Katha Upanishad 2.4
intermediate
दूरमेते विपरीते विषूची अविद्या या च विद्येति ज्ञाता। विद्याभीप्सिनं नचिकेतसं मन्ये न त्वा कामा बहवोऽलोलुपन्त॥
dūramete viparīte viṣūcī avidyā yā ca vidyeti jñātā | vidyābhīpsinaṃ naciketasaṃ manye na tvā kāmā bahavo'lolupanta ||
""Far apart and leading to different ends are these two: ignorance (avidya) and what is known as knowledge (vidya). I consider Nachiketa a seeker of knowledge, for many desires did not tempt you away.""
What This Means:
Yama distinguishes two opposite paths: ignorance leads one way, knowledge another. Nachiketa clearly seeks knowledge since desires couldn't sway him.
Going Deeper:
Avidya and vidya represent not just learning but seeing clearly versus being deluded. The choice between them shapes our entire destiny.
How To Apply This:
Which path are you on - growing in clear seeing, or accumulating pleasant illusions?
#knowledge#ignorance#paths