In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, verses 8-12, Krishna describes 20 qualities that constitute true knowledge (Jnana). These qualities are not just intellectual understandings but are lived values that prepare the mind for the realization of the absolute truth.
Table of Qualities of Knowledge
| # | Sanskrit | Transliteration | Translation / Meaning | Verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | अमानित्वम् | Amānitvam | Humility / Humbleness | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 2 | अदम्भित्वम् | Adambhitvam | Unpretentiousness / Freedom from hypocrisy | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 3 | अहिंसा | Ahimsa | Non-violence / Non-injury | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 4 | क्षान्तिः | Kṣhāntiḥ | Forgiveness / Patience (Kshama) | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 5 | आर्जवम् | Ārjavam | Uprightness / Simplicity | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 6 | आचार्योपासनम् | Āchārya-upāsanam | Service of the Guru / Teacher | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 7 | शौचम् | Śhaucham | Purity of body and mind (Shaucha) | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 8 | स्थैर्यम् | Sthairya | Steadfastness | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 9 | आत्मविनिग्रहः | Ātma-vinigrahaḥ | Self-control | Gita Verse 13.8 |
| 10 | इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यम् | Vairāgyam | Dispassion (Vairagya) | Gita Verse 13.9 |
| 11 | अनहङ्कारः | Anahankāraḥ | Absence of egotism | Gita Verse 13.9 |
| 12 | जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखदोषानुदर्शनम् | Janma-mṛityu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣhānudarśhanam | Perception of the evil in birth, death, old age, sickness, and pain | Gita Verse 13.9 |
| 13 | असक्तिः | Asaktiḥ | Non-attachment | Gita Verse 13.10 |
| 14 | अनभिष्वङ्गः | Anabhiṣhvaṅgaḥ | Absence of craving / non-identification (son, wife, home, etc.) | Gita Verse 13.10 |
| 15 | समचित्तत्वम् | Sama-chittatvam | Constant even-mindedness | Gita Verse 13.10 |
| 16 | अनन्ययोगेन भक्ितरव्यभिचारिणी | Bhakti avyabhichāriṇī | Unswerving and constant devotion to God | Gita Verse 13.11 |
| 17 | विविक्तदेशसेवित्वम् | Vivikta-deśha-sevitvam | Inclination for solitary places | Gita Verse 13.11 |
| 18 | अरतिर्जनसंसदि | Aratir jana-sansadi | Distaste for mundane society | Gita Verse 13.11 |
| 19 | अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वम् | Adhyātma-jñāna-nityatvam | Constancy in Self-knowledge | Gita Verse 13.12 |
| 20 | तत्त्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम् | Tattva-jñānārtha-darśhanam | Perception of the end of true knowledge / philosophical pursuit | Gita Verse 13.12 |
See also:

Muni's Play