Katha Upanishad: Verse 1.1.21

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयमणुरेष धर्मः। अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीरति मा सृजैनम् ॥२१॥

Padapatha (Word Split)

देवैः अत्र अपि विचिकित्सितम् पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयम् अणुः एषः धर्मः। अन्यम् वरम् नचिकेतः वृणीष्व मा माम् उपरोत्सीः अति मा सृज एनम् ॥

Recitation with translationKatha Upanishad 1.1.21

IAST Transliteration

devairatrāpi vichikitsitaṃ purā na hi suvijñeyamaṇureṣa dharmaḥ | anyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva mā moparotsīrati mā sṛjainam ||

Translation

حتى الآلهة شكّوا في هذا قديماً، لأن هذا الدharma ليس سهل الفهم، إذ هو دقيق. يا ناتشيكيتاس، اختر نعمة أخرى. لا تُلحّ عليّ أكثر. لا تسألني هذا.

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Academic Translation

Even by the gods this was doubted in ancient times; for this dharma is not easily known, being subtle. O Naciketas, choose another boon. Do not press me further. Do not ask this of me.

Verse Context

• Atma-jnana (Self-knowledge) - The subtle nature of ultimate reality that transcends ordinary comprehension
• Mahavakya: This verse prepares the ground for the great teaching 'neti neti' (not this, not this) and relates to 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Chandogya Upanishad) - the identity of Atman and Brahman that even gods struggle to comprehend
• Krishna Yajur Veda
• Taittiriya Shakha
• Chandas: Anushtup