Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga
द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये चेत्याह चाथर्वणी श्रुतिः । परमा त्वक्षरप्राप्तिर्ऋग्वेदादिमया परा ॥ ९ ॥
dve vidye veditavye cetyāha cātharvaṇī śrutiḥ | paramā tvakṣaraprāptirṛgvedādimayā parā || 9 ||
The Atharvaṇa śruti proclaims that two kinds of knowledge are to be known. The supreme is that by which the Imperishable (Akṣara) is attained; the other is the knowledge of the Ṛgveda and the rest of the Vedic corpus.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a moksha-dharma context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It distinguishes scriptural learning (the Vedas and allied study) from the liberating knowledge that leads to realization of the Imperishable (Akṣara), emphasizing mokṣa as the highest aim.
By placing “attainment of Akṣara” above mere textual mastery, it supports the Purāṇic view that inner realization—often fulfilled through steady devotion and contemplation—surpasses scholarship alone.
It points to the domain of apara-vidyā—Vedic study such as recitation, ritual knowledge, and the technical disciplines (Vedāṅgas like Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa)—as valuable but secondary to para-vidyā that grants liberation.