Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
न्यायवैद्यकगान्धर्वं धनुर्वेदो ऽर्थशास्त्रकम् अपरेयं परा विद्या यया ब्रह्माभिगम्यते
nyāyavaidyakagāndharvaṃ dhanurvedo 'rthaśāstrakam apareyaṃ parā vidyā yayā brahmābhigamyate
ន្យាយៈ (Nyāya—តក្កវិជ្ជា), វេជ្ជសាស្ត្រ (វេជ្ជក), គន្ធರ್ವៈ—តន្ត្រី (Gāndharva), ធនុર્વេទ (Dhanurveda—វិជ្ជាធ្នូ), និង អರ್ಥសាស្ត្រ (Arthaśāstra—រដ្ឋនីតិ) — ទាំងនេះជាវិជ្ជាទាប (apara)។ តែវិជ្ជាខ្ពស់ (parā) គឺវិជ្ជាដែលធ្វើឲ្យសម្រេចការយល់ដឹងព្រះព្រហ្ម (Brahman)។
Lord Agni (teaching in the Agni Purana’s introductory discourse, traditionally addressed to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Discriminates between instrumental disciplines (apara) and liberating knowledge (parā), guiding priorities: master worldly sciences without mistaking them for Brahma-realization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aparā–Parā Vidyā-viveka","lookup_keywords":["aparā vidyā","parā vidyā","nyāya","vaidya","dhanurveda"],"quick_summary":"Defines ‘lower’ knowledge as logic, medicine, music, martial science, and statecraft; defines ‘higher’ knowledge as that by which Brahman is realized."}
Weapon Type: Bow (implied by dhanurveda)
Concept: Brahmābhigamana: liberation arises from parā-vidyā (Brahman-realizing insight), while apara-vidyās remain worldly supports.
Application: Balance life: employ nyāya/vaidya/gāndharva/dhanurveda/arthaśāstra for dharma and loka-saṅgraha, but allocate dedicated practice to Brahma-jñāna (śravaṇa–manana–nididhyāsana).
Khanda Section: Vidya-Sangraha (Apara–Para Vidya; Encyclopedic Knowledge Overview)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split-panel teaching: on one side scholars practice logic, medicine, music, archery, and governance; on the other a sage meditates on Brahman, symbolized by a radiant formless light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-register composition: lower register shows nyāya debate, physician with herbs, musicians with vīṇā, archer with bow, minister with scroll; upper register shows serene sage before a luminous nirākāra aura; bold outlines, temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Brahman-light (abstract golden aura) above; below, five vignettes with gold highlights: debate hall, vaidya, gāndharva musicians, dhanurdhara, royal council; heavy gold work emphasizing hierarchy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic diagram-like layout with labeled compartments ‘aparā’ and ‘parā’; refined faces, soft colors; clear depiction of each discipline and a meditating sage.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly atelier juxtaposed with ascetic hermitage; fine detailing of instruments and manuscripts; subtle glow around the meditating figure to indicate Brahman-realization."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनुर्वेदो ऽर्थशास्त्रकम् = dhanur-vedaḥ + arthaśāstrakam (visarga before vowel, written ’o ’). अपरेयं interpreted as aparā + iyam (sandhi: ā + i → e). ब्रह्माभिगम्यते = brahma + abhigamyate (a + a → ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 1.16 (śāstra list as apara framework); Agni Purāṇa avatāra sections (parā orientation through bhakti/jñāna themes)
FAQs
It classifies practical disciplines—logic (nyāya), medicine (vaidyaka), music (gāndharva), archery/military science (dhanurveda), and statecraft (arthaśāstra)—as apara (instrumental) knowledge, distinct from the liberating parā vidyā.
By explicitly naming diverse śāstras (law/logic, healing, arts, warfare, and governance), it signals the Agni Purana’s wide scope as a compendium that covers both worldly expertise and spiritual doctrine.
It teaches hierarchy of aims: worldly sciences refine life and society, but liberation culminates in parā vidyā—knowledge that leads to realization of Brahman—thereby orienting action and study toward the highest end.