Vedas 39 - Kathopanishad - Part 2 B - Yama's Sermons Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Yama begins his sermons:
"Human beings have two alternatives before them.
The ‘Shreyas' and ‘Preyas'!
‘Shreyas' is seeking a noble and a good end,
‘Preyas' is seeking the attractive and pleasurable.
Both these, of different goals, bind a person."

"O Nachiketaa! Listen!
Man can make a choice between the ‘Shreyas' and ‘Preyas'.
The wise man meditates and discriminates, while
The foolish man chooses the glittering pleasures.
Nachiketaa! You are wise to choose the eternal,
You have ‘let go' off the worldly pleasures,

"There is a vast difference between ‘Vidya' and ‘Avidya'.
‘Vidya' is true knowledge of light, while
‘Avidya' is darkness of ignorance.
These are two conflicting paths,
They move in opposite directions.
True Knowledge leads to the imperishable spiritual realm.




Those who live in ignorance,
Think they are knowledgeable and wise,
They run hither and thither,
So blinded, so deluded, hankering after objects.
They are like blind men,
Lead by one, who is himself blind.

"O Nachiketaa!
You have refused to take the garland of wealth,
You are aware of the consequences of ignorance,
You know already that they lead to a perishable realm.
You have come to me fully prepared, my boy!
I now, see that thou art a sincere and true seeker of Truth".

Is this not a great story?
A great teacher pouring out the elixir of knowledge,
A brilliant pupil imbibing the nectar of spiritual learning,
The secret knowledge of the incomprehensible Soul,
The esoteric knowledge of the enigmatic Spirit,
The wonderful bond of the teacher and the taught!