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Maitreyi (about 700 BC) was a philosopher from ancient India who lived during the Vedic period ( – 500 BCE). She was the second wife of the sage and philosopher, Yajnavalkya (700 BC), the first being Katyaayanee. Maitreyi had deep knowledge of the ''Vedas'' and associated scriptures of the ''Upanishads'' and was called a ''brahmavadini'', an "expounder of the ''Vedas''".〔The Sanskrit term ''brahmavadini'' means a female ''brahmavadi''. According to Monier-Williams's ''Sanskrit-English Dictionary'', ''brahmavādín'' means "discoursing on sacred texts, a defender or expounder of the ''Veda'', one who asserts that all things are to be identified with Brahman". It does not mean "one who speaks like God".〕 About ten hymns in the ''Rigveda'' are accredited to Maitreyi.〔 She was a spiritual person dedicated to the worship of God. Her admiration and wholehearted support boosted Yajnavalkya's spiritual knowledge. Her goal in life was to acquire from Yajnavalkya his treasure trove of knowledge and secrets, and attain the stage of kundalini – that is, to awaken her spiritual energy. She was highly revered as one of the few women scholars of the Vedic period able to discuss the highest spiritual truths of life. ==Early life== Maitreyi was the daughter of the sage Mitra who lived in Mithila as a minister in the court of King Janaka. In the early years of her life she was raised by her aunt Gargi Vachaknavi who was herself a renowned Vedic scholar and a natural philosopher. This interaction attuned Maitreyi's mind to the theological subjects of the ''Vedas'', ''Upanishads'' and other scriptures. Noting her niece's keen interest in theology, Gargi took her along to witness a conclave of scholars arranged by King Janaka who was a religious and scholarly king. Yagnavalkya's ''magnum opus'', the ''Shukla Yajurveda'', was proposed to be recited and discussed in this meeting of elite philosophers of the country. The deliberations in the conference lasted for several days, and Gargi was one of the scholars who questioned Yagnavalkya extensively on aspects of the soul and immortality. Following the deliberations, Yagnavalkya was praised by all sages for his erudite scholarship of the Vedas. The ''Shukla Yajurveda'' was accepted as a sacred text worthy of emulation, and Yagnavalka was also declared a Maharishi. Maitreyi, who witnessed all the adulation showered on Yagnavalkya, was happy and wanted to be his disciple. She wished to live with him as a spiritual partner and become proficient in the knowledge of Brahman through the rigorous process of Vedic learning. However, Maitreyi was in a dilemma as she did not want to enter into a marital relationship with Yagnavalkya, which would require her to perform the wifely duties of bearing children and providing for the family's material comforts. On the other hand, if she, an unmarried 18-year-old, became his companion this would cause an unwarranted scandal. Furthermore, as Yagnavalkya was already married to Katyaayanee, it was not certain at all whether he would consent to a second marriage with her. Maitreyi decided to approach Katyaayanee directly and seek her permission to become a companion to Yagnavlakaya to acquire spiritual knowledge. She promised Katyaayanee that she would only be a celibate spiritual companion to perform ''sadhana'' or spiritual development, and be a younger sister to her. After Katyaayanee consented, Maitreyi approached Yagnavalkya with her proposal and requested that he accept her as his second companion. Just as Yagnavalkya was saying that his wife Katyaayanee had the final word in the matter, Katyaayanee walked in and gave her consent. Maitreyi and Yagnavalkya, along with Katyaayanee, lived a happy domestic life. Maitreyi continuously acquired knowledge of metaphysical subjects and was in constant dialogue with her husband, "making self-inquiries of introspection". However, Yagnavalkya persuaded Maitreyi to involve herself in the rigours of being a housewife and to go through the essential cycle of ''grahasthasrama'' (family life) that a wife should abide by.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Maitreyi」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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