“Whatever distressing thoughts I have in my mind, in my heart or in my soul, may the Lord Supreme remove that. Mat gracious to us be He, who is the Lord of the entire Universe”

-Yajur Veda

Our podcast series continues with this story from the great yagya held by King Janaka in which Yajanvalkya answers questions from all who wish to challenge him. He thinks that he has completed his questioning when Shakalya starts to pepper him with a series of questions to which Yajnavalkya replies with great humor and insight. But the brilliance is lost on Shakalya with disasterous results.

The podcast concludes with the Saraswati Stuthi and Asvamedha Prakarana, both composed by Yajnavalkya.

The Brihadarnayaka Upanishad contains a number of humorous and interesting stories about the great sage Yajnavalkya. This podcast features the yagya that was held by King Janaka to see who was the greatest knower of Brahman. Yajnavalkya asserts himself and is challenged, particularly by a woman seer named Gargi. In the process of their conversation much interesting information is conveyed about the structure of life and the nature of Brahman.

The podcast concludes with a nice selection from the Taittariya Upanishad.

“Oh Adorable Lord, you purify our lives. May you kindly grant us vigor and food. Drive wicked dogs away from us!”

-Yajur Veda

“We invoke at dawn the powerful gracious bounty, the son of mother infinity; he is the sustainer of the universe, to whom all, even the wealthy pray and say ‘give me wealth for my enjoyment’”“

- Yajur Veda

“May the golden handed, life bestowing, well guiding, exhilarating and affluent Sun be present with us at the place of worship. The solar radiations drive away worms and germs, particularly in the evening, if duly utilized.“

-Yajur Veda

Worms and germs?!!

“Oh Sun, your paths are set from olden days; they are free from dust, and well determined in space.
May you travel along these paths, unobstructed and preserve us day to day, Oh effulgent One, may you bless us with all that is good and desirable.”

-Yajur Veda

“To him who worships you, Oh Blissful Lord, you give sufficient food, a swift horse, and children who are worthy of noble deeds, eminent in society and a pleasure to their parents. Your children will be assiduous in worship, careful, and successful in action”

-Yajur Veda

“Oh resplendent divine, your loving friends wish to commune with you. They sing sweet melodies and offer you their homage. Supported by you, the endure patiently the ups and downs of life, for who is wiser than you?”

-Yajur Veda

“We set this omnipresent fire divine upon the central point of the earth - which is the seat of knowledge - for the purpose of receiving our oblations.”

-Yajur Veda