A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s9.71

v1.c8.s9.71

Already in the Brāhmaṇas and Āraṇyakas there is repeated mention of the advantages which accrue to him who knows some secret doctrine or other of sacrificial science,—“who knows this.” Nothing is more characteristic of the Upaniṣads, however, than the ever-recurring promise of happiness and blessedness, of earthly possessions and heavenly joys as a reward for him “who knows this.” The idea that knowledge is not only power, but the highest object to be aimed at, is traceable throughout all the Upaniṣads. Not only Indra serves Prajāpati for 101 years as a pupil, but it is also often reported that human beings serve a teacher for years as pupils in order to receive from him the transmission of some knowledge or other. Kings are prepared to present thousands of cows and piles of gold to the Brahman who can proclaim to them the doctrine of the true Ātman or Brahman. But Brahmans also humble themselves before kings, rich people before beggars, when these, as is not seldom the case, are in possession of higher wisdom.[^1) This yearning for knowledge has found its most touching expression in the beautiful poem of *Naciketas*, which we find in the Kāṭhaka-Upaniṣad.