The Upanishads, Part 1, Part III summary
Part 1, Part III of 170 · 2 min to read the part
In III, Nachiketas sees that the cows his father Vajasrava offers in sacrifice are worthless and judges that such gifts bring no merit. Stirred by Shraddha and concern for his father, he reasons that a sacrifice of all possessions must include himself, and he approaches his father respectfully.
What happens
- The opening passage describes exhausted cows and declares that anyone offering them reaches realms without joy.
- The commentary explains that sacrifice loses its merit when the giver seeks recognition or personal gain.
- Vajasrava performs the Viswajit sacrifice, which requires him to surrender everything he owns.
- Nachiketas notices the animals' worthlessness and experiences Shraddha, which includes moral independence and courage.
- He reasons that his father must give him too, then approaches his father gently out of concern.
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What does Nachiketas think his father must also give away?
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