Tao Te Ching

The Power of Goodness, the Wisdom Beyond Words

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Yājñavalkya

fl. c. 7th century BCE

One of the earliest non-dual philosophers

Revered sage, major figure in the Upanishads, and one of the first philosophers in recorded history; no one could rival Yajnavalkya in debate. Called the greatest theologian of his time, and with his dialogues recorded in the Upanishads, he taught the great philosopher-king of Videha (modern day Nepal), Janaka who created an intellectual center for great sages that became the most important cultural and political center of South Asia. He described an “Absolute Self” and furthered a non-dual school of Hinduism that continues today. In later life he retired in a forest to become a wandering ascetic personifying a tradition popular through the centuries of Indian history.

Lineages
Hindu

Eras

Western

Egyptian Civilization (3150 – 305 BCE)
Babylonian Civilization (1895 – 619 BCE)
The Axial Age, “The Great Leap of Being” (800 – 200 BCE)

Chinese

Eastern Zhou 東周 (770 – 256 BCE)
Spring and Autumn period 春秋时代 (770 – 476 BCE)

Unlisted Sources

Quotes by Yājñavalkya (3 quotes)

“That which is the finest essence–this whole world has as its soul. Tat tvam asi — thou art that.”

Themes: True Self Hinduism Indra's Net

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“As our desire, so is our will; as our will, so are our acts. Our desire determines what we will become.”