Vedic Glossary: Gnan

Gnan means true spiritual knowledge—the understanding of who you are, who God is, and what your relationship to God is truly like. In this reflection, Anuj explores how gnan, as taught by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, is not just study but realization. It is the second pillar of Ekantik Bhakti, guiding the soul beyond maya and into clarity.

Gnan brings strength to bhakti, helping the soul remain focused, pure, and connected. Bhagwan Swaminarayan explained that gnan is knowing the true nature of the jiva, ishwar, maya, Brahman, and Parabrahman.

Transcript

Naan means true spiritual knowledge.

It is the learning of scriptures and the inner realization of truth,

Knowing who you are,

Who God is,

And what your relationship to God is truly like.

In the path of Ekantik Bhakti,

Naan is the second pillar,

The light that clears confusion,

Burns away doubt,

And reveals the soul as distinct from the body,

Free from maya,

And eternally divine.

It is the wisdom that awakens us to our true self and helps us recognize God,

Not just in form,

But in essence.

Bhagawan Swami Narayan taught that Naan is essential for steady bhakti.

Without knowledge,

Devotion can waver based on emotion,

Become unstable,

And shallow.

But with Naan,

Even a single act of love becomes pure,

Deep,

Transformative.

In the Vachanamrit,

Bhagawan Swami Narayan says,

One who knows the true nature of the Jiva,

Eshwar,

Maya,

Brahman,

And Parabrahman,

That is true Naan.

This knowledge is not ordinary.

It comes from the grace of the the living embodiment of Akshar Brahman,

He who reveals these realities clearly and compassionately.

Naan is not about the accumulation of information.

It is about Atma and Paramatma,

God and the soul.

The one more knows,

The more one sees the self as the Atma,

Eternal,

Luminous,

And pure,

And the more one feels the greatness of God.

A person grounded in Naan becomes unshaken by the world,

Gain or loss,

None of it sticks.

Why?

Because they realized,

I am NOT this body,

I am NOT these thoughts,

I am the Atma,

And God is with me always.

Let the pursuit of Naan be your light.

Let it guide you through confusion,

Awaken your bhakti,

And connect you ever more deeply to Parabrahman,

The Supreme.

Bhuhan Swaminarayan.