Kaṭha Upaniṣad 63

63

śvobhāvā martyasya yad antakaitat sarvendriyāṇāṃ jarayanti tejaḥ /
api sarvaṃ jīvitam alpam eva tavaiva vāhās tava nṛtyagīte ///1,1.26 //

Shankara’s Commentary:
Com.—Though thus tempted, Nachiketas unagitated like a large lake, said: svobhavah, enjoyments whose existence the next day is a matter of doubt; the enjoyments enumerated by you are ephemeral; again. Oh Death, they tend to the decline of the vigour of all the organs of man. These nymphs and other enjoyments only tend to harm, because they destroy virtue, strength, intellect, vigour, fame and the rest. As for the longevity that you will give me, hear me on that point. All life, even that of Brahma is, indeed, short. What need be said of our longevity. Therefore, keep the chariots, etc., for thyself alone, as also the dance and music.