'Knowledge'- Higher and Lower.

    Sometimes, one may feel that there is repetition in may of these blogs. Repetition is the Vedic way of imparting knowledge; the same thing is repeated again and again, twelve times, sixteen times, so that it is instilled in the mind of the pupils. Moreover, In samskruta bhasha, the same words connote different meanings at different times. There are a hundred meaning to the same word and it requires expert knowledge to discern what the syllable, the word, the phrase means! Thus, we harp on certain concepts again and again till it is absolutely clear as to what it means! Knowledge, brahma, Atman, Understanding, Realization, Emancipation are some of the important words that are repeated in the Vedanta texts since these words know no extent, depth, or vastness in meaning and purport.
     Although knowledge ('vid') or vidya is one only it deals with the spiritual ad the material and, as such, is said to be of two types. The one that is 'Higher' (para) leads to the ultimate reality, brahmn. It is the knowledge that brings emancipation to the embodied soul. All other knowledge, including the 'Veda', is said to be 'Lower' (apara) since that knowledge is of the transient material world (vishaya prapancha). Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, "vishaya veda tasmad nistraigunyo bhavaarjunaa | The Atharvaveda is full of worldly knowledge. There are secrets that deal with the social and cultural aspects in this; there are remedies for many of the social evil in society. There are also interesting knowledge concerning health and remedial medical information in Atharvaveda.

  As regards "True Knowledge" ('sat'), it is said that "In the beginning there was neither sat not asat"; "all that exists is nothing but untruth, 'asad', in the sense that which comes within the grip of maya; further, maya is that which is transient and measurable in terms of Time (kaal), Space (desha) and Causality (karya-karana). In other words, it is emphatically stated that "All that comes within the purview of Time (kaal) is subject to disintegration and destruction, hence not the sat. The Imperishable brahmn is 'achyuta', 'ananta' that which is never destroyed in course of time, eternal and the sat.

   Hence, it is advisable to seek the 'sat'. When a person discards all that which comes within the grip of time, space and causality, he stands face to face with brahmn. Such a jnyani is the real drushtara who has the vision of the Truth, that which is imperishable within one's Self, the Atman. Atma eva brahma | This is the Vedic doctrine. One should realize this Truth before the body is discarded due to old age, sickness and death. Such a knowledgeable person will not reenter the mrutyu lok, this earth, again!
  nahin jnyanen sadrusham | There is nothing equivalent or similar to Knowledge, 'jnyan' says Bhagavan Shree Krishna. Knowledge, jnyan, only exists and nothing besides it! When a person is desirous of 'knowing' he/she wills, resolves  and makes effort 'to know'. Thus there comes into existence what is to be known! Till this 'desire' appeared in the person 'to know', there was nothing 'to be known'? That desire brings into existence three things: 1. the person desirous of knowing, and 2. the object to be known. This knowledge already existed, but it is the desire of this knowledge that created the two others  Now that the person desirous of knowing comes to know the object of desire is fulfilled. Thus the desire or thirst for knowledge, the person desirous of knowing - both disappear and the knowledge only remains. Knowledge of brahmn is eternal. All the material knowledge may go on changing, but the 'truth', the 'Higher Knowledge' (para vidya) remains forever. The sages are in search of this eternal knowledge known as brahma vidya. The Bhagavad-Gita is the brahma-vidya.