kathopanishad-1-1-22-devairatrāpi

Commentary by Swami Krishnananda of the great Divine Life Society

Nachiketas says, “You are telling me that even the gods cannot answer this question, which means that you know the answer to this question. Otherwise, how would you say this?” Devair atrāpi vicikitsitaṁ kila, tvaṁ ca mṛtyo yan na suvijñeyam āttha, vaktā cāsya tvādṛg-anyo na labhyaḥ; nānyo varas tulya etasya kaścit (1.1.22): “Did you tell me that it is not possible for even the gods to know this? You told me that it is more subtle. Do I gather from this that you know it? And shall I find a better teacher than you? I shall not ask for any other boon, because I will never find a teacher like you anywhere else. When you say it is so subtle and even the gods do not know it, it means you know it.” Nānyo varas tulya etasya kaścit: “No other boon that you give me will be equal to this. Therefore, don’t tempt me with anything else.”