Remove far from me the sins I have committed. Let me not suffer for the guilt of others! Many dawns shall yet arise to shine upon us. Let us partake of them so long as we live!
Rig Veda II, 28, 9
This has been expressed by the following Rig verse: ’This is the eternal glory of Brahman: It neither increases nor decreases through work. Therefore one should know the nature of That alone. Knowing It one is not touched by evil action.’ Therefore hewho knows It as such becomes self-controlled, calm, withdrawn into himself, patient and collected; he sees the Self in his own self (body); he sees all as the Self. Evil does not overcome him, but he overcomes all evil. Evil does not afflict him, but heconsumes all evil. He becomes sinless, taintless, free from doubts and a true Brahmana (knower of Brahman). This is the World of Brahman, O Emperor and you have attained It. Thus said Yajnavalkya. Janaka said: ’Venerable Sir, I give you the empire of Videha and myself, too, with it, to wait upon you.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 23
That great, unborn Self is the eater of food and the giver of wealth. He who knows this obtains wealth.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 24
That great, unborn Self is undecaying, immortal, undying, fearless; It is Brahman (infinite). Brahman is indeed fearless. He who knows It as such becomes the fearless Brahman.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 25
Yajnavalkya had two wives: Maitreyi and Katyayani. Of these, Maitreyi was conversant with the Knowledge of Brahman, while Katyayani had an essentially feminine outlook. One day Yajnavalkya, when he wished to embrace another mode of life,
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, V-Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi (II), 1
