6.32 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 6, Verse 32

In Bhagavad Gita 6.32, Lord Krishna defines the highest yogi as one who sees all beings equally through the lens of their own self, recognizing that others experience the same happiness and suffering as they do. The Sanskrit verse "ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo'rjuna, sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ" conveys this profound teaching about spiritual equality.

This verse marks the conclusion of Krishna's discourse on meditation, summarizing the essence of yogic practice. While the earlier parts of Chapter 6 focused on meditation techniques and self-realization, here Krishna reveals that the culmination of yoga is not merely personal spiritual advancement but the development of universal compassion. The perfect yogi doesn't just withdraw from the world to find inner peace but actively identifies with the experiences of all beings.

The key phrase "ātmaupamyena" (by comparison to oneself) is particularly significant. It suggests that true spiritual maturity comes when we can genuinely understand that others have the same fundamental desires as we do – seeking happiness and avoiding suffering. This realization forms the foundation for authentic compassion that transcends superficial differences like appearance, status, or background.

Think about how differently we might interact with others if we truly saw them as versions of ourselves. That person who cut you off in traffic, the colleague who missed a deadline, or the family member with opposing views – they all experience joy, fear, and pain just as intensely as you do. When we genuinely understand this, our automatic responses of judgment and criticism naturally transform into patience and understanding.

This vision develops naturally as the yogi realizes that Krishna as the Supersoul resides in everyone's heart. With this awareness, the artificial boundaries between "self" and "other" begin to dissolve. The yogi recognizes that beneath the temporary, external differences, there exists a fundamental unity among all beings. This is not merely an intellectual understanding but a lived experience that transforms how they perceive and interact with the world.

The verse doesn't suggest that a yogi becomes indifferent to suffering or passively accepts injustice. Rather, because they identify so completely with others' experiences, they become more motivated to alleviate suffering wherever they find it. Their compassion becomes active and practical. They might still recognize differences between individuals, but these differences no longer create barriers of judgment or prejudice.

Krishna's description of this as the "highest" form of yoga (paramo mataḥ) emphasizes that spiritual advancement is ultimately measured not by mystical powers or philosophical knowledge, but by our capacity for empathy and compassion. This teaching invites us to examine our own spiritual progress not by how many hours we meditate or how many scriptures we've studied, but by how deeply we can connect with and care for the experiences of others, recognizing in them the same divine spark that animates our own existence.