A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s9.78

v1.c8.s9.78

“ Ephemeral things ! That which is a mortal’s, O End-maker,
Even the vigor (tejas) of all the powers, they wear away.
Even a whole life is slight indeed.
Thine be the vehicles (vāha) ! Thine be the dance and song !
Not with wealth is a man to be satisfied.
Shall we take wealth, if we have seen thee ?
Shall we live so long as thou shalt rule ?
—This, in truth, is the boon to be chosen by me……
This thing whereon they doubt, O Death :
What there is in the great passing-on—tell us that !
This boon, that has entered into the hidden—
No other than that does Naciketas choose.”