avibhaktaṁ cha bhūteṣhu vibhaktam iva cha sthitam
bhūta-bhartṛi cha taj jñeyaṁ grasiṣhṇu prabhaviṣhṇu cha
avibhaktam — indivisible;
cha — although;
bhūteṣhu — amongst living beings;
vibhaktam — divided;
iva — apparently;
cha — yet;
sthitam — situated;
bhūta-bhartṛi — the sustainer of all beings;
cha — also;
tat — that;
jñeyam — to be known;
grasiṣhṇu — the annihilator;
prabhaviṣhṇu — the creator;
cha — and
This verse explains the idea of the Supersoul, which is a divine presence that exists in the heart of all living beings. It may seem like this presence is split up because it is in everyone, but the important point is that it actually remains whole and indivisible.
Think about the sun. No matter where you are standing on Earth, when you look up, it looks like the sun is right above you. Even if someone is five thousand miles away, they still see the sun in their sky. This is a simple way to understand how the Supersoul can be everywhere, in every living being, yet still be one and the same entity. Just like the sun doesn't break into pieces when it shines on different places, the Supersoul doesn’t divide itself, even though it exists in everyone’s heart.
Now, let’s talk about how the Supersoul supports us. It not only helps us live and grow but also plays a role during times of destruction. In nature, there are cycles of creation and destruction. During creation, everything comes into being with the help of the Supersoul. When things are destroyed, however, it is also the Supersoul that consumes everything back into itself. For instance, think of how a plant grows. It starts from a seed, grows into a big tree, and eventually, the tree may die and decay, going back to the earth. This process is similar to how the Supersoul interacts with the living world.
The verse also reminds us that the Supersoul covers all aspects of life: it nurtures us while we’re alive, and in the end, it brings all things back together, just like when everything returns to nature after it decays. This idea is deep-rooted in Vedic teachings, emphasizing that every living being originates from this divine source, is sustained by it, and ultimately merges back into it.
Overall, this verse gives a clear picture of a universal presence that is always there — supporting us and returning us to wholeness in a cycle of life. It reassures us that the Supersoul is a constant, loving presence regardless of the changes we go through in life.