By Swami Chidananda
More work, more exertion or more doing cannot get you liberation!
The Upanishadic wisdom is very clear on the distinct benefits of action (karma) and wisdom (vidyā). If it is about getting something, which we do not have at present, action is the means. There are countless things we may want to get but all of them are finite – in space and time – and are therefore ‘lower’ (apara). If it is about gaining liberation, which is realizing Brahman that we already are, wisdom is the means. This Reality is ‘higher’ (para).
Ādi Shankara comments on an Upanishad mantra –
The ‘lower’ has to be procured; the ‘higher’ has to be (just) known.
॥ aparam chet, prāptavyam; param ched, jnātavyam ॥
Bhāshya on Katha Upanishad – 1.2.16
(Chapter 1, Valli 2, Mantra 16)