Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
by S. Sitarama Sastri | 1928 | 23,822 words
The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (god of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of six sections (Valli). This commentary by Shankara focuses on ‘Advaita Vedanta’, or non-dualism: one of the classical ort...
Verse 1.1.21
देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयमणुरेष धर्मः ।
अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीरति मा सृजैनम् ॥ २१ ॥devairatrāpi vicikitsitaṃ purā na hi suvijñeyamaṇureṣa dharmaḥ |
anyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva mā moparotsīrati mā sṛjainam || 21 ||21. Here, even the gods of yore had doubt. Indeed it is not easy to know—subtle is this matter—Oh, Nachiketas, ask for some other boon. Press not this on me; give this up for me.
Shankara’s Commentary:
Com.—Death in order to test whether he was or was not absolutely fit to acquire the knowledge of the atman leading to emancipation, said this: ‘Even by the gods in older times, doubt was entertained on this point. It is not easy to be known, though heard explained, by ordinary men. Because this subject of the atman is subtle. Therefore, Oh, Nachiketas, ask for another boon, whose fruit is certain; press me not as a creditor presses a debtor. Give up this boon for me.