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

#SanskritTransliterationTranslation / MeaningVerse
1अमानित्वम्AmānitvamHumility / HumblenessGita Verse 13.8
2अदम्भित्वम्AdambhitvamUnpretentiousness / Freedom from hypocrisyGita Verse 13.8
3अहिंसाAhimsaNon-violence / Non-injuryGita Verse 13.8
4क्षान्तिःKṣhāntiḥForgiveness / Patience (Kshama)Gita Verse 13.8
5आर्जवम्ĀrjavamUprightness / SimplicityGita Verse 13.8
6आचार्योपासनम्Āchārya-upāsanamService of the Guru / TeacherGita Verse 13.8
7शौचम्ŚhauchamPurity of body and mind (Shaucha)Gita Verse 13.8
8स्थैर्यम्SthairyaSteadfastnessGita Verse 13.8
9आत्मविनिग्रहःĀtma-vinigrahaḥSelf-controlGita Verse 13.8
10इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यम्VairāgyamDispassion (Vairagya)Gita Verse 13.9
11अनहङ्कारःAnahankāraḥAbsence of egotismGita Verse 13.9
12जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखदोषानुदर्शनम्Janma-mṛityu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣhānudarśhanamPerception of the evil in birth, death, old age, sickness, and painGita Verse 13.9
13असक्तिःAsaktiḥNon-attachmentGita Verse 13.10
14अनभिष्वङ्गःAnabhiṣhvaṅgaḥAbsence of craving / non-identification (son, wife, home, etc.)Gita Verse 13.10
15समचित्तत्वम्Sama-chittatvamConstant even-mindednessGita Verse 13.10
16अनन्ययोगेन भक्ितरव्यभिचारिणीBhakti avyabhichāriṇīUnswerving and constant devotion to GodGita Verse 13.11
17विविक्तदेशसेवित्वम्Vivikta-deśha-sevitvamInclination for solitary placesGita Verse 13.11
18अरतिर्जनसंसदिAratir jana-sansadiDistaste for mundane societyGita Verse 13.11
19अध्यात्मज्ञाननित्यत्वम्Adhyātma-jñāna-nityatvamConstancy in Self-knowledgeGita Verse 13.12
20तत्त्वज्ञानार्थदर्शनम्Tattva-jñānārtha-darśhanamPerception of the end of true knowledge / philosophical pursuitGita Verse 13.12

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