The Teachings of Yajnavalkya/Concept of Space

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Yajnavalkya was a Vedic sage who lived in the 8th century BCE. He is known for his philosophical teachings, which are recorded in the Upanishads, a collection of ancient Indian texts. He was the teacher at Yajnavalkya Ashram of the Ancient Mithila University. He explained the concept of Space, when asked by the ancient Indian lady scholar Gargi at the court of the King Janaka in Mithila.

Yajnavalkya Statue at the entrance of the Uchchaith Bhagwati Temple Complex, Benipatti, Madhubani

The concept of Space is mentioned in the Brihadaranyak Upnishad.

Yajnavalkya's concept of space is complex and multifaceted. He describes space as both physical and metaphysical. On the physical level, space is the void that surrounds all things. It is the emptiness that allows for movement and change. On the metaphysical level, space is the source of all creation. It is the infinite potentiality from which all things arise.

Yajnavalkya's concept of space is also related to his concept of time. He sees space and time as two aspects of the same reality. Space is the container of time, and time is the movement of space.

Yajnavalkya's concept of space is still relevant today. It can be seen as a precursor to modern scientific theories of space and time.

Here is a quote from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad that describes Yajnavalkya's concept of space:

"Space is above, space is below, space is between. Space is the past, space is the present, space is the future. Space is all this."

This quote suggests that space is not just a physical entity, but also a metaphysical one. It is the all-encompassing reality that underlies all things.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Yajnavalkya's Concept of Time