13.28 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 13, Verse 28

In this verse of the Bhagavad Gita (13.28), Krishna guides Arjuna to develop a vision of true wisdom—one that transcends the differences created by physical forms. Krishna clarifies that the body, with all its attributes and limitations, is not the defining feature of a living being. Instead, the real essence lies within: the soul (Atma), and alongside it, the Supreme Soul (Paramatma), who is present equally in all forms of life. This teaching invites a profound shift away from our habitual identification with the fleeting and external, grounding us instead in the universal and eternal.

The verse points out that perceiving only the differences among bodies—whether based on species, status, or appearance—is a limited and mistaken view. Bodies may be perishable and ever-changing, but the spirit within is changeless and undying. Krishna asserts that the “true seer” is someone who can distinguish the soul from the body and recognize the presence of the Supreme Soul within all beings, regardless of outward differences. This is not a matter of ignoring the diversity of forms, but of looking beyond them to their shared spiritual foundation.

A vivid analogy often used is that of gold and ornaments: just as many different ornaments may be shaped from the same gold, many bodies are made from the same underlying spirit. The shape and name of the ornament can change, but the gold remains constant. Similarly, the forms of bodies are temporary and diverse, but the consciousness within—along with the ever-present Supreme Witness—remains unchanged and undivided.

Krishna emphasizes that the Supreme Lord, as Paramatma, is like a silent, impartial observer present in every living being. This Divine Presence is not tainted by the destruction of bodies. When the physical form perishes, the Supreme Soul remains untouched, illustrating the vast difference between the impermanence of matter and the permanence of the spiritual reality. Seeing in this way requires more than intellectual acceptance; it is an awakening of perception that changes how everything is experienced.

The verse draws a distinction between seeing and truly seeing. Most people see only the surface—the differences and divisions. But to recognize the One that illumines all, the Person who truly “sees” is compared to someone with healthy vision, while others are likened to a person with an eye condition who imagines many moons in the sky when there is only one. Thus, Krishna says, “he alone sees,” reserving this title for those whose wisdom penetrates beyond appearances to unity.

This realization is not simply a philosophical idea but a transformative way of looking at the world. When one truly appreciates that the same imperishable Lord resides in all beings, the tendency to foster resentment, envy, or malice naturally subsides. It marks the beginning of equanimity, as the person’s awareness is rooted in sameness and spiritual equality rather than temporary distinctions or conflicts.

Krishna’s instruction also serves as a remedy for the existential anxieties tied to the physical body—fear of loss, death, and insecurity. By understanding that what is most essential in oneself and others cannot be destroyed, a person’s perspective becomes steady and fearless. This steady vision is a prerequisite for moving beyond cycles of birth and death, paving the way to liberation. Ultimately, the verse leads us to see every being not as a collection of material parts, but as an eternal soul enveloped in the radiance of the Supreme Soul, uniting all in an unbreakable bond of spiritual kinship.

Through this teaching, Krishna offers a key to true wisdom, inner peace, and unity: learn to see beyond what changes, and recognize what never changes—within yourself and all beings. This vision, once gained, begins to dissolve the boundaries that divide, inspiring a life lived in the light of spiritual truth.