Verse 5.18
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini। śuni caiva śva-pāke ca paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ।।
Word-by-Word Meanings
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने-endowed with learning and humility
ब्राह्मणे-in a brāhmaṇa
गवि-in a cow
हस्तिनि-in an elephant
शुनि-in a dog
श्वपाके-in an outcaste
समदर्शिनः-equal-visioned
Translation
The wise see with equal vision a learned and humble brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and an outcaste.
Commentary
This celebrated verse illustrates the vision of the enlightened - sama-darśana. The wise person perceives the same ātman in all beings regardless of external form, social status, or species. This is not indifference but the deepest recognition of the divine presence in all life.
Themes
jnanaatmandharma