Bhagavad Gita 13.28 — One Who Sees the Imperishable Lord Equally Present in All Perishing Beings Truly Sees

What It Means to Truly See

Lord Krishna says: samaṁ sarveṣu bhūteṣu tiṣṭhantaṁ parameśvaram; vinaśyatsv avinaśyantaṁ yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati—'One who sees the Supreme Lord standing equally in all beings, and imperishable among the perishing, truly sees.'

The ending, sa paśyati, 'he sees', is a deliberate emphasis. Lord Krishna is saying that, in the deepest sense, those who do not see this are in some way blind, however sharp their physical eyes may be. True seeing, in the Gita, is not a matter of vision but of understanding.

Samaṁ sarveṣu bhūteṣu (equally in all beings): The word samam means equally, evenly. The Supreme is not more present in a saint than in a sinner, in a king than in a beggar, in a human than in an animal. The expression of qualities differs, but the indwelling presence is the same. A lamp placed behind coloured glass appears to have different colours, but the light itself is one.

Parameśvaram (the Supreme Lord): What dwells equally in all beings is not a minor principle but the Supreme Lord himself. This lends every being a dignity that does not depend on achievement, status or appearance.

Vinaśyatsu avinaśyantam (imperishable among the perishing): Bodies are born, change, grow old and die. Everything that belongs to the field is perishable. Yet the Supreme dwelling within remains untouched by this passing. The one who sees this does not mistake the endings of forms for the ending of what is real. Grief remains a human emotion, but it is held within a larger understanding.

Equal Vision, Not Equal Treatment

A point worth stressing is that equal vision does not mean treating everyone identically in every practical matter. A parent treats a small child differently from an adult, and a teacher responds differently to different students. Equal vision means that beneath all differences of role, behaviour and circumstance, one recognises the same inner presence. This vision gives practical conduct its compassion and fairness, without erasing necessary distinctions.

It also protects against two common distortions: contempt for those we consider inferior, and excessive awe for those we consider superior. Both come from judging by the field alone. The one who sees the Lord in all remains humble before the great and kind to the small.

Message for Everyday Life (Dissolving Prejudice and Contempt)

Look beneath the surface: Titles, wealth, accent, skin colour and opinions are all features of the field. Practise looking past them and acknowledging the person within. This can transform the way we speak to waiters, colleagues, relatives and strangers.

Hold loss within a larger vision: When someone or something dear passes away, grief is natural. Yet the Gita offers a steadying thought: what is truly essential in a being is not touched by the passing of the body.

Practical approach: Choose someone you find difficult. For one week, each time you think of them, silently say, 'The same Lord dwells in this person.' Observe whether your inner stance softens, even slightly.