Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
द्वे विद्ये भगवान् विष्णुः परा चैवापरा च ह ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाख्या वेदाङ्गानि च षड् द्विज
dve vidye bhagavān viṣṇuḥ parā caivāparā ca ha ṛgyajuḥsāmātharvākhyā vedāṅgāni ca ṣaḍ dvija
Le Bienheureux Seigneur Viṣṇu est (connu) par deux sortes de connaissance : la supérieure (parā) et l’inférieure (aparā). L’inférieure comprend les Veda nommés Ṛg, Yajus, Sāman et Atharvan, ainsi que les six Vedāṅga, ô dvija (deux-fois-né).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s opening instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Provides a curriculum map: distinguishes parā/aparā vidyā and lists Vedas and Vedāṅgas; useful for designing traditional study sequences and clarifying the role of śāstra in liberation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Parā and Aparā Vidyā; Four Vedas and Six Vedāṅgas","lookup_keywords":["parā vidyā","aparā vidyā","ṛg-yajus-sāma-atharva","vedāṅga","ṣaḍ-vedāṅga"],"quick_summary":"Classifies knowledge into higher (liberating) and lower (scriptural/auxiliary disciplines), enumerating the four Vedas and the six Vedāṅgas as the core of aparā learning."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration) / Parisaṅkhyā (classification)
Concept: Aparā vidyā comprises Veda and its auxiliaries; parā vidyā is the higher realization-oriented knowledge—both are situated under the Lord’s sovereignty.
Application: Pursue disciplined śāstric study (Veda + Vedāṅga) as preparation and support for parā vidyā (direct insight), rather than as an end in itself.
Khanda Section: Vidya-Varga (Vedic Learning and Classification of Knowledge)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher points to a two-tier chart: Parā Vidyā above, Aparā Vidyā below; beneath are four Veda scrolls labeled Ṛg/Yajus/Sāma/Atharva and six Vedāṅga emblems (phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology, meter, astronomy).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciple, stylized palm-leaf manuscripts labeled with Veda names, six symbolic icons for Vedāṅgas arranged in a mandala, warm earthy tones, temple-school ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate educational tableau with gold-leaf borders, stacked manuscripts for four Vedas, six medallions for Vedāṅgas, Viṣṇu blessing above, rich gold and jewel colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean didactic chart-like composition, fine linework, labeled manuscripts and icons, calm classroom/āśrama setting, subtle shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly assembly with manuscripts and writing tools, a diagram showing two levels of knowledge, detailed textiles and borders, naturalistic interior of a study hall"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैवापरा = च + एव + अपरा; ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाख्याः = ऋक् + यजुः + साम + अथर्व + आख्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: later sections on vyākaraṇa/chandas/nirukta-like topics (where present); Agni Purāṇa: philosophical/mokṣa portions that correspond to parā vidyā framing
FAQs
It teaches the twofold classification of knowledge—parā (higher, liberating realization) and aparā (scriptural-ritual learning), explicitly listing the four Vedas and the six Vedāṅgas that support correct recitation, interpretation, and ritual performance.
By mapping a curriculum of sacred learning (Vedas plus Vedāṅgas) and distinguishing it from transcendental realization, it frames the Purāṇa as a compendium that can range from technical disciplines (grammar, meter, ritual procedure, astronomy) to ultimate spiritual knowledge.
It implies that disciplined study of aparā vidyā (Vedas and auxiliaries) purifies conduct and ritual correctness, while parā vidyā directs the seeker toward liberation—placing ritual merit and spiritual freedom in a graded relationship.