Ancient Hindu Scriptures taught Sankhya and Yoga. Sankhya is
knowledge (jnana). Yoga is action (karma). Many men separate the two. But the
true yogi does not divide them. The two are inseparable.
Jnana and karma yoga are in harmony: there is no conflict between
the two. There is only a question o discipline. One man has the discipline of
jnana: another has the discipline of karma. Those who follow the discipline of
jnana are called Sankhyas. Those who follow the discipline of nishkama karma
(selfless action) are called Karma yogis.
Jnana Yoga is also called Sanyasa Yoga because true jnana
leads to sanyasa. Adi Shankaracharya in his commentary on Gita urges that a
true jnani must be a sanyasi. But to be a sanyasi does not mean to be homeless.
The Gita teaches that true sanyasa is not outer but inner renunciation of
desires. Raja Janaka lived in a palace, but was non-attached. He was a jnani
and practiced sanyasa.
Jnana Yoga, sanyasa yoga and sankhya yoga are synonymous.
The terms are interchangeable.
As per Hindu saints, jnana does not mean book knowledge. A
jnani is not a bookworm. A man may quote from books which he has read but he
may not have jnana. Jnana is direct perception. A true jnani is a rishi, a
seer. He sees truth. He is not a mere reporter. He does not talk by hearsay. He
speaks because he sees and feels. He has sakshatkara or direct perception.
Jnana is not gathered from books, but from inner life. Jnana
means self realization. Hence the value of silence. Wisdom comes in hours of
illuminated silence. The more we cultivate the habit of silence, the more we
gather wisdom.
Jnana is culture of meditation : karma is culture of will.
Both lead to wisdom. Karma of the right type, action which seeks no fruit, no
reward, is a means to wisdom.
Source – The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of Life – Sadhu Vaswani
– Page 120 and 121 – an explanation to Gita Chapter 3 verse 3.