Understanding Jnana, Vijnana and Ajnana

An excellent excerpt from a great book:

To comprehend the true meaning of the term Vijnana, we shall first break it down into its literal connotations. The syllable Vi, used as a prefix to the word Jnana, is capable of conveying three meanings: special (Vishesh) knowledge; the variety (Vividham) of knowledge; and perverted knowledge (Viruddham). Negative or perverse knowledge is indicated by the word Ajnana and special knowledge is conveyed by the word Jnana. Therefore, Vijnana means 'variety of knowledge' or, to be more exact, the knowledge of variety. The knowledge of how this variegated and diverse universe evolves from one source is Jnana, and the knowledge of how that one source grows into a diverse, plural world of great variety is the field of Vijnana. Thus, what the the seer-scientists are at pains to explain to us is precisely how this variegated universe has arisen from one source. Their explanation covers the study of the forces and processes by which supraphysical energy -- which is ultimately one -- gives rise to this variety.