Bhagavad Gita · Verse 5.18
Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (कर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि । शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥१८॥
vidyāvinayasampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini | śuni caiva śvapāke ca paṇḍitāḥ samadarśinaḥ ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
The wise see equally a brahmana endowed with learning and humility, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a person who cooks dog meat.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| विद्या-विनय-संपन्ने | vidyā-vinaya-saṁpanne | endowed with learning and humble modesty |
| ब्राह्मणे | brāhmaṇe | in a learned sage/scholar |
| गवि | gavi | in a sacred cow |
| हस्तिनि | hastini | in an elephant |
| शुनि | śuni | in a dog |
| च एव | ca eva | and also indeed |
| श्वपाके | śvapāke | in an outcast / dog-eater |
| पण्डिताः | paṇḍitāḥ | the truly wise seers |
| सम-दर्शिनः | sama-darśinaḥ | behold the identical Divine Self with equal vision |
endowed with learning and humble modesty
in a learned sage/scholar
in a sacred cow
in an elephant
in a dog
and also indeed
in an outcast / dog-eater
the truly wise seers
behold the identical Divine Self with equal vision
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The examples span species and historical social ranks. Shvapaka is retained by its literal sense; the point is equal spiritual vision, not endorsement of the stigma attached to the term.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Learning should deepen humility and respect across social divisions."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where could humility help you look beyond social prejudice?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master calm detachment in daily work: act with full excellence and sincerity, but like water sliding off a lotus leaf, let neither praise nor blame stain your inner composure.