Katha Upanishad(A Dialogue with the God of Death – What Happens to the Soul after Death) – Karuna Yoga Vidya Peetham Bangalore

There was a sage Vajasrava who was performing a yajna.
After the Yagna his son Nachiketa was bothering him and so the sage banished him to hell where Nachiketa found himself in the domain of Yama, the Lord of Death.
Nachiketa waited three days in front of Yama’s house and for this Yama granted him three boons.
For this first boon Nachiketa asked for his father’s welfare and that when he went back to his father, his father would recognise him and be happy with him.
This was granted. For this second boon Nachiketa asked to know how to reach heaven and Yama gave him the knowledge he had requested.
Freedom concept. Escaping from the cage
He told Nachiketa between Preyas (worldly pleasure) and shreyas (spiritual good), the latter which can give permanent peace and happiness and that Atman is the highest form of shreyas.
For his third boon Nachiketa wanted to know what is beyond good and evil, cause and effect.
Here he learned that OM is the symbol of the omniscient self, and this self dwells within all.
Yama also declared that one’s destiny after death is decided by his karma in life.
One who realizes this becomes immortal.
Brahman is the end of the journey and the supreme goal.
The whole universe comes forth from Brahman and moves into Brahman.
When all the senses are stilled and the mind is at rest, this is the highest state, called yoga.
He who attains this is free from delusions and is pure and impartial.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply