Gujarat Commerce College, Morning

1. Nachiketa
Dr. Lt. Hardeepsinh Ranjitsinh Gohil

2. Pre –Reading Exercise.
✢ Importance of religious texts today.
✢ Importance of soul against materialistic
world.
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3. About the Story.
✢ This story is from ‘Kathopanishad’
✢ The story is about young teenage boy
Nachiketa.
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5. In ancient Bharat there lived a
person named Vajasrawas-
known for specific Yajna called
Viswajet Yajna.
According to the ritual of this Yajna
– the performer must give away
and donate his wealth and
material possessions to the
priests, the poor and the needy.

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✢ Vajasrawas had a son named
Nachiketa- who was very wise boy.
✢ Nachiketa was very much curious and
excited about the rituals and
proceedings of the Yajna.
✢ One day he noticed that for Yajna his
father selected only the least expensive
possessions and only the old cows to
donate. He found it dubious and asked
‘Who have you decided to give me
away to?’

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8. ✢ Nachiketa decided to follow his father’s
words and meet the god of death.
✢ He did not have any fear in his heart as
he had not committed any sin which
would cost him his life.
✢ He bowed to his father reminded him
that their ancestors never went back on
their words.
✢ He set out to the underworld with the
belief in his heart of following the path
of truth.
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✢ Yama, the god of death.
✢ After strenuous journey he reached the
abode of Yama. He was not there.
Nachiketa had to wait for three days at
the gate meditating without any food or
water.
✢ Yama was very much pleased by it and
gave proper welcome to the boy. He
granted him three boons.

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11. 1. To provide his father a peace of mind
and welfare.
2. The knowledge of the way to heaven
where there is no sickness, poverty,
old age or death. – beyond
materialistic desires.
3. The knowledge of what happens after
death. – To separate body from the
Soul.
After this knowledge Nachiketa
becomes free from the cycle of births.
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