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Bhagavad Gita 18.21

Chapter 18, Verse 21

Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yogमोक्षसंन्यासयोग

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

Transliteration

pṛithaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛithag-vidhān vetti sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam

Meaning

But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as being distinct from one another, know thou that knowledge to be Rajasic.

Word-by-word meaning
pṛithaktvenaunconnectedtuhoweveryatwhichjñānamknowledgenānā-bhāvānmanifold entitiespṛithak-vidhānof diversityvetticonsidersarveṣhuin allbhūteṣhuliving entitiestatthatjñānamknowledgeviddhiknowrājasamin the mode of passion
Commentary

Knowledge which sees As knowledge cannot be an agent, this should be interpreted to mean knowledge by which one sees. Entities Selves or souls. Different from one another Regarding them as different in different bodies. The knowledge that is led by the idea of separateness is passionate. Enveloping as it does the manifold creation with the veil of separateness, it deludes even the wise man. Owing to passionate knowledge, beings appear to be separate and the perception of unity is also lost sight of. That knowledge which beholds multiplicity in created objects and differentiates them as being small or great, according to their form and size, is of passionate nature and tainted. A man with passionate knowledge sees diversity everywhere. He beholds the many only. Now I will explain to thee? O Arjuna, knowledge that is of the ality of darkness, in order that thou mayest avoid it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 21?
But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as being distinct from one another, know thou that knowledge to be Rajasic.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 21 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.