A declaration · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“True understanding sees one undivided reality inside every divided form.”
Know that knowledge to be sattvic by which one sees the one imperishable reality in all beings, undivided among the divided.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyin all beings · by which · one · reality/state · imperishable · sees · undivided · among the divided · that · knowledge · know · sattvic
Pure understanding sees one unchanging reality in all beings, even though they appear separate.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Verse 20 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
At a crowded railway station, a porter, a pilgrim and a businessman jostle for the same train. Sattvic knowledge, as Krishna describes it, would see the same imperishable reality in each of the three, under the different clothes and luggage.
Did you like this verse?
Sattvic knowledge, Krishna says, sees one imperishable reality within every being, undivided among the divided.
What this verse means
Pure understanding sees one unchanging reality in all beings, even though they appear separate.
Context & commentary
With Arjuna frozen before battle, Krishna turns from action to vision. He explains that the highest clear understanding sees one imperishable reality in every being, even though they appear divided.
What it looks like today
At a crowded railway station, a porter, a pilgrim and a businessman jostle for the same train. Sattvic knowledge, as Krishna describes it, would see the same imperishable reality in each of the three, under the different clothes and luggage.
“Separation stops feeling final. You begin to notice the same reality shining through every face.”
Explore related themes: sattva (26 verses)