---
type: Reference
title: "Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad"
description: "An Atharvaveda Upaniṣad distinguishing higher (parā) from lower (aparā) knowledge; the two-birds image."
tags:
  - primary-source
  - Upanishad
  - shruti
darshana:
  - Vedānta
timestamp: "2026-06-24"
okf_version: "0.2"
---

# Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad

## What It Is

An Upaniṣad of the Atharvaveda that distinguishes parā vidyā (knowledge of the imperishable) from aparā vidyā (all else), and gives the image of two birds on one tree — the enjoying jīva and the witnessing Self.

## Why It Matters Here

Cited for Mokṣa and the nature of liberating knowledge.
