The Sage Who Knew the Self

The sages told the Pandavas of Yajnavalkya, the great sage of King Janaka's court at Mithila - the deepest of knowers, who silenced the wisest in debate, was questioned by a woman philosopher before all the assembly, and taught his own wife the secret of the deathless Self before he gave up the world. It is a tale of the highest wisdom of the seers.

In the kingdom of Videha, at Mithila, ruled King Janaka, a royal sage who loved wisdom and gathered learned men about him. And the greatest of all the knowers of Brahman in that age was Yajnavalkya, a sage of overwhelming learning and spiritual power, who had penetrated to the very heart of the truth of the Self. His wisdom was so great that none could stand against him in debate, and kings and sages alike came to learn from him; yet his deepest teachings he gave not to win arguments but to lead souls to the deathless reality beyond all things.