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=== Yajnavalkya in Janaka's Sabha ===

=== Yajnavalkya in Janaka's Sabha ===

One of the most famous conversations involving Brahman and Atman have taken place in Janaka Maharaja's sabha. Many volumes and interpretations came about based on Brhdaranyaka Upanishad explaining different perspectives of the nature of Self. [[Yajnavalkya and Janaka (याज्ञवल्क्यः जनकश्च)]] and vedic scholars were the primary participants in explaining the tattvas which is presented in the form of conversations (dialogues) between different people in the third adhyaya. Further the fourth adhyaya also deals with the intricate details of Brahman, Atman, Purusha, and their characteristics extensively.

Some of the most famous conversations involving Brahman and Atman have taken place in Janaka Maharaja's sabha. Many volumes and interpretations came about based on Brhdaranyaka Upanishad explaining different perspectives of the nature of Self. [[Yajnavalkya and Janaka (याज्ञवल्क्यः जनकश्च)]] and vedic scholars were the primary participants in explaining the tattvas which is presented in the form of conversations (dialogues) between different people in the third adhyaya. Further the fourth adhyaya also deals with the intricate details of Brahman, Atman, Purusha, and their characteristics extensively.  

On the occasion of a yajna, Janaka Maharaja offers a thousand cows adorned with gold, to find out the answer to the question, "who is the most erudite of the scholars present here?" Janaka announces that the seer who is a Brahmishta (ब्रह्मिष्ठः), the most erudite scholar may come forward and take the cows with him. (Brhd. Upan. Adhyaya 3, Brahmana 1)<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_3p Adhyaya 3 Brahmana 1])</ref> No one among the scholars dared to come forward for the cows. Yajnavalkya at that time, however, to the utter dismay of the scholars, orders his disciple to drive the cows home. At that instant the vidvans present in the sabha come forth to question his Brahmanistha and the right to claim the cows.<ref name=":13">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Pages 891 and 892)</ref> The seers who challenge Yajnavalkya are Asvala, Briefly the following sections are an introductory narrative of the questions raised about Brahma tattava by various scholars which were tactically answered by Yajnavalkya.

On the occasion of a yajna, Janaka Maharaja offers a thousand cows adorned with gold, to find out the answer to the question, "who is the most erudite of the scholars present here?" Janaka announces that the seer who is a Brahmishta (ब्रह्मिष्ठः), the most erudite scholar may come forward and take the cows with him. (Brhd. Upan. Adhyaya 3, Brahmana 1)<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_3p Adhyaya 3 Brahmana 1])</ref> No one among the scholars dared to come forward for the cows. Yajnavalkya at that time, however, to the utter dismay of the scholars, orders his disciple to drive the cows home. At that instant the vidvans present in the sabha come forth to question his Brahmanistha and the right to claim the cows.<ref name=":13">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Pages 891 and 892)</ref> The seers who challenge Yajnavalkya are Asvala and others including Gargi, a Brahmavadini. Briefly the following sections are an introductory narrative of the questions raised about Brahmatattava by various scholars which were tactically answered by Yajnavalkya.

==== होताश्वलः ॥ Hotr Asvala ====

==== होताश्वलः ॥ Hotr Asvala ====

Yajnavalkya asks the Kuru and Panchala Brahmanas and others who assembled in Janaka's court if anyone else wanted to question him, but no one came forward. Then he continued,"fresh leaves sprout from a tree which has been cut. If the seed is destroyed, a tree does not spring forth. How is man, however, born again after his death?"  

Yajnavalkya asks the Kuru and Panchala Brahmanas and others who assembled in Janaka's court if anyone else wanted to question him, but no one came forward. Then he continued,"fresh leaves sprout from a tree which has been cut. If the seed is destroyed, a tree does not spring forth. How is man, however, born again after his death?"  

When no one was able to answer his question, Yajnavalkya leaves the court with his decorated cows. Thus we see an interesting and profound description of Brahman in this episode at Janaka Maharaja's court. There are two other instances when Yajnavalkya returns to his court and engages Maharaja in further discussion regarding Brahman

When no one was able to answer his question, Yajnavalkya leaves the court with his decorated cows. Thus we see an interesting and profound description of Brahman in this episode at Janaka Maharaja's court. There are two other instances when Yajnavalkya returns to his court and engages the Maharaja in further discussion regarding Brahman. A brief summary is presented here.

 

 

== Importance of Yajnavalkya ==

== Importance of Yajnavalkya ==