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    Nachiketa: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads
    Nachiketa: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads
    Nachiketa: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads
    Ebook45 pages34 minutes

    Nachiketa: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads

    By Dr. A.S. Venugopala Rao

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    Nachiketa was the son of Vajashravas, a poor but very ambitious Brahmin. Wanting to be famous as a daani, Vajashravas performed a great yajna in which he planned to give away many cows in daana. Unfortunately, all the cows were completely useless and emaciated.  Noticing that anything given in daana must be of use to the receiver, Nachiketa was upset and asked his father to whom he planned to give his son away in daana. In anger, the father said that he would gift him to Yama. Taking his father's words as gospel, Nachiketa left for Yama's abode immediately, something that was unheard of. The father repented his anger and felt helpless. Finding that  Lord Yama wasn't there, he waited for him outside for three days without eating or drinking water. After Yama returned, he and his wife felt guilty for a brahmachari guest had been left unattended. In lieu of it, Yama asked the boy to ask for three boons.  Nachiketa asked him to ensure that his father would not worry about him and would welcome him when he returned home.  Next, Yama taught him Agnividya , which was the second boon.  As the third boon, Nachiketa wanted to know about the Ultimate Truth – whether man exists after death. Yama was dumbfounded because this was a secret even the Devas were not aware of. How could a young boy be let into it? Yama tried to attract him with other gifts but the boy was very firm. Finally, Yama explained to him what Atma Vidya meant and was pleased to give him jnana deeksha.  Nachiketa acquired Brahmavidya from the Lord of Death and then returned to his father who became his son's disciple. This is the story of Nachiketa as it appears in the Kathopanishad.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBharatha Samskruthi Prakashana
    Release dateMay 25, 2019
    ISBN9789389028072
    Nachiketa: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads

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      Book preview

      Nachiketa - Dr. A.S. Venugopala Rao

      EPIC CHARACTERS OF VEDAS & UPANISHADS

      Nachiketa

      Written by

      Dr. A.S. Venugopal Rao

      Kannada writer and retired professor, Kamala Nehru College, Shimoga

      Translated by

      Prof. G. S. Mudambadithaya, M.A. M.Ed

      © Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana, Bengaluru. All rights reserved.

      Published by:

      Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana

      C/o. Bharatha Darshana,

      163, Manjunatha Road, 2nd Block,

      Thyagarajanagar, Bangalure 560 028,

      Ph: +91-95914 70345, +91-94480 78231

      bharathasamskruthi.com

      e-Book

      168v1.0.0

      Date: 06 March, 2019

      ISBN: 9789389028072

      Created by: Sriranga Digital Software Technologies Private Limited

      srirangadigital.com

      ll Sri Ranga Sadguruve Namah ll

      Benediction by

      Srimadparamahamsa Parivrajakacharya

      Sri Sri Rangapriya Mahadeshika Mahaswamiji

      We are delighted to see Bharath Samskriti Prakashana bring out a series of small books on our rich ancient heritage. We bless the effort wholeheartedly. We have been witnessing, with a heavy heart, the situation in which our young boys and girls are being brought up without a constructive goal, far removed from our glorious ancient heritage which has been a spiritual beacon to the entire global society. The elders who are supposed to guide them and serve as role models are not well-versed in this aspect. At a time when there is a dearth of children’s literature of the proper kind, the efforts of Bharath Samskruti Prakashana Publications to wipeout this dearth is laudable. It is a sacred work and it is heartening to note that these books have been appreciated by children and parents. So far, four sets of ten books each on Epic Characters of Mahabharatha, Ramayana, Maharshis of Ancient India and Puranas have been brought out. Now they are bringing out a set of ten books on the great characters who appear in Vedas and Upanishads and it is a highly praise worthy effort.

      We congratulate Bharatha Samskruti Publications for this sacred effort. May this series become popular, widely read and serve the purpose for which it is designed and brought out. May Lord Narayana bless us all.

      Sri Sri Rangapriya Sripada Swamiji

      Bangalore

      Tharana Samvatsara

      Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi,

      Monday, 21.3.2005.

      NACHIKETA

      Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

      We live in the sacred land of Bharatha. ‘Bha’ means knowledge and wisdom. ‘Rathi’ means pure and deep love. Therefore ours is a country which is deeply in

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