Naciketas

A son of the Vedic ø•i(sage) Uddälaka

(also called Äruni) and a major figure in

the Taittirïya Brähmaæaand the Kaflhta

Upani•ad. The Naciketas SACRIFICEis

named after him. The story goes that

one day he saw his father offering cows

of an inferior quality in a sacrifice

intended to attain paradise, and he

admonished his father and offered him-

self as a substitute victim. He asked his

father to whom he should be sacrificed

and his father, now very angry, replied,

‘Death’. Naciketas subsequently went

down to the underworld but Yama, the

god of the dead, was absent and unable

to receive him. Yama later apologized

and offered Naciketas three boons.

Naciketas asked for his father to recover

from his anger, to be brought back to

life, and for immortality. Yama at first

tried to dissuade him from his last wish,

suggesting that he ask for riches and sen-

sual pleasures instead. Naciketas, point-

ing out the transience and futility of all

terrestrial enjoyment, remained firm, and

eventually Yama taught him the secret of

the immortality of the ÄTMAN. Naciketas

then returned to earth, and was recon-

ciled with his father. Interpretations of

the descent of Naciketas differ: some

assume that Uddälaka actually killed his

son in his anger, while others say it was

a symbolic act.

näda (‘sound’)

This is especially a mystical sound

breaking forth at the time of ecstatic

enlightenment.

näõi (‘channel’)

According to tantric physiology the

(subtle) human body contains 35 mil-

lion näõis, fine tubular vessels through

which the psychic energy (ÿakti) moves.

Fourteen of these are of primary impor-

tance, of which three, Ïõä, Piögalä and

Su•umnä constitute the central com-

plex. Su•umna runs through the hollow

of the spinal cord, encircled by Ïõä and

Piögalä.

naõukal (‘hero stones’)

Large stones, often with carvings and

inscriptions, erected by the ancient

Tamils in memory of those fallen in

battle.

Näga

Mountain people, inhabitants of Näga-

land, in the northeast of India.

näga (1)

Snake, more specifically the cobra.

Nägas are considered the guardians of

subterranean treasures and receive

extensive worship.

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