Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 21
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Seeing Only Division · A Narrowed View

पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् । वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥

pṛthaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛthag-vidhān vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam

Meaning

"That knowledge which sees, in all beings, many distinct and separate natures, know that to be knowledge in the mode of rajas."

Explanation

Seeing only division and difference between people, without any underlying connection, is itself a limited kind of knowledge — useful to notice when your own view has narrowed this way.

Today's Life Lesson

If you catch yourself seeing only differences between people today, gently look for the connection underneath too.

More verses to reflect on