358 Aptavani-2
Buddhi and Gnan
Dadashri: Is there any difference between buddhi( intellect) and Gnan?
Questioner: Buddhi is an understanding that is tangible whereas Gnan is beyond buddhi. It is supreme knowledge( paravidya); it is knowledge that is beyond the ordinary.
Dadashri: Let me give you the definition. If a person is well versed in two or four subjects of all the worldly subjects, people call it knowledge. However, even if a person has knowledge of all the subjects of the world, it would still fall under intellectual knowledge, because that knowledge is mediated through the ego. Knowledge without ego is Gnan. Buddhi is the indirect light of the Self.
Let me give you an analogy of this. The direct light of the sun is like direct knowledge( Gnan). The other is indirect light. For example, the sunrays falling on the mirror, reflects that light illuminating the entire room. Gnan is the direct light of the Self. Intellect( buddhi) is the light, which comes through another medium( the ego); it is an indirect light. The Self illuminates the Self as well as the non-self( swa-par prakashak). The intellect( buddhi) illuminates only the non-self( par prakashak). Buddhi makes one proceed towards the thoughts,‘ I am this, and I am that too( vikalp).’ Do you have sankalp-vikalp?
Questioner: I do not understand the exact meaning of sankalp-vikalp.
Dadashri: Do you know what people outside of this satsang believe sankalp-vikalp is? They think it means good