Brhadaranyaka Upanishad is known as a commentary on Purush Sukta of the Vedas. It is the ancient and elementary or `Mukhya` part of Upanishad. The Brhdaranyaka Upanishad is the secondary extraction of the Brahamana text. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad is related to the Shukla Yajur Veda. The Second Chapter of Part Four of Brhadaranyaka Upanishad deals with the Self. Janaka, Emperor of Videha, had a long discussion with Yajnavalkya about the Absolute Self and the Supreme Barhaman. Yajnavalkya instructed him and educated him about the real Self. Here the Emperor is very pleased with him and pays salutation to his knowledge and wisdom. He requests him to instruct him further. Yajnavalkya tells him that like a man wishing to a far off place procures a chariot or a ship, the Emperor has also prepared his mind with several names of Brahman but he is unaware where he would go once he is released from the body.

Yajnavalkya tells him the person who is in the right eye is known as Indha. However, he would be addressed by the indirect name Indra as gods like to be called by indirect names than to be called by their direct names. He next tells the King that a person who is in the left eye is his wife, Viraj i.e. the matter. The place for their union is the akasa that resides within the heart. The lump of blood in the heart serves as their food. The net like structure inside the heart acts as their wrap. The nerves that travel inside the heart are the path for them. These nerves or hita carry the food to different parts of the body. Thus, the subtle body known as Taijasa receives finer food than the gross body also known as Vaisvanara.

The eastern quarter are the vital breath i.e. the prana that move towards the east direction, the southern quarter is the vital breath that move towards the south direction, the western quarter comprises of the vital breath moving in the west direction and the northern quarter has the vital breath moving in the northern direction. The real Self is intangible as it cannot be held, undecaying as there is no end to it, unattached as it remains free, unfettered, not limited, not subject to pain or to destruction and is fearless.

The emperor bowed to him for his wisdom and was blessed by Yajnavalkya.