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Yoga of Wisdom
Jnana Yoga
by Sri Swami Chidananda
of The Divine Life Society
If the intellect is predominant in a seeker, the path of knowledge or Jnana Yoga is resorted to by him. According to the theory of Vedanta, the individual soul, called the Jiva, gets circumscribed in an individual consciousness, the prime cause where of is Ajnana or Mul Avidya or root ignorance. And the very first form, this root-ignorance takes, is the feeling of duality in the supreme consciousness, which is characterised by absolute unity. There comes the feeling, due to ignorance, that I am separate and the world is separate. This duality comes and this starts due to what is known as Adhyas—identification, and it is understood that it is wrong Adhyas, wrong identification. The consciousness instead of identifying itself with the cosmic and infinite identifies itself with the limited body. This is the first manifestation of Avidya. I am this body, I am this mind, I am this feeling, I am this thought—a series of identifications, rooted in the first primal error, that I am a separate thing. The first dual notion sets in its train a whole set of wrong Adhyas, and then due to this you get what you know as Adhyaropa Apvada—the error of super impositions. You superimpose upon pure consciousness various forms and various characteristics which are not there, as its essential nature, and therefore the whole phenomena of Jagat springs up. First there is Ajnana. Then rises duality. Then wrong identification with the body, mind etc. And all this ignorance is attributed to a veil, which hides the Reality. This veil is called Maya, in relation to the cosmic Being, Ishwara, and it is called Avarna in relation to the Jiva or individual soul when this veil is removed, it reveals the identity of Jiva with the Supreme Soul. To remove this veil, therefore, is the purpose of Jnana Yoga.
To achieve this aim, what is most essential is the acquiring of the necessary qualifications the Sadhan Chatushtaya—the four fold means—1. Discrimination, 2. Dispassion, 3. the six fold virtues such as—i. control of mind, ii. control of senses, iii. Endurance, iv. abstaining from sense-enjoyments, v. faith in scriptures and words of Guru, vi. and one-pointedness, and lastly 4. A keen intense longing for liberation.
Equipped with these qualifications, one has to approach a Guru, and hear from his lips the nature of the Reality. This hearing is called Shravana. Then one should reflect over what one has heard. This reflection is termed as Manan. Therefore one should ceaselessly contemplate on that and act accordingly there on. This is named as Nididhyasana.
Thus, while living in this human body, a Jnani is simultaneously experiencing the bliss of cosmic consciousness—the Bliss of Brahmic experience. A Jnani moves about on this earth, elevating everyone through his mere glance, through his mere gesture, through his mere word. His life is a sweet flower, wafting the fragrance of Viswa-Prem and self-less service. Such a life, also will transfer all those, who come in contact with him.
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