The Authority and Teachings of Yajnavalkya

Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes the great sage Yājñavalkya as a foundational pillar of Vedic civilization, renowned for his profound philosophical insight and strict religious codes. By studying Śrīla Prabhupāda's instructions, we can understand Yājñavalkya's contributions to mystic yoga and social regulation, as well as the ultimate limitations of his path of karma compared to the supreme science of pure devotional service.

One of the Principal Philosophers

Throughout Vedic history, a select group of highly elevated sages shaped the spiritual direction of human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies Yājñavalkya as one of the seven primary philosophers of India, whose authority and perfect knowledge are recognized across the universe.

• Among the principal philosophers in India are Gautama, Kanada, Kapila, Yajnavalkya, Sandilya and Vaisvanara. And finally there is Vyasadeva, the author of the Vedanta-sutra.
• There are seven principal philosophers in India: Gautama, Kanada, Kapila, Yajnavalkya, Sandilya, Vaisvanara, and, finally, Vyasadeva, the author of the Vedanta-sutra.
• O great souls, I have heard that among the great and perfect persons wandering the surface of the earth to instruct knowledge to people covered by ignorance are Bhagavan Parasurama, Kapila, Sukadeva, Durvasa, Yajnavalkya, Jatukarna and Aruni.

The Master of Mystic Yoga

Vedic education traces powerful disciplic successions of mystic knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Yājñavalkya learned the highly elevated system of adhyātma-yoga from his spiritual masters, using this science to help conditioned souls detach from material existence.

• From Vidhrti came Hiranyanabha, who later became the disciple of Jaimini and propounded the system of mystic yoga in which Yajnavalkya was initiated.
• It is from Hiranyanabha that the great saint Yajnavalkya learned the highly elevated system of mystic yoga known as adhyatma-yoga, which can loosen the knots of material attachment in the heart.
• The son of Janamejaya known as Satanika will learn from Yajnavalkya the three Vedas and the art of performing ritualistic ceremonies. He will also learn the military art from Krpacarya and the transcendental science from the sage Saunaka.

Compiling the Religious Codes

To maintain order and purity in human society, great sages compiled the smṛti-śāstras, or religious law books. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Yājñavalkya's strict injunctions governing celibacy, social behavior, and purification are considered absolute authorities for all classes of men.

• There are twenty different types of scripture for following religious principles, and among them the scriptures of Manu and Yajnavalkya are considered to be all-pervading authorities.
• In the Yajnavalkya-smrti it is said: One should learn human behavior from sruti, the Vedas, and from smrti, the scriptures following the Vedic principles.
• According to the injunction of Yajnavalkya, an authority on religious principles, one is considered contaminated by the reactions of great sinful activities when one has not been purified according to the methods of the dasa-vidha-samskara.
• In the rules of celibacy written by the great sage Yajnavalkya it is said: "The vow of brahmacarya is meant to help one completely abstain from sex indulgence in work, words and mind-at all times, under all circumstances, and in all places."

The Boundaries of Ritualistic Knowledge

Although highly elevated and aware of the Supreme Lord's absolute control over the universe, sages focusing on ritualistic ceremonies do not necessarily comprehend the most confidential science of pure devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that because Yājñavalkya descends to teach the path of karma, he remains unaware of the supreme secret of bhakti known only to the twelve mahājanas.

• In every yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, assumes the form of Siddhas such as Sanaka to preach transcendental knowledge and He assumes the form of great saintly persons such as Yajnavalkya to teach the way of karma.
• In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, Yajnavalkya says to Gargi, the daughter of Garga Muni: "Even the sun, the moon and other controllers and demigods like Lord Brahma and King Indra are all under His (the Supreme Personality of Godhead's) control."
• Yajnavalkya and Jaimini and other compilers of the religious scriptures cannot know the secret, confidential religious system of the twelve mahajanas because they are bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a comprehensive understanding of the great sage Yājñavalkya's role in Vedic civilization. As a principal philosopher, a master of mystic adhyātma-yoga, and an uncompromising compiler of the smṛti-śāstras, Yājñavalkya established essential rules for human behavior, purification, and celibacy. He clearly understood and preached the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead over all demigods and cosmic manifestations. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda also clarifies a profound Vaiṣṇava truth: because Yājñavalkya was specifically empowered by the Lord to teach the path of karma and ritualistic ceremonies, the most intimate and confidential science of pure devotional service (bhakti) remained a secret exclusive to the twelve mahājanas. By understanding Yājñavalkya's exalted yet specific position, devotees can properly appreciate his contributions while dedicating themselves entirely to the supreme path of unalloyed devotion.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Yajnavalkya. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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