Intuitive Knowledge in Mathnawi Manawi and Ancient Upanishads

Summary

The study analyzes two mystical texts, Mathnawi and the Upanishads, focusing on their teachings about knowledge levels and the significance of intuitive knowledge. Both texts emphasize the journey from sensory and intellectual knowledge to intuitive understanding, which is essential for discovering one's true self. The Mathnawi outlines these levels leading to transcendental consciousness, while the Upanishads discuss them as Pravidia and Apravidia, aiming for the realization of the true Atman.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Knowledge, understanding, and attention to its levels, as well as recognition of the obstacles of each level are part of the fundamental principles in the mystical system presented in Mathnawi Manawi and the ancient Upanishads. The emphasis in these two mystical systems is prominent in achieving transcendental and intuitive knowledge in order to show more depth of truth to its followers. Therefore, the important question in these two mystical systems is the introduction and necessity of this intuitive knowledge and how to reach it. In this descriptive-analytical research, two important mystical texts, i.e. Mathnawi in ​​Iranian Islamic mysticism and ancient Upanishads in Indian mysticism, have been studied to answer the above questions. Mathnawi includes the levels of knowledge, from sensory knowledge to intellectual knowledge and finally to intuitive knowledge, which provides the basis for the discovery of the true self, and this intuitive knowledge is the transcendental consciousness. However, in the ancient Upanishads, which are the most important texts of Indian mysticism, these levels of knowledge and understanding are mentioned under the title of Pravidia and Apravidia, and the ultimate goal of this knowledge is to reach the same intuitive knowledge and discover the true Atman.

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