Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 18
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 5, श्लोक 18
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि।
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥
Transliteration
Vidya-Vinaya-Sampanne Brahmane Gavi Hastini.
Shuni Chaiva Shvapake Cha Panditah Sama-Darshinah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
विद्याविनयसम्पन्नेvidya-vinaya-sampanneendowed with learning and humility
ब्राह्मणेbrahmanein a Brahmana
गविgaviin a cow
हस्तिनिhastiniin an elephant
शुनिshuniin a dog
चchaand
एवevacertainly
श्वपाकेshvapakein an outcaste
चchaand
पण्डिताःpanditahthe wise
समदर्शिनःsama-darshinahof equal vision
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
विद्या-विनय से सम्पन्न ब्राह्मण में, गाय में, हाथी में, कुत्ते में और चाण्डाल में — पण्डित (ज्ञानी) लोग समान दृष्टि रखते हैं।
English Translation
The wise look with equal vision upon a learned and humble Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and an outcaste.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most revolutionary verses in Hindu scripture. Krishna declares that the truly wise see the same divine Self in all beings — from the most learned scholar to animals and social outcastes. This 'sama-darshana' (equal vision) transcends all social, species, and caste distinctions. The diversity listed — ranging from the highest to the lowest in social hierarchy — emphasizes the radical equality that spiritual vision reveals.