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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 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>

'''Yagnyavalkya'''  (Sanskrit: याज्ञवल्क्य, Yagnyavalkya ) of Videha (fl. c. 7th century BCE) 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.  He had two wives Maitreyi and Katyaayanee.

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

He is traditionally credited with the authorship of the  

He is traditionally credited with the authorship of the  

* [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] (including the [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]]),  

* [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] (including the [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]]),  

* Yagnyavalkya  Smṛti.<ref>Hindu Dharma Parichaya, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Calcutta, publication, 2000 edition</ref>

* Yagnyavalkya  Smṛti.  

==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. This attempt by Yagnyavalkya was considered as a sacrilege, as an attempt to "improve the layout designed by the Grand Arranger, Vyasa". 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.  In response to this order, Yagnyavalkya "vomitted" - that is he emptied his "stomach" of all its Vedic content, earlier received from his Master.

=== Sukla Shaka of Yajurveda ===

=== Sukla Shaka of Yajurveda ===

Thereafter Yagnyavalkya went away, severed all connections from his Master and fellow students. He began meditation and rigorous penance to recover what he had lost from God Himself directly. God was pleased with his unique prayer and is said to have revealed to him all that he had lost in a totally different form, order and sound notation pattern. The new form that was revealed to Yagnyavalkya was through blessings of Sun, and was a radiating beam of knowledge and light and hence this branch came to be known as Sukla Yajurveda.<ref name=":3" />

Thereafter Yagnyavalkya went away, severed all connections from his Master and fellow students. He began meditation and rigorous penance to recover what he had lost from God Himself directly. God was pleased with his unique prayer and is said to have revealed to him all that he had lost in a totally different form, order and sound notation pattern. The new form that was revealed to Yagnyavalkya was through blessings of Sun, and was a radiating beam of knowledge and light and hence this branch came to be known as Sukla Yajurveda.

The disciples of Vaisampayan refused to acknowledge the Sukla Yajurveda, and even to this day the followers of Krishna Yajus branch look down upon the two branches of Sukla Yajurveda, the Kanva and Madhyandina as heterodox.<ref name=":3" />

The disciples of Vaisampayan refused to acknowledge the Sukla Yajurveda, and even to this day the followers of Krishna Yajus branch look down upon the two branches of Sukla Yajurveda, the Kanva and Madhyandina as heterodox.

This portion of the Yajurveda goes by the name of Śukla Yajurveda or White-Yajurveda on account of it being revealed by Sun. It is also known as the Vajasaneya Yajurveda, because it was delivered by the Sun who was in the form of a horse. The rhythm of recital of these Vedas is therefore similar to the rhythm of the horse's canter and distinguishes itself from the other forms of Veda recitals. In Sanskrit, the term "Vaji" means horse. Yagnyavalkya  divided this Vajasaneya Yajurveda again into fifteen branches, each branch comprising hundreds of Yajus Mantras. Sages like Kanva, Madhyandina and others learnt those and Śukla Yajurveda branched into popular recensions named after them.<ref name=":1" />

This portion of the Yajurveda goes by the name of Śukla Yajurveda or White-Yajurveda on account of it being revealed by Sun. It is also known as the Vajasaneya Yajurveda, because it was delivered by the Sun who was in the form of a horse. The rhythm of recital of these Vedas is therefore similar to the rhythm of the horse's canter and distinguishes itself from the other forms of Veda recitals. In Sanskrit, the term "Vaji" means horse. Yagnyavalkya  divided this Vajasaneya Yajurveda again into fifteen branches, each branch comprising hundreds of Yajus Mantras. Sages like Kanva, Madhyandina and others learnt those and Śukla Yajurveda branched into popular recensions named after them.

It is important to note that within the hierarchy of Brāhmaṇas, certain sects believe in the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda while others practice from the Śukla Yajurveda.

It is important to note that within the hierarchy of Brāhmaṇas, certain sects believe in the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda while others practice from the Śukla Yajurveda.

==Conversation of Yagnyavalkya and Maitreyi==

==Conversation of Yagnyavalkya and Maitreyi==

Yagnyavalkya had two wives. One was [Maitreyi] and the other Katyaayanee.<ref name=":0">The Brihad Aranyak Upanishad, Part 2, Chapter 4, Mahesh Library publication, Calcutta, 2008 edition</ref> Of the two, Maitreyi was a Brahmavadini (one who is interested in the knowledge of Brahman).The descendant sects of Brahmans are the progeny of the first wife Katyaayanee. When Yagnyavalkya  wished to divide his property between the two wives, Maitreyi asked whether she could become immortal through wealth. Yagnyavalkya  replied that there was no hope of immortality through wealth and that she would only become one among the wealthy. When she heard this, Maitreyi asked Yagnyavalkya  to teach her what he considered as the best. Then Yagnyavalkya described to her the greatness of the Absolute Self, the nature of its existence, the way of attaining infinite knowledge and immortality through acquiring Brahmajnana. This immortal conversation between Yagnyavalkya  and Maitreyi is recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Yagnyavalkya had two wives. One was [Maitreyi] and the other Katyaayanee. Of the two, Maitreyi was a Brahmavadini (one who is interested in the knowledge of Brahman).The descendant sects of Brahmans are the progeny of the first wife Katyaayanee. When Yagnyavalkya  wished to divide his property between the two wives, Maitreyi asked whether she could become immortal through wealth. Yagnyavalkya  replied that there was no hope of immortality through wealth and that she would only become one among the wealthy. When she heard this, Maitreyi asked Yagnyavalkya  to teach her what he considered as the best. Then Yagnyavalkya described to her the greatness of the Absolute Self, the nature of its existence, the way of attaining infinite knowledge and immortality through acquiring Brahmajnana. This immortal conversation between Yagnyavalkya  and Maitreyi is recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

== Conversation of Yagnyavalkya and Gargi ==

== Conversation of Yagnyavalkya and Gargi ==

Wisdom of Yagnyavalkya  is shown in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad where he gives his teachings to his wife Maitreyi and King Janaka.<ref name=":2">The Sacred Books of East, by Max Muller Volume 15 Oxford University Press publication, 1879 edition</ref> He also participates in a competition arranged by King Janaka about the selecting great Brhama Jnani (knower of Brahman). His intellectual dialogues with Gargi (a learned scholar of the times) form a beautiful chapter filled with lot of philosophical and mystical question-answers in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.<ref name=":2" /> He was then praised as the greatest Brahmajnyani by all the sages at the function organised by king Janaka.<ref>The Upanishads, Mahesh Library publication, 2009 edition, Calcutta</ref> In the end, Yagnyavalkya  took Vidvat Sanyasa (renunciation after the attainment of the knowledge of Brahman) and retired to the forest.

Wisdom of Yagnyavalkya  is shown in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad where he gives his teachings to his wife Maitreyi and King Janaka. He also participates in a competition arranged by King Janaka about the selecting great Brhama Jnani (knower of Brahman). His intellectual dialogues with Gargi (a learned scholar of the times) form a beautiful chapter filled with lot of philosophical and mystical question-answers in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad. He was then praised as the greatest Brahmajnyani by all the sages at the function organised by king Janaka. In the end, Yagnyavalkya  took Vidvat Sanyasa (renunciation after the attainment of the knowledge of Brahman) and retired to the forest.

== 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]], 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". 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.

=== 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 ===

"Yagnyavalkya was more interested in philosophy, the Jnanakanda of the Vedas and not so much in the Karmakanda. That is why he wanted to separate the two. He had an inclination towards asceticism (world renouncement). Till then Rishis were mostly householders, and they combined "action" with "thought". (Karma and Jnana). - the so called "forward path" (Pravratti Marga) with the "return path", (Nivrtti Marga).  Perhaps Vaisampayan, his Guru, understood that if rituals were shunted out (as desired by Yagnyavalkya), an unwarranted greater importance would be associated with "knowledge" part leading to a greater importance being bestowed on escapism, asceticism and world-renouncing tendency". "Our traditional wisdom was that Living for God and and spiritual attainment of the highest order was compatible with householdership or Grahastya."   

"Yagnyavalkya was more interested in philosophy, the Jnanakanda of the Vedas and not so much in the Karmakanda. That is why he wanted to separate the two. He had an inclination towards asceticism (world renouncement). Till then Rishis were mostly householders, and they combined "action" with "thought". (Karma and Jnana). - the so called "forward path" (Pravratti Marga) with the "return path", (Nivrtti Marga).  Perhaps Vaisampayan, his Guru, understood that if rituals were shunted out (as desired by Yagnyavalkya), an unwarranted greater importance would be associated with "knowledge" part leading to a greater importance being bestowed on escapism, asceticism and world-renouncing tendency". "Our traditional wisdom was that Living for God and and spiritual attainment of the highest order was compatible with householdership or Grahastya."   

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

Some Non-Vedic schools and Anti Vedic schools have sought to exploit the name of Yagnyavalkya. [[Yoga Yajnavalkya|Yoga Yagnyavalkya]] presents a Buddhist view of life. This work is definitely of a later origin as it deals in Advaitic terminology and concepts, reducing life to an illusion. This shows that anti Vedic thought currents are quick to grab names of great personalities and pass them on to posterity in a distorted form.     

Some Non-Vedic schools and Anti Vedic schools have sought to exploit the name of Yagnyavalkya. [[Yoga Yajnavalkya|Yoga Yagnyavalkya]] presents a Buddhist view of life. This work is definitely of a later origin as it deals in Advaitic terminology and concepts, reducing life to an illusion. This shows that anti Vedic thought currents are quick to grab names of great personalities and pass them on to posterity in a distorted form.     

==References==

==References==

* [http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Sage_Yājñavalkya Sage Yagnyavalkya]  on Hindupedia, the online Hindu Encyclopedia.

* [http://www.shuklayajurveda.org/home.html Sukla Yajur Veda] from http://www.shuklayajurveda.org

* [http://www.shuklayajurveda.org/yagnavalkya-intro.html Yogeeswara Yagnyavalkya]  from http://www.shuklayajurveda.org

* [https://vedavichara.com/vedic-chants/shukla-yajur-veda.html Selected Chants of Sukla Yajur Veda] from https://vedavichara.com

* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/wyv/index.htm The Texts of the White Yajurveda] translated by [[Ralph T. H. Griffith]]

#[http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Sage_Yājñavalkya Sage Yagnyavalkya]  on Hindupedia, the online Hindu Encyclopedia.

#[http://www.shuklayajurveda.org/home.html Sukla Yajur Veda] from http://www.shuklayajurveda.org

#[http://www.shuklayajurveda.org/yagnavalkya-intro.html Yogeeswara Yagnyavalkya]  from http://www.shuklayajurveda.org

#[https://vedavichara.com/vedic-chants/shukla-yajur-veda.html Selected Chants of Sukla Yajur Veda] from https://vedavichara.com

#[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/wyv/index.htm The Texts of the White Yajurveda] translated by [[Ralph T. H. Griffith]]