Shloka 54
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
त्रयाणामेकभावानां यो न पश्यति वै भिदाम् । सर्वभूतात्मनां ब्रह्मन् स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥ ५४ ॥
trayāṇām eka-bhāvānāṁ yo na paśyati vai bhidām sarva-bhūtātmanāṁ brahman sa śāntim adhigacchati
O brāhmaṇa: one who sees no difference in the one essence of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and all living beings as the Soul of all, truly knows Brahman and attains peace; others do not.
Two words are very significant in this verse: trayāṇām indicates “three,” namely Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu; bhidām means “different.” They are three, and therefore they are separate, but at the same time they are one. This is the philosophy of simultaneous oneness and difference, which is called acintya-bhedābheda-tattva. The example given in the Brahma-saṁhitā is that milk and yogurt are simultaneously one and different; both are milk, but the yogurt has become changed. In order to achieve real peace, one should see everything and every living entity, including Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, as nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one is independent. Every one of us is an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This accounts for unity in diversity. There are diverse manifestations, but, at the same time, they are one in Viṣṇu. Everything is an expansion of Viṣṇu’s energy.
FAQs
This verse teaches that real peace arises when one stops seeing divisive differences and recognizes the one spiritual essence—the Self present in all beings.
After the conflict surrounding Dakṣa’s yajña, Lord Viṣṇu instructs that harmony is restored when one rises above divisive vision and understands the underlying unity of all living beings.
Practice reducing “us vs. them” thinking, cultivate respect for all beings, and ground your actions in spiritual identity rather than external labels—this supports inner calm and healthier relationships.