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'''Yagnyavalkya'''  (Sanskrit: याज्ञवल्क्य, Yagnyavalkya ) of Videha (fl. c. 7th century BCE<ref>H. C. Raychaudhuri (1972), Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.41–52</ref>) was a sage and philosopher of [[Vedic]] India. He was one of the first philosophers in recorded history, alongside [[Uddalaka Aruni]]. In the court of King [[Janaka]] of [[Mithila,]] he was renowned for his expertise in Vedic ritual and his unrivaled talent in theological debate. Yagnyavalkya  was the son of Devarāta and was the student of sage Vaisampayana.<ref name=":1">The Vedas, Haraf publication, Calcutta, 2004 edition</ref>  He had two wives Maitreyi and Katyaayanee.<ref name=":0">The Brihad Aranyak Upanishad, Part 2, Chapter 4, Mahesh Library publication, Calcutta, 2008 edition</ref>

'''Yagnyavalkya'''  (Sanskrit: याज्ञवल्क्य, Yagnyavalkya ) of Videha (fl. c. 7th century BCE<ref>H. C. Raychaudhuri (1972), Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.41–52</ref>) was a maharshi and philosopher of [[Vedic]] India. He was one of the first philosophers in recorded history, alongside [[Uddalaka Aruni]]. In the court of King [[Janaka]] of [[Mithila,]] he was renowned for his expertise in Vedic ritual and his unrivaled talent in theological debate. Yagnyavalkya  was the son of Devarāta and was the student of Vaisampayana rushi.<ref name=":1">The Vedas, Haraf publication, Calcutta, 2004 edition</ref>  He had two wives Maitreyi and Katyaayanee.<ref name=":0">The Brihad Aranyak Upanishad, Part 2, Chapter 4, Mahesh Library publication, Calcutta, 2008 edition</ref>

== Contribution of Yagnyavalkya ==

== Contribution of Yagnyavalkya ==

He expounded a doctrine of "[[neti neti|neti neti"]] to describe the universal Self or [[Ātman]]. He later became a wandering ascetic.

He expounded a doctrine of "[[neti neti|neti neti"]] to describe the universal Self or [[Ātman]]. He later became a wandering ascetic.

==Origin of Yajurveda Shakas==

==Origin of Yajurveda Shakas==

Sage Yagnyavalkya was the disciple of Sage [[Vaisampayana|Vaisampayana]]. He had mastered various tenets of this branch. He undertook a heterodox, rebellious experiment of separating the ritual ordaining, injuctory part of the Veda, from their explanatory, literary and explicitly philosophical parts, i.e. the Samhita and Brahmana parts.<ref name=":3">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore</ref> This attempt by Yagnyavalkya was considered as a sacrilege, as an attempt to "improve the layout designed by the Grand Arranger, Vyasa".<ref name=":3" /> When Yagnyavalkya's secret efforts of further segregating the Vedic portions were discovered, [[Vaisampayana|Vaisampayana]] was furious.

Sage Yagnyavalkya was the disciple of Sage [[Vaisampayana|Vaisampayana]]. He had mastered various tenets of this branch. He undertook a heterodox, rebellious experiment of separating the ritual ordaining, injuctory part of the Veda, from their explanatory, literary and explicitly philosophical parts, i.e. the Samhita and Brahmana parts.<ref name=":3">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore</ref> This attempt by Yagnyavalkya was considered as a sacrilege, as an attempt to "improve the layout designed by the Grand Arranger, Vyasa".<ref name=":3" /> When Yagnyavalkya's secret efforts of further segregating the Vedic portions were discovered, [[Vaisampayana|Vaisampayana]] was furious.

He ordered Yagnyavalkya to "return all he had received from him (Vaisampayana)". This can be compared with modern day practice of denying Copy Rights. The learnings could not be passed on by Yagnyavalkya in letter or spirit further.<ref name=":3" />  In response to this order, Yagnyavalkya "vomitted" - that is he emptied his "stomach" of all its Vedic content, earlier received from his Master.<ref name=":3" />

He ordered Yagnyavalkya to "return all he had received from him (Vaisampayana)". This can be compared with modern day practice of denying Copy Rights. The learnings could not be passed on by Yagnyavalkya in letter or spirit further.<ref name=":3" />  In response to this order, Yagnyavalkya "vomitted" - that is he emptied his "stomach" of all its Vedic content, earlier received from his Master.<ref name=":3" />

== Importance of Yagnyavalkya ==

== Importance of Yagnyavalkya ==

Yagnyavalkya is honoured in several traditions. Saint Kulasekhara claims him as a  great "Vaishnava Yogi". <ref>Mukundmala Verse 17 (mentioned in Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore)</ref> His references to some of the Avataras of Vishnu (Varaha and Vamana for instance) in a new light in [[Shatapatha Brahmana|Shatapatha Brahman]], wherein he declares Vishnu as God Supreme do attest to this certificate.<ref name=":3" />

Yagnyavalkya is honoured in several traditions. Saint Kulasekhara claims him as a  great "Vaishnava Yogi". <ref>Mukundmala Verse 17 (mentioned in Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore)</ref> His references to some of the Avataras of Vishnu (Varaha and Vamana for instance) in a new light in [[Shatapatha Brahmana]], wherein he declares Vishnu as God Supreme do attest to this certificate.<ref name=":3" />

=== A Commentary on Yagnyavalkya<ref>Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore,Page 15</ref> ===

=== A Commentary on Yagnyavalkya<ref>Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore,Page 15</ref> ===