Katha Upanishad 1.4Famous
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स होवाच पितरं तत कस्मै मां दास्यसीति। द्वितीयं तृतीयं तं होवाच मृत्यवे त्वा ददामीति॥
sa hovāca pitaraṃ tata kasmai māṃ dāsyasīti | dvitīyaṃ tṛtīyaṃ taṃ hovāca mṛtyave tvā dadāmīti ||
"He said to his father: "Father, to whom will you give me?" He asked this a second and third time. The father replied in anger: "I give you to Death!""
What This Means:
Nachiketa asked his father "To whom will you give me?" - pointing out that true sacrifice might include what we love most. Angered, the father cursed him to Death.
Going Deeper:
The father's angry words, though spoken in haste, become true - showing the power of speech and the working of karma. Nachiketa accepts his fate with courage.
How To Apply This:
Speak carefully, especially in anger. Words have power. Also notice: Nachiketa's courage transforms a curse into an opportunity.
#speech#courage#karma