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Bhagavad Gita 13.17 · Krishna

Undivided, yet in every being

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अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम्।

भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च॥

avibhaktaṃ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktamiva ca sthitambhūtabhartṛ ca tajjñeyaṃ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca

Undivided, yet it seems divided among beings. Know it as what sustains them, takes them back, and brings them forth.

What it means

Krishna says Brahman is avibhakta, undivided. Yet it appears divided, as if each being had its own separate piece. Like one sun reflected in a thousand puddles. It sustains all beings, takes them back at the end, and brings them forth again. One reality, many reflections.

The story

Arjuna sees thousands of separate warriors. Krishna says they're like reflections of one light. The separateness is real on the surface, and not the deepest truth.

In your life

After rain, look at puddles reflecting the sun or moon. One light, many reflections. When you meet someone today, remember you share the same light.

One light, a thousand reflections.