Shloka 16
Śraddhā–Guṇa–Vibhāga Yoga (Faith and the Three Guṇas) — Mahābhārata Book 6, Chapter 39
अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् | भूतभर्त च तज्ज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च,वह परमात्मा विभागरहित एक रूपसे आकाशके सदृश परिपूर्ण होनेपर भी चराचर सम्पूर्ण भूतोंमें विभक्त-सा स्थित प्रतीत होता हैः तथा वह जाननेयोग्य परमात्मा विष्णुरूपसे भूतोंको धारण-पोषण करनेवाला और रुद्ररूपसे संहार करनेवाला तथा ब्रह्मारूपसे सबको उत्पन्न करनेवाला है
arjuna uvāca | avibhaktaṁ ca bhūteṣu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam | bhūtabhartṛ ca taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca ||
Arjuna said: That Reality is to be known as the one that is undivided, yet appears as though divided among all beings. It is the sustainer of creatures; and it is also the power that withdraws them back into itself and the power that brings them forth. In the ethical vision of the Gītā, this teaching grounds reverence for all life and steadiness of duty: the One pervades all, so action should be done without hatred, with discernment and responsibility.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The Supreme Self/Brahman is intrinsically one and undivided, yet it appears as many within the multiplicity of beings. It is simultaneously the sustaining ground of life, the power of dissolution (re-absorption), and the power of creation (manifestation).
Within the Bhīṣma Parva’s Gītā dialogue on the battlefield, Arjuna is receiving instruction about the ‘knowable’ Reality. This verse articulates how the one Self pervades all beings while remaining indivisible, framing Arjuna’s understanding of duty and conduct amid war.