all agreed in pronouncing it one of the most perfect expressions
of the religion and philosophy of the Vedas. Sir Edwin Arnold
popularized it by his metrical rendering under the name of "The
Secret of Death," and Ralph Waldo Emerson gives its story in
brief at the close of his essay on "Immortality."

There is no consensus of opinion regarding the place of this
Upanishad in Vedic literature. Some authorities declare it to
belong to the Yajur-Veda, others to the Sama-Veda, while a large
number put it down as a part of the Atharva-Veda. The story is
first suggested in the Rig-Veda; it is told more definitely in
the Yajur-Veda; and in the Katha-Upanishad it appears fully
elaborated and interwoven with the loftiest Vedic teaching.
There is nothing however, to indicate the special place of this
final version, nor has any meaning been found for the name Katha.

The text presents a dialogue between an aspiring disciple,
Nachiketas, and the Ruler of Death regarding the great Hereafter.




Katha-Upanishad



Peace Chant

May He (the Supreme Being) protect us both, teacher and taught.
May He be pleased with us. May we acquire strength. May our