Chapter 13 - Verse 11

Self-knowledge : knowledge of the Self and the like. Perception, etc : Knowledge of truth results from the mature development of such attributes as (humility xiii. 7), which are the means of attaining knowledge. The end of this knowledge is moksha, the cessation of mortal existence, of samsara. The end should be kept in view; for, it is only when one perceives the end of the knowledge of truth that one will endeavour to cultivate the attributes which are the means of attaining that knowledge. These attributes—from ‘humility’ to ‘perception of the end of the knowledge of truth’—are declared to be knowledge, because they are conducive to knowledge. What is opposed to this—viz., pride, hypocrisy, cruelty, impatience, insincerity and the like—is ignorance, which should be known and avoided as tending to the perpetuation of samsara.

Brahman the Knowable.

What is it that has to be known by this knowledge?—In answer to this question the Lord proceeds with xiii. 12, etc.

(Objection):—Humility and the like are only forms of self-control (yama and niyama); by them cannot be perceived the Knowable. Never indeed have we found humility and other attributes (mentioned above) serving to determine the nature of anything. And in all cases, it is only the knowledge or consciousness of an object that has been found to determine the nature of that object of knowledge. And, certainly, no object can be determined through the knowledge of another object, any more than fire can be perceived through the knowledge of a pot.

(Answer):—This objection does not apply here; for, we have said that humility and the like are spoken of as knowledge because they conduce to knowledge, or because they are secondary or auxiliary causes of knowledge.