Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 29
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
निमित्ते सति सर्वत्र जलादावपि पूरुष: । आत्मनश्च परस्यापि भिदां पश्यति नान्यदा ॥ २९ ॥
nimitte sati sarvatra jalādāv api pūruṣaḥ ātmanaś ca parasyāpi bhidāṁ paśyati nānyadā
Лишь из-за различных причин человек повсюду видит различие между собой и другими, подобно тому как отражение тела по-разному проявляется в воде, в масле или в зеркале.
The spirit soul is one, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is manifested in svāṁśa and vibhinnāṁśa expansions. The jīvas are vibhinnāṁśa expansions; the different incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are svāṁśa expansions. Thus there are different potencies of the Supreme Lord, and there are different expansions of the different potencies. In this way, for different reasons there are different expansions of the same one principle, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding is real knowledge, but when the living entity is covered by the upādhi, or designated body, he sees differences, exactly as one sees differences in reflections of oneself on water, on oil or in a mirror. When something is reflected on the water, it appears to be moving. When it is reflected on ice, it appears fixed. When it is reflected on oil, it appears hazy. The subject is one, but under different conditions it appears differently. When the qualifying factor is taken away, the whole appears to be one. In other words, when one comes to the paramahaṁsa or perfectional stage of life by practicing bhakti-yoga, he sees only Kṛṣṇa everywhere. For him there is no other objective.
FAQs
This verse explains that perceived separation arises when a conditioning cause (material identification) is present; without that, real difference is not seen.
They were instructing Pṛthu in self-realization—showing that dualistic perception comes from material conditioning, and spiritual vision sees beyond such imposed distinctions.
Reduce ego-based identity (body, status, group labels) through bhakti and self-inquiry; this weakens reactive “us vs. them” thinking and supports compassionate, God-centered living.