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Kathopanishad
Kathopaniñad is a unique Upaniñad which starts with a kathä (a story) of a young boy who is ready to face the Lord of Death in his quest for Truth to know what lies beyond death. He asks the very pertinent and philosophical question, ‘Is there or is there not, and if it is what is it?’
In short, this teaching is an extravaganza
of spiritual knowledge and meditation that
guides a student step by step to the
glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss.
In short, this teaching is an extravaganza
of spiritual knowledge and meditation that
guides a student step by step to the
glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1976
107 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 25, 2017
This sacred text, written in India perhaps 2500 years ago, is a thoughtful reflection on the mysteries of life, death, and Ultimate Reality from a Classical Hindu perspective. The book is in the form of a dialogue between Nachiketas, a human lad, and Yama, the king of the realm of the dead. In beautiful, poetic stanzas that echo many themes from the Bhagavad Gita, we are treated to an inspiring view of human existence that would have delighted Emerson and his Transcendentalist colleague in 19th-century New England. Yama is portrayed as a wise and compassionate teacher, and his human interlocutor, Nachiketas, is an eager listener -- and a faithful practitioner -- of the insights that Yama imparts to him.
I would highly recommend this volume to people from all the major faith traditions of the world, both as an insightful window into the human condition and as a way to build bridges of understanding between our rainbow of faith traditions. I have read this book many times through the years, and I revisited it most recently because I had recommended it to my cousin.
I would highly recommend this volume to people from all the major faith traditions of the world, both as an insightful window into the human condition and as a way to build bridges of understanding between our rainbow of faith traditions. I have read this book many times through the years, and I revisited it most recently because I had recommended it to my cousin.
April 14, 2019
Enlightening!!!
Swami Chinmayananda is the best! His explanations of some of the toughest concepts of the world, cannot be simplified. He has brought down the complexity of this deepest knowledge about the true nature of creation to a level where a common human can think of implementing this knowledge in his day to day life. Much work is needed on our part to fully realize our true self....the Atman or Brahman...but first we need to acknowledge it's existence and fix it as our goal of life. Now that Swamiji has helped to do just this, we can start our journey of Self Realization. Thank you Swamiji!
Swami Chinmayananda is the best! His explanations of some of the toughest concepts of the world, cannot be simplified. He has brought down the complexity of this deepest knowledge about the true nature of creation to a level where a common human can think of implementing this knowledge in his day to day life. Much work is needed on our part to fully realize our true self....the Atman or Brahman...but first we need to acknowledge it's existence and fix it as our goal of life. Now that Swamiji has helped to do just this, we can start our journey of Self Realization. Thank you Swamiji!
January 3, 2011
One of three Hindu scriptures at the heart of my personal library (hence their presence on the "klippenclassics" shelf).
The translation is cleanly poetic -- graceful and unornamented -- complementing but not crowding the scripture's profound insight. As with the Bhagavad Gita and Ashtavakira Gita, when I read this text I find my reading pace slows, as if to fully savour every syllable.
If mass-market paperback are literary fast food, I'd analogize this and its siblings as the piece de resistance of the "slow food" oeuvre.
The translation is cleanly poetic -- graceful and unornamented -- complementing but not crowding the scripture's profound insight. As with the Bhagavad Gita and Ashtavakira Gita, when I read this text I find my reading pace slows, as if to fully savour every syllable.
If mass-market paperback are literary fast food, I'd analogize this and its siblings as the piece de resistance of the "slow food" oeuvre.
August 18, 2020
A very intersting story, that delves into the subtler truths of life. The language is a bit dated and can be difficult to assimilate at times, but the analogies and commentary do make the text, Katha Upanishad more palpable to us commoners.
There's a lot of wisdom in this one simple story, and it took me almost 2 months to finish reading it. Not something you read overnight for sure!
There's a lot of wisdom in this one simple story, and it took me almost 2 months to finish reading it. Not something you read overnight for sure!
June 25, 2017
When the young boy Nachiketa meets the lord of death. Interesting read.
June 15, 2025
মূল প্রেক্ষাপট: কঠ উপনিষদ কঠ শাখার যজুর্বেদ-এর অংশ এবং প্রধান দশ উপনিষদের অন্যতম। এটি মূলত একটি আলঙ্কারিক ও আধ্যাত্মিক কাহিনীর আকারে গঠিত। এখানে নচিকেতা নামক এক বালক ও মৃত্যুদেব যম-এর মধ্যে হওয়া সংলাপের মাধ্যমে জীবনের চরম সত্যগুলি উন্মোচিত হয়।
মূল বর্ণনা ও দর্শন:
১. নচিকেতার ত্যাগ ও ধৈর্য : কাহিনির শুরু এক অপূর্ব নৈতিক পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে—নচিকেতার পিতা যখন কৃপণভাবে দান করছেন, তখন সে প্রশ্ন তোলে, “আমাকে কাকে দিচ্ছো?” ক্রোধে তার পিতা বলেন—“মৃত্যুকে!”
নচিকেতা সেই কথা মেনে স্বেচ্ছায় মৃত্যুর দ্বারে উপস্থিত হয়। তিনদিন না খেয়ে মৃত্যালয়ে বসে থাকে। যম তার ধৈর্যে বিমুগ্ধ হয়ে তাকে তিনটি বর দিতে সম্মত হন।
২. তিনটি বর: এক ধাপে আত্মজ্ঞানের দিকে : প্রথম দুটি বর—পিতার শান্তি ও অগ্নিবিদ্যা (যজ্ঞ)—নিতান্ত ধর্মীয়।
কিন্তু তৃতীয় বর সর্বোচ্চ:
“মৃত্যুর পরে আত্মার কী হয়, সে কথা আমাকে বলো।”
এই প্রশ্নেই কঠ উপনিষদের গূঢ়তা শুরু।
৩. প্রেক্ষিত: আত্মা ও অমরত্ব: যম উত্তর দেন:
"ন জন্মত্যি ন ম্রিয়তে বা কদাচিত্।"
— “আত্মা জন্মায় না, মৃত্যুবরণ করে না।”
“শরীরের মৃত্যু আত্মার মৃত্যু নয়।”
আত্মা স্থায়ী, চিরন্তন। দেহ পরিবর্তনশীল; আত্মা অবিকল।
৪. শ্রেয় ও প্রেয়: উপনিষদের কেন্দ্রীয় নৈতিক দ্বন্দ্ব:
“শ্রেয়শ্চ প্রেয়শ্চ”
— “জীবনে দুটি পথ—শ্রেয় (যা ভালো), প্রেয় (যা প্রিয়)।”
নচিকেতা প্রেয় নয়, শ্রেয় বেছে নেয়। যম তার ঈর্ষণীয় বস্তু, নারীসঙ্গ, সোনার রথ প্রভৃতি দিয়ে মন ভুলাতে চেয়েছিলেন। কিন্তু নচিকেতা অবিচল। এ হল বিবেক ও সত্যানুসন্ধানের জয়গাথা।
৫. শরীররথ উপমা: আত্মা-সাধনার পরিচিত উপমা:
“আত্মানং রথিনং বিদ্ধি, শরীরং রথমেব তু।”
আত্মা: রথের যাত্রী
দেহ: রথ
ইন্দ্রিয়: ঘোড়া
মন: লাগাম
বুদ্ধি: সারথি
এই উপমায় জীবনের নিয়ন্ত্রণ-চক্র বোঝানো হয়েছে। জ্ঞানী সেই, যে আত্মাকে সারথির হাতে তুলে দিয়ে নিজেকে নিয়ন্ত্রণে রাখে।
ভাষা ও উপস্থাপন: কঠ উপনিষদের ভাষা একদিকে সহজ অথচ অলঙ্কারময়। চরিত্রচিত্রণ, উপমা, ছন্দ—সবই কাব্যিকভাবে গাঁথা, কিন্তু দার্শনিক ভিত্তিতে কঠিন ও গভীর। প্রতিটি মন্ত্র একধরনের ধ্যানসূত্র।
উপসংহার: কঠ উপনিষদ হল এক আত্মিক পরীক্ষা, যেখানে একটি শিশুর মতো মন মৃত্যুর দুয়ারে গিয়ে সত্য জিজ্ঞাসা করে—আর দেবতা নিজে উত্তর দেন। এ উপনিষদ শিক্ষা দেয়:
মৃত্যু নয়, জ্ঞানই চিরন্তন।
আত্মা খণ্ড হয় না, নষ্ট হয় না, জন্মায় না।
আত্মজ্ঞান অর্জনের জন্য সততা, ত্যাগ ও ধৈর্য অপরিহার্য।
“যে আত্মাকে জানে না, সে অন্ধকারে; যে আত্মাকে জানে, সে অমৃতলোকের অধিকারী।”
মূল বর্ণনা ও দর্শন:
১. নচিকেতার ত্যাগ ও ধৈর্য : কাহিনির শুরু এক অপূর্ব নৈতিক পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে—নচিকেতার পিতা যখন কৃপণভাবে দান করছেন, তখন সে প্রশ্ন তোলে, “আমাকে কাকে দিচ্ছো?” ক্রোধে তার পিতা বলেন—“মৃত্যুকে!”
নচিকেতা সেই কথা মেনে স্বেচ্ছায় মৃত্যুর দ্বারে উপস্থিত হয়। তিনদিন না খেয়ে মৃত্যালয়ে বসে থাকে। যম তার ধৈর্যে বিমুগ্ধ হয়ে তাকে তিনটি বর দিতে সম্মত হন।
২. তিনটি বর: এক ধাপে আত্মজ্ঞানের দিকে : প্রথম দুটি বর—পিতার শান্তি ও অগ্নিবিদ্যা (যজ্ঞ)—নিতান্ত ধর্মীয়।
কিন্তু তৃতীয় বর সর্বোচ্চ:
“মৃত্যুর পরে আত্মার কী হয়, সে কথা আমাকে বলো।”
এই প্রশ্নেই কঠ উপনিষদের গূঢ়তা শুরু।
৩. প্রেক্ষিত: আত্মা ও অমরত্ব: যম উত্তর দেন:
"ন জন্মত্যি ন ম্রিয়তে বা কদাচিত্।"
— “আত্মা জন্মায় না, মৃত্যুবরণ করে না।”
“শরীরের মৃত্যু আত্মার মৃত্যু নয়।”
আত্মা স্থায়ী, চিরন্তন। দেহ পরিবর্তনশীল; আত্মা অবিকল।
৪. শ্রেয় ও প্রেয়: উপনিষদের কেন্দ্রীয় নৈতিক দ্বন্দ্ব:
“শ্রেয়শ্চ প্রেয়শ্চ”
— “জীবনে দুটি পথ—শ্রেয় (যা ভালো), প্রেয় (যা প্রিয়)।”
নচিকেতা প্রেয় নয়, শ্রেয় বেছে নেয়। যম তার ঈর্ষণীয় বস্তু, নারীসঙ্গ, সোনার রথ প্রভৃতি দিয়ে মন ভুলাতে চেয়েছিলেন। কিন্তু নচিকেতা অবিচল। এ হল বিবেক ও সত্যানুসন্ধানের জয়গাথা।
৫. শরীররথ উপমা: আত্মা-সাধনার পরিচিত উপমা:
“আত্মানং রথিনং বিদ্ধি, শরীরং রথমেব তু।”
আত্মা: রথের যাত্রী
দেহ: রথ
ইন্দ্রিয়: ঘোড়া
মন: লাগাম
বুদ্ধি: সারথি
এই উপমায় জীবনের নিয়ন্ত্রণ-চক্র বোঝানো হয়েছে। জ্ঞানী সেই, যে আত্মাকে সারথির হাতে তুলে দিয়ে নিজেকে নিয়ন্ত্রণে রাখে।
ভাষা ও উপস্থাপন: কঠ উপনিষদের ভাষা একদিকে সহজ অথচ অলঙ্কারময়। চরিত্রচিত্রণ, উপমা, ছন্দ—সবই কাব্যিকভাবে গাঁথা, কিন্তু দার্শনিক ভিত্তিতে কঠিন ও গভীর। প্রতিটি মন্ত্র একধরনের ধ্যানসূত্র।
উপসংহার: কঠ উপনিষদ হল এক আত্মিক পরীক্ষা, যেখানে একটি শিশুর মতো মন মৃত্যুর দুয়ারে গিয়ে সত্য জিজ্ঞাসা করে—আর দেবতা নিজে উত্তর দেন। এ উপনিষদ শিক্ষা দেয়:
মৃত্যু নয়, জ্ঞানই চিরন্তন।
আত্মা খণ্ড হয় না, নষ্ট হয় না, জন্মায় না।
আত্মজ্ঞান অর্জনের জন্য সততা, ত্যাগ ও ধৈর্য অপরিহার্য।
“যে আত্মাকে জানে না, সে অন্ধকারে; যে আত্মাকে জানে, সে অমৃতলোকের অধিকারী।”
March 10, 2023
In Jeudaic/Christian tradition, we have Genesis 22:1-19 chapter where God asks Abraham to kill his son. Basically, the old testimony does not offer an interpretation of the story, in Katha Upanishad similar story emerges but with full integration of the actual meaning. Or perhaps the interpretation of the writer.
"Dear father, to whom will you give me away?"
He said it a second, and then a third time.
The father, seized by anger, replied: "To Death, I give you away."
— Nachiketa, Katha Upanishad, 1.1.1-1.1.4
A beautifully written book and kind of easy to understand if you are familiar with the basic concepts of Atman (Self) and Moksha (liberation).
Different is the good and different is the dear,
they both, having different aims, fetter you men;
He, who chooses for himself the good, comes to wellbeing,
he, who chooses the dear, loses the goal.
The good and the dear approach the man,
The wise man, pondering over both, distinguishes them;
The wise one chooses the good over the dear,
The fool, acquisitive and craving, chooses the dear.
— Yama, Katha Upanishad, 1.2.1-1.2.2
While the date written is contested, this is very much delivered in Platonic dialogue style.
"Dear father, to whom will you give me away?"
He said it a second, and then a third time.
The father, seized by anger, replied: "To Death, I give you away."
— Nachiketa, Katha Upanishad, 1.1.1-1.1.4
A beautifully written book and kind of easy to understand if you are familiar with the basic concepts of Atman (Self) and Moksha (liberation).
Different is the good and different is the dear,
they both, having different aims, fetter you men;
He, who chooses for himself the good, comes to wellbeing,
he, who chooses the dear, loses the goal.
The good and the dear approach the man,
The wise man, pondering over both, distinguishes them;
The wise one chooses the good over the dear,
The fool, acquisitive and craving, chooses the dear.
— Yama, Katha Upanishad, 1.2.1-1.2.2
While the date written is contested, this is very much delivered in Platonic dialogue style.
January 6, 2023
as well as relating to other mystical traditions, I really liked the analysis of the chariot and the self-->extends to Buddhism & it's no self, but also Plato & senses. The concept of fire (being different everywhere but still recognised as fire) and -intro- as 'an enactment of the interconnection of universal existence, which is nothing in for itself alone but exists because something else has offered itself up for continued being, and because it in turn offers itself up for something else' = 🔥
i really want to learn how to read the upanishads, because it at times, for me, dawdled in the repetitions of i am that and everything around me. also i don't understand the polarity, a lot of spiritual books have this sharp schism between materialistic desire & complete detachment. but then again also finding god (~¿) in everything everywhere, maybe i don't understand anything really... clearly
but omg the illustrations were beautiful!!! bring back pictures in books 🙏🏽🙏🏽
i really want to learn how to read the upanishads, because it at times, for me, dawdled in the repetitions of i am that and everything around me. also i don't understand the polarity, a lot of spiritual books have this sharp schism between materialistic desire & complete detachment. but then again also finding god (~¿) in everything everywhere, maybe i don't understand anything really... clearly
but omg the illustrations were beautiful!!! bring back pictures in books 🙏🏽🙏🏽
July 7, 2023
Tr. R. E. Hume
If the slayer thinks to slay,
If the slain thinks himself slain,
Both these understand not.
This one slays not, nor is slain.
That by which [one discerns] form, taste, smell,
Sound; and mutual touches—
It is with That indeed that one discerns.
What is there left over here!
This, verily, is That!
[…]
He who knows this experiencer
As the living Soul (Atman) near at hand,
Lord of what has been and of what is to be
He does not shrink away from Him.
This, verily, is That!
He who was born of old from austerity (tapas)
Was born of old from the waters,
Who stands entered into the secret place [of the
heart],
Who looked forth through beings—
This, verily, is That!
She who arises with life (prana),
Aditi (Infinity), maker of divinity,
Who stands entered into the secret place [of the
heart],
Who was born forth through beings—
This, verily, is That!
Fire (Agni), the all-knower (jatavedas), hidden away in the
two fire-sticks
Like the embryo well borne by pregnant women,
Worthy to be worshiped day by day
By watchful men with oblations—
This, verily, is That!
If the slayer thinks to slay,
If the slain thinks himself slain,
Both these understand not.
This one slays not, nor is slain.
That by which [one discerns] form, taste, smell,
Sound; and mutual touches—
It is with That indeed that one discerns.
What is there left over here!
This, verily, is That!
[…]
He who knows this experiencer
As the living Soul (Atman) near at hand,
Lord of what has been and of what is to be
He does not shrink away from Him.
This, verily, is That!
He who was born of old from austerity (tapas)
Was born of old from the waters,
Who stands entered into the secret place [of the
heart],
Who looked forth through beings—
This, verily, is That!
She who arises with life (prana),
Aditi (Infinity), maker of divinity,
Who stands entered into the secret place [of the
heart],
Who was born forth through beings—
This, verily, is That!
Fire (Agni), the all-knower (jatavedas), hidden away in the
two fire-sticks
Like the embryo well borne by pregnant women,
Worthy to be worshiped day by day
By watchful men with oblations—
This, verily, is That!
September 30, 2022
By a Sadhu ?
Though writer refers to himself as Sadhu, there is so much of ridicule, slander, criticism and condemning of priests, prohits, pandits, rishis and scholars at so many places in the book, one wonders who is a Sadhu. Only such people condemned by writer had preserved the entire Hindu philosophy and religion for centuries and passed to future generations. Even this writer or his guru must have sat with Sanskrit scholar to learn and translate into bombastic English, with repetitions, diversions and even errors. Sasyam is elaborately discussed as seasonal weeds !
Though writer refers to himself as Sadhu, there is so much of ridicule, slander, criticism and condemning of priests, prohits, pandits, rishis and scholars at so many places in the book, one wonders who is a Sadhu. Only such people condemned by writer had preserved the entire Hindu philosophy and religion for centuries and passed to future generations. Even this writer or his guru must have sat with Sanskrit scholar to learn and translate into bombastic English, with repetitions, diversions and even errors. Sasyam is elaborately discussed as seasonal weeds !
September 27, 2021
I prefer the translation I first read by Easwaran, but this one does seem to get to the point and much more digestible. It's ease of reading though does seem to take some of the punch of some of the verses. 4 stars for the translation, but 5 of course for the Katha.
June 16, 2023
This book explains spirituality through Vedic philosophy. Book is well written but some concepts may be difficult to understand. The concept of death and how to overcome the fear of it is explained. Not so much explanation on after life.
December 13, 2022
In India philosophy has reached to the mountain view level. Katha Upanishad is the first text to start with the vast knowledge of ancient India.
September 27, 2023
Upanishads are the true heritage of our country. Among them Katha Upanishad stands the tallest as it answers the perennial questions pertaining to human existence.
September 12, 2021
I've not read this particular book, but the Upanishad itself.
April 15, 2019
Nachiketa is tempted by Brahman in much the same way that Christ was tempted by Satan and similarly passes the test and starts a way of praying to Brahman. Also there’s a bit about the heart and the blood vessels.
May 20, 2021
Death as teacher to genuinely curious and reverent student; my favorite Upanishad so far. I appreciated the repetition driving home the message. A good message to live life by everyday and thereby be freed of death.
October 28, 2018
I will now stop reviewing any of Osho's books. He has earned it through this book. I love this man.
February 14, 2020
well-written, although somewhat repetitive. A good read on Vedic philosophy and ideas on liberation.
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