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Brahmavidya
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<p><i>Brahmavidya</i> is a branch of <a href="/facts/Hinduism/oxV9YvQh">Hindu</a> scriptural knowledge derived primarily through a study of the <i><a href="/facts/Upanishads/hr64Hhdn">Upanishads</a></i>, the <a href="/facts/Brahma_Sutras/wguGEMjT"><i>Brahma Sūtras</i></a>, and the <i><a href="/facts/Bhagavad_Gita/hMnHVqcD">Bhagavad Gita</a></i>. </p><p>In the <i><a href="/facts/Puranas/AQ7FeRsA">Puranas</a></i>, this is divided into two branches, the first one dealing with the <a href="/facts/Vedas/yQgc8B2x">Vedic</a> mantras and is called <a href="/facts/Para_Vidya/rlyhCArN">para-vidya</a> or 'former knowledge', and the latter dealing with the study of the Upanishads and is called the <i>apara-vidya</i> or 'latter knowledge'. Both <i>para-</i> and <i>apara-vidya</i> constitute <i>brahma-vidya</i>. The <i><a href="/facts/Mundaka_Upanishad/ToQT8upr">Mundaka Upanishad</a></i> says that "<i>Brahma</i>-<i>vidya sarva</i>-<i>vidya pratistha</i>", which means "The Knowledge of Brahman is the foundation of all knowledge." </p>