The Path of Knowledge---Jnana Yoga according to Bhagavad

Gita

The aim of this article is to introduce the concepts of Jnana Yoga or the path
of knowledge/wisdom in the light of the Bhagavad Gita…I will introduce
only a few verses from the Gita to emphasize the approach to Jnana marga…
at the same time, we will see practical methods for Jnana Yoga….The Gita is
eminently a practice manual too.!

Introduction

The Hindu approach to spiritual evolution leading to liberation or moksha

or Self-realization is one of the four major paths or yogas:
--the path of knowledge or Jnana yoga,
-- the path of mind control or Raja Yoga ,
--the path of devotion of Bhakti yoga and
--the path of action/work or Karma yoga.

This is the common mode of classification, mostly derived from Swami

Vivekanada’s lectures. Other yogas are minor variations of these four .

Of these, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga have been given less importance
in former times. The path of Knowledge, with focus on Hindu philosophy,
has been in the forefront since the Vedic times…Some advaitins [non-
dualists] would maintain that Karma yoga and Bhakti Yoga are preparatory
steps or stepping stones [to purify the mind, chitta shuddi] and final
liberation is possible only due to acquisition of Jnana or by Jnana Yoga as
the final entry gate….[This was the stand taken by Shri Adi Sankara in
Vivekachudamani too.]
The Jnana yoga is intellectually satisfying with abstract reasoning and can
be devoid of rituals and formal worship of idols and symbols ;it is non-
sectarian and asserts that the indwelling Soul or Atman and Self is the same
in all.All these appeal to those who have a dislike for formal worship with
rituals.[Yet devotion to Guru is essential in the Hindu context.]

Be that as it may, there are many saints and sages who would maintain that
Bhakti yoga alone or Karma plus Bhakti is enough for final emancipation! I
do not wish to dwell on this here because I have discussed this in greater

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detail in one of my books. [Refer: the Essence of the Bhagavad Gita…
Pustak Mahal, New Delhi]

The significance of Jnana Marga

Among the four paths or yogas, Jnana marga is considered as the ‘direct’ path . If you
consider the spiritual effort as that of climbing a mountain and reaching the summit,
Jnana is like rock climbing without detours and winding roads.

Bhakti yoga can be likened to a sloping ,winding road leading to the summit and Raja
yoga is like taking steep steps over rough stones. Thus Raja yoga is more difficult than
Bhakti and Jnana is the most difficult of all.

Jnana yoga is admittedly difficult and certainly is meant for ‘dhiras’ –accomplished
intellectuals with tremendous power of concentration for deep meditations on the abstract
Self or Atman or Brahman. It is like rock climbing , with lot of training from expert
mountain climbers and those with good physique…not for weaklings!...snd thode with
ascetic bent of mind..

Therefore over the ages, there have been very few real jnanis .We are thrilled by the
lives of great Jnanis or sages like Bhagawan Ramana or Sadashiva Brahmendra,
Thayumanavar or Nisargadatta….again how many disciples they had who reached those
heights?..may be a few again.

[Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi stated that Jnana and the path of Self-enquiry or atma-
vichara are really easy to encourage novices; , but among those who tread this path,
many have fallen on the wayside many times. When you climb a rock face, a single
mistake will result in crash to the bottom.!

I am not counting here excellent philosophers who may expound on the philosophy or
nonduality [Advaita] and give lectures/satsanghs, but only those who have had deep
experience of the Self; or reached Samadhi states.
It is safe to say that the path of Knowledge or Jnana is pretty difficult for this
materialistic age, when ascetic methods are not even understood or appreciated, in the
highly commercial atmosphere we live in.

What Jnana Yoga entails?

Swami Vivekananda had beautifully explained this path in his lectures, compiled into
the book--- ‘Jnana Yoga’ , published by Advaita Ashrama/RK mission/Vedanta societies..
I do not wish to elaborate on these, but point out a few things.

Jnana path entails two things: Viveka or discrimination and Vairagya or dispassion.

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Viveka means distinguishing between unreal things [the phenomenal world, world of
change ] and the Real, that is permanent [Self/Atman/Brahman].To get Viveka one may
require intellectual analysis, cogitation, reflection and discussion….Satsangha would help
,but would not be always sufficient.

Vairagya or dispassion is to difficult to achieve…this is nonattachment to things of this

world…little by little at first—the practice of sacrifice and renunciation….monkhood
with severing of ties, with family ,society ,abandoning one’s property and possessions…
Bhagwan Buddha [Sakyamuni], St Francis and Bhagwan Ramana are rare examples….
Many jnanis may attain this stage in slow degrees too…
It is alright to talk of being in the world ,not of the world’ in a rhetorical sense, but not
easy to practice…many so called Jnanis that I have come across still maintain contact
with their kith and kin and friends , maintain personal bank accounts, own property---
thereby making a mockery of real renunciation or sannyas in Indian /Hindu framework.
There are instances of great Jnanis making the break suddenly---- in a moment of intense
vairagya or renunciation;they serve as beacon-lights for others and exemplify this path.

Let me add that in the Hindu context, only those who exhibit intense Vairagya would be
respected in the Hindu society and acknowledged as real Jnanis, not those who profess
enlightened state or give wonderful lectures or self-styled gurus.

A Jnani ,by definition ,has attained a state of equanimity or samatva;he looks upon
pain and pleasure, friends and foes, glory and ignominy ,heat and cold, in the same
light, without any feeling whatsoever. In other words, he does not exhibit attachment
[ragha] or aversion [dvesha] against any one or any particular thing.

The message of the Bhagavad Gita.

Now let us turn to a few verses from the Gita.

The verses are most beautifully told in chapters 2,3,4,& 5.

1 That calm man who is the same in pain and pleasure ,whom these cannot disturb, alone
is able to attain to immortality---O Arjuna. [2-15]

2 The Unreal never is. The real never is not.Men possessed of the knowledge of the Truth
fully know both of these. [2-16]

This verse is the distilled essence of non-duality or advaita.

3 That by which all this is pervaded---that know for certain to be indestructible. None has
the power to destroy this Immutable.[Self/Atman] [2-17]

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4 Being steadfast in Yoga, perform actions , abandoning attachment, remaining
unconcerned as regards success and failure. This even-minded is known as Yoga..[2-48]

5 Endued with this evenness of mind, one frees oneself in this life, alike from vice and
virtue; devote thyself, to this yoga….Yoga is the very dexterity of work. (skill in action)
[2-50]

6 Attachment [ragha] and aversion [dvesha] of the senses for their respective objects [of
the senses] are natural; let none come under the sway; they are his foes. [3-34]

7 As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror by dust, as an embryo by the womb, so is It

covered by that [desires]. [3-38]

8 That man who lives devoid of longing, abandoning all desires, without the sense of “I”
and “Mine” , he attains to peace. [2-71]

Mahatma Gandhi attached great importance to chapter 2 and chapter 3 of the Gita and
also the latter portion of Ch 2 –verses 58-72 on the man of steady wisdom.

9 Whose actions are all devoid of plan [sankalpa] and desire for results, and whose
actions are burnt by the fire of knowledge, him, the sages call wise. [4-19]

10 Verily there exists nothing in this world as purifying like knowledge. In good time,
having reached perfection in yoga, one realizes that [knowledge]oneself in one’s own
heart.. [4-38]

11 The place which is reached by the Jnanis is also reached by the karma yogis .He who
understands knowledge and performance of actions as the same alone sees.(understands).
[5-5]
12 To those whose ignorance is destroyed by the knowledge of the Self—that knowledge
of theirs, like the Sun, reveals the Supreme. [5-16]

13 Those who have their intellect absorbed in That, whose self is That, whose
steadfastness is That, whose consummation is That, their impurities [sins] cleansed by
knowledge, they go whence to non-return. [Moksha] [5-17]

14 With the heart unattached to external objects, he realizes the joy that is in the Self.
With the heart devoted to the meditation of Brahman, he attains unending happiness.[5-
21]
A careful study of these verses will clarify many things relating to Jnana Yoga.

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General comments

If Jnana Yoga is difficult to practice, why do we discuss that so much?

For some gifted souls, this path may be very easy---due to merits from previous births…
further, while Bhakti yoga and Karma Yoga are more suited to lay persons in this modern
age, there are times, moments when a Bhakta or karma yogi may be introspect and get
absorbed in the thought and meditation on Self or engage himself in Atma Vichara….He
may get a flash or glimpse of Reality and turn to this path of Jnana….

In Shirdi Sai Smaran,

Srinivasan N K

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