Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga · Verse 17

Bhagavad Gita 13.17

Separation is only appearance; the many are held by one.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् ।
भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
वे परमात्मा स्वयं विभागरहित होते हुए भी सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंमें विभक्तकी तरह स्थित हैं । वे जाननेयोग्य परमात्मा ही सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंको उत्पन्न करनेवाले, उनका भरणपोषण करनेवाले और संहार करनेवाले हैं ॥
English
Undivided among beings, it appears divided. Know it as the one who bears, devours, and creates all beings.

What this verse means

The supreme reality seems split into many beings, but it is actually one. It is the source, support, and end of all life.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen between duty and grief. Krishna explains that the divine is not fragmented by the many lives it animates. What seems separate is one reality appearing in many forms, and that reality sustains, consumes, and creates all beings.

Why this verse still matters

You look across a family table after an ugly argument and see only sides. This verse says the deeper truth is still one shared field, even when everyone appears divided.

The takeaway

The feeling of separation softens. What seemed isolated is held inside one larger reality.

Word-by-word translation

अविभक्तम् (undivided) / च (and) / भूतेषु (among beings) / विभक्तम् (divided) / इव (as if) / च (and) / स्थितम् (situated) / भूतभर्तृ (bearer of beings) / च (and) / तत् (that) / ज्ञेयम् (to be known) / ग्रसिष्णु (devouring) / प्रभविष्णु (originating) / च (and)

Explore related themes: kshetrajna (20 verses), manifestation (11 verses)

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