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Yajnavalkya was born in Mithila, the son of the philosopher Devavrata. He was the student of Vaisampayana, the direct pupil of Vyasa. He spent the major part of his life as the court philosopher of Devarata, the king of Mithila.
Yajnavalkya’s philosophical precepts are contained in the Brhad-Aranyaka Upanisad. In particular his doctrine of philosophical analysis (Neti-neti) is found in this Upanisad.
When questioned by his students to describe all-pervading consciousness (Brahman), Yajnavalkya states “Neti neti” (it is not this and it is not that). In other words, all-pervading consciousness is beyond any mundane definition, encompassing all reality. It is impossible to attempt to define infinite consciousness with finite words.
