Awakened Tales - Nachiketa & Yama : Liberation

The Katha Upanishad is a philosophical text embedded in the Krishna Yajurveda. It consists of two chapters, each divided into three sections, and explores themes such as the existence of Atman, the pursuit of Self-knowledge, and the attainment of moksha. The text is presented as a dialogue between Nachiketa, a young boy, and Yama, the god of death. It emphasizes the importance of seeking Self-knowledge and understanding the nature of the Self and the ultimate reality, Brahman. The Upanishad is significant in Hindu philosophy, particularly in the Vedanta tradition, and has been interpreted in both dualistic and non-dualistic contexts.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a seminal text in yogic philosophy, composed of 196 aphorisms that guide the reader through the principles and practices of yoga. The text synthesizes various traditions, including Samkhya, Abhidharma Buddhism, and ancient ascetic practices. It describes the eight limbs of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi) as the means to achieve a state of consciousness free from active or discursive thought, leading to liberation from material suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The sutras emphasize the distinction between Purusha (the Self) and Prakriti (non-self, matter), and the practice of samyama (concentration, meditation, and contemplation) to attain higher consciousness and ultimate freedom.