Verse 13.17
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् | भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ||१७||
Transliteration (IAST)
avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam | bhūta-bhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca ||17||
Word-by-Word Meanings
avibhaktam-undivided
bhūteṣu-in beings
vibhaktam iva-as if divided
sthitam-situated
bhūta-bhartṛ-sustainer of beings
jñeyam-to be known
grasiṣṇu-devourer (at dissolution)
prabhaviṣṇu-creator/generator
Translation
Undivided yet existing as if divided among beings; It is to be known as the sustainer of beings, their devourer, and their creator.
Commentary
Though Brahman is one and indivisible, it appears divided among the multiplicity of beings - like space appearing divided by pots. Shankaracharya uses the analogy of the sun reflected in many waters. As sustainer, devourer, and creator, Brahman encompasses the entire cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution (sṛṣṭi, sthiti, laya).
Themes
jnanaatmantime