1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min
Study a Verse
Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.18
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि ।
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिता: समदर्शिन: ॥ १८ ॥
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioWhat this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.
3 study points
Through true knowledge, humble sages see a learned, gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and an outcaste with equal vision.
Prabhupāda explains that a Kṛṣṇa conscious person sees equally because the Supreme Lord is present as the Supersoul in every heart.
Practice looking beyond differences of body or caste, remembering that the Lord is equally kind to every living being.
Equality of vision — Liberated self-realized soul can see everything and everyone equally
He, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog eater
“Species” and “Caste” — two basis of mundane differentiation
What is the basis of “equal vision”
Spiritual equality of living entities as spirit soul
Lord neutrally present in the heart of all as Paramatma and thus treats everyone as a friend regardless of the circumstances of the living entities
Bodies are the material productions of different modes of material nature
Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity
Individual soul is only present in that particular body
Paramatma is present in each and every body
Texts 5.17 & 5.18
And what of the impartiality of those who transcend the material world in this way?
One who, in knowledge, devotionally fixes his consciousness on the Supersoul and remains materially equipoised, attains liberation in the near future
Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.
The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.
Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What does BG 5.18 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?
Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.
Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.
Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.
Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.