Katha Upanishad Verse 1.1.5

Nachiketas, having been offered to Death by his father in a fit of anger, reflects on his own worth. He realizes that he is not the worst of disciples—at worst he is in the middle, and often among the best. He wonders what role Yama (Death) has for him to play.

Sanskrit Verse

बहूनामेमि प्रथमो बहूनामेमि मध्यमः । किँ स्विद्यमस्य कर्तव्यं यन्मयाद्य करिष्यति ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

bahūnāmemi prathamo bahūnāmemi madhyamaḥ | kim̐ svidyamasya kartavyaṃ yanmayādya kariṣyati || 5 ||

Translation

Of many I go the first; of many I go midmost; what is there for Death to do which he can now do by me?