Nachiketa's doubt

        

             Nachiketa 's  doubt 

 

   Yajnasala in the courtyard of the ashram is full with devotees and guests.  

     Sage Vajashravas (also known as Uddalaka ) and his relatives became fearful and were in prayers. The sacrifice called Vishwajit is arranged according to the wishes of Uddalaka. Eminent Yagnacharyas are present.

     Standing next to the chief priest is Nachiketas. That boy is the son of Sage Uddalaka. Even learned sages are often at a loss for answers to his energetic and intelligent doubts.

Sometimes he inquires into the meaning of the sacrificial mantras. At other times, he wondered what if some rituals were not performed in the same way. He does not hesitate to raise his doubts about Ishvara Prasad to Maharishi Shrestha. Sages used to jokingly say that Nachiketas' doubts would never end.

      The sacrifice has come to an end. The joy of seeing the results of the sacrifice is shining on everyone's face. The rule is that the host should donate everything to the priests who lead the rituals in Vishwajit Yaga. Uddalaka was generous and ready to donate everything.

      There were a number of cows in the ashram - dumb animals that had run out of milk! When there was nothing left to donate, Uddalaka donated them too. Nachiketas who were watching looked into the eyes of those cows. Their kindness moved him. And a doubt arose within.

       “  Am I not my father's property? If you want to donate everything, you should donate me too.”

      Nachiketas did not hide his doubts. He approached his father and asked:

      "Father... who will you donate me to? 

     At first Uddalaka did not pretend to hear the question. Munikumara repeated the question without pretending to let go. Unable to ignore his question this time, Uddalaka said with some resentment: "I will give you to Yama.”

        Hearing that shocking reply, the Yagyashala was disturbed. The sages became despondent. Only Nachiketas remained unmoved. Suddenly there was an incorporeal sound in the air.

      "O Nachiketas, it is your father's intention that you should go to the house of Yama. So look for the time when Yama is not at home and go there. Then Yama's wife will ask you to eat according to the courtesy of hospitality. You must refuse it completely. When Yamaraja returns, he will ask how many days you have been there and what you have eaten. For that, you have been there for three nights and on the first day,  it should be told that the subjects, then the cows and sukritas were eaten on the second and third days. It means that after three days of starvation in the guest's house, the subjects and the sukritas will suffer from decay."

      According to an incorporeal sound (Asariri), Nachiketas traveled to Yamagriha and thus spoke to Yama. Yamaraja, who was pleased with the speech of the young genius, blessed him and asked him to ask for three boons, for the delay in attending to him. Nachiketas asked Yamaraja:   “Send me alive to my father, to help maintain the Yajna Siddhi I had acquired through hearing and memory, and to bless me to survive death”. 

            Yamadev happily fulfilled his first two wishes, but was hesitant on the third of Immortality. However, Nachiketas responded that material goods are fleeting and do not bestow immortality. As a result, no other boon would suffice .Yama was secretly pleased with his pupil and went into detail on the nature of the real Self, which lives on after the body dies. The realization’s essential is that this Self is inextricably linked to Brahman, the highest spirit and the universe’s life force . Finally, Yamaraj grants him the boon.

Nachiketas returned to the ashram after mastering Brahmavidya and Yoga and used his achievements for the benefit of mankind.

      

 

 Nachiketas has a message for us. The message is that if we face any crisis   with equanimity and devotion to God, success will be with us. Through such victories we should be able to become guardians of goodness.