The Secret Doctrine of Goddess Lalita
(Sri LalitaAṣṭottara Rahasyārthamu)
19. mahāvidyā
She who is the seat of exalted knowledge, the knowledge of the Self.
What is that knowledge that an accomplished Guru provides? It is mahāvidyā. That which provides knowledge of something is vidyā. There are countless types of vidyā-s in the world. Whatever type of vidyā it may be, whether of the world, tantra, mantra, or yoga, they are all dualistic in nature. Every one of them focuses on a specific knowledge that is different from the subject who is seeking the knowledge. They all invariably involve the triad - the knower, the object to be known, and knowledge. Hence, these worldly knowledges only perpetuate differences, and not dissolve the differences in the Absolute truth.
There is only one type of Knowledge that can offer the Absolute truth. It is the knowledge of Advaita. It dismisses the triad as unreal and establishes the Self as real. Whatever is perceived, it is an appearance only. It is the Self, Pure Consciousness itself that appears as everything. Due to ignorance, we perceive names and forms as real. The wise see everything as śiva, Pure Consciousness. Hence ignorance and knowledge are all based on one’s viewpoint. If one were to ask, “where does this ignorance come from?,” that very question would be arising from ignorance. Therefore, there is no point in wasting our effort asking such questions. Instead, we must stand firm in our conviction that Self alone IS. This is the highest knowledge that Advaita teaches.
Since Advaita answers all questions, it is the most exalted Knowledge. Since this exalted knowledge is the very nature of the Goddess, She is called mahāvidyā. She is also known as brahmavidyā (Knowledge of the Supreme Consciousness), tatvavidyā (Knowledge of the essence of who we are), etc. Since this non-dual knowledge is taught by the teacher and received by the disciple, this teacher-disciple tradition is the primary means for attaining Self Knowledge.