A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1214

c5.1214

NACHIKETAS. The story of Nachiketas is told in the Taittirīya Brāhmana and Kathā Upanishad. Vāja-sravasa or Aruṇi, the father of Nachiketas, desirous of attaining heaven, performed great sacrifices, and was profuse in his gifts to the priests. The son told him that he had not given all, for that he, his son, was left, and said, "To whom shall I be given?" On repeating the question, the father angrily replied, "To death." So the son departed to the abodes of death, and, after staying there three nights, Yama was constrained to offer him a boon. He prayed to see his father again and be reconciled. This boon was granted and another offered. All kinds of blessings were proposed, but the youth refused to be contented with anything but a true knowledge of the soul. Yama then proceeded to instruct him. The story has been done into verse by Muir (*Texts*, vol. v. p. 329).