Editing Wisdom (section)

==== In Hindu philosophy ====
{{Main|Hindu philosophy}}

In Hindu philosophy, wisdom (''[[jñāna]]'', ज्ञान) is closely associated with [[self-realization]] and spiritual knowledge. Unlike the empirical knowledge (''vidyā'', विद्या) gained through sensory experience, wisdom in Hinduism involves insight into the ultimate nature of reality (''[[Brahman]]'', ब्रह्मन्) and the self (''[[Ātman (Hinduism)|Ātman]]'', आत्मन्).<ref name="auto1"/> The [[Upanishads]], foundational texts of Hindu thought, describe wisdom as the realization that all worldly distinctions are illusions (''[[Maya (religion)|maya]]'', माया), and that the self is one with the infinite consciousness of Brahman.<ref>{{cite book |last=Olivelle |first=Patrick |title=The Early Upanishads: Annotated Text and Translation |orig-year=1998 |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>

Within [[Vedanta]] philosophy, wisdom is considered the path to liberation (''[[mokṣa]]'', मोक्ष). [[Adi Shankaracharya]] (c. 8th century CE) argued that true wisdom (''[[jnana yoga]]'') arises through discrimination (''viveka'', विवेक) between the real and the unreal.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shankara |first=Adi |title=Vivekachudamani: Crest-Jewel of Discrimination |orig-year=8th century CE |year=2004 |publisher=Advaita Ashrama}}</ref> He taught that ignorance (''avidyā'', अविद्या) binds individuals to the cycle of [[samsara]] (rebirth), and wisdom is the means to overcome illusion and attain self-realization.<ref>{{cite book |last=Comans |first=Michael |title=The Method of Early Advaita Vedanta |orig-year=2000 |year=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass}}</ref> In contrast, [[Dvaita Vedanta]], founded by [[Madhvacharya]] (13th century CE), holds that wisdom involves recognizing the eternal distinction between the self and God, rather than dissolving all distinctions.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=B. N. K. |title=The Philosophy of Madhvacharya |orig-year=1962 |year=2008 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass}}</ref>

Wisdom is also a core element in Hindu sacred texts, including the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', where [[Krishna]] teaches [[Arjuna]] that true wisdom transcends personal desires and emotions.<ref>{{cite book |last=Easwaran |first=Eknath |title=The Bhagavad Gita |orig-year=1985 |year=2007 |publisher=Nilgiri Press}}</ref> The Gita outlines three paths to wisdom:

* [[Jnana yoga]] – the path of intellectual discernment and self-inquiry.
* [[Bhakti yoga]] – the path of devotion to a personal deity as a means to wisdom.
* [[Karma yoga]] – the path of selfless action leading to enlightened understanding.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sargeant |first=Winthrop |title=The Bhagavad Gita: Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition |orig-year=1984 |year=2009 |publisher=State University of New York Press}}</ref>

Hindu wisdom traditions remain deeply influential in both spiritual practice and philosophical inquiry, with modern thinkers like [[Swami Vivekananda]] and [[Aurobindo Ghose]] integrating ancient wisdom concepts with contemporary thought.<ref>{{cite book |last=Halbfass |first=Wilhelm |title=Tradition and Reflection: Explorations in Indian Thought |orig-year=1991 |year=1991 |publisher=State University of New York Press}}</ref> [[Medha Sūktam|''Medha'']] is a goddess of wisdom found in the ''[[Garuda Purana]]''.<ref>{{cite journal
| last1 = Scott
| first1 = David
| date = 1998
| title = The Perennial Message of 'the Goddess': Enduring Themes down the Ages in Bactria
| url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/29757365
| journal = East and West
| volume = 48
| issue = 1/2
| pages = 27–39
| jstor = 29757365
| access-date = 25 July 2024
| quote = In the ''Garuda Purana'' 1.7.9, one of the manifestations of the energy of Sarasvati was ''medha'' (wisdom), an identification repeated with respect to the Goddess in the ''Devi Mahatmya'' 1.11. Thus it is no surprise to find with Anahita, in verse 86 of her ''Aban Yast'', that 'the priests (''athravans'') who read and the pupils of the priest will beg of thee knowledge'.}}</ref>