Katha Upanishad

The Katha Upanishad tells the story of a young boy, Nachiketa, son of the sage Vajasravasa. Nachiketa is witnessing his father donate all his possessions in an act of penance, and in a spirit of youthful inquiry, repeatedly asks to whom he was to be donated. Angered by the boy's questioning, his father exclaims "I give you to death!"

To stay true to his father's word, the boy departs to the abode of Yama, the God of death. Upon arriving, he patiently waits three days for Yama to return. His sincerity is rewarded by Yama with three wishes, one for each day he was kept waiting.

His first wish is for his father to be happy upon seeing his return. His second wish is to learn a fire sacrifice that provides passage to heaven, which is explained to him and named the Nachiketa sacrifice in his honor. His third wish is simple - "I would like to know what happens after death."

Yama attempts to dissuade him by offering wealth, pleasures, and power. Undeterred, Yama goes on to paint a detailed portrait of the subtle nature of reality according to Brahmanic philosophy. Many of the verses and concepts of the Katha Upanishad can be found in the Bhagavad Gita.

Katha 1.1.7

A Brahmin guest enters a house like fire. Be a good householder and pacify him water, Vaivaswata!


The story jumps to the abode of Yama, the Lord of Death. Nachiketa must wait three days for Yama to return, and the following three verses are spoken by Yama upon finding the young child in his home, without being properly received as an esteemed Brahmin.

  • vaiśvānaraḥ — like fire

  • praviśatyatithirbrāhmaṇo — entering of a Brahmin guest

    • praviśat — entering
      A word that is often used in reference to entering hell

      प्रविशत्

    • yatithir — guest

    • brāhmaṇo — Brahman

  • gṛhān — the houses

  • tasyaitām — with his

  • śāntiṃ — peace-offering

  • kurvanti — pacify

  • hara — bring

  • vaivasvatodakam — water
    The Manusmriti indicates that this means the water to wash the feet of a guest.

Katha Upanishad