Nachiketa and Yama

Nachiketa was the young son of Sage Vajashrava. Once, his father performed a sacrifice requiring him to give away all his possessions. But the sage donated only old and weak cows. Nachiketa asked his father to whom he would give his son. Angered, the father said he was giving Nachiketa to Yama, the God of Death. Nachiketa was truthful and brave. He actually traveled to Yama's abode. Yama was not home. Nachiketa sat at the doorstep for three days without food or water. When Yama returned, he was deeply remorseful that a young Brahmin boy had waited hungry at his door. Yama offered Nachiketa three boons. For the first, Nachiketa asked for his father's love and forgiveness. For the second, he asked for knowledge of reaching heaven. For the third, Nachiketa asked the most profound question — what happens after death, what is the secret of the soul. Yama tried to dissuade him, offering wealth, kingdoms, and long life instead. But Nachiketa remained firm. Finally, pleased by his resolve, Yama taught him the eternal knowledge of the soul, which is preserved in the Kathopanishad.