kathopanishad-1-3-2-yaḥ seturījānānāmakṣaraṃ

Commentary by Swami Krishnananda of the great Divine Life Society

Yas setur ījānānām akṣaram brahma yat param, abhayam titīrṣatām pāram nāciketaṁ śakemahi (1.3.2): We are now in a position to understand the nature of the Nachiketas sacrifice. By the performance of such a sacrifice, or yajna, one reaches the akṣara, the imperishable Brahman, the Absolute, yat param, the Supreme Being. It is a fearlessness granted to all those who are to cross the ocean of mortal existence, samsara as it is called. This Brahman, this Supreme Being, is like a bridge, by walking over which, by traversing which, we can cross over samsara, this mundane existence. This knowledge comes to us through the Nachiketas sacrifice—nāciketaṁ śakemahi.

Now we have some verses which are of practical importance. Actual sadhana, spiritual practice, is described here in the coming verses, which are very, very important for every seeker, worth committing to memory every day as a holy mantra.