Chapter 18, Verse 20 (Bhagavad Gita 18.20)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते।अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम्
Transliteration
sarva-bhūteṣhu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣhate avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam
Word Meanings
sarva-bhūteṣhu—within all living beings; yena—by which; ekam—one; bhāvam—nature; avyayam—imperishable; īkṣhate—one sees; avibhaktam—undivided; vibhakteṣhu—in diversity; tat—that; jñānam—knowledge; viddhi—understand; sāttvikam—in the mode of goodness
Translation
That knowledge by which one sees the one, undivided, and indestructible Reality in all beings, despite their apparent separation—know that knowledge to be Sattvic, O Arjuna.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound instruction, Lord Krishna reveals the highest vision of wisdom: the ability to perceive the Divine presence behind the veil of diversity. When a seeker recognizes the same eternal Brahman dwelling within every living entity, the ignorance of duality is dissolved by the light of Sattvic knowledge. Shri Krishna teaches that true enlightenment is not seeing objects as isolated fragments, but seeing the substratum of His own infinite essence in everything. This realization purifies the heart and guides the soul toward liberation, as one begins to act with universal love and equality. By embracing this vision, the devotee moves beyond the material world and attains union with the Supreme Lord Krishna, the source of all existence.