What is knowledge?

The speaking tree of knowledge has multifarious branches and lots of different fruits.

What is knowledge? Modern short wavelength Definition.

“Knowledge is a Data Base. Saved in your personally programmed preconditioned. Information Technology freely accessible 365 x 24 without internet”

Now the basic simple meaning of knowledge is: stored Information deposited after listening / reading / seeing / feeling / eating etc. Via 5 senses.

Finally, the Indian traditional (shastra) meaning is:

Basically, Knowledge is that, which Liberates you from Ignorance.

“Saa Vidhya Yaa Vimuktaye”

Usually, people take the meaning that the academical / educational knowledge removes your worldly ignorance. But from a deeper and a more spiritual standpoint it means “Knowledge is that which removes your Doubts (mis conceptions) of Existence, its Purpose and directs you towards good Karmas to attain salvation (Moksha).

Actually, knowledge is just accumulated Information. For example, in academics, except Science and Mathematics, where you have practical implementation of knowledge whilst learning, most of other practicals of subjects you learn after obtaining a degree or completing the subject

matter. Some of the Management Theories learnt abroad in higher education get modified when the country / city or even when cultures are different. So, other side of the coin of knowledge is Implementation [use – practice – evaluation] to elevate materially and spiritually.

Knowledge – Watch Out!

If you have 80% knowledge but utilizing only 40%, and your colleague has 70% knowledge but utilizing 50%. So, your colleague will achieve more than you.

Never be overconfident about having and acquiring more knowledge thinking you know the subject very well. Always be a student.

Back in the days, high IQ (Intelligence Quotient) was the only aspect of life to make one’s life successful. Later on, one other made it to the list of making life fruitful, the EQ (Emotional Quotient). My additions to this were two more, which I added as a part of my life experiences for the last 90 years. SQ (Spiritual Quotient) and most important is the fourth quotient, the Experience Quotient.

Two real examples of quotients

A hill station near Maharashtra by the name of Lonavala was undergoing infrastructural changes and the state corporation was building a railway track to improve access for tourists. When the railway track was completed at Lonavala Ghat (Khandala to Lonavala) and the trial was underway, the train could not go up the hill due to the steep incline. After lot of deliberation and discussions, the engineers and their team who were invited from outside India decided to put two engines in front of the train and still to everyone’s surprise they did not succeed. On the Lonavala Ghat there was small temple and there resided an old Pujari (Saint). The less educated pujari of the temple was observing this entire process with patience. He approached the team of engineers after seeing them fail the second time and suggested an idea that came to him whilst observing 2 men pulling a hand cart to transport goods from one location to the other. He asked the team of engineers to put one engine in the front of the train and one in the back of the train. The engineers implemented the idea and finally succeeded. This is the Experience Quotient.
Another incident in Japan highlights the importance of Experience Quotient. Japan is highly prone to earthquakes. So, when a new building was being constructed, all the engineers were discussing as to how to have less impact of the shocks by having strong foundation pillars. They were discussing and deliberating about the quality of construction material, angle of construction and all other technical matters of construction. A seasoned labor from the day shift came and suggested that although you may have the strongest foundation pillars but they will not be helpful in an earthquake. Shock absorption can be best handled by water. He suggested to make a deep-water tank underground which will not only absorb the major impact but also reduce the load on foundation pillars.

So, this is the fourth EQ and that’s why it is also said that you gain knowledge by experience. Now having various angles of visual knowledge, we have two hidden quotients of instant and lateral angles of knowledge with a touch of humor and Eye openers.

We all know that the famous scientist Einstein was not a very handsome looking fellow but was one of the sharpest minds of his time. One day a very beautiful lady walked into the bar where he was enjoying a glass of wine. Einstein asked the lady why did she come to that bar when she approached him. The beautiful lady answered, “Sir, I want to marry you.” Einstein was shocked and asked her “Why me? You are so beautiful and I am so ugly.” The beautiful lady answered, “Sir because our children will have my beauty and your Intelligence”. Einstein spontaneously replied, “By reverse logic it is possible that our child will have your knowledge and my beauty” This is called lateral thinking.
Decades back a scientist was going to various places in USA and giving lectures on various subjects. One day he had gone to a far-off remote place for the first time. After about two hours of travelling by car he started feeling uneasy. So, he told his driver to cancel and go back. “Do not worry Sir, I have heard all your lectures about fifty times so I remember this lecture very well. Nobody has seen your face earlier. So, I shall give the lecture and you can sit in the last row.” said the driver. Astonished by his confidence the scientist agreed and they went. The driver gave the presentation so well that the scientist was amazed. Then there was a Question/Answer session. The scientist thought that the attendees will now realize the truth and he will lose his reputation. Surprisingly the driver gave correct answers to the easy questions. Later a scientist in attendance asked a difficult and mind-boggling question. The driver was confused and the scientist worried. But the driver had a lateral Presence of Mind and said, “Sir, you are asking such a simple Question. Even my driver sitting in the last row will give the answer” and pointed to the scientist who answered the question raised by the audience member.

Talking of knowledge: According to Indian Shastras Knowledge is a second (total) stepping stone towards salvation.

Bhakti Marg – Devotion

Gyan Marg – Knowledge

Karma Marg – Action

Yog Marg – Meditation

GYANI KO GYANI MILE KARE GYAN KI BAAT. GADHE KO GADHA MILE HO JAI LAATAM LAAT, which translates: When an intellectual (knowledgeable) meets another, they discuss knowledge. And when a donkey meets another donkey, they kick each other. Now a days when two intellectuals (knowledgeable) meet each other they argue with each other about who is right. And when a knowledgeable person meets a donkey, they run away from each other.

Following spiritual knowledge is not enough, applying that practically is what is most important.

The following is an example of one such practical application:

In a remote Ashram in a forest, a monk was discussing about this world being an illusion (maya). Suddenly they heard a lion roar quite nearby. The devotees thought it was just an illusion, but the Monk immediately got up and started running away, and the devotees followed him not knowing what to do. This goes to prove that the devotees were only listening to the monk, not understanding what he was saying.

You visualize: Today the Good and Bad use of Atomic Knowledge is eminent everywhere. “Atomic Energy vis-à-vis Atomic Bombs” So, when you gain knowledge, use it for good and constructive purpose only. However, use “Chanakya Giri” when only Survival of Fittest situation arises. Discretion is better part of valor.

Today the Good and Bad use of Atomic Knowledge is eminent everywhere. “Atomic Energy vis-à-vis Atomic Bombs.” So, when you gain knowledge, use it as Gandhigiri for good and constructive purpose only. However, use “ChanakyaGiri” when only Survival of Fittest situation arises. Discretion is better part of valor.