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The Vedas refer to two levels of learnings or truth. One is called ''Para Vidya''  (परा विद्या) and the other is called ''Apara Vidya (अपरा विद्या)''. The Para Vidya refers to higher learning or learning related to the Self or the Ultimate Truth that is transcendental knowledge. The Apara Vidya refers to "Lower knowledge" of this world, the empirical knowledge. There can be various ways of understanding this difference. The Para Vidya refers to philosophical dimensions and Apara Vidya refers to the empirical dimensions. Indian sages tried to know the ultimate Reality. This quest refers to Para Vidya. However, they also realized that not all persons can indulge in philosophical quest and therefore developed standard practices and rituals. Knowledge pf these practices is called Apara Vidya.<ref>K. Aravinda Rao, How to tell Hinduism to Your Child. Page 15</ref>       

The Vedas refer to two levels of learnings or truth. One is called ''Para Vidya''  (परा विद्या) and the other is called ''Apara Vidya (अपरा विद्या)''. The Para Vidya refers to higher learning or learning related to the Self or the Ultimate Truth that is transcendental knowledge. The Apara Vidya refers to "Lower knowledge" of this world, the empirical knowledge. There can be various ways of understanding this difference. The Para Vidya refers to philosophical dimensions and Apara Vidya refers to the empirical dimensions. Indian sages tried to know the ultimate Reality. This quest refers to Para Vidya. However, they also realized that not all persons can indulge in philosophical quest and therefore developed standard practices and rituals. Knowledge pf these practices is called Apara Vidya.<ref>K. Aravinda Rao, How to tell Hinduism to Your Child. Page 15</ref>       

== Discussion ==

== Discussion ==

Saunaka, asked – कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति (" Revered Sir, what is that by the knowing of which all this becomes known? "), - was told by [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]] that –

Saunaka, asked – कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति | ''kasminnu bhagavo vijñāte sarvamidaṁ vijñātaṁ bhavatīti |'' (" Revered Sir, what is that by the knowing of which all this becomes known? "), - was told by [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]] that –

: द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह् स्म यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च |

: द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह् स्म यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च |

: तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति |

: तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति |

: अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिग्म्यते || - ([[Mundaka Upanishad]] I.i.3-5)

: अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिग्म्यते || - ([[Mundaka Upanishad]] I.i.3-5)

Translation: There are two different kinds of knowledge to be acquired – the ''Para Vidya'' and the ''Apara Vidya''. The Apara Vidya (Lower Knowledge) consists of all textual knowledge - the four [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]], the science of pronunciation etc., the code of rituals, grammar, etymology, metre and astrology. The Para Vidya (higher knowledge) is by which the immutable and the imperishable [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] is realized; the knowledge which brings about the direct realization of the Supreme Reality, the source of All.

Translation: There are two different kinds of knowledge to be acquired – the ''Para Vidya'' and the ''Apara Vidya''. The Apara Vidya (Lower Knowledge) consists of all textual knowledge - the four [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]], the science of pronunciation etc., the code of rituals, grammar, etymology, metre and astrology. The Para Vidya (higher knowledge) is by which the immutable and the imperishable [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]] is realized; the knowledge which brings about the direct realization of the Supreme Reality, the source of All.