In Bhagavad Gita 18.20, Krishna says knowledge by which one sees one imperishable reality in all beings, undivided in the divided, is sattvic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं
भावमव्ययमीक्षते
अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु
तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ॥ १८-२० ॥
sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ
bhāvamavyayamīkṣate
avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu
tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam
English transliteration sarvabhooteshu yenaikam
bhaavamavyayameekshate
avibhaktam vibhakteshu
tajjnaanam viddhi saattvikam ॥ 18.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
That knowledge by which one sees the one imperishable reality in all beings, undivided in the divided, know that knowledge to be sattvic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्वभूतेषु sarvabhūteṣu | in all beings |
| येन yena | by which |
| एकम् ekam | the one |
| भावम् bhāvam | reality |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | imperishable |
| ईक्षते īkṣate | sees |
| अविभक्तम् avibhaktam | undivided |
| विभक्तेषु vibhakteṣu | in the divided |
| तत् tat | that |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| सात्त्विकम् sāttvikam | sattvic |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–va–bhū–te–ṣu ye–nai–kaṃ 8 syllables sar-va-bhoo-te-shu ye-nai-kam
- bhā–va–mav–ya–ya–mī–kṣa–te | 8 syllables bhaa-va-mav-ya-ya-mee-ksha-te
- a–vi–bhak–taṃ vi–bhak–te–ṣu 8 syllables a-vi-bhak-tam vi-bhak-te-shu
- taj–jñā–naṃ vid–dhi sāt–tvi–kam || 18-20 8 syllables taj-jnaa-nam vid-dhi saat-tvi-kam
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 18 Verse 20
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of knowledge (18.20–18.22).
Meaning
Sāttvika jñāna perceives the eka bhāva avyaya, the one imperishable reality, in all beings. It sees the avibhakta, undivided, within the vibhakta, divided. Diversity is seen as the expression of one essence.
This is the highest form of knowledge: seeing unity without denying diversity.
In Practice
Look for the common essence in the diverse people you meet today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.