Nachiketa and Yama

Vajashravas, a wealthy sage, performed a great sacrifice to gain divine favor. However, he was giving away only old and barren cows. His young son, Nachiketa, noticed this insincerity and asked, 'Father, to whom will you give me?' Irritated by the repetitive question, Vajashravas snapped, 'I give you to Yama, the God of Death!' Taking his father's words as a command, Nachiketa traveled to the abode of Yama. Finding Yama absent, the boy waited at the gates for three days without food or water. Upon returning, Yama was impressed by the boy's devotion and offered him three boons. For his first boon, Nachiketa asked for his father's peace of mind and forgiveness. For the second, he asked to learn the sacred fire sacrifice that leads to heaven. For the third, Nachiketa asked the ultimate question: 'What happens to a person after death?' Yama initially tried to tempt the boy with worldly riches and long life, but Nachiketa remained firm, seeking only the truth. Impressed, Yama taught him the secret of the Atman—the eternal soul that is neither born nor dies—leading Nachiketa to spiritual liberation.