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SAMAYASARA
other than our own self. The true relief from grief is to secure the freedom from the danger of the non-self. This is the fundamental truth of the new thought. This seems to have actuated both men and gods. The reference to the Devas, the mythological personalities which we have in the Upanishadic writings is really interesting. We find in Vedic period, for example, Indra who wanted casks of wine to infuriate the strength of him in the battlefield is now met with as a docile disciple of the samit in his hand begging to be instructed in this new knowledge of the self Here heroes are not measured by physical prowess. Self-control and purity of thought constitute the real worth of life both for men and Gods. This aspect will become more and more prominent as we go to study the other Upanishads
Katha Upanishad-This belongs to Yajurveda It is mainly associated with a particular kind of sacrifice called Nachiketas. But the Upanishad is interesting for us not because of this sacrifice but because of the important problem discussed thereinThe great problem of the Hercafter. What is the nature of the soul? Does it survive death? If it does whither does it go? These are the questions which are discussed in this Upanishad. These questions have occupied the serious attention of thinkers all over the world. In fact these problems form the pivot of religions and philosophy. Socrates, Plato, Buddha, and Christ have all had, their attention to these facts and the very same problems are here discussed by the Upanishadic thinkers who were evidently the forerunners of the above mentioned great world teachers. The Upanishad opens with a simple household scene. A Brähman wants to obtain certain benefits by offering sacrifices. He promised to offer all his valuable possessions for sacrifice to seek his end. He was offering his cows and sheep and other things of great value. He had an intelligent boy who was watching the whole thing. His name was Nachiketas. The sacrifice mentioned in this Upanishad is named after him. It means the sacrifice of Nachiketas. This boy perhaps in a scoffing mood reminded his father that he did not offer his most valuable thing referring of course to himself. The boy importunately
