Chapter 5, Verse 18 (Bhagavad Gita 5.18)
Chapter 5: Karm Sanyās Yog – Path of Renunciation
Sanskrit Shloka
विद्याविनयसंपन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः
Transliteration
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini śhuni chaiva śhva-pāke cha paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśhinaḥ
Word Meanings
vidyā—divine knowledge; vinaya—humbleness; sampanne—equipped with; brāhmaṇe—a Brahmin; gavi—a cow; hastini—an elephant; śhuni—a dog; cha—and; eva—certainly; śhva-pāke—a dog-eater; cha—and; paṇḍitāḥ—the learned; sama-darśhinaḥ—see with equal vision
Translation
The humble sages, through the lens of true knowledge, perceive the same divine essence in a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater alike.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse teaches the profound concept of 'Samadarshana,' or equal vision, which is the hallmark of a self-realized soul. It challenges the human tendency to categorize beings based on social status, species, or perceived purity, urging us to look past the external forms that cloud our perception. By recognizing the same Atman (divine spark) residing in all, the practitioner transcends the ego-driven duality of attraction and aversion. This internal transformation fosters a state of universal compassion, where service to others becomes a natural expression of honoring the Divine. Ultimately, it signifies that true wisdom is not just intellectual understanding, but the ability to see the unity of existence amidst the diversity of life.