Ancient Wisdom Series
Maitreyi
Inner Wealth & Self
- A Brahmavadini — one who pursues and speaks the truth of Brahman (the Absolute Self)
- Celebrated for her profound philosophical dialogue with her husband Yajnavalkya, one of the greatest sages of the Vedic era
- Her teachings reveal the non-dual nature of consciousness and the limitations of material wealth in the pursuit of immortality (amṛtatva)
- Revered for her clarity, courage, and spiritual depth, especially in a culture where women philosophers were rare but honored when they emerged
Family & Background
husband
Yajnavalkya
The central seer in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
co-wife
Katyayani
Yajnavalkya's other wife
Maitreyi is an example of householder spirituality elevated to the highest inquiry — showing that enlightenment is not bound by renunciation alone
Key Texts & Dialogue
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Yajnavalkya–Maitreyi Samvada)
One of the most profound spiritual dialogues in Indian philosophy, featuring Maitreyi's conversation with Yajnavalkya about immortality and the Self
The Famous Conversation
The Question of Immortality
Maitreyi asks: 'If I had all the wealth in the world, would I become immortal through it?'
Yajnavalkya replies: 'No. Like the life of the wealthy — it would be only that. One cannot attain immortality through wealth.'
The Nature of the Self
Yajnavalkya explains: 'It is not for the sake of the husband that the husband is loved, but for the sake of the Self.'
He continues: 'The Self alone is to be seen, heard, thought upon, and meditated upon.'
Teachings and Contributions
Maitreyi's questions lead to the defining declaration of Advaita (non-dual) Vedanta: All relationships and experiences are ultimately rooted in the Self (Atman)
She represents the seeker who is not content with ritual, status, or wealth, but desires only truth and liberation
Her presence shaped the Upanishadic discourse, making it relational and intimate, not just abstract
Spiritual Symbolism
Maitreyi symbolizes the quest for the eternal over the ephemeral
Represents courage to question even one's own teacher and partner in pursuit of truth
Embodies spiritual partnership, intellectual honesty, and detachment from illusion
Why is she 15th on the list?
As a continuation of Gargi's public debate, Maitreyi's private inquiry brings depth and intimacy
She shows that the Upanishads were not just scholarly texts, but living conversations that involved women in the core of their development
Her dialogue leads directly to some of the highest teachings on the Self — worthy of being etched in gold
Lineage & Timeline
Satya Yuga
~2.16 million years
The first and most virtuous age where dharma stood on all four legs. Many Rishis including Vashishtha and Vishwamitra lived during this time.