पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्।वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम्।।18.21।।
pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvān pṛthak‑vidhān | vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ||18.21||
Translation
That knowledge is to be considered in the mode of passion by which one sees manifold living entities in diverse bodies as individual and unconnected.
Word Meanings
pṛthaktvena — because of division; tu — but; yat — which; jñānam — knowledge; nānā‑bhāvān — multifarious situations; pṛthak‑vidhān — different; vetti — knows; sarveṣu — in all; bhūteṣu — living entities; tat — that; jñānam — knowledge; viddhi — must be known; rājasam — in terms of passion
Understanding the Verse
In this concluding verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna delineates how knowledge (jñāna) is perceived differently depending on the mode of nature (guṇa) that colors the knower's mind. The term pṛthaktvena, meaning 'by division' or 'through the sense of separateness,' highlights the fundamental error of viewing the world as a collection of isolated entities. When knowledge is filtered through the passionate mode (rājas), the mind is inclined to perceive diversity and multiplicity, emphasizing differences rather than underlying unity.
The verse emphasizes that the passionate nature engenders a perception of manifold living beings (bhūteṣhu) as distinct, unrelated, and independent. This perception arises from the mind's attachment to sensory experiences, desire, and the restless striving for personal gain. Such a mindset fails to recognize the essential spiritual oneness that pervades all existence, leading to a superficial understanding of the self and the world.
Krishna uses the phrase 'yaj jñānaṃ' (that knowledge) to point to a specific type of cognition – the one that is colored by the desire for personal fulfillment and power. This 'passionate knowledge' is not the transcendental wisdom that perceives the soul (ātman) as identical with the Supreme (Brahman), but rather an intellectual grasp limited by egoistic distinctions. Consequently, the knowledge appears fragmented, as if each being dwells in its own isolated realm, disconnected from others.
The verse also serves as a diagnostic tool for spiritual aspirants. By recognizing the characteristic of seeing 'pṛthak‑vidhān' (different) in all living entities, one can identify the dominance of the passionate mode within oneself. This awareness is the first step toward transcending rajas and cultivating sattvic (pure) knowledge, which perceives all beings as manifestations of the same divine essence.
In practical terms, the teaching urges seekers to move beyond the intellectual habit of categorizing and separating. When one cultivates detachment, self‑control, and a sense of universal compassion, the mind naturally shifts from rajas to sattva, allowing a clearer perception of reality. Such sattvic knowledge recognizes the interconnectedness of life, fostering empathy, altruism, and a deeper alignment with the divine will.
Thus, Chapter 18, Verse 21 encapsulates a profound psychological insight: the mode of our inner nature determines how we interpret knowledge. By identifying and transforming the passionate tendencies that cause us to see division, we open the path to a holistic, unified understanding of existence, which is the ultimate goal of the Gita's teachings.
