Here is the complete, simplified rewrite of the Katha Upanishad by Raja Rammohan Roy. It is written in clear, modern English, and I have made sure to keep every single argument, detail, and idea from the original text.
Preface
Translating the Scriptures
I am currently working on translating the complete Vedant (the most important parts of the Vedas) into the modern languages spoken in this country. As part of this effort, I had the pleasure of publishing a Bengali translation of the Katha Upanishad (from the Yajur Veda) a while ago. I distributed as many copies of it as I could afford, hoping to spread the true knowledge of Hindu scriptures among the people who follow this religion.
This current publication is specifically meant to help the European community form an accurate opinion about Hindu theology. I want Europeans to base their understanding on our actual, original doctrinal scriptures—not on the Puranas, fictional moral tales, modern books, or the superstitious daily rituals that greedy, self-interested religious leaders encourage.
The True Teaching vs. Polytheism
This book completely rejects and looks down upon polytheism (the worship of many gods). Instead, it consistently teaches that there is only one God. It explains that God is the supreme intellectual force and the original source of all individual human minds. God is completely separate from physical matter and worldly emotions. This book also teaches people exactly how to focus their minds on Him.
The Response of the People
Many of my intelligent and open-minded countrymen have read this book and my previous works. They are completely convinced that these ancient doctrines are true, and they now realize that the childish system of idol worship they were taught to follow is totally wrong. Because of this realization, they have changed their religious habits to reflect the true dignity of human beings.
On the other hand, the defenders of idol worship and their misled followers refuse to change. Their opinions are driven by stubbornness and prejudice rather than good sense and logic. They care more about popular customs and trends than what their own holy scriptures actually say. Under the disguise of "religious devotion," they continue to practice a system that completely destroys the natural fabric of our society. This system even encourages horrible crimes that the most uncivilized, savage nations would be too ashamed to commit, unless they were forced to by the most extreme emergencies.
Hope for the Future
Despite this, I am still very hopeful. I strongly believe that through God's help and human effort, these stubborn people will eventually embrace the true system of religion. This true religion leads people to know and love God, and it encourages them to be kind and friendly to their fellow human beings. It fills their hearts with humility and charity, while also giving them an independent mind and pure sincerity.
Unlike the strict rules of idol worship, this true religion teaches that "sin" comes from evil thoughts in a person's heart. Sin has absolutely nothing to do with breaking petty rules about what kinds of food you can eat or how you perform physical rituals.
Ultimately, I believe the best way I can spend my time is by trying to explain and defend the truth, and by serving my fellow human beings. I place my complete trust in the mercy of the Supreme Being, who perfectly knows the secret motives of our actions and the true intentions hidden in our hearts.
Here is the complete, simplified rewrite of the text you provided. It is written in clear, modern English, and I have made sure to keep every single detail, character, and dialogue from the original text without summarizing it.
The Sacrifice of Vajashravasa
Hoping to earn future rewards in heaven, a man named Vajashravasa performed the Vishwajit sacrifice. As part of this ritual, he had to give away all of his property. He had a young son named Nachiketa.
As part of the payment (fees) for the priests attending the sacrifice, the father brought out old, weak, and sickly cows to give away. When the young boy Nachiketa saw this, he was filled with pity. He thought to himself: "If a man gives priests cows that can no longer drink water or eat grass, and can no longer produce milk or give birth to calves, he will surely be sent to a place where there is absolutely no happiness."
Wanting to point out his father's mistake, Nachiketa asked him, "Father, to whom will you give me away instead of these useless cows?" He asked this question a second time, and then a third time.
His father, enraged by the boy's bold questioning, yelled, "I will give you to Yama!" (Yama is the god of death).
Nachiketa Goes to the Underworld
Hearing this, the young boy thought to himself: "As a son and a student, I am among the very best, and I am certainly no worse than average. I do not know if my father actually made a prior deal with Yama that he is fulfilling by giving me away, or if he just said that out of pure anger."
Seeing that his father was now deeply sad and regretting what he had said, Nachiketa told him: "Remember how honorably our ancient ancestors behaved, and look at how virtuous, good men behave today. Life is much too short to try and gain advantages by lying or breaking a promise. A human life is like a plant: it is easily destroyed, and then another one grows in its place. Therefore, you must keep your promise and surrender me to Yama."
With his father's permission, young Nachiketa traveled to the home of Yama. When he arrived, Yama was not there. Nachiketa waited at the house for three days without eating any food or drinking anything.
When Yama finally returned home, his family warned him, saying: "When a Brahmin enters a house as a guest, it is as if a fire has entered. Good householders must extinguish this 'fire' (his potential anger) by offering him water, a seat, and food. You must offer him water immediately, O Yama. If a householder allows a Brahmin to stay in his house without offering him food, that foolish householder will lose everything. He will lose all his hopes, his expectations of success, the benefits he gets from associating with good people, the joy of friendly conversation, the rewards he earned from performing sacrifices, the good karma from charitable acts like digging public wells, and even his sons and his cattle."
Yama Grants Three Favors
Scolded by his family, Yama approached Nachiketa and said: "O Brahmin, because you have lived in my house as an honored guest for three days and three nights without eating, I offer you my deepest reverence to make up for my mistake, so that I may be blessed. To compensate you for the suffering you endured while waiting in my house, you may ask me for three favors."
The First Favor
Nachiketa made his first request: "O Yama, for my first favor, I ask that my father Gautama's fear regarding my death be completely removed. Let his peace of mind be restored, and let his anger toward me disappear. Finally, when you set me free and I return home, let him recognize me and welcome me back."
Yama replied: "Through my power, your father (also known as Auddalaki and Aruni) will love and respect you just as he did before. Once he sees that you have been released from the grasp of death and are truly alive, he will live out the rest of his days completely free from sorrow."
The Second Favor
Nachiketa then made his second request: "In heaven, there is absolutely no fear. Even you, O Yama, do not have absolute authority there, which is why people in heaven do not dread your power the way weak mortals on earth do. In heaven, the soul never suffers from hunger or thirst, and it is never bothered by sadness; it simply enjoys total gratification. O Yama, you know the secrets of the sacred fire ritual, which is the way a person can reach heaven. Please, teach this knowledge to me, because I am full of faith. Those who reach heaven by properly observing the sacred fire become immortal like the celestial gods. This is the second favor I ask of you."
Yama replied: "Because I perfectly know the secrets of the sacred fire—the method that leads to heavenly rewards—I will teach it to you. Listen carefully. You must understand that this fire is the way to obtain various mansions in heaven, that it is the foundation that supports the entire world, and that it also resides hidden within the human body."
Yama then proceeded to explain the exact nature of this sacred fire to Nachiketa
The Second Favor: The Sacred Fire
Yama explained the true nature of the sacred fire to Nachiketa, teaching him that this fire existed before all other creatures. He detailed exactly how many bricks were required to build the fire altar, how they should be arranged, and the proper way to preserve the flame. The young boy, Nachiketa, repeated all of these complex instructions back to Yama perfectly. Yama was so pleased with the boy's intelligence that he spoke again.
The generous and liberal-minded Yama, fully satisfied with Nachiketa, said: "I will grant you an extra favor right now. From this day forward, this sacred fire will be named after you. Also, please accept this valuable, multi-colored necklace as a gift.
"If a person receives proper instruction from their parents and spiritual teachers, builds this sacred fire three times according to the rules of the Veda, and regularly performs sacrifices, studies the scriptures, and gives to charity, that person will break free from the cycle of repeated birth and death. If they truly understand and meditate on this fire—which originates from Brahma, possesses supreme intelligence, is full of glory, and is worthy of all praise—they will experience the highest, ultimate reward. A wise worshipper who understands these three required duties, offers their sacrifices to the fire, and overcomes life's sufferings will be freed from all sorrow and will enjoy the ultimate pleasures of heaven.
"O Nachiketa," Yama continued, "this knowledge of the sacred fire, which is the path to heaven, is the second favor you asked for. From now on, humanity will call it the 'Nachiketa Fire'. Now, make your third request."
The Third Favor: The Mystery of Death
Nachiketa said: "There is a great debate about what happens after a person dies. Some people believe that existence continues after death, while others believe that a person simply ceases to exist entirely. Because of this, there is a deep doubt regarding the true nature of the soul. For my final favor, I want you to instruct me on the truth of this matter."
Yama replied: "Even the celestial gods have debated and doubted this exact subject in the past! It is an incredibly dark, obscure mystery that can never be easily or thoroughly understood. Please, O Nachiketa, ask for a different favor instead of this one. Do not take advantage of my promise to trap me; give up this specific request."
Nachiketa answered: "You just told me that even the gods had doubts about this, and you yourself admit that it is incredibly difficult to comprehend. That means I will never find an instructor better equipped to explain it than you. Therefore, there is absolutely no other object or favor in the universe as desirable as this knowledge."
Yama's Grand Temptation
Yama tried to tempt him away from the question, saying: "Ask me for sons and grandsons who will each live to be a hundred years old! Ask for massive herds of cattle, elephants, goats, and horses! Ask for a vast empire on earth, and I will let you live and rule there for as many years as you wish!
"If you can think of any other worldly desire equal to these, ask for it, along with endless wealth and a long life. I will make you the ruler of a great kingdom, O Nachiketa, and I will enable you to enjoy absolutely everything you could ever wish for. Ask for anything that is normally incredibly difficult for a mortal to get in the human world. Look at these beautiful women, with their elegant chariots and musical instruments; no human man could ever acquire women like this without my divine gift. I will give them to you, and you can enjoy their attendance and service. Just please, O Nachiketa, do not ask me the question about what happens after death!"
Nachiketa's Rejection of Worldly Desires
Nachiketa firmly replied: "O Yama, acquiring all of these enjoyments you just offered is doubtful and temporary. Even if I did obtain them, indulging in them would only destroy the strength and sharpness of all my physical senses. Furthermore, even the longest possible physical life—even the lifespan of the creator god, Brahma—is incredibly short in the grand scheme of eternity. So, keep your chariots, your dancing women, and your music for yourself!
"No human being can ever be truly satisfied just by having riches. Besides, now that I have met you face-to-face, I know that I could easily obtain wealth and a long life if I really desired them, for as long as you exercise your authority as the god of death. But the only object I truly desire is the knowledge I already asked you for.
"Think about it: I am a decaying mortal whose home is the low mansion of earth. I have now come face-to-face with the immortal gods who never age, die, or grow weak. Since I have learned from them that there is a higher knowledge about eternity and the future, why would I ask for a petty, inferior favor? Knowing that music, sexual gratification, and sensual pleasures are all fleeting and temporary, what intelligent person could possibly take delight in simply living a long life on earth?
"Please, instruct me in that higher knowledge which removes all doubts about existence after death. This knowledge is of the utmost importance for my eternal future, even if it is obscure and difficult to acquire. I, Nachiketa, refuse to ask for any other favor but this one."
(End of the first Section of the first Chapter)
Yama Begins His Answer
Having thoroughly tested Nachiketa's willpower and resolution, Yama finally began to answer the third question. Yama said: "The spiritual knowledge of God, which leads a soul to be absorbed into the Divine, is one thing. The physical religious rituals, which are performed just to get worldly rewards, are something completely different. Each of these paths produces entirely different consequences..."
The Choice Between Knowledge and Rituals
Yama continued: "Both spiritual knowledge and physical rituals offer themselves to mankind, each providing different inducements to follow them. The person who chooses knowledge over rituals is truly blessed. On the other hand, the person who practices rituals simply for the sake of worldly rewards is excluded from the enjoyment of eternal happiness.
"Both knowledge and rituals present themselves to humanity. A wise person takes their true natures into serious consideration, clearly distinguishes one from the other, and chooses faith and knowledge, despising temporary worldly rewards. A fool, however, accepts the offer of rituals just for the sake of personal advantage and temporary enjoyment.
"O Nachiketa! You understand the perishable nature of all the desirable, gratifying objects I offered you, and you have firmly rejected them. You refused to adopt that contemptible path of rituals that only leads to temporary wealth and worldly rewards, which most men are so deeply attached to. Wise men know perfectly well that the knowledge of God (which leads to spiritual absorption) and the performance of rituals (which only produces temporary rewards) are complete opposites and yield entirely different consequences. Because the countless valuable objects I offered could not tempt you, I can see that you genuinely desire the true knowledge of God. Fools are surrounded by the darkness of ignorance, yet they consider themselves wise and learned. They wander around aimlessly in all directions, exactly like blind men being guided by another blind man."
The Danger of Ignorance and the Rarity of Truth
"The path to heavenly happiness is completely hidden from a careless person who is drowning in the desire for wealth. Such a person thinks that this visible, physical world is the only thing that exists, and that there is nothing after death. Because of this false belief, they are repeatedly subjected to my control (the endless cycle of death and rebirth).
"The true nature of the soul is a subject that many people have never even heard of, and many who have heard of it still do not comprehend it. A person truly capable of teaching this subject is incredibly rare. Anyone who listens to it must be highly intelligent and attentive, and a student who actually understands it—even when taught by a wise teacher—is very uncommon.
"If a person of inferior ability tries to describe the nature of the soul, no one will thoroughly understand it, because contending parties hold so many different opinions. However, when the subject is explained by a teacher who truly believes that the soul originates from God, all doubt regarding the soul's eternity completely disappears. Without this perspective, the soul remains inexplicable and impossible to prove.
"The knowledge regarding the soul that you will gain from me cannot be acquired through human reason alone; it must be learned from someone who is deeply versed in the sacred scriptures. Oh, my beloved pupil Nachiketa! I wish there were more seekers full of resolution like you. I know perfectly well that the rewards gained through rituals are perishable, because you cannot obtain anything eternal by using temporary, perishable means. Even though I knew these rewards were destructible, I still performed the worship of the sacred fire, and that is how I gained this long-lasting sovereignty as the ruler of the dead.
"But you, Oh wise Nachiketa, have shown incredible firmness. You completely refused the state of Brahma (the highest possible worldly state), even though it satisfies every desire, serves as the support of the world, represents the absolute best consequence of performing rituals, is free from limits or fear, is entirely praiseworthy, is full of superhuman power, and is vast and stable.
"The soul is incredibly difficult to comprehend. It is deeply obscure, hidden behind the ideas and illusions we acquire through our physical senses. It resides within our mental faculties, it does not leave us even in times of extreme danger, and it exists forever without changing. When a wise person realizes this shining soul by pulling their mind away from worldly objects and constantly focusing it inward, they are freed from both earthly rejoicing and earthly grief.
"When a mortal hears these pure doctrines about the soul, remembers them, and truly realizes that the invisible soul is completely separate from the physical body, they will rejoice in this great discovery. I believe the door to the abode of the knowledge of God is wide open for you."
The Supreme Being and the Sacred Word 'Om'
Nachiketa then asked: "If you know of a Being who exists completely separate from religious rituals, their consequences, and the people who perform them; a Being who is separate from evil; who is completely different from all causes and effects; and who exists above and beyond the past, the present, and the future—please tell me about Him."
Yama replied: "I will briefly explain to you that exact Being. He is the one that all the Vedas discuss, either directly or indirectly. He is the ultimate goal of all religious disciplines (austerities), and He is the main objective of anyone who lives the life of an ascetic. The Being whom the sacred word 'Om' implies is the Supreme Being.
"The word 'Om' is the title of both Brahma and the Supreme Being, and through it, a person can achieve whatever they desire. (For example, if someone worships Brahma using the word 'Om', they will be welcomed into Brahma's heavenly mansion; but if they use it to elevate their mind to God, they will obtain ultimate spiritual absorption). 'Om' is the absolute best tool for directing the human mind toward God. It is instrumental in acquiring either the knowledge of God or the high dignity of Brahma. Therefore, any person who relies on this sacred word will either be absorbed into God or be deeply revered like Brahma.
The True Nature of the Soul
"The soul is not subject to birth, nor is it subject to death. It is pure understanding. It does not originate from anything else, nor does it create itself. Therefore, the soul is unborn, eternal, indestructible, and completely unchangeable. Because of this, the soul is not injured when the physical body is hurt or destroyed. If a person preparing to kill someone imagines that they can actually destroy their victim's soul, or if the victim thinks that their soul is about to be destroyed, both of them are completely ignorant. In reality, the soul neither kills anyone, nor can it ever be killed by anyone.
"The soul is smaller than the smallest atom, yet greater than the greatest expanse. It resides hidden in the hearts of all living creatures. A person who discovers the soul and understands its pure state—by steadying their internal and external senses and abandoning all worldly desires—completely overcomes all sorrow and confusion.
"Even though the soul has no physical motion, it seems to travel to the furthest reaches of space. Even though it rests quietly inside the body, it seems to move everywhere at once. Who else but myself can truly perceive this splendid, shining soul, which is the underlying support for all our sensations of both happiness and pain?
"Although the soul is completely immaterial (non-physical), it exists closely attached to perishable, material objects. When a wise person realizes that the soul is incredibly great and vast, they never grieve for it again.
"True knowledge of the soul cannot be acquired just by studying the Vedas, nor by having a photographic memory, nor by constantly listening to spiritual lectures. Instead, whoever sincerely seeks to know the soul is gifted with this knowledge, because the soul directly reveals itself to that person.
"However, no person can ever acquire this knowledge of the soul unless they completely abstain from committing evil acts, strictly control their mind and senses, and empty their mind of the greedy desire for worldly rewards."
The Supreme Power of God
A person can only obtain true knowledge of the soul through their knowledge of God. An ignorant person can never perfectly understand the existence of God. God is so supreme that all things in the universe—even the highest and most powerful classes of people, like the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas (meaning anything that has a physical shape and a name)—are like food to Him. He consumes even Death itself as easily as someone eats butter.
(End of the second Section of the first Chapter)
The Chariot Metaphor: The Soul and the Body
Both God and the human soul* enter the human heart, which is an excellent, divine home. While living inside the physical body, they both experience the unavoidable consequences of the body's actions. However, they experience this differently: the human soul is rewarded or punished for its good and evil deeds, while God simply watches all these events as a silent observer. People who truly know God, as well as people who perform external religious rituals and have built the sacred fire three times, compare God to a bright light and the human soul to a shadow.
(Footnote: The word "soul" here means the individual human soul, though in these translations it is usually used to describe the Great Soul or God).
We are capable of understanding and building the sacred fire, which acts as a bridge to heaven for people who perform religious rituals. We are also capable of knowing the eternal and fearless God, who acts as a safe ship to carry those who want to cross over the dark ocean of ignorance.
To understand this, imagine the human soul as a passenger riding in a chariot. The physical body is the chariot itself. The intellect is the driver of the chariot. The mind represents the reins held by the driver. The five physical senses are the horses pulling the chariot, which are controlled by the mind. The physical objects in the world are the roads the horses travel on. Wise people believe that the soul—when it is united with the body, the senses, and the mind—is the entity that actually experiences the results of good or evil actions.
The Importance of a Wise Intellect
If the intellect (the driver) is foolish and leaves the mind (the reins) loose, then all the physical senses become completely unmanageable. They act like wild, wicked horses that an unfit driver cannot control.
But, if the intellect is wise and holds the mind firmly, the senses remain steady and easy to manage, just like well-trained horses guided by an excellent driver.
A person who lacks a wise intellect and a steady mind will always live an impure life. That person cannot reach the glory of the Divine, but will instead fall back down into the physical world to be reborn.
However, a person who possesses a wise intellect and a steady mind will always live a pure life. They will achieve that divine glory and never have to fall back down into the physical world again. A person who uses a wise intellect as their driver and a steady mind as their reins will successfully travel to the end of their mortal journey and reach the highest glory of the omnipresent God.
The Hierarchy of the Universe
The original source of the senses is higher and more refined than the physical senses themselves. The essence of the mind is even higher than the source of the senses. The source of the intellect is higher than the mind. The very first spark of life (the prime sensitive particle) is higher than the intellect. Nature, which appears to be the cause of the universe, is higher than that spark of life. Finally, the omnipresent God is even higher than Nature. There is absolutely nothing higher or more exalted than God. He is greater than all existing things and is the ultimate goal of everything.
How to Reach God
God exists hidden deeply throughout the entire universe, which is why ordinary people do not perceive Him. However, wise people with deep, penetrating understanding can know Him by constantly focusing their sharp intellect on Him. A wise person must do this in stages: they should fold their power of speech and their senses into their mind. Then, they should fold their mind into their intellect. Next, they should fold their intellect into their purified soul. Finally, they should fold their soul into the unchangeable Supreme Being.
Get up and awake from the sleep of ignorance! Go to wise teachers and acquire the knowledge of God, who is the original source of the soul. Wise men warn that the path to knowing God is incredibly difficult, like trying to walk across the sharp edge of a razor.
The Supreme Being does not have physical senses; He cannot hear, feel, see, taste, or smell. He is unchangeable and eternal. He has no beginning and no end, and He exists far beyond the original spark of the intellect. When a person truly knows Him this way, they are freed from the tight grasp of death.
Any wise person who reads this ancient doctrine (which Yama taught to Nachiketa) to Brahmins, or hears it from a teacher, will be absorbed into God. Anyone who reads this deeply secret doctrine in front of a gathering of Brahmins, or while offering respects to their ancestors, will enjoy countless good rewards.
(End of the third Section of the first Chapter)
Looking Inward vs. Looking Outward
God designed human senses to naturally point outward toward external objects. Because of this, people usually only pay attention to the physical things outside of themselves, and they ignore the eternal Spirit inside. But a wise person, desiring eternal life, pulls their senses away from the outside world and turns their attention inward to discover the omnipresent Supreme Being.
Ignorant people only chase after external, desirable objects. Consequently, they get trapped in the endless, all-consuming chains of death. But wise people know that God is the only thing that is truly immortal and eternal in this decaying world, so they do not waste their time wishing for temporary physical objects.
The Nature of God and the Soul
God is the exact reason why living creatures—even though their bodies are made of lifeless, unthinking physical particles—are able to see, taste, feel, hear, and experience physical pleasures. Absolutely nothing is hidden or unknown to Him. He is the exact existence that you, Nachiketa, desired to know.
When a wise person realizes that the soul is incredibly great and vast, and that it is the very presence that allows living creatures to perceive things whether they are awake or dreaming, that person never grieves again.
A person truly knows the Supreme Being when they believe that the individual soul—which experiences the results of good and evil actions—is intimately connected to and originates from God, who is the Lord of both the past and the future. God will never hide His true nature from such a person. He is the exact existence that you desired to know.
Anyone who understands that the very first spark of life (which came from God before water or any other elements were created) now lives inside the human heart alongside physical matter, truly knows the Supreme Being. He is the exact existence that you desired to know.
That original spark of life, which has the ability to perceive objects, contains all the celestial gods within it. It was created along with all the physical elements, and it now resides hidden deep within the space of the human heart. He is the exact existence that you desired to know.
The Presence of the Divine in the World
The sacred fire (which receives sacrifices and is kindled by rubbing wood together) is carefully protected by the worshipper, just as carefully as a pregnant woman protects the child in her womb. Prudent worshippers and those who constantly practice devotion praise this fire daily.
Think of the vast atmosphere where the sun rises and sets. This atmosphere supports the entire world, including fire, speech, and everything else. Without it, nothing could exist. This life-giving, supporting force is exactly the existence you, Nachiketa, desired to know.
Every individual human intellect connected to a physical body actually comes from the pure, immaterial, universal intellectual principle (God). The universal principle is the individual intellect. Anyone who wrongly believes that God and the human soul are different in their fundamental nature will be trapped in the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
By purifying your mind through spiritual instruction, you can acquire the true knowledge that the soul has a divine origin and is completely identical to its source. When you understand this, the false idea of "duality" (the belief that you are separate from God) completely disappears. Anyone who mistakenly thinks there are many different, separate intellectual principles must undergo reincarnation.
The Omnipresent Spirit in the Heart
The omnipresent Spirit, which is the size of a thumb, resides deep within the physical body, specifically in the space of the heart. Anyone who recognizes Him as the Lord of the past and the future will never again try to hide from Him or conceal His true nature. He is the exact existence you desired to know.
This omnipresent Spirit residing in the thumb-sized space of the heart is the purest light. He is the Lord of the past and the future; He alone fills the universe right now and forever. He is the exact existence you desired to know.
Water Metaphors: Unity vs. Duality
When rainwater falls on rough, uneven ground, it scatters in all directions, flows down into different hollow places, and is lost. In the exact same way, a person who mistakenly thinks that the souls in different bodies have distinct, separate natures will be scattered into various physical forms through reincarnation.
However, when water falls on flat, perfectly even ground, it gathers together and remains pure and unchanged. In the exact same way, the soul of a wise person with a steady mind remains perfectly pure and completely free from the false idea of duality.
(End of the first Section of the second Chapter)
The Body as a City of Eleven Gates
The human body is like a dwelling or a city with eleven gates (the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, etc.). This dwelling belongs to the unborn, unchangeable Spirit. When a person constantly contemplates this Spirit, they escape from grief. By achieving spiritual absorption, they are freed from the cycle of reincarnation. He is the exact existence you desired to know.
That spiritual Being is always active. He moves through heaven; He preserves all physical existence because everything depends on Him; He moves through space; He resides within fire; He walks upon the earth; He enters the sacred sacrificial vessels like an honored guest; He dwells inside humans, inside the gods, and inside the sacrifices themselves. He moves throughout the entire sky. He seems to be born in the water as fish; He seems to grow on the earth as plants; He seems to flow from the mountain tops as rivers; and He is present in all the elements of a sacrifice. Yet, despite being in all these things, He remains absolutely pure and infinitely great.
He is the one who causes you to inhale (pulling breath upward above the heart) and exhale (pushing breath downward). He lives right in your heart, and He is completely adorable. All of your physical senses offer the objects they perceive directly to Him as a sacrifice.
When the soul—which is deeply connected to the physical body—finally leaves the body at death, absolutely nothing is left behind that can keep the biological system alive. It is the soul that preserves life. It is the exact existence you desired to know.
A mortal human being does not stay alive simply because they have breath or physical organs. They stay alive because of that other existence (the soul) which supports both the breath and the physical senses.
The Mystery of Reincarnation and the Eternal
O Gautama (Nachiketa), I will now reveal to you the secret doctrine of the eternal God. I will also explain how a person who completely lacks this knowledge is reincarnated after death.
Depending on how they lived and what they knew during their life, some ignorant people are reincarnated into the wombs of females to be born as lower animals. Other deeply ignorant people are even reincarnated as trees and plants.
The Being who stays awake and continues to operate even while you sleep—when all your physical senses have shut down—and who creates all your various, desirable dreams, is perfectly pure and the greatest of all. He alone is called the Eternal. The entire world rests upon Him, and absolutely nothing can exist without Him. He is the exact existence you desired to know.
Metaphors for God's Omnipresence
Fire: Fire is essentially just one thing. But when it becomes visible in the physical world, it takes on many different shapes and forms depending on where it is burning. In the exact same way, God (the soul of the universe) is only one. But He appears in countless different forms depending on the physical objects He connects Himself to, extending over everything just like space.
Air: Air is essentially just one thing. But when it operates inside a physical body, it takes on different forms, like the breath you inhale, the breath you exhale, and other vital airs. In the exact same way, God (the soul of the universe) is only one. But He appears in many different modes depending on the physical objects He connects Himself to, extending over everything just like space.
The Sun: The sun acts as the "eye" for all living creatures, allowing them to see. But the sun itself is never internally or externally polluted or stained by the ugly, vile objects it shines its light on. In the exact same way, God (the soul of the universe) is one and omnipresent. He is never affected or stained by the individual pain or suffering of humans, because He exists completely beyond the action of that pain.
The Path to Eternal Happiness
God is exactly one. He has absolute control over the entire world because He is the operating soul inside every single object. Through His perfect, all-knowing power (omniscience), He makes His single existence look like a diverse, complex universe. Wise people who acquire true knowledge of Him—the one who operates all human faculties—are granted eternal happiness. Those who lack this knowledge do not receive it.
God is the only eternal thing in this perishable universe. He is the ultimate source of sensation for every single living creature. He alone assigns every object its specific purpose. Wise people who recognize Him as the ultimate ruler of their own intellectual power are granted everlasting happiness. Those who lack this knowledge do not receive it.
How Can God Be Known?
You might ask: "How can I acquire this deeply satisfying divine knowledge? Even though God is beyond comprehension, wise people seem to obtain Him simply by constantly focusing their minds, as if He were standing right in front of them. Does He shine conspicuously? Does He actually appear to human senses?"
The answer is no. Neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars can shine any light on God. Even brilliant, flashing lightning cannot illuminate Him, much less an ordinary, limited earthly fire. In fact, all of these light sources simply imitate Him; they borrow all their light directly from Him. In other words, there is absolutely nothing in the physical universe that can influence God or make Him visible to human eyes.
Instead, God Himself imparts the knowledge of Himself directly into a human heart, but only when that heart is completely freed from worldly passion and desire.
(End of the second Section of the second Chapter)
The Metaphor of the Eternal Fig Tree
The world is like an ancient, everlasting fig tree whose roots are up above and whose branches grow downward, representing the different species of creation. Only the root—the original source—is pure and supreme. He alone is the eternal foundation upon which the entire world rests, and absolutely nothing can exist without Him. He is the exact existence you desired to know.
The Supreme Power and Authority of God
Because God is the eternal existence, everything in the universe comes directly from Him. He holds such immense, terrifying authority over all the heavenly bodies that it is as if He is standing over them ready to strike them with thunderbolts. Because of this awe and fear, none of them dare to stray from the specific paths He set for them. Those who truly know Him as this eternal power achieve spiritual absorption.
Out of fear of Him, fire burns and provides heat; out of fear of Him, the sun shines on its regular schedule; and out of fear of Him, Indra (the god of the atmosphere), the wind, and even Death itself are constantly kept in motion.
The Importance of Knowing God in This Life
If a person can acquire true knowledge of God in this world, before their physical body dies, they will become happy forever. If they fail to do so, they will be forced to take on new physical forms in different realms through reincarnation.
In this physical world, the knowledge of God shines on a purified human intellect as clearly as an object reflected in a perfectly polished mirror. In the realm of the deified ancestors (Progenitors), this knowledge is as blurry and obscure as things seen in a dream. In the realm of the Gandharvas (celestial musicians), it is like looking at a reflection in rippling water. But in the highest heavenly mansion of Brahma, the knowledge of God is as perfectly clear and distinct as the difference between light and darkness.
The Separation of Soul and Senses
A wise person knows that the soul is completely separate from the physical senses (which all come from different origins), and is also separate from the physical states of waking and sleeping. Once a person realizes this, they never grieve again.
The Hierarchy of Existence
The mind is higher and more refined than the external physical senses. The intellect is higher than the mind. The very first spark of life (the prime sensitive particle) is higher than the intellect. Nature, which appears to be the cause of the universe, is higher than that spark of life. Finally, God is superior even to Nature. God is omnipresent and completely free from any physical, material effects. When a person acquires knowledge of God, they are rescued from ignorance and distress, and after death, they are absorbed into Him.
God's true substance cannot be seen with the eyes, and no one can grasp Him through their physical senses. However, if a person constantly directs their intellect toward Him, completely free from all doubts, He will clearly reveal Himself. Those who know Him in this prescribed way will enjoy eternal life.
The State of Yoga
The most sacred state of life is when the power of the five external senses and the mind are completely focused on the Supreme Spirit, and the ordinary, restless actions of the intellect stop. This steady, perfect control over the senses and the mind is called Yoga (which means withdrawing the senses and the mind away from worldly objects). A person must be incredibly vigilant to achieve and maintain this state, because this level of control only comes from constant, daily practice, and it will quickly disappear if neglected.
Belief and Incomprehensibility
A person cannot acquire knowledge of God through speech, through intellectual reasoning, or through physical vision. In fact, no one can even begin to understand this Being unless they first firmly believe that God exists as the original cause of the universe. Therefore, a person must first acquire a solid belief in the existence of God as the creator of the universe. Only after that can they acquire the real knowledge of Him—which is the realization that He is entirely incomprehensible. The very same spiritual tools that lead a person to know God exists will graciously lead them to understand that He is ultimately beyond human comprehension.
Destroying Desires and Duality
When a person lets go of all the worldly desires rooted deep in their heart, that mortal being becomes immortal and achieves spiritual absorption while still living in this world. When the deep ignorance that causes "duality" (the false belief that we are separate from God) is completely destroyed, the mortal becomes immortal. This is the one and only true doctrine taught by the Vedant.
The 101 Tubes and the Journey of the Soul
There are one hundred and one energy tubes (veins or nadis) connected to the human heart. Only one of these, called the Sushumna, goes straight up to the crown of the head. When a true devotee dies, their soul travels upward through this specific hundred-and-first tube and is carried directly to the heavenly mansion of the immortal Brahma. The souls of ordinary people, however, exit through the other hundred tubes and are forced to take on new physical bodies in their next life, based entirely on the good or evil deeds they performed.
Separating the Spirit from the Body
The omnipresent, eternal Spirit always resides hidden deep within the space of the human heart, taking a form about the size of a thumb or finger. Using sheer firmness of mind, a person must mentally separate this pure Spirit from their physical body. This is just like carefully pulling the inner pith out of a Munja reed. In other words, a person must learn to view the Spirit as entirely separate from physical matter and its worldly effects, recognizing that this separated Spirit is perfectly pure and eternal.
Conclusion
Having learned this divine doctrine and all its secrets directly from Yama (the God of Death), young Nachiketa was completely freed from mortality and from the karmic consequences of his good and evil actions. He was fully absorbed into God. And whoever else manages to acquire this same true knowledge shall achieve the exact same spiritual absorption.
(End of the third Section of the second Chapter)
(End of the Katha Upanishad)
Comments
Post a Comment