"We have to think." - Satischandra Chatterjee and Dhirendomohan Datta, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy, 2007, p. 344.

"An excellent introduction to the study of Hindu religion." - S. Radhakrishnan (in Nirvedananda 1969, p. 5)

Naciketas

Naciketas (Nachiketa, Nachiketas, Nachiketan) appears in an ancient Indian story with variants.

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In the Taittiriya Brahmana, Vajaravasa made an offering where he gave to the priests his goods, retaining, however, his son, Naciketas. The boy insisted that he should be given too, and in irritation his father gave him to Yama, death.

The young man Naciketas went to the house of Yama, but Yama was away. For three nights Yama thereby failed in the important duty of receiving the guest. When he returned, he wanted to atone for it and gave the lad three boons.

Naciketas chose that his father would receive him kindly when he returned, and to be free from repeated death. He feared to fall under the control of death.

(Keith 1925, 440-2)

The highest principle of the universe is of truth and right. (Keith 1925, 442)

The development of the meaning of Atman was accompanied by the development of the conception of the relation of the Atman of the universe and the Atman of the individual. (Keith 1925, 452)

Svetaketu

Explain to me the Brahman (Reality) that is plain and not hidden, the atman that is within all. . . . What is the soul within all? . . . That is what is beyond hunger and thirst, beyond sorrow and delusion, beyond old age and death. - Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 3.4–5, in Bartley 2011, 10]

Uddalaka to his son Svetaketu:

Bring me a fruit from the banyan tree.

Here it is, Sir.

Cut it up.

I've cut it, Sir.

What do you see?

Tiny pieces.

Cut one of them up.

What do you see?

Nothing.

You cannot see the finest essence here, but it is because of that finest essence that this great Banyan tree stands.

Whatever is the finest essence, that is the identity of everything, that is authentic reality. That is the soul.

That is what (tat) you (tvam) are (asi)'.

- Chandogya Upanisad 6.12. In Bartley 2011, 12)