Shloka 44
Chapter 54
एक एव परो ह्यात्मा सर्वेषामपि देहिनाम् ।
नानेव गृह्यते मूढैर्यथा ज्योतिर्यथा नभः ॥
eka eva paro hy ātmā sarveṣām api dehinām / nāneva gṛhyate mūḍhair yathā jyotir yathā nabhaḥ //
The Supreme Self is one alone, dwelling within all embodied beings; yet the foolish perceive Him as many—just as light or the sky is truly one though it appears divided.
Having identified the symptom of illusion (friend–enemy–neutral), the Bhāgavatam now states the corrective vision: the one Supreme Self (Paramātmā) is present in the hearts of all living beings. Because of ignorance, people imagine separateness at the level of ultimate reality and then build rigid divisions upon that misconception. The verse uses two classic analogies. Light is one, but when filtered through different lamps, windows, or coverings it seems varied; similarly, the one divine presence appears different according to the conditioning of each mind and body. The sky is one, yet when enclosed by pots or rooms it is spoken of as ‘this sky’ and ‘that sky’; likewise, the one Paramātmā is spoken of as if fragmented, though He remains indivisible. This teaching does not erase individuality of the jīva; rather, it establishes unity at the level of the Supreme indwelling Lord. In bhakti, this vision matures into equal respect and compassion: seeing every heart as a temple of the same Lord. In the backdrop of Kṛṣṇa’s līlā, where kings compete and armies clash, the Bhāgavatam elevates the reader to the spiritual vantage point: beneath temporary roles and rivalries, the same Supreme Witness and Friend of all beings is present. For the practitioner, meditation on Paramātmā and devotional service to Kṛṣṇa dissolve envy and fear. When one understands the Lord is equally present everywhere, one’s dharma becomes service and goodwill rather than domination and partisanship.
FAQs
It teaches that the Supreme Self is one and present in all beings, though ignorance makes people think the divine presence is many or divided.
Because both sky and light are essentially one yet appear divided due to coverings or boundaries—like bodies and minds that condition perception.
By remembering the same Lord is in everyone’s heart, we reduce hatred and favoritism and act with compassion, restraint, and devotional purpose.