Vijñāna

Wisdom, discriminative knowing, higher knowledge. From vi (distinctively) + jñāna (knowledge). In the Upaniṣads, vijñāna is the knowledge that liberates — not merely intellectual understanding but direct, experiential realisation of the self. It is distinguished from jñāna (ordinary knowledge) by its transformative power. In the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, vijñāna is the sheath (kośa) of intellect that must be transcended to reach ananda (bliss). In the Bhagavad-gītā, it is the wisdom of discerning spirit from matter. See jnana, buddhi.