Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa
93 - Teachings of Yajnavalkya
A famous personality in Indian Literature. He is said to be a sage present in the court of King Janaka of Mithila. He is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. His name is closely connected with the Shukla-Yajurveda. Some hold that the Vajasaneyi Samhita of the Shukla Yajurveda is known after his surname Vajasaneya. The Yajnavalkya-Smruti is also known after his name. This Smruti seems to be later than Manusmruti. but is widely acknowledged as a Code of Hindu Law. The interpretation of the Mitakshara commentary by Vijnaneshvara on this Smruti, is generally accepted by Indian Law Courts.
Maheshvara said:
1. O Hari, the destroyer of Keshin, how was virtue expounded by Yajnavalkya formerly. Please explain to me as the facts are, O Madhava.
Hari said:
2. After making obeisance to Yajnavalkya who was staying in Mithila, the sages asked him about the various duties of different castes. With due meditation on Vishnu the sage of controlled senses expounded the same to them.
Yajnavalkya said:
3-6. The virtue expounded hereafter is current in that country where the black deer roam about fearlessly. The Vedas in addition to Puranas, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharmashastra, etc. are the basic lore for all kinds of learning and virtue. They are four teen in number. The expounders of law are: - Manu, Vishnu2, Yama3, Angiras4, Vasishtha5, Daksha, Samvarta, Shatatapa6, Parashara1, Apastamba2, Ushanas3, Vyasa4, Katyayana5, Bruhaspati6, Gautama7, Shankha8, Likhita9, Harita1o, and Atri11. All these ever engaged in meditation of Vishnu have become expounders of law.
2. Author of Vishnu-Dharma-Sutra.
3. Author of Yama-smruti.
4. Author of Angirasa-smruti or Bruhad-angirasa-smruti.
5. Author of the Vasishtha-dharma-sutra.
6. Author of several smruti-works, Karma-vipaka, etc.
1. Author of Parashara-smruti.
2. Author of Apastamba-dharma-sutra.
3. Author of Aushanasa-dharmashastra.
4. Author of Vyasa-siddhanta.
5. Various references to him are found in Sanskrit Literature.
6. And profusely quoted as the author of a Smruti. Mentioned by Kautilya.
7. Author of Gautama-dharma-sutra.
8. Author of Shankha-smruti. Also mentioned in the Mahabharata.
9. According to the Mahabharata, the brother of Shankha. The co-author of Shankha Lithita smruti.
10. An oft-quoted author, who flourished before 600 A.D.
11. Author of Atreya-dharma-shastra. Also mentioned in Manu-smruti.
7. Whatever material or wealth is given at the proper time and place with due faith to the deserving is conducive to virtue.
8. Acting in a way pleasing to others, control of mind, non-violence, charity, self-study of the Vedas, realisation of Atman by means of Yoga--all these are Dharmas.
9. Scholars in Vedic lore enumerate four and some say three. Whatever that may be those who are engaged in the worship of devas and have realised the soul maintain their own duties.
10. The four castes are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The first three are Dvijas (Twice born). The rites from Nisheka (sprinkling) to the cremation ground are perform ed with mantras.
11. The Garbhadhana12 rite(conception) is after the menstruation; Pumsavana13 rite before the throbbing of the child in the womb; Simanta14 in the sixth or eighth month. The Prasava (delivery) and Jatakarma15 (birth) and
12. Authorities hold different views about its time.
13. The aim is to beget a male child.
14. Literally means parting (the child's) hair.
15. This rite is performed to ensure the child's welfare.
12-13. Namakarana (naming) rites the eleventh day. Nishkrama1 (coming out of the house) in the fourth month. The Annaprashana2 (feeding with solid food) in the sixth month and Chudakarana3 ceremonial cutting of the forelock) as per practice in the family. Thus, the sin of seed and conception is nullified. To girls these rites are performed without reciting the mantras) but marriage is performed by reciting the mantras.
1. In this rite, the child is taken out of the house for the first time.
2. In this rite the child in fed for the first time with solid food.
3. In this rite, for the first time the child's hair is cut, but chuda (a tuft of hair) is left on the head; hence the name chudakarana.
Summary of chapter 93 of the Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa is as follows:
Bhagavān Vishṇu encapsulates the core moral teachings of Sage Yājñavalkya, emphasizing that virtue, charity, self-restraint, non-violence, and scriptural study form the eternal foundation of human excellence and societal harmony.