Nachikethas is a character from Katha Upanishad. In this story a young man got this highest knowledge from Yama, the God of Death, by his courage of conviction.
Long, long ago, there lived poor Brahmin called Vajasravas. He performed a sacrifice called Visvajit. In that sacrifice one has to give away everything that belongs to him. Nothing is to be kept back.
Accordingly, this brahmin gave away all that belonged to him. They were necessarily things of poor value like aged cows and old vessels.
This man had a son named Nachiketas. He was an intelligent boy.
He felt unhappy that his father’s gifts were of little value.
He thought, by offering himself as a gift, his father could make amends.
So he went to his father and asked: "Father, how about giving me also as a gift?
Vajasravas did not reply. Nachiketas asked a second time and a third.
Vajasravas became annoyed and said: "I give you away to Yama!"
Yama is the God of Death.
Nachiketas was taken aback. He felt his father was angry with him.
But having heard him say that, he felt he should report himself to Yama. So he went to Yama’s kingdom and walked into his house. But Yama was not at home.
It was three days before Yama returned.
When a guest arrives, it is the duty of the host to honour him without delay. Or he will be failing in Dharma.
So when Yama heard that Nachiketas had been waiting for him for three days, he became worried.
He hurried to Nachiketas and apologised to him for making him wait three days and offered to make amends. He said: "I offer you any three boons. Please ask."
Nachiketas asked as the first boon: "May my father’s anger subside and may he greet me affectionately when I return home from here!"
Yama said: "Granted."
As his second boon Nachiketas asked: "I understand that there is no death, old age, suffering or sorrow in heaven and one goes to heaven by performing a sacrifice. Will you teach me that sacrifice?"
Yama taught him all about that sacrifice and added: "May this sacrifice be henceforth known by your name. Thus you will become famous."
Nachiketas asked as his third boon: "Teach me what happens to man after death. Some say he continues to live in heaven and others say no. Which is true?"
Yama said: "Even gods do not fully know the truth. It is difficult to understand. Why not choose some other boon? I shall grant you a number of sons and grandsons instead; lot of money, cattle, pleasure, radiant health and what not. Only don’t press me to answer this question."
Nachiketas said: "Sir, from what you have just said I see that the answer to my question is far more valuable than all the things you promised. I insist that you should answer that question only."
Yama now realised that Nachiketas was earnest in knowing the great truth; he could not be tempted with pleasure and pelf and he was firm of mind.
So he said: "There are two ways open for man, one is the good and the other the pleasant way. The wise man follows the first only. It leads to knowledge of the Atman or self. That is the greatest knowledge. One attains it through Brahmacharya.
AUM is its symbol.
Learning or argument cannot teach it. One must keep one’s mind in peace.
Now, arise, awake and learn that knowledge."
Thus Nachiketas learnt the greatest truth by his courage.
