A cognitive routing system intelligently selects one protocol at a time for specific routing conditions and environment in MANET. Cognition or self-learning can be achieved in a cognitive routing system for mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) through a learning system like learning automata or neural networks. This article covers the application of learning automata and neural network to achieve cognition in MANET routing system. Mobile Ad-hoc networks are dynamic in nature and lack any fixed infrastructure, so the implementation of cognition enhances the performance of overall routing system in these networks. In learning automata the process of learning is different from reasoning or decision making. Learning automata require little knowledge to take decisions. Neural network can be improved by increasing the number of neurons and changing parameters. Self-training enhance neural network performance and it select suitable protocol for a given network environment. Cognition in MANET is either based upon learning automata as in some wireless sensor networks or specialized cognitive neural networks like Elman network. Learning automata do not follow predetermine rules and has the ability to learn and evolve. The interaction of learning automata with the MANET environment results in the evolution of cognition system.