though Yama dissuaded him at first, he finally taught him convinced of his sincerity.

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