Jnana yoga different paths to liberation, "jnana marga" and "karma marga" are the more ancient, traceable to Vedic era literature. All three paths are available to any Hindu, chosen based on inclination, aptitude and personal preference, and typically elements of all three to varying degrees are practiced by many Hindus. The classical yoga emphasizes the practice of dhyana (meditation), and this is a part of all three classical paths in Hinduism, including "jñāna yoga". The path of knowledge is intended for those who prefer philosophical reflection and it requires study and meditation. In the Upanishads, "'jnana yoga" aims at the realization of
Karma in the current life, as well as the nature and quality of future lives - one's "saṃsāra". "Karma" is the executed "deed", "work", "action", or "act", and it is also the "object", the "intent". Wilhelm Halbfass explains karma (karman) by contrasting it with another Sanskrit word "kriya". The word "kriya" is the activity along with the steps and effort in action, while "karma" is (1) the executed action as a consequence of that activity, as well as (2) the intention of the actor behind an executed action or a planned action (described by some scholars as metaphysical residue left in