Philosophies of India

SR No.: 007309
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Heinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell
Publisher: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 709
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 34 MB

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BRAHMANISM
48
The Two kinds of Knowledge "Two kinds of knowledge (vidyā) are to be known: that of the Brahman-of-sounds (sabda-brahman) and that of the Highest Brahman (param-brahman).” The Brahman-of-sounds is the aggregate of all the hymns, formulae, charms, incantations, prayers, and exegetical commentaries that constitute the Vedic revelation. This Brahman cannot be the Highest, however, because it is cndowed with name and form; names to assist the mind, and the sound-forms of speech, song, melody, and prose (nāman and rūpa). “But anyone laved (nişnāta) in Sabda-Brahman goes on to the Highest Brahman. Ilaving studied the books (grantha) assiduously (ab hyāsa: this is the term for constant endeavor in yogic practice), the wise, intent on knowledge solely, and on the plenitude-of-knowledge (vijñāna), should discard books completely-just as a person trying to get at rice throws the husks away."
The inferior, preliminary wisdom is like a raft-to be forsaken once it has transported its voyager to his destination. Sacrificial lore and the ethical rituals of life have to be left behind at the brink of the higher realization."
“This is to be attained only by truthfulness (satya) and asceti48 Amytabindu Upanişad 17-18.
Vijñana ("thc plenitude-of-knowledge"): the vi- here refers to Infinity, which is all-comprehensive and Icaves no margin wherein any unincluded, sccond entity might cxist. Vijñana is therefore nondual (advaita) knowledge (jñāna), and as such synonymous with the state known to Vedānta as Turiya, the "Fourth." This is beyond the three planes of waking consciousness, dream consciousness, and deep sleep (cf. infra, pp. 372-378). Such would seem to be the mcaning of the term vijñāna in the Bhagavad Gitā also.
44 Throughout the later periods of the Hindu tradition the term "lower wisdom" (aparavidyā) has been regarded as referring to wisdom committed to writing: book lore is to be finally discarded. The injunction resembles that of the European alchemists, "rumpiti libros ne corda vestra rumbantur," but lacks the touch of polemic criticism.
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