To him (Śaunaka) he said: Two kinds of knowledge must be known — so say those who know Brahman — the higher and the lower.

This verse introduces the fundamental distinction of the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad between two types of knowledge: parā vidyā (higher knowledge) and aparā vidyā (lower knowledge).

The context: the householder Śaunaka has approached the sage Aṅgiras asking: “What is that by knowing which everything becomes known?” This question reflects the deepest human longing — to find a unifying knowledge that explains all reality.

Dve vidye veditavye — two kinds of knowledge must be known. It does not say “there is only one true knowledge.” Both have their place, but they are radically different in nature.

Parā — higher, supreme, transcendent. It is the direct knowledge of Brahman, non-dual realization.

Aparā — lower, inferior, immanent. It is all relative knowledge, including the Vedas themselves, sciences, arts.

This distinction is revolutionary: the Upaniṣad is saying that even the sacred knowledge of the Vedas is “lower” compared to direct realization. This is not about disparaging study, but recognizing its limits. The Vedas are the finger pointing at the moon, not the moon itself.

The yogī needs both types of knowledge: aparā vidyā to prepare the mind, purify, orient; parā vidyā for final liberation. The error is confusing the map with the territory, the word with the reality it points to.