Bhagavad Gita 5.18 · BG 5.18
Chapter 5Verse 18
Karma Sanyasa Yoga
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini, śuni caiva śva-pāke ca paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
Translation
The wise look with the same eye on a learned and humble priest, a cow, an elephant, a dog and the person society has cast out.
The moment
Krishna is describing people who have found inner freedom through knowledge. This verse names the clearest sign of it: how they see others.
What it means
Someone who truly understands sees the same self in everyone. The respected scholar, the animals and the person the world looks down on are all equal in their eyes.
Going deeper
The list was deliberately shocking for its time. It puts a learned priest, the most honored person in that society, next to animals and someone treated as untouchable.
The word is 'sama-darshinah', those who see equally. It's not that the wise can't see differences. They see past them to what's the same in everyone.
In your life
Notice who you treat with extra warmth and who you barely see: the boss and the cleaner, the person who can help you and the one who can't. For one day, try giving everyone the same attention. It's harder than it sounds, and that's the point.
The wise see the same light in every being, high or low.
Keep reading
2.22
The body is worn like clothing. What's underneath it doesn't end.
2.14
This too shall pass. Meet both joy and sorrow with the same steady heart.
6.30
Once you see the same thread running through everything, nothing can fully cut you off.
10.20
What you're looking for out there is also already here, at the center of you.