Chapter 1.2, Verses 1-3

Katha Upanishad 1.2.1–3

(Shreyas and Preyas)

Verse 1.2.1

अन्यच्छ्रेयोऽन्यदुतैव प्रेयस्ते उभे नानार्थे पुरुषं सिनीतः ।

तयोः श्रेय आददानस्य साधुर्भवति हीयतेऽर्थाद्य उ प्रेयो वृणीते ॥

"Yama said: The good (śreyas) is one thing, and the pleasant (preyas) is another; both have different aims and bind a person. The one who chooses śreyas attains the supreme good; but the one who chooses preyas loses both his spiritual and material pursuits."

This verse contrasts śreyas (the path of ultimate good) with preyas (the path of fleeting pleasure). Shreyas leads to

spiritual growth and eternal fulfillment, while preyas distracts

one with material gains and temporary satisfaction. It emphasizes discernment, as the wise (dhīra) choose śreyas, recognizing its long-term value, while those swayed by desires fall into the cycle of birth and death.

Verse 1.2.2

श्रेयश्च प्रेयश्च मनुष्यमेतस्तौ संपरीत्य विविनक्ति धीरः ।

श्रेयो हि धीरोऽभिप्रेयसो वृणीते प्रेयो मन्दो योगक्शेमाद्वृणीते ॥

"Both the good and the pleasant present themselves to a person. The wise, after examining them, distinguish between the two. The wise choose śreyas over preyas, whereas the ignorant choose preyas, seeking immediate pleasure and comfort."

This verse emphasizes human agency and Wisdom. The wise engage in thoughtful discrimination (viveka), prioritizing long-term spiritual welfare over short-term gratification. The unwise are driven by worldly attachments and fail to realize that these attachments are ephemeral and ultimately lead to suffering.

Verse 1.2.3

स त्वं प्रियान्प्रियरूपांश्च कामानभिध्यायन्नचिकेतोऽत्यस्राक्शीः ।

नैतां सृङ्कां वित्तमयीमवाप्तो यस्यां मज्जन्ति बहवो मनुष्याः ॥

"O Nachiketa! You have rejected, after consideration, all those desirable and pleasant things for which most humans crave. You have not succumbed to the golden chains of wealth, in which many are lost."

Here, the teacher praises Nachiketa for his spiritual maturity. He rejects the temptations of material wealth and ephemeral pleasures, understanding their illusory nature. This choice exemplifies the shreyas path, demonstrating that liberation is attainable through detachment and wisdom.

Contextual Comparison

Bhagavad Gita 2.41

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन।

बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्॥

"One with resolute determination is single-minded in pursuit of the ultimate goal, while the thoughts of the indecisive are scattered and endless."

Both texts underscore the importance of single-minded focus on ultimate good (śreyas). The Gita aligns with the Upanishadic teaching, warning against distractions caused by fleeting desires (preyas).

Yoga Vashishta 2.18.5

सुखस्य दुःखस्य न कोऽपि दाता परो ददातीत्यपरे विमूढाः।

वासनया जन्मभृतं निजैव संकल्पकल्पितमात्मनस्तत्॥

"Neither happiness nor sorrow comes from external sources; they arise from one’s own imagination and attachments."

The Yoga Vashishta resonates with the Katha Upanishad's teaching on transcending preyas by Realizing the illusory nature of material pleasures. Both texts advocate for self-discipline and Inner Realization as paths to true happiness.