Yagnavalkya said: 'Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: 'Udanka Saulbayana told me that life (prana) is Brahman.' Yagnavalkya said: 'As one who had (the benefit of a good) father, mother, and teacher might tell, so did Udanka Saulbayana tell you that life is Brahman; for what is the use of a person without life? But did he tell you the body and the resting-place of that Brahman?' Ganaka Vaideha said: 'He did not tell me.' Yagnavalkya said: 'Your Majesty, this (Brahman) stands on one leg only.' Ganaka Vaideha said: 'Then tell me, Yagnavalkya.' Yagnavalkya said: 'Breath is its body, ether its place, and one should worship it as what is dear.' Ganaka Vaideha said: 'What is the nature of that which is dear?' Yagnavalkya replied: 'Your Majesty, life itself (is that which is dear);' because for the sake of life, Your Majesty, a man sacrifices even for him who is unworthy of sacrifice, he accepts presents from him who is not worthy to bestow presents, nay, he goes to a country, even when there is fear of being hurt, for the sake of life. Life, O King, is the Highest Brahman. Life does not desert him who worships that (Brahman) with such knowledge, all creatures approach him, and having become a god, he goes to the gods.' Ganaka Vaideha said: 'I shall give you (for this) a thousand cows with a bull as big as an elephant.' Yagnavalkya said: 'My father was of opinion that one should not accept a reward without having fully instructed a pupil.'

In plain words: Janaka says another teacher told him life-breath (prana) is Brahman. Yagnavalkya says breath is its body and space its home, and it should be honored as what is dear. Life is so dear that people will do unworthy things or travel into danger to protect it. Again he refuses the reward until the teaching is complete.