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 dit : «Telles sont les quinze branches du savoir sacré enseignées par Bhāskara (le Soleil). Les ayant dûment établies et maîtrisées selon mon gré, je contemplai alors l’essence connaissable—la vérité que l’on connaît par le Veda.»
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.