Bhagavad Gita 13.17 — Undivided Yet Appearing Divided: The Sustainer, Dissolver and Creator of All Beings
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् ।
भूतभर्तृ च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च ॥ १३.१७ ॥
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Though undivided, it exists in all beings as if divided. That which is to be known is the sustainer of beings, their devourer and their creator.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| avibhaktam | undivided, indivisible |
| cha | and |
| bhūteṣu | in all beings |
| vibhaktam | divided, separated |
| iva | as if, as though |
| cha | and |
| sthitam | situated, existing |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhūta-bhartṛ | the sustainer of all beings |
| cha | and |
| tat | that |
| jñeyam | is to be known |
| grasiṣṇu | the devourer; the one who dissolves |
| prabhaviṣṇu | the creator; the one who generates |
| cha | and |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| avibhaktam | undivided, indivisible | bhūta-bhartṛ | the sustainer of all beings |
| cha | and | cha | and |
| bhūteṣu | in all beings | tat | that |
| vibhaktam | divided, separated | jñeyam | is to be known |
| iva | as if, as though | grasiṣṇu | the devourer; the one who dissolves |
| cha | and | prabhaviṣṇu | the creator; the one who generates |
| sthitam | situated, existing | cha | and |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna resolves a question that naturally arises from the previous verses: if the Supreme is in all beings, is it broken into countless pieces? He explains that it remains undivided while appearing divided, and that it is the one source from which all beings are sustained, dissolved and born.
Essence
Undivided, Yet Appearing Divided
Lord Krishna says: avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam; bhūtabhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca—'Undivided in beings, yet seeming to stand divided; that is to be known as the sustainer of beings, their devourer, and their generator.'
Avibhaktam (undivided): The Supreme is not cut into portions that are distributed among creatures. Whatever is present in one being is the same Reality that is present in every other being. Just as one sun appears as many reflections in many vessels of water, but the sun itself is not divided, the one Reality is not fragmented by the multiplicity of bodies.
Vibhaktam iva (as if divided): The word iva, 'as if', is crucial. The division is an appearance caused by the multiplicity of bodies, minds and personalities in the field. Each of us feels separate because each of us has a separate body and mind. Yet the awareness that shines through each is not different. This is the deep root of the Gita's vision of universal compassion: those who appear as strangers or rivals are, at the deepest level, expressions of the same Reality.
Bhūta-bhartṛ (the sustainer of beings): All beings are held in existence by the Supreme. It is the ground that supports their life, just as the earth supports every plant and animal.
Grasiṣṇu (the devourer or absorber): At the time of dissolution, all beings return into their source. The Supreme is thus the one into whom everything finally merges. This word reminds us that endings are not meaningless: everything that arises is eventually gathered back into its source.
Prabhaviṣṇu (the generator): The same Reality is also the source from which beings emerge. Thus creation, sustenance and dissolution all take place in the one Supreme.
Unity Without Erasing Diversity
It is important not to misread this teaching. The Gita does not say that differences between persons do not matter in practical life. Each person has a unique body, temperament and duty, and Lord Krishna never asks Arjuna to ignore these. What he reveals is an underlying unity that can transform how we treat these differences. When we recognise the shared source, rivalry softens into respect, and competition becomes more humane.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Common Thread)
Reduce the sense of 'us' and 'them': Differences of nationality, religion, status and opinion are real in social life, but they are not the whole truth about a person. Remember this when conflict arises, and look for the common humanity beneath the disagreement.
Accept the rhythm of beginnings and endings: The Supreme is the generator, sustainer and absorber. Endings of jobs, relationships and seasons of life belong to the same rhythm. Seeing this reduces resistance and helps us grieve and move forward with greater trust.
Practical approach: When you meet someone you find difficult, silently remind yourself, 'The same awareness that is in me is in this person.' Observe how it changes your tone, even if you still disagree.
Undivided, Yet Appearing Divided
Lord Krishna says: avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam; bhūtabhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca—'Undivided in beings, yet seeming to stand divided; that is to be known as the sustainer of beings, their devourer, and their generator.'
Avibhaktam (undivided): The Supreme is not cut into portions that are distributed among creatures. Whatever is present in one being is the same Reality that is present in every other being. Just as one sun appears as many reflections in many vessels of water, but the sun itself is not divided, the one Reality is not fragmented by the multiplicity of bodies.
Vibhaktam iva (as if divided): The word iva, 'as if', is crucial. The division is an appearance caused by the multiplicity of bodies, minds and personalities in the field. Each of us feels separate because each of us has a separate body and mind. Yet the awareness that shines through each is not different. This is the deep root of the Gita's vision of universal compassion: those who appear as strangers or rivals are, at the deepest level, expressions of the same Reality.
Bhūta-bhartṛ (the sustainer of beings): All beings are held in existence by the Supreme. It is the ground that supports their life, just as the earth supports every plant and animal.
Grasiṣṇu (the devourer or absorber): At the time of dissolution, all beings return into their source. The Supreme is thus the one into whom everything finally merges. This word reminds us that endings are not meaningless: everything that arises is eventually gathered back into its source.
Prabhaviṣṇu (the generator): The same Reality is also the source from which beings emerge. Thus creation, sustenance and dissolution all take place in the one Supreme.
Unity Without Erasing Diversity
It is important not to misread this teaching. The Gita does not say that differences between persons do not matter in practical life. Each person has a unique body, temperament and duty, and Lord Krishna never asks Arjuna to ignore these. What he reveals is an underlying unity that can transform how we treat these differences. When we recognise the shared source, rivalry softens into respect, and competition becomes more humane.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Common Thread)
Reduce the sense of 'us' and 'them': Differences of nationality, religion, status and opinion are real in social life, but they are not the whole truth about a person. Remember this when conflict arises, and look for the common humanity beneath the disagreement.
Accept the rhythm of beginnings and endings: The Supreme is the generator, sustainer and absorber. Endings of jobs, relationships and seasons of life belong to the same rhythm. Seeing this reduces resistance and helps us grieve and move forward with greater trust.
Practical approach: When you meet someone you find difficult, silently remind yourself, 'The same awareness that is in me is in this person.' Observe how it changes your tone, even if you still disagree.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has declared that the Supreme is undivided and is the source, support and final refuge of all beings. He now describes the Supreme as light itself: the light of all lights, beyond darkness, and the goal of knowledge, residing in every heart.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Waves differ in shape, yet the ocean is one.
Everything that rises came from the same source.
The one who sustains all is the one who dwells in all.
Separation is a viewpoint, not a fact.
Endings and beginnings are two faces of one movement.
Honor each being as a different expression of one reality.
When the one is seen in the many, hatred loses its ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'avibhaktam' (undivided) mean here?
Why does the Supreme appear 'vibhaktam iva' (as if divided)?
What does 'bhūta-bhartṛ' (the sustainer of beings) tell us?
What do 'grasiṣṇu' (the devourer) and 'prabhaviṣṇu' (the creator) refer to?
How does this verse affect the way we see other people?
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