Knowledge in Hinduism

 In English, there are only two states to Knowledge - Knowledge and Ignorance. Our Shastras identify 4 states -- ज्ञान अनुदय , विपरीत ज्ञान, अन्यथा ज्ञान , यातावस्तित ज्ञान - roughly translatable to : forgetfulness, distorted knowledge, incorrect knowledge, and correct knowledge. These states are respectively driven directly by our "Gun" - These are of three types - Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. High in Tamas leads to Forgetfullness. Moderate to high Tamas leads to विपरीत ज्ञान. High in Rajas leads to अन्यथा ज्ञान. Sattva Gun leads to यातावस्तित ज्ञान. Gun, is in turn fostered by our dietary habits. Sattvic diet and morning time leads to high levels of Sattva Gun. Rajasic Diet + afternoons leads to Rajo gun. Tamasic Diet + evening time leads to Tamo Gun. Diet is therefore very very important in the acquisition of "Correct knowledge". Vegetables like Onion and Garlic and classified as Tamas. High in chilli and salt is classified as Rajas. Bland to balanced food is Sattvic. All forms of Meat (animal derivates) with the exception of Milk and milk products are Tamasic. However, Even milk has become contanimated these days because of excessive use of harmones etc. to boost Cow productivity. Vegan Diet devoid of Onion and Garlic is highly recommended for the "Expansion of knowledge" ज्ञान विकास।

ज्ञान विकास is fundamental to the "intellectual evolution to higher capabilities" The primary differentiator between us human. beings and Devas is their knowledge is more expanded than ours.The primary differentiator between us and animals is that our knowledge is more expanded than theirs. The primary differentiator between animals and plants is that the knowledge of animals is more expanded than that of plants.

Why do shastras use the word "ज्ञान विकास"? because, in its pristine form (कर्म विनिर्मुक्त) form आत्मा is pure intelligence (ज्ञानमय और ज्ञान गुणक)। अनादि कर्म forms a covering layer on it disallowing the ज्ञान to shine. Our learning does not impart new knowledge to us. Learning only serves to "remind" us of what we already know.

When Bhagvan says in the Bhagavad Gita, that he has created the 4 varnas per Gun and Karma, know how the Gun influences knowledge as above. Evidently, there is an interconnection between Gun and Karm...because Gun influences knowledge, that influences our intent, decision and action. Sattva Gun leads to elevated knowledge and thus Punya Karm or Nishkamya Karm, while Rajo Gun and Tamo Gun drive knowledge that leads to higher Pap karm than Punya karm. Thus, based on the karm performed in previous lifes, Bhagvan, through the system of Karma assigns the future varna in which the individual would be born. He thus ensures the individual's desires from the previous janm are also satisfied. How you are in this life, your thoughts, intent, decisions, and actions, and accumulated karm thereof, determines your state of birth in the next life.