India, Sept. 15 -- We spend so much energy pursuing comfort and security, rarely pausing to ask what truly matters, until we're forced to and many times too late. The story of young Nachiketa reverses that order entirely.

Nachiketa's father, in a moment of irritation, said he would give his son to death. Taking the words seriously, Nachiketa went to the abode of Yama, the god of death, and waited three days for his return. Impressed by his patience, Yama offered him three boons. For the third, Nachiketa asked to know what happens after death, the one truth most spend a lifetime avoiding. Yama tried tempting him with wealth, kingdoms, and pleasures instead, testing whether the boy's resolve would waver. Nachiketa refused every substitute,...