This initial verse, addressed directly to Gārgī, establishes the core purpose of the moksha-shastra – the science of liberation – as a means of achieving cessation of rebirth, or punarbahava. The very phrase “knowing which” (yadvijñāya) immediately frames the subsequent teachings as a formula, a precise understanding that, when grasped, fundamentally alters the individual’s trajectory. It’s crucial to note the deliberate use of “humans” (manushyāṃ) – this isn’t a general pronouncement about all beings, but specifically for humankind, highlighting the potential for transformative change within the human condition. The assertion that such knowledge will prevent punarbahava – “no more rebirth” – is a powerful statement of the yogic goal, a release from the cyclical nature of suffering rooted in samsara, echoing the fundamental tenets found throughout the Upaniṣads and informing the entire framework of Yājñavalkya’s teachings. This initial declaration sets the stage for a rigorous and ultimately experiential approach to realizing ātman and achieving moksha.