Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation
Chapter 18, Verse 20
"Bhagavad Gita 18.20" — meaning and explanation.
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते | अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम्
sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣate . avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam
Meaning
18.20 That by which one sees the one indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate in all the separate beings know thou that knowledge to be Sattvic.
।।18.20।। जिस ज्ञान से मनुष्य, विभक्त रूप में स्थित समस्त भूतों में एक अविभक्त और अविनाशी (अव्यय) स्वरूप को देखता है, उस ज्ञान को तुम सात्त्विक जानो।।
Explanation
18.20 सर्वभूतेषु in all beings? येन by which? एकम् one? भावम् reality? अव्ययम् indestructible? ईक्षते (one) sees? अविभक्तम् inseparable? विभक्तेषु in the separated? तत् that? ज्ञानम् knowledge? विद्धि know? सात्त्विकम् Sattvic (pure).Commentary That knowledge that sees no difference in all objects that are perceived? is pure. The seer beholds the one allpervading imperishable substance or essence behind the seeming diversity of the objects. He beholds unity in diversity? one in many? all in one. He sees that all the diverse objects are rooted in the One.Bhavam Reality The One Self.Sarvabhuteshu In all beings From the Unmanifested down to the insentient and unmoving objects.Avyayam Indestructible inexhaustible unchangeable that which cannot be exhausted either in itself or in its properties immutable.Just as the ether is indivisible? so also the Self is indivisible. The Self is the same in all bodies. It is the common consciousness in all bodies. It is not different in different bodies. It is one homogeneous indivisible essence or substance in all bodies? in all beings. Know thou? O Arjuna? this direct and right perception of the nondual Self as Sattvic (pure). (Cf.IV.35VI.29XIII.16?28XVIII.30)
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.20 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 20, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 18.20
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.20 mean?
18.20 That by which one sees the one indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate in all the separate beings know thou that knowledge to be Sattvic.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.20 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 20, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.