Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13
Bhakti as the Easy and Supreme Yoga: Seeing Kṛṣṇa in All and Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama
इति सर्वाणि भूतानि मद्भावेन महाद्युते । सभाजयन् मन्यमानो ज्ञानं केवलमाश्रित: ॥ १३ ॥ ब्राह्मणे पुक्कसे स्तेने ब्रह्मण्येऽर्के स्फुलिङ्गके । अक्रूरे क्रूरके चैव समदृक् पण्डितो मत: ॥ १४ ॥
iti sarvāṇi bhūtāni mad-bhāvena mahā-dyute sabhājayan manyamāno jñānaṁ kevalam āśritaḥ
Ô Uddhava éclatant : celui qui, de cette manière, voit tous les êtres avec l’idée que Je suis présent en chacun, et qui, s’abritant dans cette connaissance divine, rend à tous le respect qui leur est dû, est véritablement sage. Il voit d’un même regard le brāhmaṇa et l’exclu, le voleur et le protecteur de la culture brahmanique, le soleil et la minuscule étincelle, le doux et le cruel.
A series of opposites is set forth here — namely the high-class brāhmaṇa and the low-class aborigine, the thief who steals from respectable persons and the respecter of brahminical culture who gives charity to brāhmaṇas, the all-powerful sun and the insignificant spark, and finally the kind and the cruel. Ordinarily, the ability to distinguish between such opposites qualifies one as intelligent. How, then, can the Lord state that ignoring such obvious differences establishes one as a wise man? The answer is given by the words mad-bhāvena: a wise person sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead within everything. Therefore, although externally perceiving and dealing with the varieties of material situations, a wise man is more impressed by and concerned with the overwhelming unity of all existence, which is based on the presence of the Supreme Lord within everything. As explained here, a truly wise person is not limited to superficial material discrimination.
FAQs
This verse teaches honoring all beings by viewing them in relation to Kṛṣṇa (mad-bhāva), which produces humility and respectful conduct toward everyone.
In the Uddhava-gītā, Kṛṣṇa instructs His devotee Uddhava on the inner mood and practical behavior of devotion—humility, equal vision, and taking shelter of pure spiritual knowledge.
Treat people with dignity, avoid contempt and pride, and consciously remember that every soul is under the Lord’s care—then act with respect, service, and self-restraint.