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Jnana yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jna yoga (Devangar: ; the pronunciation can be approximated by "gyaana yoga") or "path of knowledge"[1] is one of the types of yoga mentioned in Hindu philosophies. Jna in Sanskrit means "knowledge".[2]
Contents [hide] 1 Goal of jnana-yoga 2 Fourfold discipline 3 See also 4 References 5 Sources

Goal of jnana-yoga

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As used in the Bhagavad Gita, the Advaita philosopher Adi Shankara gave primary importance to jna yoga as "knowledge of the absolute" (Brahman), while theVishishtadvaita commentator Ramanuja regarded knowledge only as a condition of devotion.[3] In the Bhagavad Gita (13.3) Krishnasays that jna consists of properly understanding k shetra (the field of activitythat is, the body) and k shetra-jna (the knower of the bodythat is, the soul). Later in the Gita (13.35) Krishna emphasizes that a transcendentalist must understand the difference between these two.[4] Sri Ganapatrao Maharaj Kannur emphasizes the significance of knowing self so as to know the supreme and that it is essential to vanquish the ego and the identification with the body.

Fourfold discipline

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Classical Advaita Vedanta uses the "fourfold discipline" (sdhana-catustaya)[5] to train students and attain moksha. It consists of four stages:[6][7] Samanyasa, cultivating oneself the following qualities:[6][8] Viveka, the capacity to discern between the real and the unreal. This was an important concept in texts older even than the Bhagavad Gita, and often invoked the image of a Swan, which was said to be able to separate milk (or Soma) from water, whilst drinking.[citation needed] Vairagya, dispassion, detachment, indifference to pleasure and pain under all circumstances; Shad-sampat, the six virtues: Sama, tranquility or control of mind, calmness; Dama, control of the senses; Uparati, renunciation of worldy activities; Titiksha, endurance of changing and opposite circumstances; Shradda, faith in the guru, the atman and the scriptures; Samadhana, concentration of the mind. Mumukshutva, intense longing for liberation. Sravana, listening to the teachings of the sages on the Upanishads and Advaita Vedanta, and studying the Vedas and Vedantic texts, such as the Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita,Ramayana and Mahabharata. In this stage the student learns about the reality ofBrahman and its relationship with atman; Manana, the stage of reflection on the teachings; Dhyana, the stage of meditation on the truth "that art Thou".

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jnana_yoga

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