Gargi

Story

Gargi, the daughter of Rishi Vachaknu, had a keen interest in the knowledge of the Vedas and Upanishads from a young age.

She attained knowledge of all four Vedas at a young age. She was very intelligent.

As she grew older, her understanding of the Vedas deepened. She used to discuss the Vedas with knowledgeable sages and imparted knowledge to everyone.

For this reason, she was called Brahmavadini. Gargi was one of the nine jewels in the court of King Janak of Mithila.

Once, a meeting of sages was held in King Janak's court. Many great and knowledgeable sages came from far and wide to that gathering.

Among those sages was a very great sage - Rishi Yajnavalkya. All the sages were asking him deep questions about the Vedas, to which he was giving correct answers.

Gargi challenged Sage Yajnavalkya by saying, "I will ask you two questions. If you answer those questions correctly, you will be considered the winner of this assembly."

Yajnavalkya agreed to Gargi's request and allowed her to ask the questions.

Gargi asked her first question, "What is that which is above the heavens and below the earth, which is also between heaven and earth? Which existed before, exists now, and will always exist. And what is it mixed with?"

Yajnavalkya replied, "That is the sky."

Gargi then asked her second question, "What is the sky made of?"

Yajnavalkya answered, "The sky is made of that truth which is neither big nor small, neither hot nor cold, neither bright nor dark. It has no taste, no smell, no ears, no nose, no mouth, no mind. It neither has life nor energy. It cannot be measured. There is nothing inside it, and there is nothing outside it. It is because of this truth that the sun and the moon are in their places, and the earth and the sky are in their places. It is because of that truth, day and night occur and months and seasons change." Rivers flow because of that truth. Without knowing this truth, no one can achieve anything even after doing penance for thousands of years. One who knows this truth becomes wise. This truth cannot be seen, but the truth itself is the seer; it cannot be heard, but the truth itself is the hearer. The sky is also made of this truth."

Gargi was very satisfied after hearing Yajnavalkya's answer. Gargi and all the Brahmins paid their respects to him and considered him the winner.

From Gargi's life, we learn that we should not be arrogant about our knowledge and should respect those who are wiser than us.