Jñāna Yoga
The yoga or discipline based on knowledge (jñ€na, from the Sanskrit root jñ€ which is cognate with the English word “know”). It is said to be especially suitable for those of an intellectual, analytical, or metaphysical bent of mind, as opposed to a devotional or social action bent (bhakti and karma yoga respectively). One classic source is the Yoga S™tras of Patañjali, although that is also classified as r€ja (“kingly”) yoga. Another classic source is ®a‰kara’s Vivekac™€maŠ…. The Pratyabhijñ€hdayam of Kashmiri ®aivism is another [see Indian Philosophy]. The last six chapters of the Bhagavad-G…t€ are also considered to be about jñ€na yoga. The basic knowledge, of course, is Self-knowledge or Self-realization. It involves a discipline of discrimination (viveka), desirelessness (vair€gya), and fervent desire for liberation (mumukatva), as well as the acquisition of certain moral qualities (self-control, charity, equanimity, patient endurance, one-pointedness, and faith). It also involves daily meditation.
