Chapter 13 Verse 17
Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāg Yog
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम्।भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च।।13.17।।
avibhaktaṁ cha bhūteṣhu vibhaktam iva cha sthitam bhūta-bhartṛi cha taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣhṇu prabhaviṣhṇu cha
Word Meanings
| avibhaktam | indivisible |
| cha | although |
| bhūteṣhu | amongst living beings |
| vibhaktam | divided |
| iva | apparently |
| cha | yet |
| sthitam | situated |
| bhūta-bhartṛi | the sustainer of all beings |
| cha | also |
| tat | that |
| jñeyam | to be known |
| grasiṣhṇu | the annihilator |
| prabhaviṣhṇu | the creator |
| cha | and |
Translation
Undivided yet, It exists as if divided in beings; It is to be known as the supporter of beings; It devours and It generates.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says the one truth or life is not actually broken, but it looks like many separate lives in living beings. The underlying reality is whole, even when outward forms seem divided.
That same reality is the supporter and inner ruler of all life. It works through the world, bringing things into being and taking them away. Creation and destruction are its natural functions, not personal acts of good or evil.
Knowing this changes how we see life. We begin to feel connected to others, accept change without panic, and act with less selfishness because we notice the same life running through everything.
Life Application
- Treat others with respect and care, remembering they share the same life or spirit as you.
- When facing loss or change, pause and remind yourself that creation and destruction are natural parts of the same whole.
- Work and help from a place of service rather than ownership, seeing yourself as an instrument of a larger life.
Reflection Question
How would one small choice today be different if you truly felt the same life in everyone?