required for the altar, and how many, and how they are to be placed. And Nakiketas repeated all as it had been told to him. Then Mrityu, being pleased with him, said again:
16. The generous[1], being satisfied, said to him: "I give thee now another boon; that fire-sacrifice shall be named after thee, take also this many-coloured chain[2].
17. He who has three times performed this Nâkiketa-rite and has been united with the three (father, mother, and teacher), and has performed the three duties (study, sacrifice, almsgiving) overcomes birth and death. When he has learnt and understood this fire, which knows (or makes us know) all that is born of Brahman[3], which is venerable and divine, then he obtains everlasting peace.
18. He who knows the three Nâkiketa fires, and knowing the three, piles up the Nâkiketa sacrifice, he, having first, thrown off the chains of death, rejoices in the world of heaven, beyond the reach of grief.
19. This, O Nakiketa, is thy fire which leads to heaven, and which thou hast chosen as thy second boon. That fire all men will proclaim[4]. Choose now, O Nakiketa, thy third boon."
20. Nakiketa said: "There is that doubt, when a man is dead, — some saying, he is; others, he is not. This I should like to know, taught by thee; this is the third of my boons."
21. Death said: "On this point even the gods
