Shloka 20
अध्यात्म-तत्त्व-निर्णयः
Adhyātma Taxonomy: Elements, Faculties, and Guṇas
स हि सर्वेषु भूतेषु जड़मेषु ध्रुवेषु च । वसत्येको महानात्मा येन सर्वमिदं ततम्
sa hi sarveṣu bhūteṣu jaḍameṣu dhruveṣu ca | vasaty eko mahānātmā yena sarvam idaṃ tatam ||
For in all beings—whether inert or steadfast—there dwells the one Great Self; and by that One this entire universe is pervaded. Vyāsa thus points to the ethical ground of right conduct: seeing the same indwelling Self everywhere dissolves hostility and supports compassion, restraint, and equanimity.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That a single Great Self dwells in all beings—sentient and insentient—and pervades the whole universe; recognizing this unity is presented as a foundation for dharmic conduct such as non-harm, compassion, and even-mindedness.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and right living, Vyāsa speaks a metaphysical principle: the one indwelling Self is present everywhere, and the world is pervaded by it—framing ethical life in terms of spiritual insight.