Nachiketa
Part-3 Feb--6--2011 Sunday
Thus was Nachiketa enlightened, and when he returned, he was warmly welcomed by his father and the other rishis, and he grew up to become a great rishi himself before attained the heavens, free from birth and death cycle.
The story of Nachiketa inspires us to be kind to all living beings, generous with our fellow-men, respect our parents and be steadfast in our resolve. We also learn that Divine knowledge is more valuable than worldly luxuries.
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Now the Kathopanishad begins in earnest to reveal the secret of immortality, the meaning of death and life.Worldly, transitory life, with all of its charms, is not the purpose of human existence. The world is full of objects and temptations. People want them, choose them, and organize their lives around getting them, lifetime after lifetime.
Today a person develops a pattern of identifying with the world, with its objects, and with the emotions that go with having those objects or with the possibility of losing them. He begins to think that joy will come with having glamorous possessions, a new car, a new suit, or a new spouse. With each new acquisition there is a flash of satisfaction followed by a prolonged sense of dissatisfaction.
A person identifies with the emotions that go with the objects and relationships. He thinks he loves someone, that he must have her to be happy. When he has her, so often the relationship settles into something else that is not very loving. He may hurt the person he said he needed. Then he says he is sorry. A month passes and he does the same hurtful thing again. Finally, they separate. So he finds another person he thinks he needs for his happiness, and the process begins all over again.
There are many variations of this theme. The point is that a human being becomes attached to things and relationships, and the thoughts and emotions attendant to the attachments. That creates suffering because none of those things or relationships lasts. Nonetheless, human beings keep trying to find peace in this way, lifetime after lifetime. --------
1 comment:
Excellent post! Stories are the best way to teach children and even their parents of philosophic matters, good behaviour, better way of life, etc. Thank you for sharing your story! Being a writer myself, I remember that my 1st Tale Of The Rock Pieces inspired much more two kids of a friend of mine to lead a healthy way of life than any teacher or school manual did... Even today, when they are shrewd youngsters they still remember the many adventures of my heroes and do exercises every day, don't drink and don't smoke. Guess any author could give similar examples?
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