Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 20 (BG 18.20)

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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 20 — Meaning & Commentary | Live Gita

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सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते |
अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ||१८-२०||

sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣate . avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam ||18-20||

That by which one sees the one indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate in all the separate beings know thou that knowledge to be Sattvic.

In simple words

Krishna describes pure knowledge: "The knowledge that sees one undivided, indestructible reality in all beings — not seeing them as separate from each other — that knowledge is pure."

Word-by-word meanings

सर्वभूतेषुin all beingsयेनby whichएकम्oneभावम्realityअव्ययम्indestructibleईक्षते(one) seesअविभक्तम्inseparableविभक्तेषुin the separatedतत्thatज्ञानम्knowledgeविद्धिknowसात्त्विकम्Sattvic (pure)

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

Swami Sivananda

18.20 सर्वभूतेषु in all beings? येन by which? एकम् one? भावम् reality? अव्ययम् indestructible? ईक्षते (one) sees? अविभक्तम् inseparable? विभक्तेषु in the separated? तत् that? ज्ञानम् knowledge? विद्धि know? सात्त्विकम् Sattvic (pure).Commentary That knowledge that sees no difference in all objects that are perceived? is pure. The seer beholds the one allpervading imperishable substance or essence behind the seeming diversity of the objects. He beholds unity in diversity? one in many? all in one. He sees that all the diverse objects are rooted in the One.Bhavam Reality The One Self.Sarvabhuteshu In all beings From the Unmanifested down to the insentient and unmoving objects.Avyayam Indestructible inexhaustible unchangeable that which cannot be exhausted either in itself or in its properties immutable.Just as the ether is indivisible? so also the Self is indivisible. The Self is the same in all bodies. It is the common consciousness in all bodies. It is not different in different bodies. It is one homogeneous indivisible essence or substance in all bodies? in all beings. Know thou? O Arjuna? this direct and right perception of the nondual Self as Sattvic (pure). (Cf.IV.35VI.29XIII.16?28XVIII.30)

Swami Chinmayananda

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

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Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

Swami Sivananda

Swami Chinmayananda

# BG 18.20 — Commentary on Sattvic Knowledge The threefold classification of knowledge, action, and agent presented in this discourse is not intended for judging and categorizing the virtues and faults of others. Rather, it is a means for the seeker's own self-examination. One who aspires to spiritual evolution should endeavor, to the best of one's ability, to establish oneself in sattvic virtue. Through self-reflection, we can understand our own shortcomings and immediately transcend them. Through sattvic knowledge, we perceive the one imperishable Truth that dwells within all beings. Though the limiting conditions are countless, their essential nature—the atman—remains singular. It is noteworthy that sattvic knowledge is not described here as the negation of the apparent multiplicity of creation. Rather, it is the recognition of the one fundamental nature underlying all distinctions, even while perceiving those distinctions themselves. By analogy: true knowledge of water is not the failure to see waves, but the recognition of the single watery essence even while observing the various waves. Though the atman within each body appears different due to the various and separate limiting conditions, the atman itself is truly one, indivisible, and inseparable. Just as the all-pervading space appears divided by the various pot-like limitations, yet space itself remains eternally whole and undivided—so too is the atman. That knowledge by which we comprehend this divine play of the one unique Supreme Self is sattvic knowledge.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 20 (BG 18.20) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

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