Katha Upanishad Conclusion – Final Teachings:

We have now reached the last Valli of the Katha Upanishad, the point where the entire journey of enquiry comes together. The earlier five parts introduced the central themes of this Upanishad—the choice between the good and the pleasant, mastery over the senses and mind, the nature of desire, the inner ascent from the gross to the subtle, and the search for the real Self beyond body and mind. These stages prepared Nachiketas, and us as readers, for the highest instruction.

In this concluding teaching, Yama reveals the ultimate truth: the vision of the Atman as the immortal, all-pervading Reality, the source in whom all worlds rest, and the goal that ends all fear and all bondage.

Katha Upanishad Conclusion – Yama’s Teaching to Nachiketas

We have now reached the last Valli of the Katha Upanishad, the point where the entire journey of enquiry finally comes together. In the earlier five parts, we examined the central ideas of this Upanishad— the choice between the good and the pleasant, the discipline of the senses, the nature of desire, and the inner movement from the gross to the subtle. These teachings steadily prepared Nachiketas for the highest truth.

In this concluding section, Yama directly instructs Nachiketas, and through him, every seeker. He reveals the vision of the Atman as the immortal and all-pervading Reality. Moreover, he explains how all worlds rest in this Supreme Truth and how one who realizes it moves beyond fear and bondage. Thus, the final Valli brings together the essence of the entire Upanishad and shows the path to liberation.

Overview of Previous Parts of the Katha Upanishad Series

To maintain continuity, here is a brief overview of the earlier parts of this series. Each section explores a key stage in Nachiketas’ journey and the profound wisdom revealed by Lord Yama.

In the earlier sections of this series, I have discussed the unfolding journey of Nachiketas and the profound wisdom revealed by Lord Yama. For convenience and continuity, the key parts of the series are summarized below. Each part builds toward the final understanding explored in this concluding section.

In this final part, I discuss Book 2, Valli 3 in detail.
For reference, the complete Sanskrit text of the Katha Upanishad is also available on this site. Link is Here:

Glorify the Supreme

In the earlier sections, we saw how Lord Yama answered all three boons of Nachiketas. The third boon was the most significant because it opened the path to realizing the Supreme Brahman. In Book 2, Section 2, Yama explained that the answer to the third boon unfolds in two distinct stages:

1. Sadhana – the path where the seeker strives for self-discipline, inner purification, and steady spiritual effort.

2. Attainment of Non-Duality – the direct realization of the Supreme, where all distinctions dissolve and the seeker becomes free.

Now, in this concluding section, Yama reveals the glorious vision of life. He shows Nachiketas how creation arises, how it is sustained, and how the seeker ultimately transcends it by realizing the Self. This final Valli brings the teachings to their highest point, guiding the seeker toward clarity, freedom, and inner illumination.

Eternal creation is a Tree:

Mantra-2.3.1: Eternal creation is described as a Tree with its roots above and its branches below—this ancient Ashwattha (peepul) Tree. Pure in essence, it dwells in all beings and yet remains beyond them. This is Brahman, the Immortal, in whom all worlds rest and beyond whom nothing exists. Truly, this is the Supreme Reality.

The “Terror of the Thunderbolt”!

Mantra-2.3.2: This whole Universe, with whatever is in it, emerges from Brahman and vibrates with Prana. It instils great terror, hangs like a thunderbolt overhead. Those who know this become Immortal.

Order in the Cosmos!

Mantra-2.3.3: For fear of Him, Fire burns; for fear of Him, the SUN shines; for fear of Him rain pours, proceed Indra and Vayu; for fear of Him proceeds Death, the Fifth (Panchamah).

Rebirth continues until Realization.

Mantra-2.3.4: If one does not succeed in realizing Him, before the fall of the Body, then in the worlds of created things, a rebirth for the Body is ordained.

“Four Worlds of Reality”

Mantra-2.3.5: As in the mirror, so it is within one’s own Self; as in a dream, so in the world of forefathers; as in a reflection seen in water, so in the world of the Gandharvas; as between light and shade, so in the world of Brahma.

The Dissimilarity of the Senses & Self:

Mantra-2.3.6: Having known, the senses does not belong to the Self, but to the Elements; as also their rising and setting, and that they all have separate origins, the man of intelligence does not come to grief.

Steps from Sense Organs towards Total Mind:

Mind is above Sense:

Mantra-2.3.7: The mind is superior to the sense organs; the intellect is superior to the mind; Nature (“Mahat”) is superior to the intellect; the Unmanifested is superior to the Nature(“Mahat”).

Ladder from Total Mind(Hiranyagarbha) to Attriubuteless Brahman:

Mantra-2.3.8: But superior to the Unmanifested is the Purusha; who is unconditioned,  filling all things and indeed without attributes, knowing whom, a man becomes freed and moves towards Immortality.

No Eye can see Him, nor has He a face to be seen:

Mantra-2.3.9: His Form does not exist within the range of vision; none can behold Him with eyes(senses). But, through Meditation, by controlling the mind with the Intellect, He can be found in the Feart (By intuition is He revealed ).Those who know this become Immortal.

Total withdrawal of the Senses:

Mantra-2.3.10: When mind and senses are at rest, when the discrimination of the Intellect is finished, when the “Five” come to rest, the Five senses together with the mind, and the intellect, too stops its functioning, that state (state of intuition) is said to be the highest, the Final Condition.

Yoga Brings – A Quite Mind:

Mantra-2.3.11: That is Yoga, declare the wise ones, where there is firm control over the senses, and one is freed from the fluctuations of the mind. When that condition is reached, the Yogi can do no wrong. Before it is reached, Yoga seems union and again disunion.

The Final Gate into Eternity:

Mantra-2.3.12: He can not be known through Discourse, nor through speech, nor through mind, nor through the eye can It be attained. Apart from Him who speaks of It as ” He Exists” finds Him. How can a man who does not believe so find Him?

Faith Earns Favour to go Further:

Mantra-2.3.13: i) The Self should be realized first as ” It Exists”; and then, ii) as ” It Really is” in essence. Of these two, when “It Exists” is believed or accepted on faith, then ” It Really is ” become more favorable to one, the Truth dawns.

When the Desires of Heart is finished, it becomes Immortal:

Mantra-2.3.14: When the desires are given up totally, man still in the Body, is united with the Self and the mortal becomes Immortal, and he attains Brahman even here, while living.

 This alone is the Law:

Mantra-2.3.15: When the knot of the heart is cut, the mortal becomes Immortal. This alone is the Teaching.

[Above Mantra has an inner meaning. Knot of the Heart is symbolical. It is meant to separate Ego from the Consciousness.]

Mantra-2.3.16: A hundred and one in number are the channels of the Heart; Of them, towards the crown of the Head passes through one of them (the Sushumna). Going up through that channel, one gets Immortality. The others that have different directions, become the causes of Death.

Final Teaching

Mantra-2.3.17: God, the innermost Self, Of the size of the Thumb, the Purusha, the indwelling Self, is ever seated in the hearts of men. One should separate Him from One’s body; as the arrow maker strip the reed. Him, one should know as pure and Immortal. Him, one should know as pure as Immortal.

Conclusion of the Upanishad

Mantra-2.3.18: Nachiketas has been instructed by Lord Yama. He attained the Knowledge of the Self and also the whole process of Yoga. A knower of Brahman, free from all impurities, he has become freed forever from the grip of Death. Any other seeker, too, can become the same if he knows the inner Self in the same way.

Peace Mantra:

Mantra-2.3.19: May He protect us both by revealing the highest knowledge. Let Him take delight in our learning together. May we grow in courage as we study side by side, and may spiritual wisdom shine brilliantly before us. Let harmony prevail so that we never hate one another. OM. Peace, Peace, Peace.

Conclusion:

Failure to comprehend the Essential Unity of Being is the Cause of Rebirth.

Why do we take rebirth or otherwise we can say we move from death to death. Why? It is due to wish of fulfilling desires that remain till death. But if we can realize the True Reality of the Self, the Eternal Self, from whom everything manifests, the desires get vanished, get dried up. All desires melt is the light of the Self. This is Nirvana. Nachiketas wanted to know, what happens to the Souls after death. Lord of Death ” Yama ” explained the reality through conversations between them. That is the Essence of Katha Upanishad.

Recommended readings:

1. Back to the Truth: 5000 years of ADVAITA by Dennis Waite.**
2. THE TEN PRINCIPAL UPANISHADS: Translated by Shree Purohit** Swami and W.B.Yeats
3. Brahma Sutra Bhasya of Sankaracharya: Translated by Swami Gambhirananda.**
4. Commentary of Katha Upanishad: By Swami Krishnananda.
5. Katha Upanishad: By Swami GuruBhaktananda.
6. EIGHT UPANISADS -VOL-1 with commentary of Sankaracharya, Translated by SWAMI GAMBHIRANANDA.
7. THE TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD: SHIKSHAVALLI-ANANDAVALLI-BHRIGUVALLI with Sri Shankara’s Commentary By Sri Swami Satchidanandera Saraswati.
8. Commentary of Mandukya Upanishad: By Swami Krishnananda.
9. MANDUKYA Upanishad By Swami GuruBhaktananda.
10. A-U-M Awakening to Reality : By Dennis Waite***
11. Panchadasi: Swami Vidyaranya: 
12. Information available on internet.