Nachiketa and the Three Boons

Young Nachiketa's father performed a sacrifice but gave away only old, useless cows. Nachiketa asked, "Father, to whom will you give me?" Annoyed, his father snapped, "I give you to Yama, the god of Death!" Nachiketa, taking the words seriously, journeyed to Yama's abode. Yama was away for three days. When he returned and found a Brahmin boy waiting unfed, he offered Nachiketa three boons as apology. For the first, Nachiketa asked that his father welcome him back with love. For the second, he asked to learn the sacred fire ritual. Yama gladly granted both. For the third boon, Nachiketa asked: "What happens after death?" Yama tried to dissuade him with gold, kingdoms, and immortal pleasures. But Nachiketa refused them all, saying, "Keep your wealth; teach me the truth." Impressed, Yama revealed the secret of the eternal Atman.