It is attained by intuition or by acquisition of knowledge. Understanding an entity or concept entails the consideration of its description, ownership, cause, place, duration and classification. It also entails knowing its existence, number, extent, area, time, distinguishing features, quality and comparison. Sensory cognition includes recollection, recognition, induction and deduction. It is acquired by the help of the senses and the mind.
Scriptural knowledge is preceded by sensory cognition.
The subject of extraordinary knowledge is matter, including embodied soul. The subtlest forms of matter forms the subject of mental knowledge. All the entities of the universe, including their modifications, form the subject of absolute knowledge. Sensory cognition, literal knowledge and extraordinary knowledge can be wrong knowledge. The distinguishing characteristic of the soul is consciousness.