Ignorance, stupidity. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

False knowledge. Ignorance (which prevents perception of the Reality.) (JV, p. Glossary)

Krishna said, ‘The source of all types of sorrow is ignorance, Ajnana. It is the identification with the body, the delusion that you are the body, which can be removed only by the acquisition of right knowledge. (GV, p. 127)

(G.V. - p. 127)

Ajnana and Dukha (sorrow) cannot be destroyed by rituals and rites (Karma) - this is the lesson the Upanishads teach us. (Sutra Vahini, p. 3)

All those suffering from the malady of Ajnana or ignorance must read and ponder over books dealing with the treatment of that disease, namely, the experiences of elders in the field of spiritual endeavour. It is only then that they can understand the real state of things.There is also one other secret to success; this too has to be borne in mind. Every course of medical treatment involves some regulation and restriction of diet, movements, habits and conduct. These should not be neglected or taken lightly. In fact, if the doctor’s advice on these matters is not strictly followed, even the costliest or latest or most efficacious medicine will be ineffective.

Consider the persons who underwent the treatment, drugs, restrictions, limitations and all, and successfully emerged from the sickroom hale and happy! They are of all castes and ages and of both sexes. Vashistha was born of a public woman; Narada’s mother was a washerwoman; Valmiki belonged to the hunter caste; Vishwamitra was a Kshatriya; Matanga was member of the Depressed Classes; the inference is, that what is important is constant meditation on the Lord, not the labels of caste and creed. Jnana is the attainment of the feeling of Oneness, the realisation that there is nothing high or low. That is the true Divine Principle, the Brahman.

A sugar doll has head, neck, arms and limbs, but each part is as sweet as the other. From head to foot, it is one uniform sweetness; there cannot be two types of sweetness. That is to why it is said to be, not dual, but non – dual, not Dvaita but Advaita. Those who emanate from Lord’s Face and those who emanate from His Feet are both His Children. The realisation of this Truth is the sign of Jnana. (JV, pp. 29-30)