Of these, the lower comprises: the Ṛg-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sāma-Veda, Atharva-Veda, phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology, metrics and astronomy. And the higher is that by which the Imperishable is attained.

This verse specifies the content of both types of knowledge. What is surprising: the four Vedas and the six auxiliary sciences (vedāṅgas) are classified as lower knowledge.

Aparā vidyā includes:

• The four Vedas: Ṛg (hymns), Yajur (ritual formulas), Sāma (melodies), Atharva (mantras)
• Śikṣā — phonetics, correct pronunciation
• Kalpa — ritual, ceremonial procedures
• Vyākaraṇa — grammar (like Pāṇini’s)
• Nirukta — etymology, meaning of words
• Chandas — metrics, verse structure
• Jyotiṣa — astronomy/astrology for determining ritual times

All this vast corpus of knowledge, revered as sacred, is aparā — lower. Why? Because it deals with the transitory, the relative, the conditioned. It produces merit (puṇya), improves life, but does not liberate from the cycle of birth and death.

Parā vidyā is defined minimally: yayā tad akṣaram adhigamyate — that by which the Imperishable (akṣara) is attained. Akṣara literally means “that which does not perish”, the immutable. It is another name for Brahman.

The parā vidyā is not information but transformation. It is not about accumulating data about Brahman but directly realizing our identity with It. It comes not from books but from contemplative practice and the teacher’s grace.

This teaching liberates the seeker from the idolatry of conceptual knowledge.