bhakti

[Subrahmanian, Sundararaman V [IT]]

Ms. SS,

I think the usage of the word jnAna is getting a little confusing in your
mail.  I will explain what I know:

mA in Sankrit means knowledge, knowledge of anything - apple, pen, calculus,
poetry etc.  The prefix "pra" accentuates the noun it precedes.  So the word
pramA means knowledge.  For knowledge to happen there have to be three
entities: pramAta (knower), pramEya (known) and pramANa (means of
knowledge).  When all three are in alignment, then pramA takes place in
other words knowledge or jnAna takes place.

Example:  You have pen in hand (object to be known), eyes are open (means of
sensing color/form) and the mind is attentive (knower), then the knowledge
of the presence of pen happens.

In brahmavidya, pramAta and the pramEya are the same - one's Self.  Sruti is
the pramANa.  So if the Sruti is understood properly then pramAta and
pramEya will be known to be the same.  If it is not understood properly,
pramEya will seem to be something different than pramAta ie., brahman as
something different from one's self - which is ignorance ie., jnAna has not
taken place.

Regards,
SVS

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephanie Stean [mailto:cerebral_rose at MAC.COM]
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 12:28 PM
To: ADVAITA-L at LISTS.ADVAITA-VEDANTA.ORG
Subject: Re: bhakti


SVS:

>Probably what you are trying to differentiate is

>1. Knowledge of brahman
>2. Knowledge of brahman as an object

Yes, this is what I'm differentiating.  But also something more;
knowledge of Brahman is a process, usually pursued by the paths of jnana
yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga.

But Knowledge of Brahman (like you mentioned below) is Understanding.

>(1) is the knowledge that is traditionally called moksha as it frees us
from
>our limitations.  This comes from understanding the true meaning of
>mahAvAkyas that you are brahman.  Nothing short of it.

So, jnana signifies three types of knowledge?  Or ways of knowledge,
correct?

First two:

>1. Knowledge of brahman
>2. Knowledge of brahman as an object

 But it also signifies the process of knowing (again, through whatever
path).  Is this correct?

I hope my questions and comments are clear.  Let me know if I need to
clarify, please.

And I'll take a look at the website.  Thanks for suggesting it.

Take care,
Stephanie