The Inferior and Superior Knowledge

Quoting the Mundaka Upanishad, Swamiji delves into the distinction between Higher Knowledge (Para Vidya) and Lower Knowledge (Apara Vidya). Parā, the superior or higher is that by virtue of which one understands the Imperishable!

Swamiji delves into the nature of the imperishable, emphasising its distinction from the transcient world. The imperishable is the substratum for all changing phenomena. Understanding of this imperishable constitutes Para Vidya or Brahma Vidya, the Supreme Knowledge.

Whatever we know, see, hear, or otherwise perceive, all come under objects. And they all relate to one subject, namely one Self, which we denote by the term ‘I’. So, the ‘I’ alone is the subject indicator and all the others are objects. The subject is one, in relation to which all objects are known and dealt with.

Swamiji emphasises on the importance of understanding the subject, without which knowledge is incomplete. True knowledge or Brahma Vidya is essential for attaining the Supreme. The Supreme is attained by knowledge and that knowledge is Subject knowledge, not the object one. This greater knowledge is the only one which is going to enable us to attain the Supreme in our life.

Shlokas Chanted in the Track:
शौनको ह वै महाशालोऽङ्गिरसं विधिवदुपसन्नः पप्रच्छ ।
कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति ।।
Mundakopanishad I.i.3

द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह स्म
यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च ॥
Mundakopanishad 1.1.4

यत्तदद्रेश्यमग्राह्यमगोत्रमवर्ण-
मचक्षु:श्रोत्रं तदपाणिपादं ।
नित्यं विभुं सर्वगतं सुसूक्ष्मं
तदव्ययं यद्भूतयोनिं परिपश्यन्ति धीरा: ।।
Mundakopanishad I.i.6