Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.21 पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्
श्लोक 18.21
पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् ।
वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥
pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān |
vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिस ज्ञान से मनुष्य सब प्राणियों में अलग-अलग प्रकार की भिन्न-भिन्न सत्ताओं को अलग मानकर देखता है, उस ज्ञान को राजसी जानो।
Meaning in English
The knowledge that sees in all beings various separate entities of different kinds, regarding them as distinct, know that knowledge to be rajasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.21 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पृथक्त्वेन | pṛthaktvena | as separate |
| तु | tu | but |
| यत् | yat | which |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| नानाभावान् | nānā-bhāvān | many different entities |
| पृथग्विधान् | pṛthag-vidhān | of distinct kinds |
| वेत्ति | vetti | knows |
| सर्वेषु | sarveṣu | in all |
| भूतेषु | bhūteṣu | beings |
| तत् | tat | that |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| राजसम् | rājasam | rajasic |
Explanation
The knowledge that sees in all beings only separate entities of different kinds, each cut off from the rest, is rajasic. It registers variety and distinction but misses the underlying unity, so it naturally breeds comparison, competition and craving. Each thing is known only as other than the rest.
This stands in contrast to the sattvic vision of 18.20. Shankara says rajasic knowledge takes each body to have its own separate self. Ramanuja reads it as mistaking the differences of bodies, such as god, human or animal, for differences in the selves within them. Modern readers note how much everyday thinking is of this kind: useful for practical life, but partial when taken as the whole truth.
भावार्थ
जो ज्ञान सब प्राणियों में अलग-अलग प्रकार के अनेक भिन्न भावों को अलग-अलग ही देखता है, उस ज्ञान को राजस जानो।
Living it today
Differences are real, but they are not everything. When you catch yourself sorting people into us and them, look again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.21?
The knowledge that sees in all beings only separate entities of different kinds, each cut off from the rest, is rajasic. It registers variety and distinction but misses the underlying unity, so it naturally breeds comparison, competition and craving. Each thing is known only as other than the rest.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.21?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.21 in daily life?
Differences are real, but they are not everything. When you catch yourself sorting people into us and them, look again.
Reflected on verse 18.21?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.