What is knowledge?

"Nothing is as pure as knowledge in this world. Knowledge is higher than all rituals. All activities find fulfilment only in knowledge." - Bhagwad Gita..

One of the most famous questions of the Upanishads is: "What is that, knowing which, everything else is known?" (Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.3). The technical term for the study of knowledge, its characteristics and its limitations is "epistemology". In ancient India, nyaya - one of the six classical schools of philosophy - dealt primarily with epistemology (and so did many of the Upanishads).

The harmonious existence of different systems of knowledge was the framework of the three epistemologies given in the Upanishads. Knowledge is said to be at three levels or three realms. The first is called adhibhuta - the knowledge that belongs to the material world, or what we call "facts". A large part of modern science and factual based knowledge will come under this heading.

The second is called adhidaiva - the knowledge that belongs to the non-material sphere, such as emotions, ideas, and beliefs, or what we call "values". The emotional response to a work of art or an abstract idea conceived by the mind - all these are parts of adhidaiva.

The third realm is called adhyatma - the knowledge that belongs to the self, such as personal experiences and insights. Inner awareness and consciousness come under this heading.

This framework can be extended not just to our reading but also to various activities we undertake in our daily lives. Some activities are merely at the level of adhibhuta, like taking care of the body or managing finances. Activities like prayer or engagement with an art form will be at the level of adhidaiva. And those activities that involve contemplation and meditation are at the level of adhyatma.

While adhibhuta works in the realm of matter (and is realised by experimentation and logic), adhidaiva works in the realm of human psyche (and is realised by faith and imagination), and adhyatma works in the realm of the self (and is realised by experience and wisdom). All these three realms are essential for living a complete human life. And each realm gives us a fresh layer of meaning.

The philosophy of Hinduism in ancient times with the existence of these three epistemologies, rarely saw clashes between religion and science, art and science, religion and morals, art and ethics. They realised that truths can be at different levels, applicable to different realms.