Katha Upanishad — Chapter 1
KaU 1.1
कठोपनिषत् उशन् ह वै वाजश्रवसः सर्ववेदसं ददौ तस्य ह नचिकेता नाम पुत्र आस
kaṭhopaniṣat uśan ha vai vājaśravasaḥ sarvavedasaṃ dadau tasya ha naciketā nāma putra āsa
Vâgasravasa, desirous (of heavenly rewards), surrendered (at a sacrifice) all that he possessed. He had a son of the name of Nakiketas.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.2
तं ह कुमारं सन्तं दक्षिणासु नीयमानासु श्रद्धाविवेश सो ऽमन्यत
taṃ ha kumāraṃ santaṃ dakṣiṇāsu nīyamānāsu śraddhāviveśa so 'manyata
When the (promised) presents were being given (to the priests), faith entered into the heart of Nakiketas, who was still a boy, and he thought:
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.3
पीतोदका जग्धतृणा दुग्धदोहा निरिन्द्रियाः अनन्दा नाम ते लोकास् तान् स गच्छति ता ददत्
pītodakā jagdhatṛṇā dugdhadohā nirindriyāḥ anandā nāma te lokās tān sa gacchati tā dadat
"Unblessed, surely, are the worlds to which a man goes by giving (as his promised present at a sacrifice) cows which have drunk water, eaten hay, given their milk, and are barren."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.4
स होवाच पितरं तत कस्मै मां दास्यसीति द्वितीयं तृतीयम् तं होवाच मृत्यवे त्वा ददामीति
sa hovāca pitaraṃ tata kasmai māṃ dāsyasīti dvitīyaṃ tṛtīyam taṃ hovāca mṛtyave tvā dadāmīti
He (knowing that his father had promised to give up all that he possessed, and therefore his son also) said to his father: "Dear father, to whom wilt thou give me?" He said it a second and a third time. Then the father replied (angrily): "I shall give thee unto Death." (The father, having once said so, though in haste, had to be true to his word and to sacrifice his son.)
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.5
बहूनाम् एमि प्रथमो बहूनाम् एमि मध्यमः किं स्विद् यमस्य कर्तव्यं यन् मयाद्य करिष्यति
bahūnām emi prathamo bahūnām emi madhyamaḥ kiṃ svid yamasya kartavyaṃ yan mayādya kariṣyati
The son said: "I go as the first, at the head of many (who have still to die); I go in the midst of many (who are now dying). What will be the work of Yama (the ruler of the departed) which to-day he has to do unto me?
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.6
अनुपश्य यथा पूर्वे प्रतिपश्य तथापरे सस्यम् इव मर्त्यः पच्यते सस्यम् इवाजायते पुनः
anupaśya yathā pūrve pratipaśya tathāpare sasyam iva martyaḥ pacyate sasyam ivājāyate punaḥ
Look back how it was with those who came before, look forward how it will be with those who come hereafter. A mortal ripens like corn, like corn he springs up again." (Nakiketas enters into the abode of Yama Vaivasvata, and there is no one to receive him. Thereupon one of the attendants of Yama is supposed to say:)
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.7
वैश्वानरः प्रविशति अतिथिर् ब्राह्मणो गृहान् तस्यैतां शान्तिं कुर्वन्ति हर वैवस्वतोदकम्
vaiśvānaraḥ praviśati atithir brāhmaṇo gṛhān tasyaitāṃ śāntiṃ kurvanti hara vaivasvatodakam
"Fire enters into the houses, when a Brâhmana enters as a guest. That fire is quenched by this peace-offering; — bring water, O Vaivasvata!
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.8
आशाप्रतीक्षे संगतं सूनृतां च इष्टापूर्ते पुत्रपशूंश् च सर्वान् एतद् वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसो यस्यानश्नन् वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे
āśāpratīkṣe saṃgataṃ sūnṛtāṃ ca iṣṭāpūrte putrapaśūṃś ca sarvān etad vṛṅkte puruṣasyālpamedhaso yasyānaśnan vasati brāhmaṇo gṛhe
A Brâhmana that dwells in the house of a foolish man without receiving food to eat, destroys his hopes and expectations, his possessions, his righteousness, his sacred and his good deeds, and all his sons and cattle." (Yama, returning to his house after an absence of three nights, during which time Nakiketas had received no hospitality from him, says:)
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.9
तिस्रो रात्रीर् यद् अवत्सीर् गृहे मे अनश्नन् ब्रह्मन्न् अतिथिर् नमस्यः नमस् ते ऽस्तु ब्रह्मन् स्वस्ति मे ऽस्तु तस्मात् प्रति त्रीन् वरान् वृणीष्व
tisro rātrīr yad avatsīr gṛhe me anaśnan brahmann atithir namasyaḥ namas te 'stu brahman svasti me 'stu tasmāt prati trīn varān vṛṇīṣva
"O Brâhmana, as thou, a venerable guest, hast dwelt in my house three nights without eating, therefore choose now three boons. Hail to thee! and welfare to me!"
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.10
शान्तसङ्कल्पः सुमना यथा स्याद् वीतमन्युर् गौतमो माभि मृत्यो त्वत्प्रसृष्टं माभिवदेत् प्रतीत एतत् त्रयाणां प्रथमं वरं वृणे
śāntasaṅkalpaḥ sumanā yathā syād vītamanyur gautamo mābhi mṛtyo tvatprasṛṣṭaṃ mābhivadet pratīta etat trayāṇāṃ prathamaṃ varaṃ vṛṇe
Nakiketas said: "O Death, as the first of the three boons I choose that Gautama, my father, be pacified, kind, and free from anger towards me; and that he may know me and greet me, when I shall have been dismissed by thee."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.11
यथा पुरस्ताद् भविता प्रतीत औद्दालकिर् आरुणिर् मत्प्रसृष्टः सुखं रात्रीः शयिता वीतमन्युस् त्वां ददृशिवान् मृत्युमुखात् प्रमुक्तम्
yathā purastād bhavitā pratīta auddālakir āruṇir matprasṛṣṭaḥ sukhaṃ rātrīḥ śayitā vītamanyus tvāṃ dadṛśivān mṛtyumukhāt pramuktam
Yama said: "Through my favour Auddâlaki Âruni, thy father, will know thee, and be again towards thee as he was before. He shall sleep peacefully through the night, and free from anger, after having seen thee freed from the mouth of death."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.12
स्वर्गे लोके न भयं किंचनास्ति न तत्र त्वं न जरया बिभेति उभे तीर्त्वा अशनायापिपासे शोकातिगो मोदते स्वर्गलोके
svarge loke na bhayaṃ kiṃcanāsti na tatra tvaṃ na jarayā bibheti ubhe tīrtvā aśanāyāpipāse śokātigo modate svargaloke
Nakiketas said: "In the heaven-world there is no fear; thou art not there, O Death, and no one is afraid on account of old age. Leaving behind both hunger and thirst, and out of the reach of sorrow, all rejoice in the world of heaven.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.13
स त्वम् अग्निं स्वर्ग्यम् अध्येषि मृत्यो प्रब्रूहि तं श्रद्दधानाय मह्यम् स्वर्गलोका अमृतत्वं भजन्त एतद् द्वितीयेन वृणे वरेण
sa tvam agniṃ svargyam adhyeṣi mṛtyo prabrūhi taṃ śraddadhānāya mahyam svargalokā amṛtatvaṃ bhajanta etad dvitīyena vṛṇe vareṇa
Thou knowest, O Death, the fire-sacrificef which leads us to heaven; tell it to me, for I am full of faith. Those who live in the heaven-world reach immortality,- this I ask as my second boon."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.14
प्र ते ब्रवीमि तद् उ मे निबोध स्वर्ग्यम् अग्निं नचिकेतः प्रजानन् अनन्तलोकाप्तिम् अथो प्रतिष्ठां विद्धि त्वम् एतं निहितं गुहायाम्
pra te bravīmi tad u me nibodha svargyam agniṃ naciketaḥ prajānan anantalokāptim atho pratiṣṭhāṃ viddhi tvam etaṃ nihitaṃ guhāyām
Yama said: "I tell it thee, learn it from me, and when thou understandest that fire-sacrifice which leads to heaven, know, O Nakiketas, that it is the attainment of the endless worlds, and their firm support, hidden in darkness."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.15
लोकादिम् अग्निं तम् उवाच तस्मै या इष्टका यावतीर् वा यथा वा स चापि तत् प्रत्यवदद् यथोक्तम् अथास्य मृत्युः पुनर् आह तुष्टः
lokādim agniṃ tam uvāca tasmai yā iṣṭakā yāvatīr vā yathā vā sa cāpi tat pratyavadad yathoktam athāsya mṛtyuḥ punar āha tuṣṭaḥ
Yama then told him that fire-sacrifice, the beginning of all the worlds, and what bricks are required for the altar, and how many, and how they are to be placed. And Nakiketas repeated all as it had been told to him. Then Mrityu, being pleased with him, said again:
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.16
तम् अब्रवीत् प्रीयमाणो महात्मा वरं तवेहाद्य ददामि भूयः तवैव नाम्ना भवितायम् अग्निः सृङ्कां चेमाम् अनेकरूपां गृहाण
tam abravīt prīyamāṇo mahātmā varaṃ tavehādya dadāmi bhūyaḥ tavaiva nāmnā bhavitāyam agniḥ sṛṅkāṃ cemām anekarūpāṃ gṛhāṇa
The generous, being satisfied, said to him: "I give thee now another boon; that fire-sacrifice shall be named after thee, take also this many-coloured chain.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.17
त्रिणाचिकेतस् त्रिभिर् एत्य सन्धिं त्रिकर्मकृत् तरति जन्ममृत्यू ब्रह्मजज्ञं देवम् ईड्यं विदित्वा निचाय्येमां शान्तिम् अत्यन्तम् एति
triṇāciketas tribhir etya sandhiṃ trikarmakṛt tarati janmamṛtyū brahmajajñaṃ devam īḍyaṃ viditvā nicāyyemāṃ śāntim atyantam eti
He who has three times performed this Nâkiketa-rite and has been united with the three (father, mother, and teacher), and has performed the three duties (study, sacrifice, almsgiving) overcomes birth and death. When he has learnt and understood this fire, which knows (or makes us know) all that is born of Brahman, which is venerable and divine, then he obtains everlasting peace.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.18
त्रिणाचिकेतस् त्रयम् एतद् विदित्वा य एवं विद्वांश् चिनुते नाचिकेतम् स मृत्युपाशान् पुरतः प्रणोद्य शोकातिगो मोदते स्वर्गलोके
triṇāciketas trayam etad viditvā ya evaṃ vidvāṃś cinute nāciketam sa mṛtyupāśān purataḥ praṇodya śokātigo modate svargaloke
He who knows the three Nâkiketa fires, and knowing the three, piles up the Nâkiketa sacrifice, he, having first, thrown off the chains of death, rejoices in the world of heaven, beyond the reach of grief.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.19
एष ते ऽग्निर् नचिकेतः स्वर्ग्यो यम् अवृणीथा द्वितीयेन वरेण एतम् अग्निं तवैव प्रवक्ष्यन्ति जनासस् तृतीयं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व
eṣa te 'gnir naciketaḥ svargyo yam avṛṇīthā dvitīyena vareṇa etam agniṃ tavaiva pravakṣyanti janāsas tṛtīyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva
This, O Nakiketa, is thy fire which leads to heaven, and which thou hast chosen as thy second boon. That fire all men will proclaim. Choose now, O Nakiketa, thy third boon."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.20
येयं प्रेते विचिकित्सा मनुष्ये अस्तीत्य् एके नायम् अस्तीति चैके एतद् विद्याम् अनुशिष्टस् त्वयाहं वराणाम् एष वरस् तृतीयः
yeyaṃ prete vicikitsā manuṣye astīty eke nāyam astīti caike etad vidyām anuśiṣṭas tvayāhaṃ varāṇām eṣa varas tṛtīyaḥ
Nakiketa said: "There is that doubt, when a man is dead, — some saying, he is; others, he is not. This I should like to know, taught by thee; this is the third of my boons."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.21
देवैर् अत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुज्ञेयम् अणुर् एष धर्मः अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीर् अति मा सृजैनम्
devair atrāpi vicikitsitaṃ purā na hi sujñeyam aṇur eṣa dharmaḥ anyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva mā moparotsīr ati mā sṛjainam
Death said: "On this point even the gods have doubted formerly; it is not easy to understand. That subject is subtle. Choose another boon, O Nakiketas, do not press me, and let me off that boon."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.22
देवैर् अत्रापि विचिकित्सितं किल त्वं च मृत्यो यन् न सुज्ञेयम् आत्थ वक्ता चास्य त्वादृग् अन्यो न लभ्यो नान्यो वरस् तुल्य एतस्य कश्चित्
devair atrāpi vicikitsitaṃ kila tvaṃ ca mṛtyo yan na sujñeyam āttha vaktā cāsya tvādṛg anyo na labhyo nānyo varas tulya etasya kaścit
Nakiketas said: "On this point even the gods have doubted indeed, and thou, Death, hast declared it to be not easy to understand, and another teacher like thee is not to be found: — surely no other boon is like unto this."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.23
शतायुषः पुत्रपौत्रान् वृणीष्व बहून् पशून् हस्तिहिरण्यम् अश्वान् भूमेर् महद् आयतनं वृणीष्व स्वयं च जीव शरदो यावद् इच्छसि
śatāyuṣaḥ putrapautrān vṛṇīṣva bahūn paśūn hastihiraṇyam aśvān bhūmer mahad āyatanaṃ vṛṇīṣva svayaṃ ca jīva śarado yāvad icchasi
Death said: "Choose sons and grandsons who shall live a hundred years, herds of cattle, elephants, gold, and horses. Choose the wide abode of the earth, and live thyself as many harvests as thou desirest.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.24
एतत् तुल्यं यदि मन्यसे वरं वृणीष्व वित्तं चिरजीविकां च महाभूमौ नचिकेतस् त्वम् एधि कामानां त्वा कामभाजं करोमि
etat tulyaṃ yadi manyase varaṃ vṛṇīṣva vittaṃ cirajīvikāṃ ca mahābhūmau naciketas tvam edhi kāmānāṃ tvā kāmabhājaṃ karomi
If you can think of any boon equal to that, choose wealth, and long life. Be (king), Nakiketas, on the wide earth. I make thee the enjoyer of all desires.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.25
ये ये कामा दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके सर्वान् कामांश् छन्दतः प्रार्थयस्व इमा रामाः सरथाः सतूर्या न हीदृशा लम्भनीया मनुष्यैः आभिर् मत्प्रत्ताभिः परिचारयस्व नचिकेतो मरणं मानुप्राक्षीः
ye ye kāmā durlabhā martyaloke sarvān kāmāṃś chandataḥ prārthayasva imā rāmāḥ sarathāḥ satūryā na hīdṛśā lambhanīyā manuṣyaiḥ ābhir matprattābhiḥ paricārayasva naciketo maraṇaṃ mānuprākṣīḥ
Whatever desires are difficult to attain among mortals, ask for them according to thy wish; — these fair maidens with their chariots and musical instruments, — such are indeed not to be obtained by men, — be waited on by them whom I give to thee, but do not ask me about dying."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.26
श्वोभावा मर्त्यस्य यद् अन्तकैतत् सर्वेन्द्रियाणां जरयन्ति तेजः अपि सर्वं जीवितम् अल्पम् एव तवैव वाहास् तव नृत्यगीते
śvobhāvā martyasya yad antakaitat sarvendriyāṇāṃ jarayanti tejaḥ api sarvaṃ jīvitam alpam eva tavaiva vāhās tava nṛtyagīte
Nakiketas said: "These things last till tomorrow, O Death, for they wear out this vigour of all the senses. Even the whole of life is short. Keep thou thy horses, keep dance and song for thyself.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.27
न वित्तेन तर्पणीयो मनुष्यो लप्स्यामहे वित्तम् अद्राक्ष्म चेत् त्वा जीविष्यामो यावद् ईशिष्यसि त्वं वरस् तु मे वरणीयः स एव
na vittena tarpaṇīyo manuṣyo lapsyāmahe vittam adrākṣma cet tvā jīviṣyāmo yāvad īśiṣyasi tvaṃ varas tu me varaṇīyaḥ sa eva
No man can be made happy by wealth. Shall we possess wealth, when we see thee? Shall we live, as long as thou rulest? Only that boon (which I have chosen) is to be chosen by me.
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.28
अजीर्यताम् अमृतानाम् उपेत्य जीर्यन् मर्त्यः क्वधःस्थः प्रजानन् अभिध्यायन् वर्णरतिप्रमोदान् अतिदीर्घे जीविते को रमेत
ajīryatām amṛtānām upetya jīryan martyaḥ kvadhaḥsthaḥ prajānan abhidhyāyan varṇaratipramodān atidīrghe jīvite ko rameta
What mortal, slowly decaying here below, and knowing, after having approached them, the freedom from decay enjoyed by the immortals, would delight in a long life, after he has pondered on the pleasures which arise from beauty and love?
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)
KaU 1.29
यस्मिन्न् इदं विचिकित्सन्ति मृत्यो यत् साम्पराये महति ब्रूहि नस् तत् यो ऽयं वरो गूढम् अनुप्रविष्टो नान्यं तस्मान् नचिकेता वृणीते
yasminn idaṃ vicikitsanti mṛtyo yat sāmparāye mahati brūhi nas tat yo 'yaṃ varo gūḍham anupraviṣṭo nānyaṃ tasmān naciketā vṛṇīte
No, that on which there is this doubt, O Death, tell us what there is in that great Hereafter. Nakiketas does not choose another boon but that which enters into the hidden world."
— tr. F. Max Müller (SBE, 1879/1884) (public domain)