Chapter 18, Verse 21
Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
pṛithaktvena—unconnected; tu—however; yat—which; jñānam—knowledge; nānā-bhāvān—manifold entities; pṛithak-vidhān—of diversity; vetti—consider; sarveṣhu—in all; bhūteṣhu—living entities; tat—that; jñānam—knowledge; viddhi—know; rājasam—in the mode of passion
English translation
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.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 18.21
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.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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