All things perish, Truth alone remains. Why then fear to sacrifice me also;
Thus Nachiketas convinced his father that he should remain true to his word
and send him to Yama, the Ruler of Death. Then Nachiketas went to the abode
of Death, but Yama was absent and the boy waited without food or drink for
three days. On Yama's return one of his household said to him:


VII

Like fire a Brahmana guest enters into houses. That fire is
quenched by an offering. (Therefore) O Vaivaswata, bring water.


VIII

The foolish man in whose house a Brahmana guest remains without
food, all his hopes and expectations, all the merit gained by his
association with the holy, by his good words and deeds, all his
sons and cattle, are destroyed.

According to the ancient Vedic ideal a guest is the
representative of God and should be received with due reverence
and honor. Especially is this the case with a Brahmana or a
Sannyasin whose life is wholly consecrated to God. Any one who
fails to give proper care to a holy guest brings misfortune on
himself and his household. When Yama returned, therefore, one of
the members of his household anxiously informed him of
Nachiketas' presence and begged him to bring water to wash his
feet, this being always the first service to an arriving guest.