User:Ahtunowhiho/sandbox

Nachiketa Fire Sacrifice

““Nachiketa said, “O Death, may Gautama, my father, be calm, cheerful, and free from anger toward me! May he recognise me and greet me when I shall have been sent home by you! This I choose as the first of the three boons.” Yama said, “Through my favour, your father, Auddilaki Aruni, will recognise you and be again toward you as he was before. After having seen you freed from the jaws of death, he will sleep peacefully at night and bear no anger against you.” Nachiketa said, “In the Heavenly World there is no fear whatsoever. You, O Death, are not there, and no one is afraid of old age. Leaving behind both hunger and thirst, and out of the reach of sorrow, all rejoice in Heaven. You know, O Death, the Fire-sacrifice, which leads to Heaven. Explain it to me, for I am full of faith. The inhabitants of Heaven attain immortality. This I ask as my second boon.” Yama said, “I know well the Fire-sacrifice, which leads to Heaven, and I will explain it to you. Listen to me. Know this Fire to be the means of attaining Heaven. It is the support of the universe; it is hidden in the hearts of the wise.” Yama then told him about the Fire, which is the source of the worlds, and what bricks were to be gathered for the altar, and how many, and how the sacrificial fire was to be lighted. Nachiketa, too, repeated all this as it had been told him. Then Yama, being pleased with him, spoke again. “I will now give you another boon: this Fire shall be named after you. Take also from me this many coloured chain. He who has performed three times this Nachiketa sacrifice, having been instructed by the three, and also has performed his three duties, overcomes birth and death. Having known this Fire born of Brahman, omniscient, luminous, and adorable, and realised it, he attains supreme peace. He who, having known the three, has performed three times the Nachiketa sacrifice, throws off, even here, the chains of death, overcomes grief, and rejoices in Heaven. This, O Nachiketa, is your Fire-sacrifice, which leads to Heaven and which you have chosen as your second boon. People will call this Fire by your name. Now, O Nachiketa, choose the third boon.” Nachiketa said, “There is this doubt about a man when he is dead: Some say that he exists; others, that he does not. This I should like to know, taught by you. This is the third of my boons.” Yama said, “On this subject even the gods formerly had their doubts. It is not easy to understand. The nature of the Self (atman) is subtle. Choose another boon, O Nachiketa! Do not press me. Release me from that boon.””

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/religion/f2001/docs/laterupanish.pdf