JNANA YOGA : the path of wisdom...

   The word JNANA derived from the Sanskrit root Jna ( to know), means knowledge; and the ideal which it holds up before its followers is the realisation of that absolute truth, and which is the one common source of all subjective and objective phenomena in the universe. Basically it teaches the complete oneness and nothing else i.e there is only one life,one being,one reality and there is no distinction and differentiation between the individual and the absolute reality.

  What  the Advaita Vedanta philosophy said  there is no dwita ( dualism) in the universe and the entire Jnana Yoga based upon the monistic principles of the Advaita ( non dualistic) system of Vedanta. The main purpose is to show and experience that the subject and object are but the two expressions of one Absolute Being i.e the God and man ,the Creator and the creation are same . A complete Jnana Yogi knows that true knowledge and that is the difference between a common man and a Jnana Yogi.

   According to Jnana Yoga, matter, mind, intellect, sense power,names and forms all are the apparent manifestations of that one substance which is called in Sanskrit BRAHMAN. The phenomena of the universe are like the waves in the ocean of Brahman. As waves rise in the sea, and after playing for a while,once merge into it , similarly all the individuals takes birth in this nature and finally merges with the Brahman . Brahman is described in Vedanta as , "That of which all animate and inanimate objects are born , by which they live, and into which they return after dissolution . It should be known and realised by all ". 

  The chief object of Jnana Yoga is to unify God and the individual soul and to show the absolute oneness that exists between them on the highest spiritual plane. The individual ego, being the reflection of that Divinity is known as Atman in Sanskrit. The universal truth , is described in Jnana Yoga as the only means of attaining to complete liberation from the bondage of selfishness and free from all attachments ( maya) and senses which are the root causes of worldliness, unhappiness, and misery. So the light of the knowledge of the Brahman is the only source of light to prevent the darkness of every individuals. 

   Jnana yoga would waken us from this sleep of ignorance,by showing us that Atman is immortal, unchangeable, all knowing, and free by its own nature from eternity to eternity; that from Avidya ( ignorance) to Vidya (wisdom) and it further reminds us that whatever we think or perform mentally or physically is like a dream in the sleep of self delusion caused by the power of Avidya and that these dreams of the sleep of ignorance can be removed neither by work nor by devotion,nor by meditation, but by the light and power of Vidya . 

  # HOW TO BE A JNANA YOGI------

     The knowledge cannot be obtained as the result of any virtuous act or prayer, but comes to the soul when the intellect and heart have been purified by unselfish and righteous works, when the heart 💖 is being open to receive the knowledge without any doubt ,ego etc . Ynana yoga teaches that right discrimination and proper analysis are indispensable to the acquisition of knowledge of true self . It also declares that knowledge of the self will bring to the soul the realisation of Absolute Truth more quickly than the practice of Raja,Karma,or Bhakti yoga.

  It is for those who wish to be free from all fetters and attachments , and who care nothing for earthly prosperity,success ,social honour,fame ,or the fulfillment of personal ambitions, but whose sole desire is to know who they are in reality, what is their true nature, and what relation exists between their soul, God ,and the universe .

  A traveller in the path of this yoga should be philosophical in tendency and should have sharp intellect to analyse the true nature of things.

   " Using the sword of right discrimination between the self and the non self , he should sever all ties ,and should never allow himself to be overpowered by any external or internal influence".---Swami Abhedananda.

  One must be self aware by attending the Satsang and by discussion with the other Sadhus whose have knowledge in this field. One must read Srimad Bhagavat Gita to know the truth behind all the yogas which we discussed previously . ( Gita is all about practical knowledge not a theoritical way) . One must discards his all ego and  selfishness .

  A sincere seeker after Truth should hear over and over again that the Atman or true Self is one with Brahman or the Eternal Truth ; and should repeat such phrases as " I am Brahman". Jagatguru Shankaracharya said in one of his Mahavakhya that ," Tat Twam Asi "i.e That Thou art  that means we all individuals are the part of that  supreme being. 

 Finally , A JNANA Yogi never forgets that his true self is Brahman . Having attained to this supreme Godconsciousness ,he lives in the world like an eternal witness of all mental and physical changes. A perfect Jnana Yogi, indeed ,lives as the embodiment of the Absolute Divinity on this earth.

(  By this we reach the end of the Yoga series .)

       Be a Yogi....

Thanks for reading ...

 Keep reading keep going......

Jay mahakal....