Katho:panishad - IV

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** Jai Sri:manna:ra:yana, Jeeyar Thiruvadigale: Sharanam **

 

Dear Bha:gavatha:s,

 

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

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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

 

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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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