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Line 3: − ==विद्यायाः भेदाः ॥ Classification of Vidya== − The Mundakopanishad refers to two levels of learning in Saunaka Angirasa Samvada, as given below <blockquote>द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह स्म, यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च ॥ ४ ॥ dve vidye veditavye iti ha sma, yadbrahmavido vadanti parā caivāparā ca ॥ 4 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः, शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति । अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिगम्यते ॥ ५ ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.4-5)<ref>Mundaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D Mundaka 1 Khanda 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatrāparā r̥gvedo yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo'tharvavedaḥ, śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṁ niruktaṁ chando jyotiṣamiti । atha parā yayā tadakṣaramadhigamyate ॥ 5 ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.4-5)</blockquote>Summary : There are two kinds of knowledge to be acquired as per tradition, which according to the knowers of Vedas, those who realised the supreme Truth, is - the higher, knowledge of the Supreme Self (Para Vidya) and the lower, knowledge of virtue and vice and their means and ends (Apara Vidya). Of these the lower (knowledge) comprises the Rigveda, Yajur veda, Sama veda, Atharva veda, Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas, Jyotisha (texts dealing with pronunciation, code of yajnas, grammar, etymology, meter and astronomy). Then there is the higher (Para knowledge) by which is attained that Aksharam or Immutable Brahman.<ref name=":8">Swami Gambhirananda (1937) ''Eight Upanishads, Volume 2 (Aitareya, Mundaka, Mandukya and Karika and Prasna)'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama</ref> − Thus we have a broad classification of Vidya as+ − # '''पराविद्या ॥ Para Vidya''' - higher knowledge for Self Realization − # '''अपराविद्या ॥ Apara Vidya''' - lower knowledge required for life − Line 19:
Line 14: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − ==विद्यास्थानानि ॥ Vidyasthanas== − Chaturdasha vidyas (चतुर्दशविद्याः) are called the Vidyasthanas (विद्यास्थानानि)<ref>http://tiny.cc/9vplhz</ref> as they give comprehensive knowledge of all the four Purusharthas namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the first three pertaining to worldly knowledge. These include the − * Chaturvedas - [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|The Four Vedas]] (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda) − * Vedangas - The Six [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedangas]] (Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas and Jyotisha) − * Upangas - (Puranas, Nyaya shastra (and Vaiseshika), Mimamsa and Dharmashastra).<ref name=":02222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> − + − − − +
→विद्यास्थानानि ॥ Vidyasthanas
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
While the goal of education is attainment of knowledge of the Self, students were primarily taught the Vedas and associated [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika Vangmaya]] as the stepping stones to learn and practice the Purusharthas, [[Trivarga (त्रिवर्गः)|Trivarga]] - Dharma, Artha and Kama which was then used to attain the fourth one, namely, [[Moksha (मोक्षः)|Moksha]]. Hence people of different varnas irrespective of their gender, social and financial status, received at least the rudiment of literary, philosophical, theological, social and professional education, until the first millennium of the Christian era when conducting upanayanas decreased among the varnas and girls were married at the age of 10 owing to several causes.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref>
While the goal of education is attainment of knowledge of the Self, students were primarily taught the Vedas and associated [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika Vangmaya]] as the stepping stones to learn and practice the Purusharthas, [[Trivarga (त्रिवर्गः)|Trivarga]] - Dharma, Artha and Kama which was then used to attain the fourth one, namely, [[Moksha (मोक्षः)|Moksha]]. Hence people of different varnas irrespective of their gender, social and financial status, received at least the rudiment of literary, philosophical, theological, social and professional education, until the first millennium of the Christian era when conducting upanayanas decreased among the varnas and girls were married at the age of 10 owing to several causes.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref>
The word Vidya (विद्या), devoid of an English equivalent and loosely translated as Education, deals with that procedural knowledge essential for understanding the worldly social, philosophical and theological aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Ancient seers had holistic perspective as to why a student should be given the higher knowledge of Self in different forms such as [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]], [[Bhumavidya (भूमविद्या)|Bhumavidya]], [[Panchagnividya (पञ्चाग्निविद्या)|Panchagnividya]], each of which was one way to achieve the common goal of Moksha. It may appear that preceptors of the ancient ages have focused only on the ultimate adhyatmik goal of Atmavidya (attainment of the knowledge of the the Self) which is more a personal goal for the student.<ref name=":8" />
The word Vidya (विद्या), devoid of an English equivalent and loosely translated as Education, deals with that procedural knowledge essential for understanding the worldly social, philosophical and theological aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Ancient seers had holistic perspective as to why a student should be given the higher knowledge of Self in different forms such as [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]], [[Bhumavidya (भूमविद्या)|Bhumavidya]], [[Panchagnividya (पञ्चाग्निविद्या)|Panchagnividya]], each of which was one way to achieve the common goal of Moksha. It may appear that preceptors of the ancient ages have focused only on the ultimate adhyatmik goal of Atmavidya (attainment of the knowledge of the the Self) which is more a personal goal for the student. The knowledge of the Brahman is distinctively mentioned and it is called the higher knowledge since, even after the mastery of the assemblage of words, the realisation of the Self is not possible without other efforts consisting of approaching the teacher and so on, as well as detachment. Unlike the Agnihotra and other yajnas which require the performance of an action subsequent to the understanding of the text, through a combination of numerous accessories, the domain of higher knowledge does not require actions, nothing remains to be performed.<ref name=":8" />
== व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymology ==
== व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymology ==
According to Shabdakalpadhruma, Vidya (विद्या) originates from the dhatu विदँ used in the meaning of Jnana (ज्ञाने).<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82 Word विगानं])</ref>
According to Shabdakalpadhruma, Vidya (विद्या) originates from the dhatu विदँ used in the meaning of Jnana (ज्ञाने).<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82 Word विगानं])</ref>
In this article we reflect upon the syllabus of ancient shikshana vidhana (education system) which consisted of imparting Apara Vidya of worldly knowledge. Vidya was said to be complete with the adhyayana of Chaturdasha Vidyas (and Astadasha Vidyas) dealt in our [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika Vangmaya]] imparted by Gurus to students before putting them on the path of seeking Para Vidya.
In this article we reflect upon the syllabus of ancient shikshana vidhana (education system) which consisted of imparting Apara Vidya of worldly knowledge. Vidya was said to be complete with the adhyayana of Chaturdasha Vidyas (and Astadasha Vidyas) dealt in our [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika Vangmaya]] imparted by Gurus to students before putting them on the path of seeking Para Vidya.
== विद्याप्रशंसा ॥ Vidya Prasamsha ==
== विद्याप्रशंसा ॥ Vidya Prasamsha ==
Garuda Purana shloklas given in Shabdakalpadhruma<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82 See under विद्या])</ref> extols the greatness of vidya and the characteristics of a person who is educated. <blockquote>ये बालभावान्न पठन्ति विद्यां ये यौवनस्था अधना अदाराः । ते शोचनीया इह जीवलोके मनुष्यरूपेण मृगाश्चरन्ति ॥</blockquote>One who does not get educated during childhood, and who enters youth, without wealth and wife, they are to be understood as animals roaming in the form of a human being.
Garuda Purana shloklas given in Shabdakalpadhruma<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82 See under विद्या])</ref> extols the greatness of vidya and the characteristics of a person who is educated. <blockquote>ये बालभावान्न पठन्ति विद्यां ये यौवनस्था अधना अदाराः । ते शोचनीया इह जीवलोके मनुष्यरूपेण मृगाश्चरन्ति ॥</blockquote>One who does not get educated during childhood, and who enters youth, without wealth and wife, they are to be understood as animals roaming in the form of a human being.
This shloka explains the characterless nature of one who does not get educated in childhood.<blockquote>भोजने भोजनं चित्तं न कुर्य्याच्छास्त्रसेवकः । सुदूरमपि विद्यार्थे व्रजेत् गरुडवेगवान् ॥</blockquote>During meals one who is a student of shastras should not pay attention or focus his mind towards (the taste of) food. A vidyarthi should move at a fast pace, as Garuda, even to far off place.<blockquote>ये बालभावान्न पठन्ति विद्यां कामातुरा यौवननष्टचित्ताः । ते वृद्धकाले परिभूयमानाः सन्दह्यमानाः शिशिरे यथाब्जम् ॥</blockquote>One who does not study during childhood, he becomes slave to indulgence (in sensual activities) during youth. Such people during old age face denigration and inner suffering just like a lotus that gets dried up during winter.<blockquote>विद्या नाम सुरूपरूपमधिकं प्रच्छन्नमन्तर्द्धनं विद्या साधुजनप्रिया शुचिकरी विद्या गुरूणां गुरुः ।</blockquote>Vidya is most beautiful form of forms, a hidden wealth, liked by good people, and is the Guru of Gurus. <blockquote>विद्या बन्धुजनार्त्तिनाशनकरी विद्या परं देवता विद्या भोग्ययशःकुलोन्नतिकरी विद्याविहीनः पशुः ॥</blockquote>Through Vidya a person relieves the grief of his near and dear, Vidya is Paradevata (Supreme Deity), Vidya causes material comforts and fame thereby raises the eminence of the family/clan in the society.<blockquote>गृहे चाभ्यन्तरे द्रव्यं लग्नं चैव तु दृश्यते । अशेषं हरणीयञ्च विद्या न ह्रियते परैः ॥ Garuda Purana (Adhyayas 110 and 115)</blockquote>The wealth and money placed inside and outside (in the form of expensive things) the house are visible to everyone and can be stolen without trace but Vidya is that wealth which cannot be stolen by anyone.
This shloka explains the characterless nature of one who does not get educated in childhood.<blockquote>भोजने भोजनं चित्तं न कुर्य्याच्छास्त्रसेवकः । सुदूरमपि विद्यार्थे व्रजेत् गरुडवेगवान् ॥</blockquote>During meals one who is a student of shastras should not pay attention or focus his mind towards (the taste of) food. A vidyarthi should move at a fast pace, as Garuda, even to far off place.<blockquote>ये बालभावान्न पठन्ति विद्यां कामातुरा यौवननष्टचित्ताः । ते वृद्धकाले परिभूयमानाः सन्दह्यमानाः शिशिरे यथाब्जम् ॥</blockquote>One who does not study during childhood, he becomes slave to indulgence (in sensual activities) during youth. Such people during old age face denigration and inner suffering just like a lotus that gets dried up during winter.<blockquote>विद्या नाम सुरूपरूपमधिकं प्रच्छन्नमन्तर्द्धनं विद्या साधुजनप्रिया शुचिकरी विद्या गुरूणां गुरुः ।</blockquote>Vidya is most beautiful form of forms, a hidden wealth, liked by good people, and is the Guru of Gurus. <blockquote>विद्या बन्धुजनार्त्तिनाशनकरी विद्या परं देवता विद्या भोग्ययशःकुलोन्नतिकरी विद्याविहीनः पशुः ॥</blockquote>Through Vidya a person relieves the grief of his near and dear, Vidya is Paradevata (Supreme Deity), Vidya causes material comforts and fame thereby raises the eminence of the family/clan in the society.<blockquote>गृहे चाभ्यन्तरे द्रव्यं लग्नं चैव तु दृश्यते । अशेषं हरणीयञ्च विद्या न ह्रियते परैः ॥ Garuda Purana (Adhyayas 110 and 115)</blockquote>The wealth and money placed inside and outside (in the form of expensive things) the house are visible to everyone and can be stolen without trace but Vidya is that wealth which cannot be stolen by anyone.
==विद्यायाः भेदाः ॥ Classification of Vidya==
The Mundakopanishad refers to two levels of learning in Saunaka Angirasa Samvada, as given below <blockquote>द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह स्म, यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च ॥ ४ ॥ dve vidye veditavye iti ha sma, yadbrahmavido vadanti parā caivāparā ca ॥ 4 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः, शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति । अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिगम्यते ॥ ५ ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.4-5)<ref>Mundaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D Mundaka 1 Khanda 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatrāparā r̥gvedo yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo'tharvavedaḥ, śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṁ niruktaṁ chando jyotiṣamiti । atha parā yayā tadakṣaramadhigamyate ॥ 5 ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.4-5)</blockquote>Summary : There are two kinds of knowledge to be acquired as per tradition, which according to the knowers of Vedas, those who realised the supreme Truth, is - the higher, knowledge of the Supreme Self (Para Vidya) and the lower, knowledge of virtue and vice and their means and ends (Apara Vidya). Of these the lower (knowledge) comprises the Rigveda, Yajur veda, Sama veda, Atharva veda, Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas, Jyotisha (texts dealing with pronunciation, code of yajnas, grammar, etymology, meter and astronomy). Then there is the higher (Para knowledge) by which is attained that Aksharam or Immutable Brahman.<ref name=":8">Swami Gambhirananda (1937) ''Eight Upanishads, Volume 2 (Aitareya, Mundaka, Mandukya and Karika and Prasna)'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama</ref>
Thus we have a broad classification of Vidya as
# '''पराविद्या ॥ Para Vidya''' - higher knowledge for Self Realization
# '''अपराविद्या ॥ Apara Vidya''' - lower knowledge required for life
The knowledge of the Brahman is distinctively mentioned and it is called the higher knowledge since, even after the mastery of the assemblage of words, the realisation of the Self is not possible without other efforts consisting of approaching the teacher and so on, as well as detachment. Unlike the Agnihotra and other yajnas which require the performance of an action subsequent to the understanding of the text, through a combination of numerous accessories, the domain of higher knowledge does not require actions, nothing remains to be performed.<ref name=":8" />
==Number of Vidyas==
The classification and number of Vidyas varied over time. They are
# Two - Para and Apara vidyas as mentioned in Mundakopanishad<ref name=":8" />
# Three - Trayi Vidya refer to the Three Vedas - Rig, Yajur and Samavedas
# Four - Mentioned in Arthashastra are [[Anvikshiki (आन्वीक्षिकी)|Anvikshiki]], Trayi, Varta and Dandaniti
# Five - In Buddhist tradition Panchavidya was mentioned, namely, Shabda vidya (Science of Language and Grammar), Hetu Vidya (Science of Logic and Reasoning), Adhyatma Vidya (Science of Inner knowledge or Spirituality), Chikitsa Vidya (Science of Medicine and Healing), Shilpa Vidya (Science of Arts and Crafts)
# Chaturdasha vidyas (चतुर्दशविद्याः) are called the Vidyasthanas (विद्यास्थानानि) as they give comprehensive knowledge of all the four Purusharthas namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the first three pertaining to worldly knowledge. The fourteen Vidyas according to Nandi Purana,<ref name=":22222" /> Vayu Purana<ref name=":4" /> and Vishnudharmottara purana<ref name=":5" /> include the
#* Chaturvedas - [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|The Four Vedas]] ([[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]], [[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]], [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]] and [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvanaveda]])
#* Vedangas - The Six [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedangas]] ([[Shiksha (शिक्षा)|Shiksha]], [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa]], [[Vyakarana (व्याकरण)|Vyakarana]], [[Nirukta (निरुक्तम्)|Nirukta]], [[Chandas (छन्दस्)|Chandas]] and [[Jyotisha (ज्योतिष)|Jyotisha]])
#* Upangas - ([[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]], [[Nyaya Darshana (न्यायदर्शनम्)|Nyaya shastra]] (and [[Vaiseshika Darshana (वैशेषिकदर्शनम्)|Vaiseshika]]), Mimamsa and [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastra]]).<ref name=":02222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref>
# Ashtadasha Vidyas - Vishnupurana<ref name=":12" /> enumerates the existence of 18 vidyasthanas by including [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]], [[Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेदः)|Dhanurveda]], [[Gandharvaveda (गन्धर्ववेदः)|Gandharvaveda]] and Arthashastra to the 14 vidyashtanas.
===चतुर्दशविद्याः ॥ Chaturdasha Vidyas===
===चतुर्दशविद्याः ॥ Chaturdasha Vidyas===
Agni Purana, one of the oldest Puranas, gives the following information about the constituents Para and Apara Vidyas.<blockquote>ऋग्यजुःसामाश्चर्वाख्या विद्या विष्णुर्जगज्जनिः । छन्दः शिक्षा व्याकरणं निधण्टुज्योतिराख्यकाः ।। ३८३.२ ।। r̥gyajuḥsāmāścarvākhyā vidyā viṣṇurjagajjaniḥ । chandaḥ śikṣā vyākaraṇaṁ nidhaṇṭujyotirākhyakāḥ ।। 383.2 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>निरुक्तधर्मशास्त्रादि मीमांसान्यायविस्तराः । आयुर्वेदपुराणाख्या धनुर्गन्धर्वविस्तराः ।। ३८३.३ ।। niruktadharmaśāstrādi mīmāṁsānyāyavistarāḥ । āyurvedapurāṇākhyā dhanurgandharvavistarāḥ ।। 383.3 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>विद्या सैवार्थसास्त्राख्या वेदान्ताऽन्या हरिर्महान् । इत्येषा चापरा विद्या परविद्याऽक्षरं ।। ३८३.४ ।। (Agni. Pura. 383.2-4)<ref>Agni Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 383] AgniPurana Mahatmyam)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>vidyā saivārthasāstrākhyā vedāntā'nyā harirmahān । ityeṣā cāparā vidyā paravidyā'kṣaraṁ ।। 383.4 ।। (Agni. Pura. 383.2-4)</blockquote>According to Vachaspatya, '''Nandi Purana''' gives the 14 vidyasthanas as follows<blockquote>वेदादिषु चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु। ताश्च विद्याश्चतुर्दश प्रोक्ताः क्रमेण तु यथास्थिति। षडङ्गमिश्रितावेदा धर्म्मशास्त्रं पुराणकम्। मीमांमातर्कमपि च एता विद्याश्चतुर्दश | नन्दि पु०।<ref name=":22222">Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B9 Chaturdashavidyas])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>vedādiṣu caturdaśasu vidyāsu। tāśca vidyāścaturdaśa proktāḥ krameṇa tu yathāsthiti। ṣaḍaṅgamiśritāvedā dharmmaśāstraṃ purāṇakam। mīmāṃmātarkamapi ca etā vidyāścaturdaśa| nandi pu।</blockquote>Meaning : Fourteen vidyas are given as - vedas with their 6 angas (अङ्ग-s), dharmashastra, purana, mimamsa (मीमांसा) with tarka (तर्कः).
Agni Purana, one of the oldest Puranas, gives the following information about the constituents Para and Apara Vidyas.<blockquote>ऋग्यजुःसामाश्चर्वाख्या विद्या विष्णुर्जगज्जनिः । छन्दः शिक्षा व्याकरणं निधण्टुज्योतिराख्यकाः ।। ३८३.२ ।। r̥gyajuḥsāmāścarvākhyā vidyā viṣṇurjagajjaniḥ । chandaḥ śikṣā vyākaraṇaṁ nidhaṇṭujyotirākhyakāḥ ।। 383.2 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>निरुक्तधर्मशास्त्रादि मीमांसान्यायविस्तराः । आयुर्वेदपुराणाख्या धनुर्गन्धर्वविस्तराः ।। ३८३.३ ।। niruktadharmaśāstrādi mīmāṁsānyāyavistarāḥ । āyurvedapurāṇākhyā dhanurgandharvavistarāḥ ।। 383.3 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>विद्या सैवार्थसास्त्राख्या वेदान्ताऽन्या हरिर्महान् । इत्येषा चापरा विद्या परविद्याऽक्षरं ।। ३८३.४ ।। (Agni. Pura. 383.2-4)<ref>Agni Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 383] AgniPurana Mahatmyam)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>vidyā saivārthasāstrākhyā vedāntā'nyā harirmahān । ityeṣā cāparā vidyā paravidyā'kṣaraṁ ।। 383.4 ।। (Agni. Pura. 383.2-4)</blockquote>According to Vachaspatya, '''Nandi Purana''' gives the 14 vidyasthanas as follows<blockquote>वेदादिषु चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु। ताश्च विद्याश्चतुर्दश प्रोक्ताः क्रमेण तु यथास्थिति। षडङ्गमिश्रितावेदा धर्म्मशास्त्रं पुराणकम्। मीमांमातर्कमपि च एता विद्याश्चतुर्दश | नन्दि पु०।<ref name=":22222">Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B9 Chaturdashavidyas])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>vedādiṣu caturdaśasu vidyāsu। tāśca vidyāścaturdaśa proktāḥ krameṇa tu yathāsthiti। ṣaḍaṅgamiśritāvedā dharmmaśāstraṃ purāṇakam। mīmāṃmātarkamapi ca etā vidyāścaturdaśa| nandi pu।</blockquote>Meaning : Fourteen vidyas are given as - vedas with their 6 angas (अङ्ग-s), dharmashastra, purana, mimamsa (मीमांसा) with tarka (तर्कः). According to '''Vachaspatya''',<blockquote>पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्म्मशास्त्राङ्गमिश्रिताः। वेदाः स्थानानि विद्यानां धर्म्मस्य च चतुर्दश” या० स्मृतौ विद्यास्थानत्वोक्तेस्तासां तथात्वम्।<ref name=":22222" /> (Yagn. Smrt. 1.3)</blockquote><blockquote>purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsādharmmaśāstrāṅgamiśritāḥ। vedāḥ sthānāni vidyānāṃ dharmmasya ca caturdaśa" yā. smṛtau vidyāsthānatvoktestāsāṃ tathātvam। (Yagn. Smri. 1.3)</blockquote>Summary: Purana, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharmashastras combined with vedangas, and vedas form the 14 vidyastanas as given in '''Yagnavalkya Smriti'''.
According to '''Vachaspatya''',<blockquote>पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्म्मशास्त्राङ्गमिश्रिताः। वेदाः स्थानानि विद्यानां धर्म्मस्य च चतुर्दश” या० स्मृतौ विद्यास्थानत्वोक्तेस्तासां तथात्वम्।<ref name=":22222" /> (Yagn. Smrt. 1.3)</blockquote><blockquote>purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsādharmmaśāstrāṅgamiśritāḥ। vedāḥ sthānāni vidyānāṃ dharmmasya ca caturdaśa" yā. smṛtau vidyāsthānatvoktestāsāṃ tathātvam। (Yagn. Smri. 1.3)</blockquote>Summary: Purana, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharmashastras combined with vedangas, and vedas form the 14 vidyastanas as given in '''Yagnavalkya Smriti'''.
Puranas such as '''Vayu Purana (1.69.78)'''<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%A7 Purvardha Adhyaya 61])</ref> '''Vishnudharmottara Purana (1.74.32)'''<ref>Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/_%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD%E0%A5%AA Khanda 1, Adhyaya 74])</ref> refer to these abodes of knowledge as 14 vidyas as does the '''Mahabharata (Shanti Parva 12.122.31 and Asvamedhika Parva 14.116.15)''' given in the famous sloka below<blockquote>अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः । पुराणं धमर्शास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुदर्श ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ । purāṇaṃ dhamarśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścatudarśa ॥</blockquote>
Puranas such as '''Vayu Purana (1.69.78)'''<ref name=":4">Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%A7 Purvardha Adhyaya 61])</ref> '''Vishnudharmottara Purana (1.74.32)'''<ref name=":5">Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/_%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD%E0%A5%AA Khanda 1, Adhyaya 74])</ref> refer to these abodes of knowledge as 14 vidyas as does the '''Mahabharata (Shanti Parva 12.122.31 and Asvamedhika Parva 14.116.15)''' given in the famous sloka below<blockquote>अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः । पुराणं धमर्शास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुदर्श ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ । purāṇaṃ dhamarśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścatudarśa ॥</blockquote>
===अष्टादशविद्याः ॥ Ashtadasha Vidyas===
===अष्टादशविद्याः ॥ Ashtadasha Vidyas===
However, '''Vishnupurana'''<ref name=":12">Vishnupurana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Amsha 3 Adhyaya 6])</ref> enumerates the existence of 18 vidyasthanas by adding [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)]], [[Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेदः)]], [[Gandharvaveda (गान्धर्ववेदः)]] and [[Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्रम्)]] (four Upavedas) to the previously explained 14 vidyasthanas as given in the following shlokas.<blockquote>अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः। पुराणं धर्मशास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुर्दश ॥ २८ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)</blockquote><blockquote>aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ। purāṇaṃ dharmaśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścaturdaśa ॥ 28 ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)</blockquote><blockquote>आयुर्वेदो धनुर्वेदो गान्धर्वश्चेत्यनुक्रमात् । अर्थशास्त्रं परं तस्मात् विद्या ह्यष्टादश स्मृताः ।। २९ ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)</blockquote><blockquote>āyurvedo dhanurvedo gāndharvaścetyanukramāt । arthaśāstraṃ paraṃ tasmāt vidyā hyaṣṭādaśa smṛtāḥ ।। 29 ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)</blockquote>'''Bhavishya Purana (Brahma Parva 1.2.6)'''<ref>Bhavishya Purana (Brahma Parva 1 [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2])</ref> also describes the 14 Vidyas and 18 vidyas as given above.
However, '''Vishnupurana'''<ref name=":12">Vishnupurana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Amsha 3 Adhyaya 6])</ref> enumerates the existence of 18 vidyasthanas by adding [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)]], [[Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेदः)]], [[Gandharvaveda (गान्धर्ववेदः)]] and [[Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्रम्)]] (four Upavedas) to the previously explained 14 vidyasthanas as given in the following shlokas.<blockquote>अङ्गानि वेदाश्चत्वारो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः। पुराणं धर्मशास्त्रं च विद्या ह्येताश्चतुर्दश ॥ २८ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)</blockquote><blockquote>aṅgāni vedāścatvāro mīmāṃsā nyāyavistaraḥ। purāṇaṃ dharmaśāstraṃ ca vidyā hyetāścaturdaśa ॥ 28 ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.6.28)</blockquote><blockquote>आयुर्वेदो धनुर्वेदो गान्धर्वश्चेत्यनुक्रमात् । अर्थशास्त्रं परं तस्मात् विद्या ह्यष्टादश स्मृताः ।। २९ ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)</blockquote><blockquote>āyurvedo dhanurvedo gāndharvaścetyanukramāt । arthaśāstraṃ paraṃ tasmāt vidyā hyaṣṭādaśa smṛtāḥ ।। 29 ।। (Vish. Pura. 3.6.29)</blockquote>'''Bhavishya Purana (Brahma Parva 1.2.6)'''<ref>Bhavishya Purana (Brahma Parva 1 [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2])</ref> also describes the 14 Vidyas and 18 vidyas as given above.