Katha Upanishad Verse 1.1.21

Yama, the Lord of Death, tries to dissuade Nachiketas from pursuing the secret of what happens after death. He explains that even the gods have struggled to understand this subtle truth and urges Nachiketas to choose any other boon instead.

Sanskrit Verse

देवैरत्रापि विचिकित्सितं पुरा न हि सुविज्ञेयमणुरेष धर्मः । अन्यं वरं नचिकेतो वृणीष्व मा मोपरोत्सीरति मा सृजैनम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

devairatrāpi vicikitsitaṃ purā na hi suvijñeyamaṇureṣa dharmaḥ | anyaṃ varaṃ naciketo vṛṇīṣva mā moparotsīrati mā sṛjainam || 21 ||

Translation

Here, even the gods of yore had doubt. Indeed it is not easy to know—subtle is this matter—Oh, Nachiketas, ask for some other boon. Press not this on me; give this up for me.