Katha Upanishad 1.26Famous
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श्वोभावा मर्त्यस्य यदन्तकैतत्सर्वेन्द्रियाणां जरयन्ति तेजः। अपि सर्वं जीवितमल्पमेव तवैव वाहास्तव नृत्यगीते॥
śvobhāvā martyasya yadantakaitat sarvendriyāṇāṃ jarayanti tejaḥ | api sarvaṃ jīvitamalpameva tavaiva vāhāstava nṛtyagīte ||
"Nachiketa said: "Ephemeral are these things, O Death, and they wear out the vigor of all the senses. Even a long life is short indeed. Keep your horses, dances, and songs for yourself!""
What This Means:
Nachiketa refuses everything. All pleasures are temporary and actually drain our vitality. Even a long life is brief compared to eternity.
Going Deeper:
This is the turning point. Nachiketa demonstrates viveka (discrimination) - seeing through the illusion of worldly pleasures.
How To Apply This:
Pleasures seem appealing but fade quickly and drain energy. Seek what lasts.
#impermanence#discrimination#renunciation