A DIVINE MESSAGE
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2018 Bhakti Divas
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Philosophy
Isn't It Wrong to Worship Idols?Idols are made of wood, metal or clay. They are not divine. Then why do people worship them?
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Kripalu Leelamritam
Unparalleled PerformanceShri Maharaj Ji's leelas have a striking similarity with Shri Krishna's leelas.
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Kids Story
A Sincere DiscipleTo get the best outcome while donating the intention should also be right.
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Philosophy
Question
God is Divine and cannot be cast into a material object. Why then, do people engage in idol worship?
Answer
In Sanskrit, every word is derived from and composed of a root word. The Sanskrit word for idol is mūrti (मूर्ति), which means likeness within the inner and the outer form of the entity. For example, when we say, “he is the mūrti of mercy”, it means each and every part of his being is made of mercy. Just like, the sugar figurines sold on Diwali. Each and every particle of a sugar figurine is made of sugar. Likewise, each and every part of a stone idol is made of stone, both inside and outside. In English, the word for mūrti is idols, sculpture, statue, or painting of a deity etc. Let us reflect on the real meaning of mūrti as per the eternal Vedic philosophy.
God is Divine and cannot be cast into a material object. Why then, do people engage in idol worship?
Answer
In Sanskrit, every word is derived from and composed of a root word. The Sanskrit word for idol is mūrti (मूर्ति), which means likeness within the inner and the outer form of the entity. For example, when we say, “he is the mūrti of mercy”, it means each and every part of his being is made of mercy. Just like, the sugar figurines sold on Diwali. Each and every particle of a sugar figurine is made of sugar. Likewise, each and every part of a stone idol is made of stone, both inside and outside. In English, the word for mūrti is idols, sculpture, statue, or painting of a deity etc. Let us reflect on the real meaning of mūrti as per the eternal Vedic philosophy.
Scriptural definition of Murti
There is a most intimate part of the power of God, called the purest substance or viśuddha satva (विशुद्ध सत्व ). It is divine. There is a material substance also, which is a part of Maya and that is satva (सत्व). We are not talking about that.
God has three internal powers
1. saṃdhinī śakti (संधिनी शक्ति) - His potency of eternal existence
2. saṃvita śakti (संवित शक्ति) - His potency of knowledge
3. hlādinī śakti (ह्लादिनी शक्ति) - His potency of bliss
When the purest form gets endowed with these powers it manifests various aspects
1. When saṃdhinī śaktii becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called ādhāra (आधार) or base. All the abodes (loka) exist there.
2. When saṃvita śakti becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called ātma vidyā (आत्म विद्या) or science of self. Then it is provides knowledge of self.
3. When hlādinī śakti becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called guhya vidya (गुह्य विद्या) which means the most confidential knowledge. This knowledge is bestowed only upon bhakt devotees of Bhagavan-Shri Krishna.
4. But when all of these three personal powers of God becomes dominant in viśuddha satva, then it is called mūrti (मूर्ति) and that is the body of God. In simple words, the body of God is God Himself. For more on this topic read What is so special about His Divine Form?
Indra says,
God has three internal powers
1. saṃdhinī śakti (संधिनी शक्ति) - His potency of eternal existence
2. saṃvita śakti (संवित शक्ति) - His potency of knowledge
3. hlādinī śakti (ह्लादिनी शक्ति) - His potency of bliss
When the purest form gets endowed with these powers it manifests various aspects
1. When saṃdhinī śaktii becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called ādhāra (आधार) or base. All the abodes (loka) exist there.
2. When saṃvita śakti becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called ātma vidyā (आत्म विद्या) or science of self. Then it is provides knowledge of self.
3. When hlādinī śakti becomes predominant in viśuddha satva, it is called guhya vidya (गुह्य विद्या) which means the most confidential knowledge. This knowledge is bestowed only upon bhakt devotees of Bhagavan-Shri Krishna.
4. But when all of these three personal powers of God becomes dominant in viśuddha satva, then it is called mūrti (मूर्ति) and that is the body of God. In simple words, the body of God is God Himself. For more on this topic read What is so special about His Divine Form?
Indra says,
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स्वच्छन्दोपात्तदेहाय विशुद्धज्ञानमूर्तये ।
सर्वस्मै सर्वबीजाय सर्वभूतात्मने नम: ॥ 10.27.11 |
svacchandopāttadehāya viśuddhajñānamūrtaye ।
sarvasmai sarvabījāya sarvabhūtātmane nama: ॥ 10.27.11 |
“You are a veritable mūrti of purest knowledge. Your body is non-different from You. You are Your body as well [4]”.
When Kubja embraced Shri Krishna, she felt
When Kubja embraced Shri Krishna, she felt
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आनंदमात्रमजहादतिवीर्यतापम् ॥
10.48.7 |
ānaṃdamātramajahādativīryatāpam ॥
10.48.7 |
“I embraced personified bliss”.
This is a scriptural definition of idol.
Now let us consider it from a worldly point of view.
We also worship idols. What is the true concept of worshipping idols and what is the outcome of doing so?
This is a scriptural definition of idol.
Now let us consider it from a worldly point of view.
We also worship idols. What is the true concept of worshipping idols and what is the outcome of doing so?
Everyday use of word murti
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न वस्तुशक्तिर्बुद्धिमतेक्षते ।
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na vastuśaktirbuddhimatekṣate ।
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“This is a commonly known truth that a good or bad intention or feeling about an object, does not and cannot have an impact on the nature of that object”.
In other words, if someone ingests lethal poison, that person is bound to die. It matters not, how and why that person ingested the poison. Whether you jump into the river with an intent to commit suicide or your foot accidently slipped into a deep river and you do not know how to swim, you will drown either way.
What was the idol’s original form before it was transformed into its present form? It was a rock from a mountain. Someone brought it and carved it into a form and named it Ram, Krishna, Hanuman, Shiva etc. There is no specialty in that rock. It was and continues to be an inert stone that cannot see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think or know anything. Hence the result of worshipping an idol made of that rock will be the same as worshipping the un-sculpted stone.
In other words, if someone ingests lethal poison, that person is bound to die. It matters not, how and why that person ingested the poison. Whether you jump into the river with an intent to commit suicide or your foot accidently slipped into a deep river and you do not know how to swim, you will drown either way.
What was the idol’s original form before it was transformed into its present form? It was a rock from a mountain. Someone brought it and carved it into a form and named it Ram, Krishna, Hanuman, Shiva etc. There is no specialty in that rock. It was and continues to be an inert stone that cannot see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think or know anything. Hence the result of worshipping an idol made of that rock will be the same as worshipping the un-sculpted stone.
So the question arises -
Why do the temples have mūrti of different deities [1][2][3]? Those mūrti are made of clay, metal, stone, paint, sketch etc.
Did the practice of worship of mūrti start out of ignorance? Was there an underlying reason for worshipping idols?
Why do the temples have mūrti of different deities [1][2][3]? Those mūrti are made of clay, metal, stone, paint, sketch etc.
Did the practice of worship of mūrti start out of ignorance? Was there an underlying reason for worshipping idols?
No this practice is NOT rooted in ignorance. There is a very practical and scientific reason behind the use of murti in worship of God.
1. When Lord Krishna descended on earth whosoever loved Him, knowing Him as God, realized Him and attained His divine bliss. This is straightforward and simple to understand.
2. When Lord Krishna descended on earth some loved Him as a charming young boy. They had no knowledge of His divinity. They too achieved the same result. Some of them loved Him whole-heartedly as a son, others as a friend and yet others as their beloved. All of them went to His divine abode Golok.
Even those whose minds were attached to Him with negative feelings of fear, jealousy, hatred or enmity also went to Golok e.g. Shishupal constantly remembered Shri Krishna as an enemy, Kansa was forever fearful of Him, yet both of them went to Golok.
This all goes back to the principle stated earlier “the power of an object is not impacted by the intention”. Someone brings a piece of iron in contact with touchstone (paras), with utmost care, the iron will turn into gold. Someone else hits the touchstone with an iron axe out of anger; the axe would also turn into gold. As soon as the two objects come in contact with each other, the power of the object manifests itself. Someone touches a live wire by mistake or to commit suicide, both will die.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, king Parikshit asked this question to Shukdev Paramhans -
Even those whose minds were attached to Him with negative feelings of fear, jealousy, hatred or enmity also went to Golok e.g. Shishupal constantly remembered Shri Krishna as an enemy, Kansa was forever fearful of Him, yet both of them went to Golok.
This all goes back to the principle stated earlier “the power of an object is not impacted by the intention”. Someone brings a piece of iron in contact with touchstone (paras), with utmost care, the iron will turn into gold. Someone else hits the touchstone with an iron axe out of anger; the axe would also turn into gold. As soon as the two objects come in contact with each other, the power of the object manifests itself. Someone touches a live wire by mistake or to commit suicide, both will die.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, king Parikshit asked this question to Shukdev Paramhans -
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कृष्णं विदु: परं कान्तं न तु ब्रह्मतया मुने । गुणप्रवाहोपरमस्तासां गुणधियां कथम् ॥
10.29.12 |
kṛṣṇaṃ vidu: paraṃ kāntaṃ na tu brahmatayā mune । guṇapravāhoparamastāsāṃ guṇadhiyāṃ katham ॥
10.29.12 |
“The gopis didn’t consider Shri Krishna as God. They took Him to be an ordinary boy and referred to Him as Chaur – Jaar (thief and adulterer). It proves that they loved Him as nothing but an ordinary material boy.”
Shukdev Paramhans said, “So, what is your question?”
Parikshit continued on saying, “That means, Guru Ji, that the gopis love was worldly love. Then how were those gopis delivered from the clutches of Maya”.
Shukdev Paramhans answered, saying -
Shukdev Paramhans said, “So, what is your question?”
Parikshit continued on saying, “That means, Guru Ji, that the gopis love was worldly love. Then how were those gopis delivered from the clutches of Maya”.
Shukdev Paramhans answered, saying -
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उक्तं पुरस्तादेतत्ते चैद्य: सिद्धिं यथा गत: । द्विषन्नपि हृषीकेशं किमुताधोक्षजप्रिया: ॥
10.29.13 |
uktaṃ purastādetatte caidya: siddhiṃ yathā gata: । dviṣannapi hṛṣīkeśaṃ kimutādhokṣajapriyā: ॥
10.29.13 |
“O dim-witted! I already told you, Shishupal, who verbally abused Shri Krishna 100 times in an august assembly, also went to Golok, because His mind was fully attached to Shri Krishna but with the feeling of animosity. Since Shri Krishna is a divine personality, Shishupal received a divine result. The object gives its result, this is the law”.
If your mind gets totally attached to anyone with the feeling of passion, anger, fear, or love etc. you will get the result of that personality for sure.
If your mind gets totally attached to anyone with the feeling of passion, anger, fear, or love etc. you will get the result of that personality for sure.
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कामं क्रोधं भयं स्नेहमैक्यं सौहृदमेव च । नित्यं हरौ विदधतो यान्ति तन्मयतां हि ते ॥
10.29.15 |
kāmaṃ krodhaṃ bhayaṃ snehamaikyaṃ sauhṛdameva ca ।
nityaṃ harau vidadhato yānti tanmayatāṃ hi te ॥ 10.29.15 |
Reflect,
a. Ganges - Ganges is a sacred personality. No matter what flows in into the Ganges, it becomes Ganges. But river Ganges never becomes impure.
b. Fire - Putting any filth in the fire doesn’t make the fire filthy, instead whatever goes into the fire, becomes fire.
c. Sun - The rays of the Sun fall on everything alike - clean or dirty. But the refuse of things leave no effect on the sun.
d. God - God is omnipresent. He lives everywhere even in the filthiest objects. Yet, He never becomes dirty. Whoever goes to Him becomes pure. Hence the attachment of mind with the All Pure and Divine Shri Krishna with anger, passion, greed, jealousy or enmity will result only in the attainment of His Divine abode Golok.
In the same manner, the result of attachment of the mind with God or a God-realized saint, is also attainment of divine bliss
a. Ganges - Ganges is a sacred personality. No matter what flows in into the Ganges, it becomes Ganges. But river Ganges never becomes impure.
b. Fire - Putting any filth in the fire doesn’t make the fire filthy, instead whatever goes into the fire, becomes fire.
c. Sun - The rays of the Sun fall on everything alike - clean or dirty. But the refuse of things leave no effect on the sun.
d. God - God is omnipresent. He lives everywhere even in the filthiest objects. Yet, He never becomes dirty. Whoever goes to Him becomes pure. Hence the attachment of mind with the All Pure and Divine Shri Krishna with anger, passion, greed, jealousy or enmity will result only in the attainment of His Divine abode Golok.
In the same manner, the result of attachment of the mind with God or a God-realized saint, is also attainment of divine bliss
3. It has been clarified that intention does not have an impact on the result of the object. The object delivers the results as per its inherent power. So worshipping an idol made of stone should not deliver a desirable result, as there is no divine power in stone? The answer is No. A devotee will attain divine bliss by worshipping an idol made of any material object. Why?
a. God is omnipresent - Since God resides in material objects (viz; soil, water, fire, air, and space etc. inert things), worshipping a material object with a Godly feeling also gives the benefit of worshipping God. So, an unflinching faith that God resides within His statue, will result in Divine benefit.
b. God is Omniscient - Hence he understands a devotees feeling and rewards them accordingly. On the flip side, if someone creates the feeling of a human being in the statue (e.g. of our father, mother, brother, husband or wife), it is impossible to attain the benefit of their presence. Because neither is that material person present in the statue nor are they omniscient. The person cannot know your feelings. But God is all-knowing, Omniscient. So when we create a feeling of God in a statue, He knows. He gives the result of our intent and that is why we attain the divine bliss. This was the reason behind the prevalence of idol-worship in our country. If we lack the feeling that there is God within that idol, we will get the benefit of a stone only
Pay attention please! If you are not convinced of God’s presence in a mūrti, instead you are just attracted towards the looks, adornment or beauty of the idol, you will only receive a temporary pleasure by seeing the idol. If however, you are convinced that God resides within the mūrti, you will surely attain spiritual benefit. Please note that the bliss you attain will be proportionate to the extent of your faith in God’s presence in that mūrti.
It is extremely rare to find a person who visits a temple to see God in those idols. Most of the visitors bow down to the stone statues. This is the reason why the general public enjoys meeting their relatives and friends more than they enjoy the darshan of God in a temple.
a. God is omnipresent - Since God resides in material objects (viz; soil, water, fire, air, and space etc. inert things), worshipping a material object with a Godly feeling also gives the benefit of worshipping God. So, an unflinching faith that God resides within His statue, will result in Divine benefit.
b. God is Omniscient - Hence he understands a devotees feeling and rewards them accordingly. On the flip side, if someone creates the feeling of a human being in the statue (e.g. of our father, mother, brother, husband or wife), it is impossible to attain the benefit of their presence. Because neither is that material person present in the statue nor are they omniscient. The person cannot know your feelings. But God is all-knowing, Omniscient. So when we create a feeling of God in a statue, He knows. He gives the result of our intent and that is why we attain the divine bliss. This was the reason behind the prevalence of idol-worship in our country. If we lack the feeling that there is God within that idol, we will get the benefit of a stone only
Pay attention please! If you are not convinced of God’s presence in a mūrti, instead you are just attracted towards the looks, adornment or beauty of the idol, you will only receive a temporary pleasure by seeing the idol. If however, you are convinced that God resides within the mūrti, you will surely attain spiritual benefit. Please note that the bliss you attain will be proportionate to the extent of your faith in God’s presence in that mūrti.
It is extremely rare to find a person who visits a temple to see God in those idols. Most of the visitors bow down to the stone statues. This is the reason why the general public enjoys meeting their relatives and friends more than they enjoy the darshan of God in a temple.
4. This is self-evident that the person would not attain divine bliss. And yet most of us are in this category.
In a nutshell, the 3rd point above is why idol worship is done. But be smart about it. Use a sculpture, painting or sketch to create an image in your mind. You can start off with a mental form also. Then animate that form and endow that with countless divine virtues [4]. Then strengthen your Roopadhyan - Devotional Remembrance by mentally engaging in service of the God. Increase your love for Them[5]. Yearn to meet Them and fuel that fire of separation to cleanse your mind.
With the firm faith that this is God you could worship the idol. Just like Dhanna Jat did [5]. With that firm unflinching faith you can bathe your deity, offer bhog [6] or serve Him in which ever way suits your fancy. This firm faith will make God appear in front of you [7][8].
REMEMBER
In the material world you ONLY get the fruit of the object. Your intention has no value. But in the divine world, you get fruit of both the divine object and your intention of divine sentiments.
Due to this divine law, if you worship mere stones then you will get the fruit of worshipping a stone. Instead, if you worship your Lord God whose form is depicted by that idol then idol worship will entitle you to enjoy the bliss of divine-love.
With the firm faith that this is God you could worship the idol. Just like Dhanna Jat did [5]. With that firm unflinching faith you can bathe your deity, offer bhog [6] or serve Him in which ever way suits your fancy. This firm faith will make God appear in front of you [7][8].
REMEMBER
In the material world you ONLY get the fruit of the object. Your intention has no value. But in the divine world, you get fruit of both the divine object and your intention of divine sentiments.
Due to this divine law, if you worship mere stones then you will get the fruit of worshipping a stone. Instead, if you worship your Lord God whose form is depicted by that idol then idol worship will entitle you to enjoy the bliss of divine-love.
LEARN MORE
Kripalu Leelamritam
Queen Basanti of the kingdom of Garudvas was a devotee of Shri Maharaj Ji. Once she had invited Shri Maharaj Ji to her palace to grace her and her people with his divine discourses lasting 15 days. As was the custom at that time, she had hosted a bamboo stick competition. Several well-known stick fighters were invited to participate in that competition. The queen along with Shri Maharaj Ji sat in the balcony to watch the competition.
After watching the performance of a few practitioners, Shri Maharaj Ji inconspicuously went downstairs and asked one of the practitioners to hand him a stick. Then Shri Maharaj Ji started waving the stick with great agility and speed. He demonstrated several traits that none of the practitioners had yet demonstrated. At the end of the competition, the queen announced she had the great privilege to award the winning title to her spiritual master Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Upon hearing this, the audience started clapping loudly as if to second the queen’s decision. They were all in agreement that the skills demonstrated by Shri Maharaj Ji were unparalleled.
The queen was also a connoisseur of horses and had over 150 horses in her stable. One of the horses was free spirited. Despite numerous attempts, none of the equine trainers could ride or control that particular horse. Its legs were always kept tied with a rope. One day Shri Maharaj Ji saw that horse and enquired the reason for tying its legs. Upon being told the reason, Shri Maharaj Ji asked for the horse to be untied. While being untied, the horse looked at its captivators with great detest and anger.
Shri Maharaj Ji asked for the horse to be saddled and as soon as that was done, Shri Maharaj Ji sprang up and sat on the horse. The horse tried to kick, stand up on its hind legs, pawing and performing any and every trick that it knew to throw off the rider. When that didn’t work, he jumped into the river Narmada. After taking three dips into the river, it came out and started running on the sandy beach. All along, Shri Maharaj Ji kept holding on to its reigns tight. After running up and down the sandy beach couple of times for about 20 minutes the horse got tired and was sweating profusely. Then it gave up and stood still, as if signaling that it was accepting defeat at the hands of such an extraordinary rider.
Everyone witnessing the scene clapped their hands in sheer joy. The queen’s assistants now dared to come close to the horse. Shri Maharaj Ji handed them the reigns and said, “You can hold these reigns now. You would not need to worry about this horse anymore.”
After watching the performance of a few practitioners, Shri Maharaj Ji inconspicuously went downstairs and asked one of the practitioners to hand him a stick. Then Shri Maharaj Ji started waving the stick with great agility and speed. He demonstrated several traits that none of the practitioners had yet demonstrated. At the end of the competition, the queen announced she had the great privilege to award the winning title to her spiritual master Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Upon hearing this, the audience started clapping loudly as if to second the queen’s decision. They were all in agreement that the skills demonstrated by Shri Maharaj Ji were unparalleled.
The queen was also a connoisseur of horses and had over 150 horses in her stable. One of the horses was free spirited. Despite numerous attempts, none of the equine trainers could ride or control that particular horse. Its legs were always kept tied with a rope. One day Shri Maharaj Ji saw that horse and enquired the reason for tying its legs. Upon being told the reason, Shri Maharaj Ji asked for the horse to be untied. While being untied, the horse looked at its captivators with great detest and anger.
Shri Maharaj Ji asked for the horse to be saddled and as soon as that was done, Shri Maharaj Ji sprang up and sat on the horse. The horse tried to kick, stand up on its hind legs, pawing and performing any and every trick that it knew to throw off the rider. When that didn’t work, he jumped into the river Narmada. After taking three dips into the river, it came out and started running on the sandy beach. All along, Shri Maharaj Ji kept holding on to its reigns tight. After running up and down the sandy beach couple of times for about 20 minutes the horse got tired and was sweating profusely. Then it gave up and stood still, as if signaling that it was accepting defeat at the hands of such an extraordinary rider.
Everyone witnessing the scene clapped their hands in sheer joy. The queen’s assistants now dared to come close to the horse. Shri Maharaj Ji handed them the reigns and said, “You can hold these reigns now. You would not need to worry about this horse anymore.”
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Kid's Story
There once lived a little boy named Nachiketa. He was the son of Rishi Vājashravasa. Once Rishi Vājashravasa organized a yagya (offering fire sacrifices) to please the Gods and gain heaven. It was a custom in those days to donate cows to Brahmins at the end of the yagna. Rishi Vājashravasa was a miser and he donated old, barren, blind and lame cows who hardly yielded any milk, to the Brahmins. Our scriptures tell us that one must donate only the very best of one’s possessions. Hence, Nachiketa was puzzled by his father's action. He thought he should be gifting the things which are dear to him since he intends to gain swarg, but he will go to Hell instead through such actions. He asked his father, “Father, to whom will you give me as charity or a gift?” His father ignored the question but Nachiketa repeated the question, Vājashravasa lost his temper and said, “Get away from here. I will give you to Yama, God of Death”. Being an obedient son Nachiketa set out to Yampuri, the abode of Yamraj. He reached Yama's kingdom but was told by Yama's guards that Yamraj had gone out for three days. Nachiketa decided to wait at his doorstep until he returned. He waited for three days without any food or water. He basically fasted for three days!
Upon his return, Yamraj was sorry to see that a Brahmin guest had been waiting so long without food and water. He told Nachiketa, "You have waited in my house for three days without hospitality, therefore ask three boons from me". Nachiketa first asked for peace for his father and himself. Yamraj agreed. Next, Nachiketa wished to learn the sacred fire sacrifice, which also Yamraj elaborated. For his third boon, Nachiketa wanted to learn the mystery of what comes after death. Yamraj was reluctant on this question. He said that this had been a mystery even to the gods. He asked Nachiketa to ask for some other boon, and offered many material gains.
But Nachiketa replied that material things will last only till death. He who has encountered death personally, how can he desire wealth? No other boon would do. Yamraj was secretly pleased with this disciple, and elaborated on the nature of the true Self, which persists beyond death. The key of the realization is that this soul is inseparable from Brahm, the supreme spirit, the vital force in the universe. Yamraj's explanation is a succinct explication of Hindu metaphysics, and focuses on the following points -
The goal of the wise is to know the real self, which is the soul.
The soul is like a passenger; the horses are the senses, which he guides through the maze of desires.
At the time of death, the body dies but soul is immortal.
By mere reading of the scriptures or intellectual learning, one cannot realize the God. One must discriminate the soul from the body, which is the seat of desire.
The inability to realize God, results in one being enmeshed in the cycle of rebirths. Understanding God leads to moksha or liberation.
Thus having learned the wisdom of the Brahm from Yamraj, Nachiketa was freed from the cycle of births.
Moral
First approach a God-realized saint, with an inquisitive mind, ask him what the goal of life is, then trust his words and finally practice the same principles. Then realization of God would be possible.
Upon his return, Yamraj was sorry to see that a Brahmin guest had been waiting so long without food and water. He told Nachiketa, "You have waited in my house for three days without hospitality, therefore ask three boons from me". Nachiketa first asked for peace for his father and himself. Yamraj agreed. Next, Nachiketa wished to learn the sacred fire sacrifice, which also Yamraj elaborated. For his third boon, Nachiketa wanted to learn the mystery of what comes after death. Yamraj was reluctant on this question. He said that this had been a mystery even to the gods. He asked Nachiketa to ask for some other boon, and offered many material gains.
But Nachiketa replied that material things will last only till death. He who has encountered death personally, how can he desire wealth? No other boon would do. Yamraj was secretly pleased with this disciple, and elaborated on the nature of the true Self, which persists beyond death. The key of the realization is that this soul is inseparable from Brahm, the supreme spirit, the vital force in the universe. Yamraj's explanation is a succinct explication of Hindu metaphysics, and focuses on the following points -
The goal of the wise is to know the real self, which is the soul.
The soul is like a passenger; the horses are the senses, which he guides through the maze of desires.
At the time of death, the body dies but soul is immortal.
By mere reading of the scriptures or intellectual learning, one cannot realize the God. One must discriminate the soul from the body, which is the seat of desire.
The inability to realize God, results in one being enmeshed in the cycle of rebirths. Understanding God leads to moksha or liberation.
Thus having learned the wisdom of the Brahm from Yamraj, Nachiketa was freed from the cycle of births.
Moral
First approach a God-realized saint, with an inquisitive mind, ask him what the goal of life is, then trust his words and finally practice the same principles. Then realization of God would be possible.
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