DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9550#0118
76
kut'h-opunishud of
many persons have never heard ; and several though
they have heard, have not comprehended. A man who
is capable of giving instruction on this subject is rare :
One who listens to it attentively, must be intelligent:
and that one who, being taught by a wise teacher, under-
stands it, is uncommon.
If a man of inferior abilities describe the nature of
the soul, no one will thoroughly understand it; for
various opinions are held by contending parties. When
the subject is explained by a person who believes thff
soul to emanate from God, doubt, in regard to its.
eternity, ceases ; but otherwise it is inexplicable and not
capable of demonstration.
The knowledge respecting the soul which thou wilt
gain by me, cannot be acquired by means of reason
alone; but it should be obtained from him who is
versed in the sacred authorities. Oh, beloved pupil,
Nuchiketa ! may we have enquirers like thee, who art
full of resolution. I know that fruition, acquirable by
means of rites, is perishable; for nothing eternal can be
obtained through perishable means. Notwithstanding
my conviction of the destructible nature of fruition, I
performed the worship of the sacred fire, whereby I
became possessed of this sovereignty of long duration.
Thou, Oh wise Nuchiketa ! hast through firmness re-
fused, though offered to thee, the state of Bruhma, which
satisfies every desire, and which is the support of the
world—the best consequence of the performance of rites
without limit or fear—praise-worthy—full of superhuman
power—extensive and stable.
The soul is that which is difficult to be comprehend-
ed—most obscure—veiled by the ideas acquired through
kut'h-opunishud of
many persons have never heard ; and several though
they have heard, have not comprehended. A man who
is capable of giving instruction on this subject is rare :
One who listens to it attentively, must be intelligent:
and that one who, being taught by a wise teacher, under-
stands it, is uncommon.
If a man of inferior abilities describe the nature of
the soul, no one will thoroughly understand it; for
various opinions are held by contending parties. When
the subject is explained by a person who believes thff
soul to emanate from God, doubt, in regard to its.
eternity, ceases ; but otherwise it is inexplicable and not
capable of demonstration.
The knowledge respecting the soul which thou wilt
gain by me, cannot be acquired by means of reason
alone; but it should be obtained from him who is
versed in the sacred authorities. Oh, beloved pupil,
Nuchiketa ! may we have enquirers like thee, who art
full of resolution. I know that fruition, acquirable by
means of rites, is perishable; for nothing eternal can be
obtained through perishable means. Notwithstanding
my conviction of the destructible nature of fruition, I
performed the worship of the sacred fire, whereby I
became possessed of this sovereignty of long duration.
Thou, Oh wise Nuchiketa ! hast through firmness re-
fused, though offered to thee, the state of Bruhma, which
satisfies every desire, and which is the support of the
world—the best consequence of the performance of rites
without limit or fear—praise-worthy—full of superhuman
power—extensive and stable.
The soul is that which is difficult to be comprehend-
ed—most obscure—veiled by the ideas acquired through