Nachiketa is the name of an ancient Indian saint who attained sage hood as a boy, at a very young age. It is believed that Nachiketa carried the knowledge from heaven to the earth, as he had a great memory. His memory was so powerful that he could remember anything that he has heard for only once. His family decided to send him to an ashram to study, at a later period and Nachiketa attended a big sacrifice organized by his father, after returning from the ashram.

According to popular legends, Nachiketa repeatedly asked his father about whom he would be gifted to, during the ceremonies of the sacrifice and getting very annoyed and angered, his father Vajashravas gifted him to the Death. Nachiketa was thrilled with his father's reaction and he reached the palace of King Yam, the door of the place. After reaching there, he performed penance for a number of three days and when Yama returned to his palace, he was quite pleased to see Nachiketa, there.

It is believed that Nachiketa asked Yama for three things. Among the three things, Nachiketa asked for the mental peace of his father, as his first wish, then he wanted to know the knowledge of fire. The final query of Nachiketa was for Almavidya (knowledge of self). After getting all the queries fulfilled, Nachiketa returned to the earth as a Maharishi (a great sage).