Nachiketas’ First Boon

Nachiketas asks for his father’s peace of mind as the first boon. Yama (Death) grants this, assuring him that his father will recognize him and welcome him back.

Verse 1.1.10

(Nachiketas said) That Gautama may be freed from anxiety, be calm in mind, not wrath against me, that he may recognise and welcome me let go by you—is, Oh Death, the first of the three boons I ask.

Sanskrit Verse

शान्तसंकल्पः सुमना यथा स्याद्वीतमन्युर्गौतमो माभिमृत्यो ।
त्वत्प्रसृष्टं माभिवदेत्प्रतीत एतत्त्रयाणां प्रथमं वरं वृणे ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

śāntasaṃkalpaḥ sumanā yathā syādvītamanyurgautamo mābhimṛtyo |
tvatprasṛṣṭaṃ mābhivadetpratīta etattrayāṇāṃ prathamaṃ varaṃ vṛṇe || 10 ||

Translation

10. (Nachiketas said) That Gautama may be freed from anxiety, be calm in mind, not wrath against me, that he may recognise and welcome me let go by you—is, Oh Death, the first of the three boons I ask.

Verse 1.1.11

(Death replies) Auddalaki, the son of Aruna will recognise you, as before, with my permission, will sleep during nights in peace and when he sees you returned from the jaws of Death, will lose his wrath.

Sanskrit Verse

यथा पुरस्ताद्भविता प्रतीत अउद्दालकिरारुणिर्मत्प्रसृष्टः ।
सुखँ रात्रीः शयिता वीतमन्युःत्वां ददृशिवान्मृत्युमुखात्प्रमुक्तम् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

yathā purastādbhavitā pratīta auddālakirāruṇirmatprasṛṣṭaḥ ||
sukham̐ rātrīḥ śayitā vītamanyuḥtvāṃ dadṛśivānmṛtyumukhātpramuktam || 11 ||

Translation

11. (Death replies) Auddalaki, the son of Aruna will recognise you, as before, with my permission, will sleep during nights in peace and when he sees you returned from the jaws of Death, will lose his wrath.