samaṁ paśhyan hi sarvatra samavasthitam īśhvaram
na hinasty ātmanātmānaṁ tato yāti parāṁ gatim
samam — equally;
paśhyan — see;
hi — indeed;
sarvatra — everywhere;
samavasthitam — equally present;
īśhvaram — God as the Supreme soul;
na — do not;
hinasti — degrade;
ātmanā — by one’s mind;
ātmānam — the self;
tataḥ — thereby;
yāti — reach;
parām — the supreme;
gatim — destination
This verse talks about seeing the divine presence, or the Supersoul, in everyone and everything around us. The idea is that when we realize that there is a higher power—often referred to as God or the Supreme soul—present in every living thing, we start to see things differently.
Imagine you are in a crowded room. Usually, we might just see people as separate individuals, focusing on our interactions and what we want from them. But this verse suggests that if we shift our perspective and try to see the divine light or spirit in everyone, we connect on a deeper level. Instead of just looking at someone as a friend, foe, or stranger, we recognize that each person is part of a bigger picture, all tied to a higher consciousness.
This recognition helps us avoid making negative judgments or degrading ourselves by thinking only about our own needs or problems. Instead of feeling selfish or competitive, we start to understand our connections and responsibilities to each other. This shift in focus is important because it reflects a kind of mental maturity; it’s about elevating our thoughts and actions from individual concerns to a broader perspective where everyone is valued.
When we keep our minds focused on this higher awareness—the Supersoul—it helps us grow spiritually. We become less caught up in petty issues and more engaged with the idea of helping others and finding peace within ourselves. As we practice this, we gradually move towards a better, more fulfilling existence, often referred to as a 'transcendental destination.' This means moving beyond the everyday struggles and suffering that comes with just living for ourselves.
So, to put it simply, by seeing the divine presence in everyone and treating them with respect and love, we not only better our relationships and our own mental state, but we also step closer to a higher spiritual life. This comprehension ultimately leads us out of a cycle of suffering into a more enlightened and peaceful way of being.