The son said: "I go as the first, at the head of many (who have still to die); I go in the midst of many (who are now dying). What will be the work of Yama (the ruler of the departed) which to-day he has to do unto me?

In plain words: Nachiketas reflects that he is neither the first nor the last to die. He wonders what Yama, the god of death, will do with him.