Kaṭha Upaniṣad 244

244

katham ity ucyate --

Shankara’s Commentary:
Com.—If he is able to know and knows even during life, this Brahman} the cause of fear, before the falling of the body, then he becomes freed from the bond of Samsara. If he is not able to know, then, i.e., from want of that knowledge, he becomes able to take, i.e., he takes a body in earth and other worlds, where those who are fit to be created, are created. Therefore, before the falling of the body, attempt should be made to realise the atman; for the realisation of the atman even here will be clearly horrible as that of a face reflected in a mirror; not in other worlds except the Brahmaloka; and that is hard to reach.