Katha Upanishad 23: Verse 23

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

शतायुषः पुत्रपौत्रान् वृणीष्व बहून् पशून् हस्तिहिरण्यमश्वान्। भूमेर्महदायतनं वृणीष्व स्वयं च जीव शरदो यावदिच्छसि ॥२३॥

Padapatha (Word Split)

शतायुषः पुत्रपौत्रान् वृणीष्व बहून् पशून् हस्ति हिरण्यम् अश्वान्। भूमेः महत् आयतनम् वृणीष्व स्वयम् च जीव शरदः यावत् इच्छसि ॥

Recitation with translationKatha Upanishad 23

IAST Transliteration

śatāyuṣaḥ putrapautrān vṛṇīṣva bahūn paśūn hastihiraṇyamaśvān | bhūmermahadāyatanaṃ vṛṇīṣva svayaṃ ca jīva śarado yāvadicchasi ||

Translation

Pilihlah putera-putera dan cucu-cucu yang berusia seratus tahun, banyak lembu, gajah, emas, dan kuda. Pilihlah tanah yang luas, dan engkau sendiri hiduplah selama musim luruh yang engkau ingini.

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Academic Translation

Choose sons and grandsons of a hundred years, many cattle, elephants, gold, and horses. Choose a great expanse of land, and yourself live as many autumns as you desire.

Verse Context

• Kama (Worldly Desires) vs. Moksha (Liberation)
• Mahavakya: This verse presents the contrast between worldly attainments and the knowledge of Brahman. It sets up the distinction that supports 'Tat Tvam Asi' by showing what Nachiketa must reject to realize his true nature.
• Krishna Yajur Veda
• Taittiriya Shakha
• Chandas: Anushtup