Kathopanishad - Story of Nachiketa - part 12

                                         Swarg Lok

Nachiketa says:
              Swarge Loke Na Bhayam kinchanaasti
              Na Tatra Tvam, Na Jarya bibheti
              Ubhe TirtvaAshnaaya Pipaase
              Shokaatigo Modatay Swarglokay  

            स्वर्ग लोके न भयं किंचनास्ति
            न तत्र त्वं - न जरया बिभेति
           उभे तीर्त्वा अशनाया पिपासे
           शोकातिगो मोदते स्वर्गलोके 

                                     (कठोपनिषद 1 -12)

                 
In Heaven, there is no fear of any kind.
Neither you (death) are there, nor the fear of old age.
Having crossed both - hunger and thirst
Being above grief, one rejoices in Heaven.
                                                (Kathopanishad 1-12)

This is a brief but precise and beautiful description of the Swarg or Heaven.

‘In Heaven, there is no fear of any kind’
By restraining both - hunger and thirst, 

and rising above grief, one rejoices and enjoys in heaven.

When we say, A is equal to B, it implies that B is also equal to A.
Saying that ‘there is no fear of any kind in heaven’ - would also mean that the moment we do not have any fear, of any kind – of a person, people or situation, present or future, being unsuccessful or failure, of old age or even death - we are in the Heaven.

Nachiketa, even at such tender age, had a great deal of knowledge of the Scriptures. He must have known that pleased with their devotion, whenever Lord asked the devotees to ask for any boom, most of the ancient sages and Bhaktas, including Bhakt Dhruva and Prehlad asked for one thing only… and that was ‘Abhaya Daan’- Fearlessness. They knew the secret that living in the state of 'fearlessness' is in fact, living in the 'kingdom of Heaven'. 

Therefore, instead of asking for anything else - or even a granted entry into Swarg as a reward for their sacrifice, devotion, and meditation, they asked for fearlessness. 

Nachiketa says:
“Neither death is there, nor the fear of old age”

Besides disease and poverty - besides the fear of not being able to provide food and shelter for oneself and his family - everyone has a concealed fear of old age and death in their mind. 

Disease, old age, and death have been the main fear and matter of concern in the history of mankind. 

Since the beginning of civilizations, scholars and scientists have been trying to find ways of conquering disease, old age, and death, or at least to extend the lifespan through medicines and surgeries, etc.

History is full of numerous stories of powerful people, kings, and rulers who searched and hired some great wizards of their times to perform certain rituals or to make some potion that will make them stay young forever and immortal.

Nachiketa says, even both these greatest fears of old age and death are not present in Heaven.

Gurubani also continued to preach the same concept of fearlessness...
"Tere sevak kau Bhau Kichhu nahin, Jam nahin aave Nere"
(Your (God's) servant fears no one - even (fear of) death does not come near (them) 
                                                 (M- 5 Page 749)

"Nirbhau bhaye Sagal Bhai Khoye Gobind charan otaai"
I have become fearless - all fears have departed.
The holy feet of the Lord of the Universe is my only Shelter.
                                                     (M -5 Page 1000)

Nachiketa says:
'Swarge Loke Na Bhayam kinchanaasti'
In Heaven, there is no fear of any kind.

And
"Having crossed both - hunger and thirst …"

Now, this phrase may create confusion in some people’s minds. 

They may translate it as connecting to physical hunger and thirst and this could be one of the reasons for the rituals of fasting - to control and cross over the normal limits of hunger and thirst.
In fact, some teachers and scholars do translate this Mantra saying that one must cross the normal limits of hunger and thirst by practicing to ‘fast’ for longer periods of time… with absolutely no food or water for several days or even weeks.
They say that one, who can achieve control over hunger and thirst, would get entry into Swarg Loka.

However, the Upanishads are Spiritual Scriptures.
Spirituality, as the name suggests, is about the mind and spirit...not about the physical body.
Therefore, instead of translating it in terms of the physical body, we should try to understand its meaning by connecting it to mind and spirit.
The next line of this Mantra makes it more clear that this is not about physical hunger, but about mental hunger and thirst.
                       “Being above grief, one rejoices in Heaven”

We know one cannot control and rise above grief simply by controlling the physical hunger or thirst.
When struck with grief over a great loss – or the death of a family member or a beloved friend, one does not feel hungry or thirsty at all. Friends and family members have to force them to drink water and eat some food. Obviously, by simply ‘having crossed over physical hunger and thirst", one may not - and does not rise above Grief.

Therefore, it should be understood as "Having crossed hunger and thirst of mind - that is the hunger for power and lust - praise, recognition, respect, and obedience, etc.

                     "Without any feeling of grief, one rejoices in heaven".
There is no grief in heaven.
In other words - where there is no grief, sorrow or worries, and affliction - it is heaven. 
                                             "Rajan Sachdeva"

(To be Continued)