'Nachiketa Agni'
Question
Dear Dhananjay,
In Katha Upanishad, as response to Nachiketa's second boon, Yama happens to explain about the knowledge needed to attain heaven. But, in the upanishad, it is only mentioned that Yama explained this knowledge to Nachiketa, and Nachiketa recites back this knowledge. Being very happy with Nachiketa's ability to comprehend it so quickly, Yama named that knowledge as "Nachiketa Agni".
What exactly is this Nachiketa Agni? What is the philosophical aspect surrounding this?
regards
RK
Answer
Before the attainment of final & irreversible emancipation (Videhamukti , which refers to the relinquishment of all the three bodies) after destruction of the Ego, further to self-realization, the Jiva experiences 'Jivanmukti' (liberated while still residing in the physical medium, with a created astral medium)
'Nachiketa Agni' refers to a particular kind of meditation on the internal being, bereft of external form, which eventually bestows merger with the Lord of the Cosmos (Vaishwanara), who is the support of everything created, via Jivanmukti
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)