Tell me what really is. Do not hide. What really is, tell me. Do not hide.

Third repetition of the demand, now with mā mṛthā interpreted as “do not hide, do not conceal yourself.” Naciketas perceives that Yama has the knowledge but withholds it. Death here is metaphorical — hiding knowledge is “killing it” before it can live in the disciple.

The variation in interpretation of mā mṛthā through these verses (do not die, do not leave me, do not hide) shows the richness of Sanskrit and the depth of the dialogue. Each nuance adds layers of meaning to Naciketas’s insistence.

The triple demand corresponds to the three blessings that Naciketas will ask: (1) return to his father, (2) knowledge of the Naciketa fire, (3) truth about death and the Ātman. This third repetition anticipates the deepest request that will come later.

Commentator Śaṅkara interprets that Naciketas here demonstrates the essential quality of the brahma-jijñāsu (seeker of Brahman): does not accept substitutes, is not satisfied with partial knowledge, insists on complete truth. This insistence is the mark of the genuine aspirant.