Observations placeholder
Mundaka Upanishad
Identifier
008259
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
From the Mundaka Upanishad
The knowledge that leads to Self Realization is called Para Vidya (Great or Divine Knowledge) and everything else is called Apara Vidya or Knowledge of the Material world (wordly knowledge).
Shaunaka approaches the sage Angiras and asks "Revered Sir, by knowing what will everything be known ?"
Angiras replies “Two knowledges should be known, one is Para Vidya and other is Apara Vidya. Knowledge of worldly things is Apara Vidya and that by which Eternal Truth or Akshara is obtained is Para Vidya. Though Apara Vidya enables one to earn one's bread and helps one to understand each object of the universe separately, it does not show Ultimate Reality (Akshara) or the Root Cause of this universe. The Para vidya … enables one to understand the underlying fabric of the universe…. By knowing Akshara, another manifestation, the universe is known. This Upanishad expounds the greatness of Para Vidya."