Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.20 सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते
श्लोक 18.20
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते ।
अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ॥
sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣate |
avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिस ज्ञान से मनुष्य सब प्राणियों में एक ही अविनाशी सत्ता को, अलग-अलग दिखने वालों में भी अविभाजित रूप से देखता है, उस ज्ञान को सात्त्विक जानो।
Meaning in English
The knowledge by which one sees a single imperishable reality in all beings, undivided among the divided, know that knowledge to be sattvic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सर्वभूतेषु | sarva-bhūteṣu | in all beings |
| येन | yena | by which |
| एकम् | ekam | one |
| भावम् | bhāvam | reality |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable |
| ईक्षते | īkṣate | one sees |
| अविभक्तम् | avibhaktam | undivided |
| विभक्तेषु | vibhakteṣu | in the divided |
| तत् | tat | that |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| सात्त्विकम् | sāttvikam | sattvic |
Explanation
The knowledge by which one sees a single imperishable reality in all beings, undivided amid all that seems divided, is sattvic knowledge. It looks past differences of form to the one existence that runs through everything. Difference is noticed, but it is not mistaken for separation.
This is among the Gita's clearest statements of unity, echoing 6.29 and 13.27. Shankara reads it as the vision of the one non-dual Self in all. Ramanuja reads it as seeing the same kind of self, pure consciousness, in all beings despite their different bodies. Madhva emphasises seeing the one Lord present in all. Vivekananda and Gandhi drew from verses like this a strong ethic of equal regard for every living being.
भावार्थ
जिस ज्ञान से मनुष्य अलग-अलग दिखने वाले सब प्राणियों में एक ही अविनाशी और अविभक्त सत्ता को देखता है, उस ज्ञान को सात्त्विक जानो।
Living it today
Look for what you share with the people you find hardest to understand. Seeing the common thread changes how you treat them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.20?
The knowledge by which one sees a single imperishable reality in all beings, undivided amid all that seems divided, is sattvic knowledge. It looks past differences of form to the one existence that runs through everything. Difference is noticed, but it is not mistaken for separation.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.20 in daily life?
Look for what you share with the people you find hardest to understand. Seeing the common thread changes how you treat them.
Reflected on verse 18.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.