HIPL Reading Circle · Reading guideSample
Katha Upanishad: the Nachiketa dialogue
When should you refuse what is pleasant for what is good?
01What to read
The Katha Upanishad, the Nachiketa story and Yama's teaching. Translation: [NAMED TRANSLATION, edition]. Sanskrit text: Gita Supersite.
02Before you start
The Upanishads are among the oldest philosophical texts in India. This one is told as a story: a boy, his father, and Death. Read the story first, then the teaching.
03Words to know
śreyas (the good) · preyas (the pleasant) · ātman (the self) · brahman (ultimate reality)
04Questions to bring
- Was Nachiketa right to keep questioning his father?
- Why does Yama test him before answering?
- Name one "pleasant" thing you'd find hard to give up for something "good".