In Bhagavad Gita 18.21, Krishna says knowledge that sees in all beings only separate entities of different kinds is rajasic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं
नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्
वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु
तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ १८-२१ ॥
pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ
nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān
vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu
tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam
English transliteration prithaktvena tu yajjnaanam
naanaabhaavaanprithagvidhaan
vetti sarveshu bhooteshu
tajjnaanam viddhi raajasam ॥ 18.21 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of different kinds, as separate from one another, know that knowledge to be rajasic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पृथक्त्वेन pṛthaktvena | as separate |
| तु tu | but |
| यत् yat | which |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| नानाभावान् nānābhāvān | various entities nānā (various) + bhāvān (entities) |
| पृथग्विधान् pṛthagvidhān | of different kinds pṛthak (different) + vidhān (kinds) |
| वेत्ति vetti | sees |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | in all |
| भूतेषु bhūteṣu | beings |
| तत् tat | that |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| राजसम् rājasam | rajasic |
Word-wise Chanting
- pṛ–thak–tve–na tu yaj–jñā–naṃ 8 syllables pri-thak-tve-na tu yaj-jnaa-nam
- nā–nā–bhā–vān–pṛ–thag–vi–dhān | 8 syllables naa-naa-bhaa-vaan-pri-thag-vi-dhaan
- vet–ti sar–ve–ṣu bhū–te–ṣu 8 syllables vet-ti sar-ve-shu bhoo-te-shu
- taj–jñā–naṃ vid–dhi rā–ja–sam || 18-21 8 syllables taj-jnaa-nam vid-dhi raa-ja-sam
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 21
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of knowledge (18.20–18.22).
Meaning
Rājasika jñāna sees only pṛthaktva, separateness. It perceives a world of distinct, competing beings without any underlying unity. This view fuels comparison, rivalry and craving.
This is the ordinary view of the world. It is not entirely false, but it is incomplete.
In Practice
When you feel competitive or separate from someone today, remind yourself of what you share.
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.