In Bhagavad Gita 13.17, Krishna says Brahman is undivided, yet appears divided among beings; it is to be known as the sustainer of beings, their devourer and their creator.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु
विभक्तमिव च स्थितम्
भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं
ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ॥ १३-१७ ॥
avibhaktaṃ ca bhūteṣu
vibhaktamiva ca sthitam
bhūtabhartṛ ca tajjñeyaṃ
grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca
English transliteration avibhaktam cha bhooteshu
vibhaktamiva cha sthitam
bhootabhartri cha tajjneyam
grasishnu prabhavishnu cha ॥ 13.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Undivided, it yet seems to exist as divided among beings. It is to be known as the sustainer of beings, their devourer and their creator.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अविभक्तम् avibhaktam | undivided |
| च ca | and |
| भूतेषु bhūteṣu | among beings |
| विभक्तम् vibhaktam | divided |
| इव iva | as if |
| च ca | and |
| स्थितम् sthitam | existing |
| भूतभर्तृ bhūtabhartṛ | sustainer of beings bhūta (beings) + bhartṛ (sustainer) |
| च ca | and |
| तत् tat | that |
| ज्ञेयम् jñeyam | to be known |
| ग्रसिष्णु grasiṣṇu | devourer |
| प्रभविष्णु prabhaviṣṇu | creator |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–vi–bhak–taṃ ca bhū–te–ṣu 8 syllables a-vi-bhak-tam cha bhoo-te-shu
- vi–bhak–ta–mi–va ca sthi–tam | 8 syllables vi-bhak-ta-mi-va cha sthi-tam
- bhū–ta–bhar–tṛ ca taj–jñe–yaṃ 8 syllables bhoo-ta-bhar-tri cha taj-jne-yam
- gra–siṣ–ṇu pra–bha–viṣ–ṇu ca || 13-17 8 syllables gra-sish-nu pra-bha-vish-nu cha
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 13 Verse 17
Context
Krishna describes the nature of Brahman (13.13–13.18).
Meaning
Brahman is avibhakta, one and undivided, yet appears vibhakta iva, as if divided into many beings, like space that seems divided by many pots. It is the bhartṛ, sustainer; the grasiṣṇu, the one that absorbs all at dissolution; and the prabhaviṣṇu, the one from whom all arises.
The many beings we see are one reality appearing as many. The sense of separation is real in experience but not ultimate.
In Practice
Imagine space inside many different jars. Remember that it is one space. Apply this image to the beings you meet today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.