BHAGAVAD-GITA 18:20

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 18:20

 

sarva-bhutesu yenaikam

bhavam avyayam iksate

avibhaktam vibhaktesu

taj jnanam viddhi sattvikam

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

sarva-bhutesu--in all living entities; yena--by which; ekam--one;

bhavam--situation; avyayam--imperishable; iksate--one sees;

avibhaktam--undivided; vibhaktesu--in the numberless divided;

tat--that; jnanam--knowledge; viddhi--know; sattvikam--in the mode of

goodness.

 

TRANSLATION

 

That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all

living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you

should understand to be in the mode of goodness.

 

PURPORT

 

A person who sees one spirit soul in every living being, whether a

demigod, human being, animal, bird, beast, aquatic or plant, possesses

knowledge in the mode of goodness. In all living entities, one spirit

soul is there, although they have different bodies in terms of their

previous work. As described in the Seventh Chapter, the manifestation

of the living force in every body is due to the superior nature of the

Supreme Lord. Thus to see that one superior nature, that living force,

in every body is to see in the mode of goodness. That living energy is

imperishable, although the bodies are perishable. Differences are

perceived in terms of the body; because there are many forms of

material existence in conditional life, the living force appears to be

divided. Such impersonal knowledge is an aspect of self-realization.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.