jnana

English

Alternative forms

• gnana, gyan, jñāna

Etymology

From Sanskrit ज्ञान (jñāna, “knowledge”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dʒəˈnɑː.nə/

Noun

jnana (countable and uncountable, plural jnanas)

1. (Hinduism) The knowledge, acquired through meditation, that one's self (atman) is identical with Ultimate Reality (Brahman).
   • 1969, Swami Rāmānandasarasvatī, The Hindu Ideal, Sri Ramananda Centenary Memorial Committee, page 291,

     The dualists, Sri Vaishnavas in particular, seem to entertain a strong opinion that Bhakti alone is the cause of Moksha, and that Jnana is but a step towards Bhakti.

   • 1986, The Vedanta Kesari, Ramakrishna Math, page 316,

     The knower of Atman realizes Him by Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge).

   • 2004, M. G. Chitkara, Vedic Religious Tradition, APH Publishing Corporation, page 375,

     Jnana is a direct knowing of things as they really are.

2. (Buddhism) Pure awareness that is free of conceptual encumbrances.

Derived terms

• jnana marga
• jnana yoga

Anagrams

• anjan, nanja, Janna