Jnana yoga knowledge of a Vishnu avatar or Shiva or Shakti (Goddess) that is emphasized. In all its various interpretations, the paths are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A "Jnana yogi" may also practice "Karma yoga" or "Bhakti yoga" or both, and differing levels of emphasis. According to Robert Roeser, the precepts of "Jnana yoga" in Hinduism were likely systematized by about 500 BCE, earlier than "Karma yoga" and "Bhakti yoga". In the Bhagavad Gita, "jnana yoga" is also referred to as "buddhi yoga" and its goal is self-realization. The text considers "jnana marga" as the most difficult, slow, confusing for those who
Bhakti has been a common form of religious activity in world religions throughout human history. It is found in Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. Bhakti (called "bhatti" in Pali language) has been a common aspect of Buddhism, where offerings and group prayers are made to images such the images of the Buddha and the "Bodhisattvas", or to deities such as wrathful deities. Karel Werner notes that Bhakti has been a significant practice in Theravada Buddhism, and states, "there can be no doubt that deep devotion or "bhakti / bhatti" does exist in Buddhism and that it had its beginnings in the