46
The Perfection of Yoga
How is it one can tolerate such dualities?
jñāna-vijñāna-trptātmā  
 kūṭastho vijitendriyaḥ  
 yukta ity ucyate yogī  
 sama-loṣṭāśma-kāñcaṇaḥ
“A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a  yogī  (or mystic) when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything—whether it be pebbles, stones or gold—as the same.” (Bg. 6.8)  Jñāna  means theoretical knowledge, and  vijñāna  refers to practical knowledge. For instance, a science student has to study theoretical scientific conceptions as well as applied science. Theoretical knowledge alone will not help. One has to be able to also apply this knowledge. Similarly, in  yoga  one should have not only theoretical knowledge but practical knowledge. Simply understanding “I am not this body” and at the same time acting in a nonsensical way will not help. There are so many societies where the members seriously discuss  Vedānta  philosophy while smoking and drinking and enjoying a sensual life. It will not help if one only has knowledge theoretically. This knowledge must be demonstrated. One who truly understands “I am not this body” will actually reduce his bodily necessities to a minimum. When one increases the demands of the body while thinking “I am not this body,” then of what use is that knowledge? A person can only be satisfied when there is  jñāna  and  vijñāna  side by side.