kathopanishad-1-1-21-devairatrāpi

Commentary by Swami Krishnananda of the great Divine Life Society

Devair atrāpi vicikitsitam purā, na hi suvijñeyam, aṇur eṣa dharmaḥ, anyaṁ varaṁ naciketo vṛṇīṣva, mā moparotsīr ati mā sṛjainam (1.1.21): Lord Yama replies, “You are asking this kind of question? Don’t harass me unnecessarily. Because I asked you to choose a third boon, you are asking this kind of question which is too difficult for me, because even the gods have a doubt about this matter, let alone mortals. Even the celestials in heaven cannot answer this question and you, mortal young boy, want to know this?” Devair atrāpi vicikitsitam purā, na hi suvijñeyam: “It is not easy to understand.” Aṇur eṣa dharmaḥ: “Very subtle is this truth. Please ask for something else.” Anyaṁ varaṁ naciketo vṛṇīṣva: “Don’t bind me with this request.” Mā moparotsīr ati mā sṛjainam: “Please relieve me from this obligation to answer this kind of question.” Yama himself wants to be free from this bond, or noose, of the question of this boy. “Ask for something else. Every glorious thing, wonderful thing, magnificent thing I shall give you, but don’t put a question like this.”