We
call today's society a Knowledge society, we know Knowledge is power, but how do
we get this Knowledge? How to accept Knowledge is power?
Commonly
we believe that Knowledge is obtained by perception, by seeing, by hearing, by
touching etc. Nyaya Shastras go one step further and define three
connectivities, which are necessary to gain Knowledge. They are;
- Connectivity between Vishya (object) and Indriya (sense organ)
- Connectivity between Indriya (sense organ) and Manas (Mind / Intellect)
- Connectivity between Manas (Mind / Intellect) and Atma (Consciousness)
Perception
through sense organs is the first step, where in we sense the shape, size,
color, texture, smell, taste, pitch, tone etc. to gain Knowledge about the
object. After sensing, we correlate these inputs with our prior experience and
use judgment to come to some sort of understanding. However, such Knowledge is
always incomplete, because it is conditioned by prior experiences, limited to
that particular place and that particular time. Such Knowledge is called as Savikalpa
Jnana or Relative Knowledge which is obtained by
first two connectivities and conditioned by three factors, Object, Place, and
Time.
Knowledge
which is beyond this subjectivity and conditioning is obtained only by
elevating it to the level of Consciousness using the third connectivity. Such
Knowledge is called - Pure Objective Knowledge or in other words Nirvikalpa
Jnana. This process of
elevation from relativistic level to pure and objective level is the true
climax of cognitive expansion.
Modern
Psychology cannot define this,
since Atma is Supra clinical
(beyond the capacity of clinical measurements). Having reached this Nirvikalpa
Jnana state, there is no place for Samshaya doubting. In the very last Shloka of this chapter, Krishna is advising
Arjuna to shun all doubts, cut the deep rooted ignorance with the sword of
Jnana and to standup and perform his duties.
तस्मादज्ञानसंभूतं हृत्स्थं
ज्ञानासिनात्मनः।
छित्त्वैनं संशयं
योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत॥गीता ४-४२॥
Cut the ignorance Ajnana with the sword of Jnana,
Reject doubting, establish yourself in Yoga and stand up.
