Mundaka Upanishad 1.4Famous
beginner
तस्मै स होवाच। द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह स्म यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च॥
tasmai sa hovāca | dve vidye veditavye iti ha sma yadbrahmavido vadanti parā caivāparā ca ||
"To him he said: "Two kinds of knowledge are to be known - this is what the knowers of Brahman declare - the higher (para) and the lower (apara).""
What This Means:
Angiras answers: There are two types of knowledge - higher and lower. Both must be understood, but they are different in nature.
Going Deeper:
This distinction between para vidya (liberating knowledge) and apara vidya (preparatory knowledge) is central to the Mundaka.
How To Apply This:
Distinguish between knowledge that prepares you and knowledge that liberates you. Both have their place.
#two knowledges#para vidya#apara vidya