Shloka 25
नारद–शुक संवादः
Impermanence, Svabhāva, and Śuka’s Resolve for Yoga
शाखा: पञ्चदशेमास्तु विद्या भास्करदेशिता: । प्रतिष्ठाप्य यथाकामं वेद्यं तदनुचिन्तयम्
śākhāḥ pañcadaśemāstu vidyā bhāskaradeśitāḥ | pratiṣṭhāpya yathākāmaṃ vedyaṃ tad anucintayam ||
Yājñavalkya sprach: „Dies sind die fünfzehn Zweige der heiligen Lehre, die Bhāskara (die Sonne) gelehrt hat. Nachdem ich sie gebührend begründet und nach meinem Wunsch gemeistert hatte, betrachtete ich das Erkennbare im Wesen—die Wahrheit, die durch den Veda zu erkennen ist.“
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that mastery of scriptural branches (śākhās) is a foundation, but the higher aim is sustained contemplation of the ‘vedya’—the ultimate truth the Veda points toward. Learning culminates in inner reflection and realization, not mere accumulation of recensions.
Yājñavalkya is speaking about his acquisition of Vedic learning: he received instruction from Bhāskara (the Sun), gained knowledge of fifteen branches, established himself firmly in that learning, and then turned to contemplating the deeper, knowable essence indicated by the Veda.