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

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