Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.745

c4.745

APARĀVIDYĀ. Knowledge is of two categories or types. Viz.
1) Parāvidyā. That science or knowledge, which helps us to know or realise Him (Brahma) who is without either beginning or end, who could neither be seen with the eyes nor perceived by any of the senses.
(2) Aparāvidyā. This includes knowledge of the four Vedas Ṛg, Yajus, Sāma and Atharva, the six Vedāṅgas (sub-divisions of the Vedas) Śikṣā, Kalpa, Nirukta, Chandas, Vyākaraṇa, Apidhāna, Mīmāṃsā, Dharmaśāstra and the purāṇas, as also, Nyāya Śāstra (Logic), Vaidya Śāstra (medicine) Gandharva Śāstra, Dhanurveda and Artha Śāstra (economics).