Katho:panishad - IV

[Guest guest]

Dear Bha:gavatha:s,

Adiye:n's humble and respectful Namaska:ram. Jai Sri:manna:ra:yana, Jeeyar Thiruvadigale: Sharanam.

In this mail, the conversation between Nachike:tas and his father Va:jasravas

takes place. If we listen carefully, H.H. highlights so many wonderful points

from this conversation.

A deeply learned scholar and an ignorant man, both are identified by the same

quality: the harmony between their speech and behaviour. We can see how

brilliantly Nachike:thas not only fine points how his father was culpable for

observing such an unhealthy charity program, but also out of his responsibility

and affection tries to help his father spiritually.

So many brilliant points were so mercifully elucidated by H.H. while giving

"Pravachanam" on this particular topic.

Nachike:thas, whose knowledge was not covered by the cloud of material

desires, having thoroughly observed the "Sarvasva Dakshina:kam" of his father,

started thinking like this.

1. It is the responsibility of a son to see that his father is freed from the

bondage on the planet of "Pithru" loka, otherwise he is not called "Puthra".

So, how can I fulfill this responsibility towards my father?

2. If "Sarvasva Dakshina:kam" means to donate everything one has, I am too,

his property. I should also be donated. So, let me go and request my father to

tell me to whom he is giving me as "danam" to, so that at least I can be of

proper use to the Bra:hmana:s unlike the unusable cows.

Nachike:thas thinking like this, approaches his father who was in a probably

exhausted mood and starts asking repeatedly :

"Saho:vacha Pitharam

Kasyai Ma:m dasyase:thi"

Oh my father, to whom are you donating me? His father, upon being repeatedly

questioned, became irritated it seems, and replied :

" Mruthyuve: Thva:dada:mi" in a vexed tone.

"I'll give you to death."

Nachike:thas without any trace of disappointment upon hearing this from his

loving father, starts preparing to set out. Va:jasravas realized that he took

his aggravations on little Nachike:thas, starts pleading him not to really

follow what he said.

Nachike:thas with an undisturbed mental disposition, calm and peaceful

consciousness starts speaking: My dear father, please don't be disappointed.

"Bahu:name:ni Prathamah,

Bahu:name:ni Madhyamah"

I will be one in the middle of so many who have already treaded this path.

Or I will be the first among all who sacrifice their lives to satisfy the

desire of their father. In any case, I am not alone. To se clearly that death

is inevitable for everyone and to act perfectly with that realization at such a

tender age is amazing!

Nachike:thas greatness was in his attachment to Shastra. His conduct, speech

and thought were totally harmonious with one another and with the Vedas.

Duplicitous behaviour is what makes one eligible for hell.

If one is pure and perfect in his conduct, even if has to go to the abode of

death, one will return with greater benefits.

Nachike:thas went on to say:

"Kimsvid Svamasya Karthavyam

Yanmaya:dya Karishyathi"

I am just worried about what should I do there? How can I become useful to

Yamara:ja, how can I please him with my service? Swamiji has many times said:

"A jna:ni is always humble and is always interested in just serving the

devotees without any expectation whatsoever. We can see how Nachike:thas

exhibits the qualities of a real devotee by showing compassion on the culpable

position of his father and at such a tender age has taken the risk of accepting

death with such an extraordinary equanimity of mind.

On the other hand, his father regards material possessions like fame and

money to be greater and so had to suffer.

Listening to all these, Va:jasravas became very unhappy and morose.

Nachikethas again started speaking words of wisdom:

"Anupashya Yatha:pu:rve:

Prathipasya Thatha:pare:

Sasyamiva Marthya: Paschate:

Sasyamiva:ja:yathe punah"

The meaning of this is so beautiful. We will meditate on this shlo:ka in

next mail.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

----------------

1. In general, if a son and father are parting, it is the son who becomes more

unhappy and sad with loving feelings of separation. Naturally, father, out of

his so called knowledge knows that this parting is only temporary and is

beneficial for the son. But it seems the situation is reversed in this case.

Father is unahppy, son is calm and peaceful while parting. Can you think of any

other examples from Ramayana, Bhagavatham about such great SONS who with their

indomitable faith in Shastra and Acharya have transcended worldly sorrows?

2. What is the consciousness of a devotee? Is he after material fame? Or he

just wants to serve anonymously? (Clue: Even if nobody recognizes, Lord will

recognize his service...)

3. What makes one's personality deceptive? Was there any duplicity in the

behaviour of Vajasravas? ( in his charity?)

TRUE/FALSE

(i) "Puthra" means one who releases his father from the "pithru" planet.

(i) The desire to become recognized in the society is good and one should work

towards it. (T/F)

(ii) Shastra helps you transcend the miseries of this world. (T/F)

(iii) A wise man is always old enough. Therefore we should only listen to

devotees who are older to us. (T/F)

(iv) By knowing Vedas you become a devotee. (T/F) (Clue: If that is the case,

if you know English, you should understand Quantum Phyics...)

(v) A devotee feels always himself to be lower than all. (T/F)

Jai Srimannarayana,

Kindly forgive adiye:n's deep rooted ignorance.

Jeeyar Thiruvadigale: Sharanam.

Adiye:n.

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