Liberation is Right Here

Continuing with the dvitiya valli of the prathama adhyaya of Kathopanishad.

Mantra nos. 12 and 13 - 

Concluding the section, describing the ultimate fruit of knowledge, Yama says:

तं दुर्दर्शं गूढमनुप्रविष्टं गुहाहितं गह्वरेष्ठं पुराणम् ।

अध्यात्मयोगाधिगमेन देवं मत्वा धीरो हर्षशोकौ जहाति ॥

That which is difficult to perceive (durdarsha) due to being subtle, hidden (gūḍha) within all worldly things, residing in the cave (guhā), concealed in the depths of darkness (gahvareṣṭha), and eternal (purāṇa)—this Supreme Self (Deva) can be realized through the knowledge of Adhyātma Yoga. Knowing this, a person frees himself from both intense worldly joy and sorrow.

The essence is: 'See your inner self - realize yourself - liberation is right here.' What is the fruit of this realization? And did Nachiketas attain this fruit? Addressing the last question, Yama says:

एतच्छ्रुत्वा सम्परिगृह्य मर्त्यः प्रवृह्य धर्म्यमणुमेतमाप्य ।

स मोदते मोदनीयँ हि लब्ध्वा विवृतँ सद्म नचिकेतसं मन्ये ॥

'O Nachiketas! The Self that I have described, and shall further explain - listening to it and understanding it, a mortal being separates it from worldly distractions, attains it, and enters into eternal bliss. This brings immense joy. I believe that the doors of knowledge within you, Nachiketas, must have surely opened due to my teachings.'

Whoever listens and understands this teaching will dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi