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Katha Upanishad

May 04, 2023

The Katha Upanishad (Sanskrit: कठोपनिषद् or कठ उपनिषद्) (Kaṭhopaniṣad) is one of the mukhya (primary) Upanishads, embedded in the last eight short sections of the Kaṭha school of the Krishna Yajurveda.[1][2] It is also known as Kāṭhaka Upanishad, and is listed as number 3 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

A manuscript page showing verses 1.1.1 to 1.1.3 of the Katha Upanishad, Krishna Yajurveda (Sanskrit, Devanagari script)

The Katha Upanishad consists of two chapters (Adhyāyas), each divided into three sections (Vallis). The first Adhyaya is considered to be of older origin than the second.[2] The Upanishad is the legendary story of a little boy, Nachiketa – the son of Sage Vajasravasa, who meets Yama (the deity of death). Their conversation evolves to a discussion of the nature of man, knowledge, Atman (Self) and moksha (liberation).[2]

The chronology of Katha Upanishad is unclear and contested, but belongs to the later verse Upanishads, dated to the 5th[3][4] to first centuries BCE.[5]

The Kathaka Upanishad is an important ancient Sanskrit corpus of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to the diverse schools of Hinduism. It asserts that "Atman (Self) exists", teaches the precept "seek Self-knowledge, which is Highest Bliss", and expounds on this premise like the other primary Upanishads of Hinduism. The detailed teachings of Katha Upanishad have been variously interpreted, as Dvaita (dualistic)[6] and as Advaita (non-dualistic).[7][8][9]

It is among the most widely studied Upanishads. Katha Upanishad was translated into Persian in 17th century, copies of which were then translated into Latin and distributed in Europe.[10] Other philosophers such as Arthur Schopenhauer praised it, Edwin Arnold rendered it in verse as "The Secret of Death", and Ralph Waldo Emerson credited Katha Upanishad for the central story at the end of his essay Immortality, as well as his poem "Brahma".[7][11]

Etymology

Katha (Sanskrit: कठ) literally means "distress".[12] Katha is also the name of a sage, credited as the founder of a branch of the Krishna Yajur-veda, as well as the term for a female pupil or follower of Kathas school of Yajurveda.[12] Paul Deussen notes that the Katha Upanishad uses words that symbolically embed and creatively have multiple meanings. For example, a closely pronounced word Katha (Sanskrit: कथा) literally means "story, legend, conversation, speech, tale".[12] All of these related meanings are relevant to the Katha Upanishad.

Nachiketa, the boy and a central character in the Katha Upanishad legend, similarly, has closely related words with roots and meanings relevant to the text. Paul Deussen[2] suggests Na kṣiti and Na aksiyete, which are word plays of and pronounced similar to Nachiketa, means "non-decay, or what does not decay", a meaning that is relevant to second boon portion of the Nachiketa story. Similarly, Na jiti is another word play and means "that which cannot be vanquished", which is contextually relevant to the Nachiketa's third boon.[2] Both Whitney and Deussen independently suggest yet another variation to Nachiketa, with etymological roots that is relevant to Katha Upanishad: the word Na-ciketa also means "I do not know, or he does not know".[13] Some of these Sanskrit word plays are incorporated within the Upanishad's text.[14]

Like Taittiriya Upanishad of Yajurveda, each section of the Katha Upanishad is called a Valli (वल्ली), which literally means a medicinal vine-like climbing plant that grows independently yet is attached to a main tree. Paul Deussen states that this symbolic terminology is apt and likely reflects the root and nature of the Upanishads in Black Yajur veda, which too is largely independent of the liturgical Yajur Veda, and is attached to the main text.[15]

Chronology

The chronology of Katha Upanishad is unclear and contested by scholars.[16] All opinions rest on scanty evidence, an analysis of archaism, style and repetitions across texts, driven by assumptions about likely evolution of ideas, and on presumptions about which philosophy might have influenced which other Indian philosophies.[16][9]

Richard King and A.L. Basham date the Katha Upanishad's composition roughly to the 5th century BCE, chronologically placing it after the first Buddhist Pali canons.[3][4] Olivelle assigns the Katha Upanishad to the verse Upanishads, together with the Kena, Isa, Svetasvatara, and Mundaka,[5] dating it to the first centuries BCE.[5] Paul Deussen too considers Katha Upanishad to be a post-prose, yet earlier stage Upanishad composed about the time Kena and Isha Upanishads were, because of the poetic, mathematical metric structure of its hymns.[17]

Stephen Phillips notes the disagreement between modern scholars. Phillips places the Katha Upanishad chronologically after Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Isha, Taittiriya, Aitareya and Kena, but before Mundaka, Prasna, Mandukya, Svetasvatara and Maitri Upanishads, as well as before the earliest Buddhist Pali and Jaina canons.[16][note 1] Winternitz considers the Kathaka Upanishad as pre-Buddhist, pre-Jaina literature.[17][19]

Structure

The Katha Upanishad has two chapters, each with three sections (valli), thus a total of six sections. The first section has 29 verses, the second section 25 verses, and the third presents 17. The second chapter opens with the fourth section of the Katha Upanishad and has 15 verses, while the fifth valli also has 15 verses. The final section has 17 verses.[2]

The first chapter with the first three vallis is considered older, because the third section ends with a structure in Sanskrit that is typically found at closing of other Upanishads, and also because the central ideas are repeated though expanded in the last three sections, that is the second chapter.[2] This, however, does not imply a significant gap between the two chapters, both chapters are considered ancient, and from 1st millennium BCE.[2]

The origin of the story of the little boy named Nachiketa, contained in Katha Upanishad is of a much older origin.[14] Nachiketa is mentioned in the verses of chapter 3.11 of Taittiriya Brahmana, both as a similar story,[14] and as the name of one of five fire arrangements for rituals, along with Savitra, Caturhotra, Vaisvasrja and Aruna Agni.[2][20]

The style and structure suggests that some of the verses in Katha Upanishad, such as 1.1.8, 1.1.16-1.1.18, 1.1.28 among others, are non-philosophical, do not fit with the rest of the text, and are likely to be later insertion and interpolations.[2][14][21]

Content

The son questions his father - First Valli

The Upanishad opens with the story of Vajasravasa, also called Aruni Auddalaki Gautama,[22] who gives away all his worldly possessions. However, his son Nachiketa (Sanskrit: नचिकेता) sees the charitable sacrifice as a farce, because all those worldly things have already been used to exhaustion, and are of no value to the recipients. The cows given away, for example, were so old that they had 'drank-their-last-water' (पीतोदकाः), 'eaten-their-last-grass' (जग्धतृणाः), 'don't give milk' (दुग्धदोहाः), 'who are barren' (निरिन्द्रियाः). [23] Concerned, the son asks his father,

"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[24][25]

Nachiketa does not die, but accepts his father's gifting him to Death, by visiting the abode of Yama - the deity of death in the Indian pantheon of deities. Nachiketa arrives, but Yama is not in his abode. Nachiketa as guest goes hungry for three nights, states verse 9 of the first Valli of Katha Upanishad. Yama arrives and is apologetic for this dishonor to the guest, so he offers Nachiketa three wishes.[26]

Nachiketa' first wish is that Yama discharge him from the abode of death, back to his family, and that his father be calm, well-disposed, not resentful and same as he was before when he returns. Yama grants the first wish immediately, states verse 1.1.11 of Katha Upanishad.[26]

For his second wish, Nachiketa prefaces his request with the statement that heaven is a place where there is no fear, no anxiety, no old age, no hunger, no thirst, no sorrow.[26] He then asks Yama, in verse 1.1.13 of Katha Upanishad to be instructed as to the proper execution of fire ritual that enables a human being to secure heaven. Yama responds by detailing the fire ritual, including how the bricks should be arranged, and how the fire represents the building of the world. Nachiketa remembers what Yama tells him, repeats the ritual, a feat which pleases Yama, and he declares that this fire ritual will thereafter be called the "Nachiketa fires".[27] Yama adds that along with "three Nachiketa fires", anyone who respects three bonds (with mother, father and teacher), does three kinds of karma (rituals, studies and charity), and understands the knowledge therein, becomes free of sorrow.[27]

Nachiketa then asks for his third wish, asking Yama in verse 1.1.20, about the doubt that human beings have about "what happens after a person dies? Does he continue to exist in another form? or not?"[27] The remaining verse of first Valli of Katha Upanishad is expression of reluctance by Yama in giving a straight "yes or no" answer. Yama states that even gods doubt and are uncertain about that question, and urges Nachiketa to pick another wish.[28] Nachiketa says that if gods doubt that, then he "Yama" as deity of death ought to be the only one who knows the answer. Yama offers him all sorts of worldly wealth and pleasures instead, but Nachiketa says human life is short, asks Yama to keep the worldly wealth and pleasures to himself, declares that pompous wealth, lust and pleasures are fleeting and vain, then insists on knowing the nature of Atman (Self) and sticks to his question, "what happens after death?"[29][30]

The theory of good versus dear - Second Valli

 
Yama teaches Atma vidya to Nachiketa

Yama begins his teaching by distinguishing between preya (प्रेय, प्रिय, dear, pleasant, gratifying),[31] and shreya (श्रेय, good, beneficial excellence).[32][33]

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[33][34]

The verses 1.2.4 through 1.2.6 of Katha Upanishad then characterizes Knowledge/Wisdom as the pursuit of good, and Ignorance/Delusion as the pursuit of pleasant.[34] The verses 1.2.7 through 1.2.11 of Katha Upanishad state Knowledge/Wisdom and the pursuit of good is difficult yet eternal, while Ignorance/Delusion and the pursuit of the pleasant is easy yet transient. Knowledge requires effort, and often not comprehended by man even when he reads it or hears it or by internal argument.[35] The pursuit of Knowledge and the good, can be taught,[36] learnt and thus realized.[37]

A similar discussion and distinction between the pleasant and the beneficial is found in ancient Greek philosophy, such as in Phaedrus by Plato.[38]

Atman exists, the theory of Yoga and the essence of Vedas - Second Valli

Katha Upanishad, in verses 1.2.12 asserts Atman – Self – exists, though it is invisible and full of mystery.[39] It is ancient, and recognizable by Yoga (meditation on one's self), states Katha Upanishad. This is one of the earliest mentions of Yoga in ancient Sanskrit literature, in the context of Self-development and meditation.

In verses 1.2.14 through 1.2.22, the Katha Upanishad asserts that the essence of Veda is to make man liberated and free, look past what has happened and what has not happened, free from the past and the future, refocus his attention past Ignorance to Knowledge, to the means of blissful existence beyond joy and sorrow. This is achievable through realization of Atman-Brahman, asserts Katha Upanishad, and this essence is reminded in the Vedas through the word Om (ॐ, Aum), state verses 1.2.15-1.2.16.[42] That syllable, Aum, is in Brahman, means Brahman, means the Highest, means the Blissful within.[41][42]

Yama is the spokesman in the second Valli of the Katha Upanishad. He asserts that man must not fear anyone or anything (not even death) as the true essence of man (Atman) is neither born nor dies; he is eternal, he is Brahman. These passages have been widely studied, and inspired Emerson among others:[7][43]

The seer (Atman, Self) is not born, nor does he die,
He does not originate from anybody, nor does he become anybody,
Eternal, ancient one, he remains eternal,
he is not killed, even though the body is killed.

If the killer thinks that he kills,
if the killed thinks that he is killed,
they do not understand;
for this one does not kill, nor is that one killed.

The Self (Atman), smaller than small, greater than great,
is hidden in the heart of each creature,
Free from avarice, free from grief, peaceful and content,
he sees the supreme glory of Atman.

— Katha Upanishad, 1.2.18-1.2.20[44][45]

In final verses of the second Valli, the Katha Upanishad asserts that Atman-knowledge, or Self-realization, is not attained by instruction, not arguments nor reasoning from scriptures. It is comprehended by oneself through meditation and introspection. It is not attained by those who do not abstain from misconduct, not those who are restless nor composed, not those whose mind is not calm and tranquil, but only those who live ethically, are composed, tranquil, internally peaceful, search within and examine their own nature.[45][46] Similar ideas are repeated in the Mundaka Upanishad in chapter 3.2, another classic ancient scripture of Hinduism.[46]

The parable of the chariot - Third Valli

The third Valli of Katha Upanishad presents the parable of the chariot, to highlight how Atman, body, mind, senses and empirical reality relate to a human being.[47][48]

Know that the Atman is the rider in the chariot,
and the body is the chariot,
Know that the Buddhi (intelligence, ability to reason) is the charioteer,
and Manas (mind) is the reins.

The senses are called the horses,
the objects of the senses are their paths,
Formed out of the union of the Atman, the senses and the mind,
him they call the "enjoyer".

— Katha Upanishad, 1.3.3-1.3.4[47][49]

The Katha Upanishad asserts that one who does not use his powers of reasoning, whose senses are unruly and mind unbridled, his life drifts in chaos and confusion, his existence entangled in samsara. Those who use their intelligence, have their senses calm and under reason, they live a life of bliss and liberation, which is the highest place of Vishnu.[49] Whitney clarifies that "Vishnu" appears in Vedas as a form of Sun, and "Vishnu's highest place" is a Vedic phrase that means "zenith".[50] Madhvacharya, the Dvaita Vedanta scholar interprets this term differently, and bases his theistic interpretation of Katha Upanishad by stating that the term refers to the deity Vishnu.[51]

This metaphorical parable of chariot is found in multiple ancient Indian texts, and is called the Ratha Kalpana. A similar simile is found in ancient Greek literature, such as the Parmenides, Xenophon's prologue of Prodikos, and in the Platonic dialogue Phaedrus.[47]

The nature of Atman, need for ethics and the hierarchy of Reality - Third Valli

The Katha Upanishad, in verses 1.3.10 through 1.3.12 presents a hierarchy of Reality from the perspective of a human being. It asserts that Artha (objects, means of life) are above Indriya (senses), that Manas (mind) is above Artha in this hierarchy, above the Manas is Buddhi (intellect, his ability to discern), above the Buddhi is Atman (his Self, great Self).[47][50] Beyond the Atman, states Katha Upanishad, is the Avyaktam (unmanifested Reality), and Purusha (cosmic Self) is beyond the Avyaktam, and beyond the Purusha, there is nothing - for it is the goal, for it is the highest road.[47] At the basic level of life, the interaction is between Artha and Indriya (sensory organs); while at the highest level, man becomes aware of and holistically realizes the entire hierarchy. The Self is hidden in all beings, asserts the Katha Upanishad; it does not show itself, but its awareness is felt by seers with agrya sukshma (subtle, more self-evident conscious, keen thinkers).[50][52]

In verse 1.3.13, Katha Upanishad states that Prajna (conscious man) should heed to the ethical precept of self-examination and self-restraint, restraining his speech and mind by the application of his Buddhi (power to reason). Man should, asserts Katha Upanishad, holistically unify his tempered senses and mind with his intellect, all these with his Atman (Self), and unify his "great Self" with the Self of the rest, the tranquility of Oneness with the Avyaktam and "cosmic Self".[50][52] Self (Atman) is soundless, touchless, formless, tasteless, scentless, without beginning, without end, imperishable, beyond great, blissful, and when one reveres one's own Self, he is liberated.[53] Such Self-realization is not easy according to Katha Upanishad,[54]

Paul Deussen states that verses 1.3.10 to 1.3.13 of Katha Upanishad is one of the earliest mentions of the elements of Yoga theory, and the recommendation of Yoga as a path to the highest goal of man, that is a life of spiritual freedom and liberation.[56] This theory is significantly expanded upon in the second chapter of Katha Upanishad, particularly in the sixth Valli.[56]

The theory of Atman, Oneness and Plurality - Fourth Valli

The fourth Valli starts by asserting that inner knowledge is that of unity, eternal calmness and spiritual Oneness, while the external knowledge is that of plurality, perishable "running around" and sensory objects.[57][58] The Katha Upanishad in fifteen verses of the fourth Valli, as well as those the fifth Valli, explains what is Atman, how it can be known, the nature of Atman, and why it ought to be known. For definition, it deploys an epistemic combination of "positive assertions" as well as "exposition by elimination", the latter repeated with,[59]

किमत्र परिशिष्यते । एतद्वै तत् ॥ ४ ॥[60]

What is left here? Truly, this is that (Atman).

— Katha Upanishad, 2.4.3[57][58]

Atman, asserts Katha Upanishad, is the subject of Self-knowledge, the bearer of spiritual reality, that which is all-pervading, inside every being, which unifies all human beings as well as all creatures, the concealed, eternal, immortal, pure bliss. It exists and active when man is in awake-state, it exists and active when man is in dream-state.[57][59] The empirical reality is the "honey" for the Atman,[58] with the honey metaphor repeating "fruit of numerous karma flowers in the valley of life" doctrine found in other Upanishads, such as in the second chapter of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. To know Atman, look inward and introspect; to know objects, look outward and examine, states Katha Upanishad. Everything that changes is not Atman, that which was, is, will be and never changes is Atman.[57] Just like a baby is concealed inside a mother's womb when conceived, Atman is concealed inside every creature, states verse 2.4.8 of Katha Upanishad.[59]

Self is the lord of the past, the lord of the now, and the lord of the future.[57] Self is eternal, never born, never dies, part of that which existed before the universe was formed from "brooding heat".[59] Sun rests in it, gods rest in it, all nature rests in it, it is everywhere, it is in everything.[61] To understand the eternal nature of one's Self is to feel calmness, inner peace, patience and freedom regardless of the circumstances one is in, affections or threats one faces, praises or insults one is subjected to. Anyone who runs after sensory-impressions, gets lost among them just like water flows randomly after rainfall on mountains, state verses 2.4.14 and 2.4.15 of the Katha Upanishad; and those who know their Self and act according to its Dharma[62] remain pure like pure water remains pure when poured into pure water.[59][63]

There is no plurality and separateness between the essence (Atman) of I and others, between the essence of nature and spirit, asserts Katha Upanishad in verses 2.4.10 and 2.4.11.[57][63] The Self-driven individual ignores the superficial individuality of others, and accepts their essential identity.[63] Paul Deussen suggests that verses 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 posit a nondualistic (Advaita) position, where both Purusha and Prakrti are only Atman. This position contrasts with one of the fundamental premises of the dualistic schools of Hinduism.[64] Shankara agrees with this interpretation. Ramanuja doesn't and offers a theistic dualism based interpretation instead.[65]

Life is highest joy, and what happens after death - Fifth Valli

Katha Upanishad's fifth Valli is an eschatological treatise. It begins by stating that human body is like a Pura (Sanskrit: पुर, town, city) with eleven gates[66] that connect him to the universe. The individual, asserts Katha Upanishad, who understands and reveres this town of eternal, non-changing spirit, is never crooked-minded, is always free.[67][68] The Self dwells in swan, in atmosphere, in man, in Varasad (wide spaces), in eternal law, everywhere in the universe; it is born of water, it is born of kine, it is born of Ṛta (right, truth, ethics, morals, eternal law), it is born of stone (mountains) as the great Ṛta, as ought to be. This Self is worshipped by all the gods. Body dies, Self doesn't.[68]

In verses 2.5.6 and 2.5.7, the Katha Upanishad discusses what happens to the Self after death, stating a variant of the premise of Karma theory that underlies major Indian religions,[69]

योनिमन्ये प्रपद्यन्ते शरीरत्वाय देहिनः ।
स्थाणुमन्येऽनुसंयन्ति यथाकर्म यथाश्रुतम् ॥ ७ ॥[70]

Some of these Selfs enter into the womb, in order to embody again into organic beings,
others assemble unto what is Sthānu (immovable things),
according to their karma, according to their shrutam (श्रुतम्, knowledge, learning).

— Katha Upanishad, 2.5.7[67][68][69]

The Self is always awake and active, while one is asleep, shaping wishful dreams. It is one with Brahman. It is everywhere, within and without, it is immortal. This universal, oneness theme is explained by the Katha Upanishad by three similes, which Paul Deussen calls as excellent.[68] Just like one light exists and penetrates the cosmic space, enveloping and clinging to everything and every form individually, the "one inner Self" of beings exists and dwells in all beings, clings to every form and remains still without, states the Katha Upanishad.[68] Just like one air exists and penetrates the world, enveloping and clinging to everything and every being individually, the "one inner Self" of beings exists and dwells in all beings, clings to every form and remains still without.[67] Just like the Sun exists and its nature is not contaminated by the impurities seen by the eyes, the "one inner Self" of beings exists and its nature is pure, never contaminated by the sorrows and blemishes of the external world.[68][69] Parts of the ideas in these first two similes of Katha Upanishad are of far more ancient origins, and found for example in Book 6, Chapter 47 of Rig veda.[67]

That individual is perennially happy, asserts Katha Upanishad, who realizes the Atman is within him, that he himself is the Master, that the inner Self of all beings and his own Self are "one form manifold", and none other.[69][71] Life is spirit, full of joy. Meaning is Atman, full of perennial peace. "Truly, this is that", once deeply felt and understood by man, is inexpressible highest joy. It is he who realizes this who shines, his splendour shines everything with and by (Anu), the whole world shines by such joy unleashed, such splendour manifested.[72]

The theory of Yoga - Sixth Valli

The sixth Valli continues the discussion of Karma and rebirth theory, sections of which Max Muller states is possibly interpolated and inserted in a later period. The first five verses of the last section of the Upanishad assert that those who do not know or do not understand Atman return to the world of creation, and those who do are free, liberated.[73][74] Some unaware of Brahman's essence are naturally inclined to fear God and its manifestation such as nature (fire, lightning, sun), state verses 2.6.2 and 2.6.3 of Katha Upanishad.[73] Those who are aware of Brahman's essence, are awakened to the knowledge, fear no one and nothing, become immortal as with Brahman.[75]

The Katha Upanishad, in verses 2.6.6 through 2.6.13 recommends a path to Self-knowledge, and this path it calls Yoga.[76]

Realize you are perfect now and here - Sixth Valli

The Katha Upanishad concludes its philosophical presentation in verses 14-15 of the sixth Valli. The state of perfection, according to the last section of the Upanishad, explains Paul Deussen, consists "not in the attainment of a future or yonder world, but it is already just now and here for one who is Self-realized, who knows his Self as Brahman (Cosmic Self)". This teaching is also presented in the other ancient scriptures of Hinduism, such as Brihadaranyaka Upanishad's Chapter 4.4.6.[77][79]

The verse 15 of the sixth Valli declares that the Upanishad concludes its teaching therein.[79] Yet, the Valli contains three additional verses in modern era manuscripts. Scholars suggest[79][80] that these remaining verses 2.6.16 – 2.6.18 are possibly modern additions as appendix and have been interpolated. This is due to the declaration of Upanishad's end in verse 15, and the additional three verses that are structured in prose-like manner, rather than the poetic, metric-perfection that Katha Upanishad is largely written in.

Reception

Charles Johnston has called Katha Upanishad as one of the highest spiritual texts, with layers of metaphors embedded therein. To Johnston, the three nights and three boons in the first Valli of Katha Upanishad, for example, are among the text's many layers, with the three connoting the past, the present and the future.[81]

The Irish poet William Butler Yeats dedicated several essays and sonnets to themes in Katha Upanishad and related ancient Upanishads of India.[82] George William Russell similarly esteemed the Katha and other Upanishads.[83][84] The American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson held Katha Upanishad highly, and wrote several poems and essays paralleling the themes in it.[85][86]

The various themes contained in Katha Upanishad have been subject of many scholarly works. For example, Elizabeth Schiltz[87] has compared "the parable of the chariot" in Katha Upanishad and Platonic dialogue "Phaedrus", noting the "remarkable similarities give rise to a great many tantalizing historical and literary questions", and adding the comment, "each provides an image of the self as the chariot, they each offer a complex moral psychology, and point toward an effective justification of the best life".[87] Radhakrishnan notes that Katha Upanishad's discussion of "good versus pleasant" is evidence of ethical theories and philosophical longings of ancient human beings in India by 1st millennium BCE, much like those in Greek city states in Europe.[88]

In popular culture

A verse in the Upanishad inspired the title and the epigraph of W. Somerset Maugham's 1944 novel The Razor’s Edge, later adapted, twice, into films of the same title (see articles on 1946 and 1984 films). The epigraph reads, "The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over; thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard." taken from a verse in the Katha-Upanishad – 1.3.14. Maugham had visited India in 1938 and met Ramana Maharishi at his ashram in Tamil Nadu.[89][90]

Filmmaker Ashish Avikunthak made a film based on this Upanishad called “Katho Upanishad” which was first shown as a video installation at Gallery Chatterjee & Lal in Mumbai in 2012. [91][92]

Roger Zelazny included a quote from the Katha Upanishad as dialogue between two characters in his novel, Lord of Light.

An English poetry version of Katha Upanishad by B. P. Khattri is available online and can be accessed at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343788311_Kathopnishad . The stanzas directly align with those in the Gita Press version of Katha Upnishad.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ranade[18] posits a view similar to Phillips, with slightly different ordering, placing Katha's chronological composition in the fourth group of ancient Upanishads along with Mundaka and Svetasvatara.

References

  1. ^ Johnston, Charles (1920-1931). The Mukhya Upanishads. Kshetra Books. ISBN 9781495946530 (Reprinted in 2014).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Paul Deussen. Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-8120814684. pages 269-273
  3. ^ a b Richard King (1995), Ācārya, Gauḍapāda - Early Advaita Vedānta and Buddhism: the Mahāyāna context of the Gauḍapādīya-kārikā, SUNY Press, ISBN 978-0-7914-2513-8, pages 51-58
  4. ^ a b A.L. Basham in Paul Williams, ed., Buddhism: Buddhist origins and the early history of Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia. Taylor & Francis, 2005, ISBN 978-0-415-33227-9 (page 61).
  5. ^ a b c Olivelle 1996, p. xxxvii.
  6. ^ Ariel Glucklich (2008), The Strides of Vishnu: Hindu Culture in Historical Perspective, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-531405-2, page 70, Quote: "The Upanishadic age was also characterized by a pluralism of worldviews. While some Upanishads have been deemed 'monistic', others, including the Katha Upanishad, are dualistic. Monism holds that reality is one – Brahman – and that all multiplicity (matter, individual Selfs) is ultimately reducible to that one reality. The Katha Upanishad, a relatively late text of the Black Yajurveda, is more complex. It teaches Brahman, like other Upanishads, but it also states that above the 'unmanifest' (Brahman) stands Purusha, or 'Person'. This claim originated in Samkhya (analysis) philosophy, which split all of reality into two coeternal principles: spirit (purusha) and primordial matrix (prakriti)."
  7. ^ a b c SH Nasr (1989), Knowledge and the Sacred: Revisioning Academic Accountability, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791401767, page 99, Quote: "Emerson was especially inebriated by the message of the Upanishads, whose nondualistic doctrine contained so lucidly in the Katha Upanishad, is reflected in his well known poem Brahma".
  8. ^ Kathopanishad, in The Katha and Prasna Upanishads with Sri Shankara's Commentary, Translated by SS Sastri, Harvard College Archives, pages 1-3
  9. ^ a b Olivelle 1996, p. Introduction Chapter.
  10. ^ Philip Renard (1995), Historical bibliography of Upanishads in translation, Journal of Indian philosophy, vol 23, issue 2, pages 223-246
  11. ^ R White (2010), Schopenhauer and Indian Philosophy, International Philosophical Quarterly, vol. 50, issue 1, pages 57-76
  12. ^ a b c KaTha Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
  13. ^ WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, page 91
  14. ^ a b c d WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, pages 88- 112
  15. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 217-219
  16. ^ a b c Stephen Phillips (2009), Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy, Columbia University Press, ISBN 978-0231144858, Chapter 1
  17. ^ a b S Sharma (1985), Life in the Upanishads, ISBN 978-8170172024, pages 17-19
  18. ^ RD Ranade, A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy, Chapter 1, pages 13-18
  19. ^ M Winternitz (2010), History of Indian Literature, Vol 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120802643
  20. ^ Radhakrishnan, S. (1994). The Principal Upanishads. New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India. ISBN 81-7223-124-5 p. 593.
  21. ^ , The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages xxi-xxv, and page 5 with footnote 1
  22. ^ (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, page 1 with footnote 1
  23. ^ (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 1-2 with footnote 3
  24. ^ Upanishads. Courier Reprint (Original: Oxford University Press). 1962. p. xxii. ISBN 978-0-486-20993-7.
  25. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 275-276
  26. ^ a b c Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 277-278
  27. ^ a b c Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 278-279
  28. ^ (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 5-6
  29. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 279-281
  30. ^ (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, page 7
  31. ^ Search for zreyas and priya spellings under Harvard-Kyoto convention for Sanskrit Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
  32. ^ p. 42, Easwaran (2009), Essence of the Upanishads (see article). Easwaran writes that "these alternatives have precise Sanskrit names that have no English equivalent: preya and shreya. Preya is what is pleasant; shreya, what is beneficial. Preya is that which pleases us, that which tickles the ego. Shreya, on the other hand, has no reference to pleasing or displeasing. It simply means what benefits us" (p. 42).
  33. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 281
  34. ^ a b Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, page 8
  35. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 282-283
  36. ^ Note: in later verses, Katha Upanishad clarifies that empirical knowledge can be taught, but spiritual knowledge about Atman can not be instructed, only meditated upon and realized. See verses 1.2.23-1.2.25, Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 286
  37. ^ , Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, page 9
  38. ^ S Radhakrishnan (1994 Reprint, 1953), The Principal Upanishads (see article), in discussing this verse, offers a quote from Plato's Phaedrus for comparison: "In every one of us there are two ruling and directing principles, whose guidance we follow wherever they may lead; the one being an innate device of pleasure, the other an acquired judgment which aspires after excellence. Now these two principles at one time maintain harmony, while at another they are at feud within us, and now one and now the other obtains mastery" (p. 608).
  39. ^ Paul Deussen, Kathaka Upanishad in Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 283
  40. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 283
  41. ^ a b Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, page 10
  42. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 284-286
  43. ^ Brahma Ralph Waldo Emerson, Poetry Foundation
  44. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 285
  45. ^ a b Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 10-11
  46. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 285-286
  47. ^ a b c d e Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 12-13
  48. ^ Katha Upanishad - Third Valli The Thirteen Principle Upanishads, Robert Hume (Translator), page 351
  49. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 287
  50. ^ a b c d WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, page 103
  51. ^ BNK Sharma (2008), A History of the Dvaita School of Vedānta and Its Literature, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120815759, pages 8, 160-169
  52. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 288-289
  53. ^ a b WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, page 104
  54. ^ a b Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 13-14
  55. ^ Katha Upanishad 1.III.14 Wikisource
  56. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 288, 298-299
  57. ^ a b c d e f Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 288, 290-292
  58. ^ a b c WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, pages 104-106
  59. ^ a b c d e Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 15-17
  60. ^ Katha Upanishad 2.IV.3 Wikisource
  61. ^ This principle is repeated in many Vedic texts such as Atharva Veda in chapter 10.8, and the principle is more ancient than Katha Upanishad; for example, Rigveda states it in hymn 10.121.6; see Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 292
  62. ^ inner law, ethics, morals, just, right, precepts
  63. ^ a b c WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, pages 106-107
  64. ^ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 291
  65. ^ Kathakopanishad with Sankara Bhasya and Ranga Ramanuja's Prakasika SS Pathak, in Sanskrit, pages 64-65, 150-151
  66. ^ These are two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, two organs of evacuation/excretion, navel, and Brahmarandhram - the aperture at the top of head through which Atman links with Cosmic Self. See Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 293
  67. ^ a b c d WD Whitney, Translation of the Katha-Upanishad, Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 21, pages 107-108
  68. ^ a b c d e f Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 293-295
  69. ^ a b c d Max Muller (1962), Katha Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, Dover Publications, ISBN 978-0486209937, pages 18-20
  70. ^ Katha Upanishad 2.V.7 Wikisource
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  73. ^ a b Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 296-298
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  78. ^ Katha Upanishad 2.VI.10-11 Wikisource
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  81. ^ Charles Johnston, The Mukhya Upanishads: Books of Hidden Wisdom, (1920-1931), The Mukhya Upanishads, Kshetra Books, ISBN 978-1495946530 (Reprinted in 2014), pages 149-152
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  89. ^ Katha Upanishad 2009-02-07 at the Wayback Machine, 1.3.14.
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Sources

  • Olivelle, Patrick (1996), The Early Upanishads: Annotated Text & Translation, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0195124354

Further reading

  • Deutsch, Eliot & Rohit Dalvi (Editors) (2004). The Essential Vedānta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedānta. Bloomington, Indiana, USA: World Wisdom, ISBN 0-941532-52-6
  • Easwaran, Eknath (2009). Essence of the Upanishads: A key to Indian spirituality (see article). Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press. ISBN 978-1-58638-036-6.
  • Müller, Max (January 2000). "Katha Upanishad". Upanishads. Wordsworth Editions. ISBN 184022102X.
  • Sarvananda, Swami (1987). Kathopanisad (14th ed.). Madras, India: Sri Ramakrishna Math. (Including original verses, constructed text, and word-by-word translations).
  • Radhakrishnan, S. (1994). The Principal Upanishads (see article). New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India. ISBN 81-7223-124-5 (translation and commentary on Katha Upanishad is in pp. 593–648) (original publication, 1953).
  • Parmananda, Swami (2004). "Katha Upanishad". The Upanishads. 1st World Publishing. ISBN 1-59540-120-2.

External links

 
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Katha Upanishad (Sanskrit)
 
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Katha Upanishad (English Translation)
Translations
  • Multiple translations (Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Charles Johnston, Swāmi Nikhilānanda)
  • Katha Upanishad in The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Robert Hume (Translation with some creative recomposition)
  • Katha Upanishad Translated by Sanderson Beck, in Wisdom of China and India
  • Translation and commentary by Swami Paramananda
  • The Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary Translated by S. Sitarama Sastri, online ebook
Text
  • Kāṭha-Upaniṣad edited by Marcos Albino, Erlangen 1996; Transliterated TITUS version by Jost Gippert
  • Works by or about Katha Upanishad at Internet Archive (audio, video and text)
Recitation
  • Katha Upanishad recited by Pt. Ganesh Vidyalankar

Resources

  • Video/Audio classes, Reference texts, Discussions and other Study material on Katha Upanishad at Vedanta Hub

May 04, 2023
katha, upanishad, sanskrit, कठ, पन, षद, कठ, उपन, षद, kaṭhopaniṣad, mukhya, primary, upanishads, embedded, last, eight, short, sections, kaṭha, school, krishna, yajurveda, also, known, kāṭhaka, upanishad, listed, number, muktika, canon, upanishads, manuscript, . The Katha Upanishad Sanskrit कठ पन षद or कठ उपन षद Kaṭhopaniṣad is one of the mukhya primary Upanishads embedded in the last eight short sections of the Kaṭha school of the Krishna Yajurveda 1 2 It is also known as Kaṭhaka Upanishad and is listed as number 3 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads A manuscript page showing verses 1 1 1 to 1 1 3 of the Katha Upanishad Krishna Yajurveda Sanskrit Devanagari script The Katha Upanishad consists of two chapters Adhyayas each divided into three sections Vallis The first Adhyaya is considered to be of older origin than the second 2 The Upanishad is the legendary story of a little boy Nachiketa the son of Sage Vajasravasa who meets Yama the deity of death Their conversation evolves to a discussion of the nature of man knowledge Atman Self and moksha liberation 2 The chronology of Katha Upanishad is unclear and contested but belongs to the later verse Upanishads dated to the 5th 3 4 to first centuries BCE 5 The Kathaka Upanishad is an important ancient Sanskrit corpus of the Vedanta sub schools and an influential Sruti to the diverse schools of Hinduism It asserts that Atman Self exists teaches the precept seek Self knowledge which is Highest Bliss and expounds on this premise like the other primary Upanishads of Hinduism The detailed teachings of Katha Upanishad have been variously interpreted as Dvaita dualistic 6 and as Advaita non dualistic 7 8 9 It is among the most widely studied Upanishads Katha Upanishad was translated into Persian in 17th century copies of which were then translated into Latin and distributed in Europe 10 Other philosophers such as Arthur Schopenhauer praised it Edwin Arnold rendered it in verse as The Secret of Death and Ralph Waldo Emerson credited Katha Upanishad for the central story at the end of his essay Immortality as well as his poem Brahma 7 11 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Chronology 3 Structure 4 Content 4 1 The son questions his father First Valli 4 2 The theory of good versus dear Second Valli 4 3 Atman exists the theory of Yoga and the essence of Vedas Second Valli 4 4 The parable of the chariot Third Valli 4 5 The nature of Atman need for ethics and the hierarchy of Reality Third Valli 4 6 The theory of Atman Oneness and Plurality Fourth Valli 4 7 Life is highest joy and what happens after death Fifth Valli 4 8 The theory of Yoga Sixth Valli 4 9 Realize you are perfect now and here Sixth Valli 5 Reception 5 1 In popular culture 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 Sources 10 Further reading 11 External linksEtymology EditKatha Sanskrit कठ literally means distress 12 Katha is also the name of a sage credited as the founder of a branch of the Krishna Yajur veda as well as the term for a female pupil or follower of Kathas school of Yajurveda 12 Paul Deussen notes that the Katha Upanishad uses words that symbolically embed and creatively have multiple meanings For example a closely pronounced word Katha Sanskrit कथ literally means story legend conversation speech tale 12 All of these related meanings are relevant to the Katha Upanishad Nachiketa the boy and a central character in the Katha Upanishad legend similarly has closely related words with roots and meanings relevant to the text Paul Deussen 2 suggests Na kṣiti and Na aksiyete which are word plays of and pronounced similar to Nachiketa means non decay or what does not decay a meaning that is relevant to second boon portion of the Nachiketa story Similarly Na jiti is another word play and means that which cannot be vanquished which is contextually relevant to the Nachiketa s third boon 2 Both Whitney and Deussen independently suggest yet another variation to Nachiketa with etymological roots that is relevant to Katha Upanishad the word Na ciketa also means I do not know or he does not know 13 Some of these Sanskrit word plays are incorporated within the Upanishad s text 14 Like Taittiriya Upanishad of Yajurveda each section of the Katha Upanishad is called a Valli वल ल which literally means a medicinal vine like climbing plant that grows independently yet is attached to a main tree Paul Deussen states that this symbolic terminology is apt and likely reflects the root and nature of the Upanishads in Black Yajur veda which too is largely independent of the liturgical Yajur Veda and is attached to the main text 15 Chronology EditThe chronology of Katha Upanishad is unclear and contested by scholars 16 All opinions rest on scanty evidence an analysis of archaism style and repetitions across texts driven by assumptions about likely evolution of ideas and on presumptions about which philosophy might have influenced which other Indian philosophies 16 9 Richard King and A L Basham date the Katha Upanishad s composition roughly to the 5th century BCE chronologically placing it after the first Buddhist Pali canons 3 4 Olivelle assigns the Katha Upanishad to the verse Upanishads together with the Kena Isa Svetasvatara and Mundaka 5 dating it to the first centuries BCE 5 Paul Deussen too considers Katha Upanishad to be a post prose yet earlier stage Upanishad composed about the time Kena and Isha Upanishads were because of the poetic mathematical metric structure of its hymns 17 Stephen Phillips notes the disagreement between modern scholars Phillips places the Katha Upanishad chronologically after Brihadaranyaka Chandogya Isha Taittiriya Aitareya and Kena but before Mundaka Prasna Mandukya Svetasvatara and Maitri Upanishads as well as before the earliest Buddhist Pali and Jaina canons 16 note 1 Winternitz considers the Kathaka Upanishad as pre Buddhist pre Jaina literature 17 19 Structure EditThe Katha Upanishad has two chapters each with three sections valli thus a total of six sections The first section has 29 verses the second section 25 verses and the third presents 17 The second chapter opens with the fourth section of the Katha Upanishad and has 15 verses while the fifth valli also has 15 verses The final section has 17 verses 2 The first chapter with the first three vallis is considered older because the third section ends with a structure in Sanskrit that is typically found at closing of other Upanishads and also because the central ideas are repeated though expanded in the last three sections that is the second chapter 2 This however does not imply a significant gap between the two chapters both chapters are considered ancient and from 1st millennium BCE 2 The origin of the story of the little boy named Nachiketa contained in Katha Upanishad is of a much older origin 14 Nachiketa is mentioned in the verses of chapter 3 11 of Taittiriya Brahmana both as a similar story 14 and as the name of one of five fire arrangements for rituals along with Savitra Caturhotra Vaisvasrja and Aruna Agni 2 20 The style and structure suggests that some of the verses in Katha Upanishad such as 1 1 8 1 1 16 1 1 18 1 1 28 among others are non philosophical do not fit with the rest of the text and are likely to be later insertion and interpolations 2 14 21 Content EditThe son questions his father First Valli Edit The Upanishad opens with the story of Vajasravasa also called Aruni Auddalaki Gautama 22 who gives away all his worldly possessions However his son Nachiketa Sanskrit नच क त sees the charitable sacrifice as a farce because all those worldly things have already been used to exhaustion and are of no value to the recipients The cows given away for example were so old that they had drank their last water प त दक eaten their last grass जग धत ण don t give milk द ग धद ह who are barren न र न द र य 23 Concerned the son asks his father 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 24 25 Nachiketa does not die but accepts his father s gifting him to Death by visiting the abode of Yama the deity of death in the Indian pantheon of deities Nachiketa arrives but Yama is not in his abode Nachiketa as guest goes hungry for three nights states verse 9 of the first Valli of Katha Upanishad Yama arrives and is apologetic for this dishonor to the guest so he offers Nachiketa three wishes 26 Nachiketa first wish is that Yama discharge him from the abode of death back to his family and that his father be calm well disposed not resentful and same as he was before when he returns Yama grants the first wish immediately states verse 1 1 11 of Katha Upanishad 26 For his second wish Nachiketa prefaces his request with the statement that heaven is a place where there is no fear no anxiety no old age no hunger no thirst no sorrow 26 He then asks Yama in verse 1 1 13 of Katha Upanishad to be instructed as to the proper execution of fire ritual that enables a human being to secure heaven Yama responds by detailing the fire ritual including how the bricks should be arranged and how the fire represents the building of the world Nachiketa remembers what Yama tells him repeats the ritual a feat which pleases Yama and he declares that this fire ritual will thereafter be called the Nachiketa fires 27 Yama adds that along with three Nachiketa fires anyone who respects three bonds with mother father and teacher does three kinds of karma rituals studies and charity and understands the knowledge therein becomes free of sorrow 27 Nachiketa then asks for his third wish asking Yama in verse 1 1 20 about the doubt that human beings have about what happens after a person dies Does he continue to exist in another form or not 27 The remaining verse of first Valli of Katha Upanishad is expression of reluctance by Yama in giving a straight yes or no answer Yama states that even gods doubt and are uncertain about that question and urges Nachiketa to pick another wish 28 Nachiketa says that if gods doubt that then he Yama as deity of death ought to be the only one who knows the answer Yama offers him all sorts of worldly wealth and pleasures instead but Nachiketa says human life is short asks Yama to keep the worldly wealth and pleasures to himself declares that pompous wealth lust and pleasures are fleeting and vain then insists on knowing the nature of Atman Self and sticks to his question what happens after death 29 30 The theory of good versus dear Second Valli Edit Yama teaches Atma vidya to Nachiketa Yama begins his teaching by distinguishing between preya प र य प र य dear pleasant gratifying 31 and shreya श र य good beneficial excellence 32 33 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 33 34 The verses 1 2 4 through 1 2 6 of Katha Upanishad then characterizes Knowledge Wisdom as the pursuit of good and Ignorance Delusion as the pursuit of pleasant 34 The verses 1 2 7 through 1 2 11 of Katha Upanishad state Knowledge Wisdom and the pursuit of good is difficult yet eternal while Ignorance Delusion and the pursuit of the pleasant is easy yet transient Knowledge requires effort and often not comprehended by man even when he reads it or hears it or by internal argument 35 The pursuit of Knowledge and the good can be taught 36 learnt and thus realized 37 A similar discussion and distinction between the pleasant and the beneficial is found in ancient Greek philosophy such as in Phaedrus by Plato 38 Atman exists the theory of Yoga and the essence of Vedas Second Valli Edit Katha Upanishad in verses 1 2 12 asserts Atman Self exists though it is invisible and full of mystery 39 It is ancient and recognizable by Yoga meditation on one s self states Katha Upanishad This is one of the earliest mentions of Yoga in ancient Sanskrit literature in the context of Self development and meditation त द र दर श ग ढमन प रव ष ट ग ह ह त गह वर ष ठ प र णम अध य त मय ग ध गम न द व मत व ध र हर षश क जह त १२ He the Atman difficult to be seen full of mystery the Ancient primaeval one concealed deep within He who by yoga means of meditation on his self comprehends Atman within him as God He leaves joy and sorrow far behind Katha Upanishad 1 2 12 40 41 In verses 1 2 14 through 1 2 22 the Katha Upanishad asserts that the essence of Veda is to make man liberated and free look past what has happened and what has not happened free from the past and the future refocus his attention past Ignorance to Knowledge to the means of blissful existence beyond joy and sorrow This is achievable through realization of Atman Brahman asserts Katha Upanishad and this essence is reminded in the Vedas through the word Om ॐ Aum state verses 1 2 15 1 2 16 42 That syllable Aum is in Brahman means Brahman means the Highest means the Blissful within 41 42 Yama is the spokesman in the second Valli of the Katha Upanishad He asserts that man must not fear anyone or anything not even death as the true essence of man Atman is neither born nor dies he is eternal he is Brahman These passages have been widely studied and inspired Emerson among others 7 43 The seer Atman Self is not born nor does he die He does not originate from anybody nor does he become anybody Eternal ancient one he remains eternal he is not killed even though the body is killed If the killer thinks that he kills if the killed thinks that he is killed they do not understand for this one does not kill nor is that one killed The Self Atman smaller than small greater than great is hidden in the heart of each creature Free from avarice free from grief peaceful and content he sees the supreme glory of Atman Katha Upanishad 1 2 18 1 2 20 44 45 In final verses of the second Valli the Katha Upanishad asserts that Atman knowledge or Self realization is not attained by instruction not arguments nor reasoning from scriptures It is comprehended by oneself through meditation and introspection It is not attained by those who do not abstain from misconduct not those who are restless nor composed not those whose mind is not calm and tranquil but only those who live ethically are composed tranquil internally peaceful search within and examine their own nature 45 46 Similar ideas are repeated in the Mundaka Upanishad in chapter 3 2 another classic ancient scripture of Hinduism 46 The parable of the chariot Third Valli Edit The third Valli of Katha Upanishad presents the parable of the chariot to highlight how Atman body mind senses and empirical reality relate to a human being 47 48 Know that the Atman is the rider in the chariot and the body is the chariot Know that the Buddhi intelligence ability to reason is the charioteer and Manas mind is the reins The senses are called the horses the objects of the senses are their paths Formed out of the union of the Atman the senses and the mind him they call the enjoyer Katha Upanishad 1 3 3 1 3 4 47 49 The Katha Upanishad asserts that one who does not use his powers of reasoning whose senses are unruly and mind unbridled his life drifts in chaos and confusion his existence entangled in samsara Those who use their intelligence have their senses calm and under reason they live a life of bliss and liberation which is the highest place of Vishnu 49 Whitney clarifies that Vishnu appears in Vedas as a form of Sun and Vishnu s highest place is a Vedic phrase that means zenith 50 Madhvacharya the Dvaita Vedanta scholar interprets this term differently and bases his theistic interpretation of Katha Upanishad by stating that the term refers to the deity Vishnu 51 This metaphorical parable of chariot is found in multiple ancient Indian texts and is called the Ratha Kalpana A similar simile is found in ancient Greek literature such as the Parmenides Xenophon s prologue of Prodikos and in the Platonic dialogue Phaedrus 47 The nature of Atman need for ethics and the hierarchy of Reality Third Valli Edit The Katha Upanishad in verses 1 3 10 through 1 3 12 presents a hierarchy of Reality from the perspective of a human being It asserts that Artha objects means of life are above Indriya senses that Manas mind is above Artha in this hierarchy above the Manas is Buddhi intellect his ability to discern above the Buddhi is Atman his Self great Self 47 50 Beyond the Atman states Katha Upanishad is the Avyaktam unmanifested Reality and Purusha cosmic Self is beyond the Avyaktam and beyond the Purusha there is nothing for it is the goal for it is the highest road 47 At the basic level of life the interaction is between Artha and Indriya sensory organs while at the highest level man becomes aware of and holistically realizes the entire hierarchy The Self is hidden in all beings asserts the Katha Upanishad it does not show itself but its awareness is felt by seers with agrya sukshma subtle more self evident conscious keen thinkers 50 52 In verse 1 3 13 Katha Upanishad states that Prajna conscious man should heed to the ethical precept of self examination and self restraint restraining his speech and mind by the application of his Buddhi power to reason Man should asserts Katha Upanishad holistically unify his tempered senses and mind with his intellect all these with his Atman Self and unify his great Self with the Self of the rest the tranquility of Oneness with the Avyaktam and cosmic Self 50 52 Self Atman is soundless touchless formless tasteless scentless without beginning without end imperishable beyond great blissful and when one reveres one s own Self he is liberated 53 Such Self realization is not easy according to Katha Upanishad 54 उत त ष ठत ज ग रत प र प य वर न न ब धत क ष रस य ध र न श त द रत यय द र ग पथस तत कवय वदन त १४ 55 Rise awake Having obtained these boons understand them Like the Razor s sharp edge is difficult to traverse The path to one s Self is difficult Katha Upanishad 1 3 14 53 54 Paul Deussen states that verses 1 3 10 to 1 3 13 of Katha Upanishad is one of the earliest mentions of the elements of Yoga theory and the recommendation of Yoga as a path to the highest goal of man that is a life of spiritual freedom and liberation 56 This theory is significantly expanded upon in the second chapter of Katha Upanishad particularly in the sixth Valli 56 The theory of Atman Oneness and Plurality Fourth Valli Edit The fourth Valli starts by asserting that inner knowledge is that of unity eternal calmness and spiritual Oneness while the external knowledge is that of plurality perishable running around and sensory objects 57 58 The Katha Upanishad in fifteen verses of the fourth Valli as well as those the fifth Valli explains what is Atman how it can be known the nature of Atman and why it ought to be known For definition it deploys an epistemic combination of positive assertions as well as exposition by elimination the latter repeated with 59 क मत र पर श ष यत एतद व तत ४ 60 What is left here Truly this is that Atman Katha Upanishad 2 4 3 57 58 Atman asserts Katha Upanishad is the subject of Self knowledge the bearer of spiritual reality that which is all pervading inside every being which unifies all human beings as well as all creatures the concealed eternal immortal pure bliss It exists and active when man is in awake state it exists and active when man is in dream state 57 59 The empirical reality is the honey for the Atman 58 with the honey metaphor repeating fruit of numerous karma flowers in the valley of life doctrine found in other Upanishads such as in the second chapter of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad To know Atman look inward and introspect to know objects look outward and examine states Katha Upanishad Everything that changes is not Atman that which was is will be and never changes is Atman 57 Just like a baby is concealed inside a mother s womb when conceived Atman is concealed inside every creature states verse 2 4 8 of Katha Upanishad 59 Self is the lord of the past the lord of the now and the lord of the future 57 Self is eternal never born never dies part of that which existed before the universe was formed from brooding heat 59 Sun rests in it gods rest in it all nature rests in it it is everywhere it is in everything 61 To understand the eternal nature of one s Self is to feel calmness inner peace patience and freedom regardless of the circumstances one is in affections or threats one faces praises or insults one is subjected to Anyone who runs after sensory impressions gets lost among them just like water flows randomly after rainfall on mountains state verses 2 4 14 and 2 4 15 of the Katha Upanishad and those who know their Self and act according to its Dharma 62 remain pure like pure water remains pure when poured into pure water 59 63 There is no plurality and separateness between the essence Atman of I and others between the essence of nature and spirit asserts Katha Upanishad in verses 2 4 10 and 2 4 11 57 63 The Self driven individual ignores the superficial individuality of others and accepts their essential identity 63 Paul Deussen suggests that verses 2 4 6 and 2 4 7 posit a nondualistic Advaita position where both Purusha and Prakrti are only Atman This position contrasts with one of the fundamental premises of the dualistic schools of Hinduism 64 Shankara agrees with this interpretation Ramanuja doesn t and offers a theistic dualism based interpretation instead 65 Life is highest joy and what happens after death Fifth Valli Edit Katha Upanishad s fifth Valli is an eschatological treatise It begins by stating that human body is like a Pura Sanskrit प र town city with eleven gates 66 that connect him to the universe The individual asserts Katha Upanishad who understands and reveres this town of eternal non changing spirit is never crooked minded is always free 67 68 The Self dwells in swan in atmosphere in man in Varasad wide spaces in eternal law everywhere in the universe it is born of water it is born of kine it is born of Ṛta right truth ethics morals eternal law it is born of stone mountains as the great Ṛta as ought to be This Self is worshipped by all the gods Body dies Self doesn t 68 In verses 2 5 6 and 2 5 7 the Katha Upanishad discusses what happens to the Self after death stating a variant of the premise of Karma theory that underlies major Indian religions 69 य न मन य प रपद यन त शर रत व य द ह न स थ ण मन य ऽन स यन त यथ कर म यथ श र तम ७ 70 Some of these Selfs enter into the womb in order to embody again into organic beings others assemble unto what is Sthanu immovable things according to their karma according to their shrutam श र तम knowledge learning Katha Upanishad 2 5 7 67 68 69 The Self is always awake and active while one is asleep shaping wishful dreams It is one with Brahman It is everywhere within and without it is immortal This universal oneness theme is explained by the Katha Upanishad by three similes which Paul Deussen calls as excellent 68 Just like one light exists and penetrates the cosmic space enveloping and clinging to everything and every form individually the one inner Self of beings exists and dwells in all beings clings to every form and remains still without states the Katha Upanishad 68 Just like one air exists and penetrates the world enveloping and clinging to everything and every being individually the one inner Self of beings exists and dwells in all beings clings to every form and remains still without 67 Just like the Sun exists and its nature is not contaminated by the impurities seen by the eyes the one inner Self of beings exists and its nature is pure never contaminated by the sorrows and blemishes of the external world 68 69 Parts of the ideas in these first two similes of Katha Upanishad are of far more ancient origins and found for example in Book 6 Chapter 47 of Rig veda 67 That individual is perennially happy asserts Katha Upanishad who realizes the Atman is within him that he himself is the Master that the inner Self of all beings and his own Self are one form manifold and none other 69 71 Life is spirit full of joy Meaning is Atman full of perennial peace Truly this is that once deeply felt and understood by man is inexpressible highest joy It is he who realizes this who shines his splendour shines everything with and by Anu the whole world shines by such joy unleashed such splendour manifested 72 The theory of Yoga Sixth Valli Edit The sixth Valli continues the discussion of Karma and rebirth theory sections of which Max Muller states is possibly interpolated and inserted in a later period The first five verses of the last section of the Upanishad assert that those who do not know or do not understand Atman return to the world of creation and those who do are free liberated 73 74 Some unaware of Brahman s essence are naturally inclined to fear God and its manifestation such as nature fire lightning sun state verses 2 6 2 and 2 6 3 of Katha Upanishad 73 Those who are aware of Brahman s essence are awakened to the knowledge fear no one and nothing become immortal as with Brahman 75 The Katha Upanishad in verses 2 6 6 through 2 6 13 recommends a path to Self knowledge and this path it calls Yoga 76 यद पञ च वत ष ठन त ज ञ न न मनस सह ब द ध श च न व च ष टत त म ह परम गत म १० त य गम त मन यन त स थ र म न द र यध रण म अप रमत तस तद भवत य ग ह प रभव प यय ११ 78 Only when Manas mind with thoughts and the five senses stand still and when Buddhi intellect power to reason does not waver that they call the highest path That is what one calls Yoga the stillness of the senses concentration of the mind It is not thoughtless heedless sluggishness Yoga is creation and dissolution Katha Upanishad 2 6 10 11 74 77 Realize you are perfect now and here Sixth Valli Edit The Katha Upanishad concludes its philosophical presentation in verses 14 15 of the sixth Valli The state of perfection according to the last section of the Upanishad explains Paul Deussen consists not in the attainment of a future or yonder world but it is already just now and here for one who is Self realized who knows his Self as Brahman Cosmic Self This teaching is also presented in the other ancient scriptures of Hinduism such as Brihadaranyaka Upanishad s Chapter 4 4 6 77 79 The verse 15 of the sixth Valli declares that the Upanishad concludes its teaching therein 79 Yet the Valli contains three additional verses in modern era manuscripts Scholars suggest 79 80 that these remaining verses 2 6 16 2 6 18 are possibly modern additions as appendix and have been interpolated This is due to the declaration of Upanishad s end in verse 15 and the additional three verses that are structured in prose like manner rather than the poetic metric perfection that Katha Upanishad is largely written in Reception EditCharles Johnston has called Katha Upanishad as one of the highest spiritual texts with layers of metaphors embedded therein To Johnston the three nights and three boons in the first Valli of Katha Upanishad for example are among the text s many layers with the three connoting the past the present and the future 81 The Irish poet William Butler Yeats dedicated several essays and sonnets to themes in Katha Upanishad and related ancient Upanishads of India 82 George William Russell similarly esteemed the Katha and other Upanishads 83 84 The American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson held Katha Upanishad highly and wrote several poems and essays paralleling the themes in it 85 86 The various themes contained in Katha Upanishad have been subject of many scholarly works For example Elizabeth Schiltz 87 has compared the parable of the chariot in Katha Upanishad and Platonic dialogue Phaedrus noting the remarkable similarities give rise to a great many tantalizing historical and literary questions and adding the comment each provides an image of the self as the chariot they each offer a complex moral psychology and point toward an effective justification of the best life 87 Radhakrishnan notes that Katha Upanishad s discussion of good versus pleasant is evidence of ethical theories and philosophical longings of ancient human beings in India by 1st millennium BCE much like those in Greek city states in Europe 88 In popular culture Edit A verse in the Upanishad inspired the title and the epigraph of W Somerset Maugham s 1944 novel The Razor s Edge later adapted twice into films of the same title see articles on 1946 and 1984 films The epigraph reads The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard taken from a verse in the Katha Upanishad 1 3 14 Maugham had visited India in 1938 and met Ramana Maharishi at his ashram in Tamil Nadu 89 90 Filmmaker Ashish Avikunthak made a film based on this Upanishad called Katho Upanishad which was first shown as a video installation at Gallery Chatterjee amp Lal in Mumbai in 2012 91 92 Roger Zelazny included a quote from the Katha Upanishad as dialogue between two characters in his novel Lord of Light An English poetry version of Katha Upanishad by B P Khattri is available online and can be accessed at https www researchgate net publication 343788311 Kathopnishad The stanzas directly align with those in the Gita Press version of Katha Upnishad See also EditChariot AllegoryNotes Edit Ranade 18 posits a view similar to Phillips with slightly different ordering placing Katha s chronological composition in the fourth group of ancient Upanishads along with Mundaka and Svetasvatara References Edit Johnston Charles 1920 1931 The Mukhya Upanishads Kshetra Books ISBN 9781495946530 Reprinted in 2014 a b c d e f g h i j Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 269 273 a b Richard King 1995 Acarya Gauḍapada Early Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism the Mahayana context of the Gauḍapadiya karika SUNY Press ISBN 978 0 7914 2513 8 pages 51 58 a b A L Basham in Paul Williams ed Buddhism Buddhist origins and the early history of Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia Taylor amp Francis 2005 ISBN 978 0 415 33227 9 page 61 a b c Olivelle 1996 p xxxvii Ariel Glucklich 2008 The Strides of Vishnu Hindu Culture in Historical Perspective Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 531405 2 page 70 Quote The Upanishadic age was also characterized by a pluralism of worldviews While some Upanishads have been deemed monistic others including the Katha Upanishad are dualistic Monism holds that reality is one Brahman and that all multiplicity matter individual Selfs is ultimately reducible to that one reality The Katha Upanishad a relatively late text of the Black Yajurveda is more complex It teaches Brahman like other Upanishads but it also states that above the unmanifest Brahman stands Purusha or Person This claim originated in Samkhya analysis philosophy which split all of reality into two coeternal principles spirit purusha and primordial matrix prakriti a b c SH Nasr 1989 Knowledge and the Sacred Revisioning Academic Accountability State University of New York Press ISBN 978 0791401767 page 99 Quote Emerson was especially inebriated by the message of the Upanishads whose nondualistic doctrine contained so lucidly in the Katha Upanishad is reflected in his well known poem Brahma Kathopanishad in The Katha and Prasna Upanishads with Sri Shankara s Commentary Translated by SS Sastri Harvard College Archives pages 1 3 a b Olivelle 1996 p Introduction Chapter Philip Renard 1995 Historical bibliography of Upanishads in translation Journal of Indian philosophy vol 23 issue 2 pages 223 246 R White 2010 Schopenhauer and Indian Philosophy International Philosophical Quarterly vol 50 issue 1 pages 57 76 a b c KaTha Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon Germany WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 page 91 a b c d WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 88 112 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 217 219 a b c Stephen Phillips 2009 Yoga Karma and Rebirth A Brief History and Philosophy Columbia University Press ISBN 978 0231144858 Chapter 1 a b S Sharma 1985 Life in the Upanishads ISBN 978 8170172024 pages 17 19 RD Ranade A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy Chapter 1 pages 13 18 M Winternitz 2010 History of Indian Literature Vol 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120802643 Radhakrishnan S 1994 The Principal Upanishads New Delhi HarperCollins Publishers India ISBN 81 7223 124 5 p 593 The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages xxi xxv and page 5 with footnote 1 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 1 with footnote 1 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 1 2 with footnote 3 Upanishads Courier Reprint Original Oxford University Press 1962 p xxii ISBN 978 0 486 20993 7 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 275 276 a b c Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 277 278 a b c Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 278 279 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 5 6 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 279 281 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 7 Search for zreyas and priya spellings under Harvard Kyoto convention for Sanskrit Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon Germany p 42 Easwaran 2009 Essence of the Upanishads see article Easwaran writes that these alternatives have precise Sanskrit names that have no English equivalent preya and shreya Preya is what is pleasant shreya what is beneficial Preya is that which pleases us that which tickles the ego Shreya on the other hand has no reference to pleasing or displeasing It simply means what benefits us p 42 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 281 a b Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 8 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 282 283 Note in later verses Katha Upanishad clarifies that empirical knowledge can be taught but spiritual knowledge about Atman can not be instructed only meditated upon and realized See verses 1 2 23 1 2 25 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 page 286 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 9 S Radhakrishnan 1994 Reprint 1953 The Principal Upanishads see article in discussing this verse offers a quote from Plato s Phaedrus for comparison In every one of us there are two ruling and directing principles whose guidance we follow wherever they may lead the one being an innate device of pleasure the other an acquired judgment which aspires after excellence Now these two principles at one time maintain harmony while at another they are at feud within us and now one and now the other obtains mastery p 608 Paul Deussen Kathaka Upanishad in Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 283 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 283 a b Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 10 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 284 286 Brahma Ralph Waldo Emerson Poetry Foundation Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 285 a b Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 10 11 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 285 286 a b c d e Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 12 13 Katha Upanishad Third Valli The Thirteen Principle Upanishads Robert Hume Translator page 351 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 287 a b c d WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 page 103 BNK Sharma 2008 A History of the Dvaita School of Vedanta and Its Literature Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120815759 pages 8 160 169 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 288 289 a b WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 page 104 a b Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 13 14 Katha Upanishad 1 III 14 Wikisource a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 288 298 299 a b c d e f Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 288 290 292 a b c WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 104 106 a b c d e Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 15 17 Katha Upanishad 2 IV 3 Wikisource This principle is repeated in many Vedic texts such as Atharva Veda in chapter 10 8 and the principle is more ancient than Katha Upanishad for example Rigveda states it in hymn 10 121 6 see Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 page 292 inner law ethics morals just right precepts a b c WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 106 107 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 page 291 Kathakopanishad with Sankara Bhasya and Ranga Ramanuja s Prakasika SS Pathak in Sanskrit pages 64 65 150 151 These are two eyes two ears two nostrils one mouth two organs of evacuation excretion navel and Brahmarandhram the aperture at the top of head through which Atman links with Cosmic Self See Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 page 293 a b c d WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 107 108 a b c d e f Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 293 295 a b c d Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 18 20 Katha Upanishad 2 V 7 Wikisource WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 108 109 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 295 296 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 296 298 a b WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 pages 109 111 Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 pages 16 22 Max Muller 1962 Katha Upanishad in The Upanishads Part II Dover Publications ISBN 978 0486209937 page 22 a b Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 298 299 Katha Upanishad 2 VI 10 11 Wikisource a b c WD Whitney Translation of the Katha Upanishad Transactions of the American Philological Association Vol 21 page 111 112 Paul Deussen Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Volume 1 Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814684 pages 299 300 Charles Johnston The Mukhya Upanishads Books of Hidden Wisdom 1920 1931 The Mukhya Upanishads Kshetra Books ISBN 978 1495946530 Reprinted in 2014 pages 149 152 JZ Marsh The Influence of Hinduism in William Butler Yeats s Meru Yeats Eliot Review Vol 22 No 4 Winter 2005 Peter Kuch 1986 Yeats and A E the antagonism that unites dear friends Colin Smythe ISBN 978 0861401161 pages 19 23 A Davenport 1952 WB Yeats and the Upanishads Review of English Studies Oxford University Press Vol 3 No 9 pages 55 62 Andrew M Mclean 1969 Emerson s Brahma as an Expression of Brahman The New England Quarterly Vol 42 No 1 Mar 1969 pages 115 122 Frederick I Carpenter Immortality from India American Literature Vol 1 No 3 Nov 1929 pp 233 242 a b Elizabeth A Schiltz 2006 Two Chariots The Justification of the Best Life in the Katha Upanishad and Plato s Phaedrus Philosophy East and West Vol 56 No 3 Jul 2006 pages 451 468 S Radakrishnan The Ethics of the Bhagavadgita and Kant International Journal of Ethics Vol 21 No 4 Jul 1911 pages 465 475 Katha Upanishad Archived 2009 02 07 at the Wayback Machine 1 3 14 Razors Edge The Katha Upanishad Archived 2018 09 27 at the Wayback Machine by Nancy Cantwell Timequotidian com January 29 2010 The secret of death Mid Day Mumbai 9 July 2012 Should high art evolve with the times to stay in the race Sunday Guardian Mumbai 12 July 2012 Archived from the original on 9 August 2020 Retrieved 13 August 2019 Sources EditOlivelle Patrick 1996 The Early Upanishads Annotated Text amp Translation Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0195124354Further reading EditDeutsch Eliot amp Rohit Dalvi Editors 2004 The Essential Vedanta A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta Bloomington Indiana USA World Wisdom ISBN 0 941532 52 6 Easwaran Eknath 2009 Essence of the Upanishads A key to Indian spirituality see article Tomales CA Nilgiri Press ISBN 978 1 58638 036 6 Muller Max January 2000 Katha Upanishad Upanishads Wordsworth Editions ISBN 184022102X Sarvananda Swami 1987 Kathopanisad 14th ed Madras India Sri Ramakrishna Math Including original verses constructed text and word by word translations Radhakrishnan S 1994 The Principal Upanishads see article New Delhi HarperCollins Publishers India ISBN 81 7223 124 5 translation and commentary on Katha Upanishad is in pp 593 648 original publication 1953 Parmananda Swami 2004 Katha Upanishad The Upanishads 1st World Publishing ISBN 1 59540 120 2 External links Edit Wikisource has original text related to this article Katha Upanishad Sanskrit Wikisource has original text related to this article Katha Upanishad English Translation TranslationsMultiple translations Raja Ram Mohun Roy Charles Johnston Swami Nikhilananda Katha Upanishad in The Thirteen Principal Upanishads Robert Hume Translation with some creative recomposition Katha Upanishad Translated by Sanderson Beck in Wisdom of China and India Translation and commentary by Swami Paramananda The Katha Upanishad with Shankara s Commentary Translated by S Sitarama Sastri online ebookTextKaṭha Upaniṣad edited by Marcos Albino Erlangen 1996 Transliterated TITUS version by Jost Gippert Works by or about Katha Upanishad at Internet Archive audio video and text RecitationKatha Upanishad recited by Pt Ganesh Vidyalankar First from Compilation of Seven Discourses translating Sanskrit to English via mp3 audio Recitation by Swami AtmajnanandaResources Video Audio classes Reference texts Discussions and other Study material on Katha Upanishad at Vedanta Hub Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Katha Upanishad amp oldid 1151951105, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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