Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi

Yajnavalkya occupies a considerable portion of the content of Brihadaranyakopanishad. He was a highly celebrated sage. He was consulted by almost all serious seekers. Kings would approach him for his guidance on various matters such as objective of life, process of creation and dissolution, death, life after death and the like.  The sage would give elaborate explanation with utmost ease and eloquence.

The sage was a householder.  He had two wives, Katyayani and Maitreyi.  Just as common householder, Katyayani was an earthly woman. Her interests did not expand beyond the material boundaries. Maytreyi was quite different. She was not interested in materialistic life. Instead, she would delve into what lies beyond the limits of matter, the visible and perceptible walls. She would remain engrossed in an inner dialogue, a consistent quest for knowing the unknown. 

‘There seems to be something mysterious about life. the material comforts we chase to accumulate is fleeting in nature. Matter is changing its position all the time.  Stability is lovely. But it is not stable.  It is illusive. Then there is death, decay, suffering, loss of near and dear ones, loss of property and position.  Moreover, time is calling the shots all around. Everything springs in course of time and then the same is swallowed up by time.  You think you have grown up, got lot of name, fame, social status, wealth, comfort and respect.  It is time to exit.  What a puzzle! I must consult my husband. He seems to have some clue. Many people come to take his guidance’.      

Meanwhile, Yajnavalkya was taking a serious relook at his personal life in relation to his spiritual progress. He was working on a different level of consciousness.  He was also reviewing all his previous findings. This, he thought, might throw new light on the mystery of life.  

‘Neti, neti, not this, not  this!’—the theory of ‘absolute negation’ developed by Yajnavalkya to access what is beyond all tools of perception, yet which holds the sole causal potentiality, which absorbs all within and around which all revolves for eternity. That  may be known by negating all that is covering It.  To know That, he decided to start the enquiry by renouncing the small materialistic distraction caused by his involvement with his limited family life.  He must devote all his time in meditation. He thought, he has already lost lot of time.

He decided to speak to his life-partners about his decision.

“My Dear! I have critically examined the true nature of human relationship.  I say that I love you. Do I love you for serving you?  The bitter truth is I love you since it serves my purpose.  You love me because it serves your purpose.  We love Devas just because it fulfills our wishes. Same applies to our love for children, wealth, live stocks, velour, the Vedas and the forces in the nature. Even our love or quest for Brahman is propelled by our attachment to our own Atman: Atmanas-tu kamaya. Hence take no offence, please. This is bare truth.

“Since it is more than clear that all our relations and activities are for the sake of Atman alone, I must know what this Atman is!

“I am taking a serious stand on this matter. Hence, I troubled you for this meeting. I am feeling a bit strained in my family enticements. Or am a little distracted? I am not able to devout all my time in meditation. I have almost decided to enter into the stage of Sannyas.  I request you to give your opinion freely.  

“I have started understanding that I cannot realize the immortal state of Being (Amritatva) by the wealth that I may have.

“My Dear! It is practical that I divide the wealth equally between you two. This will serve your material needs in my absence”.      

To this Maitreyi said, “My Dear! I am happy to see that you are deeply involved in realizing   Atman. I too have the same objective. You have just stated very correctly that wealth cannot buy the knowledge of the Self.  Therefore, what shall I do by keeping the wealth?  I too shall come alongwith you. I have decided to spend rest of my life in meditation.”

Yajnavalkya, “Dear Maitreyi! I welcome your decision. I would like to say that Atman alone may be seen, heard about, contemplated upon and also one must meditate upon Atman alone. Dear! By realizing Atman, all can be known”.   

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