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
Brihad Bhagavatamrita khaëòa – Ascertaining the Glories of Çré Goloka. In the first part of "Brihad-bhagavatamrita" Sanatana Goswami has described a conversation between Parikshit and his mother, Uttara. It took place after Parikshit heard the "Bhagavata Purana" from Śuka. Uttara asked her son to explain the essence of "Bhagavata Purana", and Parikshit revealed to her the stages of confidential Bhakti. He told her a story about how Narada was looking for greatest devotee of Krishna. The Great Rishi began his search with devotees of Krishna whose Bhakti was mixed with karma and jnana (Brahma and Shiva), then went up to Shanta-rasa (Prahlada),