Mundakopanishad : " Nature of higher and lower knowledge" -Mantram-5.

Mundaka-Upanishad


Chapter-1,


Section-1,


Mantram-5. ( Nature  of  higher  and  lower  knowledge)


Discussion-1. 'classification  of  knowledge'  ....


After  having  scientifically  divided  the  total  knowledge-possibilities  into  two  groups,  the  great  Rishi  is  continuing  here  his  scheme  of  teaching,  by  clearly  describing  the  scope  and  content  of  the  lower  knowledge.

Thus,  we  are  told  that  all  the  four  Veda-s  and  six  Vedanga-s  --  branches  of  knowledge  that  are  complimentary  information  unavoidable  in  all  attempts  at  a  fuller  appreciation  of  the  Veda-s,  all  belong  to  the  category  of  the  'lower knowledge.'



This  must  have  been  a  staggering  revelation  to  the  student  who  was  then  as  much  a  victim  of  his  generation  as  we  are  now  of  our  own  times.

The  great  'Saunaka'  ( disciple's  name)  faithfully  believed  the  'Vedik' declarations  and  lived  an  entire  life  following  strictly  the  ritualistic  part  of  our  immortal  religion.

And  at  the  end  of  his  lifetime,  when  he  reached  the  feet  of  a  Master  seeking  the  'Supreme,'  he  was  told  that  he  had  squandered  away  the  best  part  of  his  life  in  wooing  but  the  ' lower  knowledge.'

Next :  Discussion-2.  Master  and  student .....

To  be  continued  ...