Mokṣa Sannyāsa Yoga

18.21

first review verified; second review pendingKrishna

Sanskrit · Devanagari

पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्। वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥

Sanskrit · IAST

pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam

English translation

Kashinath Trimbak Telang, 1882
Know that knowledge to be passionate which is (based) on distinctions (between different entities) which sees in all things various entities of different kinds. And that is described as dark

This verse was aligned by machine and has completed first review (google/gemini-3.8-flash confidence: 76%); second review pending. Machine alignment confidence: 70%.

Interpretations

Compare translations and commentaries

All 30 available readings are aligned to this verse. Translations appear first, followed by commentaries; each keeps its author and source trail.

Translation · English

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

That knowledge by which one sees that in every different body there is a different type of living entity you should understand to be in the mode of passion.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 22173840d2ac…

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Translation · English

Abhinavagupta

18.21 See Comment under 18.22

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Translation · English

Dr. S. S. Sankaranarayan

18.21. That instrument-of-knowledge, by means of which one considers the varied natures of different sorts in all beings as [really] different-that is regarded to be of the Rajas (Strand).

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 d52840a6fc48…

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Translation · English

Rāmānuja

18.21 Whatever knowledge perceives in Brahmana etc., at the time of work, the entity known as the Atman as of diverse nature because the bodies of those beings are tall or fair and are fit to attain the fruits of work - know that knowledge to be Rajasika. The point is this: It is not a condemnation of the plurality of Atman. The Atman, though distinct, is uniform everywhere. The bodily attributes do not affect it. The knowledge lacking this understanding is stigmatised as Rajasa.

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Translation · English

Śaṅkarācārya

18.21 Tu, but; viddhi, know; tat, that; jnanam, knowledge; to be rajasam, originating from rajas; yat, which; sarvesu bhutesu, amidst all things; vetti, apprehends-since knowledge cannot be an agent of hends-since knowledge cannot be an agent of action, therefore the meaning implied is, 'that, knowledge৷৷.through which one apprehends৷৷.'-; nana-bhavan, the different entities; prthagvidhan, of various kinds, i.e., those possessing diverse characteristics and different from oneself; prthakrvena, as distinct, as separate in each body.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 f19660cbfd5f…

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Translation · English

Shri Purohit Swami

18.21 The knowledge which thinks of the manifold existence in all beings as separate - that comes from Passion.

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Translation · English

Sir Edwin Arnold

There is imperfect Knowledge: that which sees The separate existences apart, And, being separated, holds them real.

First model review verified (google/gemini-3.8-flash confidence: 98%); second review pending. SHA-256 f3f7108f4e7c…

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Translation · English

Swami Adidevananda

18.21 But that knowledge which sees all beings, by reason of their individuality, as entities of distinct nature - know that knowledge to be Rajasika.

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Translation · English

Swami Gambirananda

18.21 But know that knowledge to be originating from rajas which, amidst all things, apprehends the different entities of various kinds as distinct [As possessing distinct selves.].

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Translation · English

Swami Sivananda

18.21 But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as different from one another know thou that knowledge to be Rajasic.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 49c553bf22d0…

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Translation · Hindi

Śaṅkarācārya

।।18.21।।और जो ज्ञान? सम्पूर्ण भूतोंमें भिन्नभिन्न प्रकारके भिन्नभिन्न भावोंको? आत्मासे अलग विलक्षण पृथक्रूपसे देखता है? अर्थात् प्रत्येक शरीरमें अलगअलग अपनेसे दूसरा आत्मा समझता है? उस ज्ञानको तू राजस यानी रजोगुणसे उत्पन्न हुआ जान। ज्ञानमें कर्तापन होना असम्भव है? इसलिये जो ज्ञान देखता है इसका आशय यह है कि जिस ज्ञानके द्वारा मनुष्य देखता है।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 6d8c49e227c7…

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Translation · Hindi

Swami Ramsukhdas

।।18.21।।परन्तु जो ज्ञान अर्थात् जिस ज्ञानके द्वारा मनुष्य सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंमें अलग-अलग अनेक भावोंको अलग-अलग रूपसे जानता है, उस ज्ञानको तुम राजस समझो।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 42d475f527c5…

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Translation · Hindi

Swami Tejomayananda

।।18.21।। जिस ज्ञान के द्वारा मनुष्य समस्त भूतों में नाना भावों को पृथक्-पृथक् जानता है, उस ज्ञान को तुम राजस जानो।।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 ae0f01df699f…

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Commentary · English

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The concept that the material body is the living entity and that with the destruction of the body the consciousness is also destroyed is called knowledge in the mode of passion. According to that knowledge, bodies differ from one another because of the development of different types of consciousness, otherwise there is no separate soul which manifests consciousness. The body is itself the soul, and there is no separate soul beyond the body. According to such knowledge, consciousness is temporary. Or else there are no individual souls, but there is an all-pervading soul, which is full of knowledge, and this body is a manifestation of temporary ignorance. Or beyond this body there is no special individual or supreme soul. All such conceptions are considered products of the mode of passion.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 94c415941cab…

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Commentary · English

Swami Sivananda

18.21 पृथक्त्वेन as different from one another? तु but? यत् which? ज्ञानम् knowledge? नानाभावान् various entities? पृथग्विधान् of distinct kinds? वेत्ति knows? सर्वेषु (in) all? भूतेषु in beings? तत् that? ज्ञानम् knowledge? विद्धि know? राजसम् Rajasic.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.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 1774aace7f27…

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Commentary · Hindi

Swami Chinmayananda

।।18.21।। जब हम इन्द्रिय? मन और बुद्धि के माध्यम से जगत् का अवलोकन करते हैं? तब? निसन्देह उसमें हमें असंख्य प्रकार के भेद दृष्टिगोचर होते हैं। परन्तु जो वस्तु जिस रूप में दिखाई देती है? उसके उसी रूप को सत्य समझ लेना अविवेक का लक्षण है। राजसी पुरुष का मन सदैव चंचल और अस्थिर रहने के कारण वह कभी शान्त मन से विचार नहीं कर पाता और यही कारण है कि वह दृष्टिगोचर भेद? जैसे वनस्पति? पशु? मनुष्य आदि को परस्पर सर्वथा भिन्न और सत्य मान लेता है। ऐसे ज्ञान को राजस ज्ञान कहते हैं।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 57bb2b93e536…

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Commentary · Hindi

Swami Ramsukhdas

।।18.21।। व्याख्या -- पृथक्त्वेन तु (टिप्पणी प0 904.1) यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान् पृथग्विधान् -- राजस ज्ञानमें राग की मुख्यता होती है -- रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि (गीता 14। 7)। रागका यह नियम है कि वह जिसमें आ जाता है? उसमें किसीके प्रति आसक्ति? प्रियता पैदा करा देता है और किसीके प्रति द्वेष पैदा करा देता है। इस रागके कारण ही मनुष्य? देवता? यक्षराक्षस? पशुपक्षी? कीटपतङ्ग? वृक्षलता आदि जितने भी चरअचर प्राणी हैं? उन प्राणियोंकी विभिन्न आकृति? स्वभाव? नाम? रूप? गुण आदिको लेकर राजस ज्ञानवाला मनुष्य उनमें रहनेवाली एक ही अविनाशी आत्माको तत्त्वसे अलगअलग समझता है।वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् -- इसी तरह जिस ज्ञानसे मनुष्य अलगअलग शरीरोंमें अन्तःकरण? स्वभाव? इन्द्रियाँ? प्राण आदिके सम्बन्धसे प्राणियोंको भी अलगअलग मानता है? वह ज्ञान राजस कहलाता है। राजस ज्ञानमें जडचेतनका विवेक नहीं होता। सम्बन्ध -- अब तामस ज्ञानका वर्णन करते हैं।

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Abhinavagupta

।।18.20 -- 18.22।।तत्र ( S adds शरीरे after तत्र ) सर्वभूतेषु इत्यादिना श्लोकत्रयेण ( श्लो.2022 ) ज्ञानकरणस्य त्रैरूप्यमुक्तम्। अत एव येन इति तृतीया। इयता च ज्ञानकरणसामान्यस्य (,? N record an alternative reading सामर्थ्यस्य for सामान्यस्य by saying सामर्थ्यस्येत्यन्यादर्शे ) स्वरूपमुक्तम्। नियतम् इत्यादिना श्लोकत्रयेण ( श्लो. 2325 ) कर्मणो ज्ञेयकार्यरूपस्य द्वैविध्यम् मुक्तसंगः इत्यादिना श्लोकत्रयेण ( श्लो. 2628 ) तु कर्तुर्द्विरूपस्य संक्षेपेण स्वरूपम् करणविशेषस्य स्वरूपभेदप्रतिपादनार्थ [ प्रवृत्तिम् इत्यादिना श्लोकत्रयेण ( 3032 ) ] बुद्धेस्त्रैविध्यं निरूपितम् ( S -- विध्यमुपलक्षितम् )। तद्द्वारेण करणान्तराणामपि त्रैविध्यमुपलक्षितम्। करणस्य तु इतिकर्तव्यतापेक्षित्वात् इतिकर्तव्यतायाश्च धृत्यादिपञ्चकरूपत्वेऽपि? श्रद्धायाः पूर्वमुक्तत्वात्? विविदिषाविविदिषयोश्च धृतिसुखाभ्यामाक्षेपात् तयोस्त्रैविध्यम् धृत्या यया इत्यनेन [ श्लोकत्रयेण ( 3335 ) ] सुखं त्विदानीम् इत्यनेन [ श्लोकत्रयेण ( 3639 ) ] चोक्तम्। तदाह -- सर्वभूतेषु इत्यादि समुदाहृतमित्यन्तम्। विभक्ततेषु? देवमनुष्यादितया। पृथक्त्वेन? इह मे प्रीतिः इह मे द्वेषः इत्यादिबुद्ध्या। अहेतुकम्? कारणमविचार्यैव अभिनिवेशावेशवशात् क्रोधरागादिग्रहणं यत् तत्तामसंज्ञम्।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 60fadbd286fd…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Ānandagiri

।।18.21।।द्वैतदर्शनान्यपि कानिचिद्भवन्ति सत्त्वनिर्वृत्तानि सम्यञ्चीत्याशङ्क्याह -- यानीति। तेषामसम्यक्त्वे हेतुमाह -- राजसानीति। प्रतिदेहमन्यत्वेन भिन्नात्मनो येन ज्ञानेन जानाति तज्ज्ञानं राजसमिति व्याचष्टे -- भेदेनेति। पृथक्त्वं पृथग्विधत्वं च पुनरुक्तमित्याशङ्क्य हेतुहेतुमत्त्वेन विभागं विवक्षित्वाह -- भिन्नेति। ज्ञानस्य ज्ञानकर्तृत्वमयुक्तमित्याशङ्क्याह -- येनेति।

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Dhanapati

।।18.21।।एवमद्वैतवादिनां सात्त्विकमुपादेयमुक्त्वा तार्किकाणां तद्राजसं हेयमाह -- पृथक्त्वेन त्विति। तुशब्दः संसारोच्छत्तिहेतुभूतात्पूर्वोक्तात्सात्त्विकाज्ज्ञानात्तदुच्छत्त्यहेतुभूतस्य प्रत्युत तत्कारणस्य वैलक्षण्यद्योतनार्थः। पृथक्त्वेन प्रतिशरीरमन्यत्वेन हेतुना पृथग्विधान् भिन्नलक्षणान् नानाभावान् भिन्नात्मनः सर्वेषु भूतेषु यज्ज्ञानं राजसं रजोनिर्वत्तं विद्धि। यत्पृथकत्वेन स्थितेषु भूतेष्विति तु दूरान्वयदोषेणआध्याहारदोषेण च ग्रस्तत्वादाचार्यैरुपेक्षितम्।

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Jayatīrtha

।।18.21।।Sri Jayatirtha did not comment on this sloka.

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 63c25639ebcd…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Madhusūdana Sarasvatī

।।18.21।।पृथक्त्वेनेति। तुशब्दः प्रागुक्तसात्त्विकव्यतिरेकप्रदर्शनार्थः। पृथक्त्वेन भेदेन स्थितेषु सर्वभूतेषु देहादिषु नानाभावान् प्रतिदेहमन्यानात्मनः पृथग्विधान् सुखदुःखित्वादिरूपेण परस्परविलक्षणान्। येन ज्ञानेन वेत्तीति वक्तव्ये यज्ज्ञानं वेत्तीति करणे कर्तृत्वोपचारादेधांसि पचन्तीतिवत्कर्तुरहंकारस्य तद्वृत्त्यभेदाद्वा तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसमिति पुनर्ज्ञानपदमात्मभेदज्ञानं अनात्मभेदज्ञानं च परामृशति। तेनात्मनां परस्परं भेदस्तेषामीश्वराद्भेदस्तेभ्य ईश्वरादन्योन्यतश्चाचेतनवर्गस्य भेद इत्यनौपाधिकभेदपञ्चकज्ञानं कुतार्किकाणां राजसमेवेत्यभिप्रायः।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 b65e977fd710…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Madhvācārya

।।18.21।।Sri Madhvacharya did not comment on this sloka. ,

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 2e34d2abe690…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Nīlakaṇṭha

।।18.21।।भेदज्ञाने राजसत्वमाह -- पृथक्त्वेनेति। यत्पृथक्त्वेन भिन्नत्वेन। ज्ञानं तद्राजसमिति संबन्धः।,पृथक्त्वेनेत्येतद्विवृणोति। सर्वेषु भूतेषु पाञ्चभौतिकत्वेनाविशिष्टेषु नानाभावान् सुरनरतिर्यक्स्थावरत्वभेदेन नानात्वानि। बहुवचनमत्यन्तभेदप्रदर्शनार्थम्। पृथग्विधान् एकजातीयेष्वपि नरादिषु प्रत्येकं विभिन्नप्रकारान् यज्ज्ञानं वेत्ति विषयीकरोतीति। येन ज्ञानेन वेत्तीति वक्तव्ये एधांसि पचन्तीतिवद्यज्ज्ञानं वेत्तिति करणे कर्तृत्वोपचारो बोध्यः। तेनात्मनां परस्परभेदस्तेषामीश्वराद्भेदस्तेभ्य ईश्वरादन्योन्यतश्च जडवर्गस्य भेद इत्यनौपाधिकभेदपञ्चकज्ञानं कुतार्किकाणां राजसमेवेत्यभिप्रायः।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 735dc21bc6b8…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Puruṣottamajī

।।18.21।।राजसमाह -- पृथक्त्वेनेति। ज्ञानस्य सात्त्विकात्मकत्वाद्वक्ष्यमाणज्ञानस्य शब्दमात्रसाम्यज्ञापनाय तुशब्दः। पृथक्त्वेन क्रीडामयैकराहित्येन तु नानाभावान् अनेकान् जीवान् पृथग्विधान् नानाभिलाषरूपान् सुखिदुःखीत्यादिपशुपक्षिमनुजतृणस्तम्बादीन् सर्वेषु भूतेषु येन पश्यति तज्ज्ञानं राजसं विक्षिप्तमानसात्मकं विद्धि।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 02e6590661e1…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Rāmānuja

।।18.21।।सर्वेषु भूतेषु ब्राह्मणादिषु ब्राह्मणाद्याकारपृथक्त्वेन आत्माख्यान् अपि भावान् नानाभूतान् सितदीर्घादिपृथक्त्वेन च पृथग्विधान् फलादिसंयोगयोग्यान् कर्माधिकारवेलायां यद् ज्ञानं वेत्ति तत् ज्ञानं राजसं विद्धि।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 257a4f06b376…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Śaṅkarācārya

।।18.21।। --,पृथक्त्वेन तु भेदेन प्रतिशरीरम् अन्यत्वेन यत् ज्ञानं नानाभावान् भिन्नान् आत्मनः पृथग्विधान् पृथक्प्रकारान् भिन्नलक्षणान् इत्यर्थः? वेत्ति विजानाति यत् ज्ञानं सर्वेषु भूतेषु? ज्ञानस्य कर्तृत्वासंभवात् येन ज्ञानेन वेत्ति इत्यर्थः? तत् ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसं रजोगुणनिर्वृत्तम्।।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 3b39fe687c6f…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Śrīdhara Svāmin

।।18.21।।राजसं ज्ञानमाह -- पृथक्त्वेनेति। पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानमित्यस्यैव विवरणं सर्वेषु भूतेषु देहेषु नानाभावान्वस्तुत एवानेकान्क्षेत्रज्ञान् पृथग्विधान्सुखीदुःखीत्यादिरूपेण विलक्षणान् येन ज्ञानेन वेत्ति तज्ज्ञानं राजसं विद्धि।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 0b3040c9b93d…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Vallabhācārya

।।18.21।।पृथक्त्वेनेति स्पष्टम्।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 5384527b9a61…

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Commentary · Sanskrit

Vedānta Deśika Veṅkaṭanātha

।।18.21।।पृथक्त्वेन च पृथग्विधान् पृथक्त्वेन विशेषितानित्यर्थः। पृथक्त्वादिशब्दानां पुनरुक्तिपरिहारायाऽऽहब्राह्मणाद्याकारपृथक्त्वेनेतिसर्वेषु भूतेषु इति विशिष्टानुवादः तत्रभावान् इति विशेष्यनिष्कर्ष इत्यभिप्रायेणाऽऽहआत्माख्यानपि भावानिति। जातिभेदविशेष्यभेदगुणादिभेदपरतया पृथक्त्वनानात्वपृथग्विधशब्दानामपुनरुक्तिः। उक्तव्यतिरेकपरतया फलादिसंयोगयोग्यत्वोक्तिः।ज्ञानं वेत्तीति कर्तृत्वोपचारः।

Machine-validated alignment; human review pending. SHA-256 60c5e3d4e545…

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Source trail

Trace this verse

Canonical ID
gita.18.21
Corpus version
gita-1.0.0-rc.1
Text review
machine-cross-checked; first review verified, second pass pending
Devanagari and IAST digital witness
vedic-scriptures · BG18.21
English translation witness
telang-1882 · Chapter 18; aligned against BG18.21
SHA-256
0c1c3f2be10986df2a5f996fe630d62a5434185d3940beb72ae423edb70b58c3