vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śhuni chaiva śhva-pāke cha paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśhinaḥ
vidyā — divine knowledge;
vinaya — humbleness;
sampanne — equipped with;
brāhmaṇe — a Brahmin;
gavi — a cow;
hastini — an elephant;
śhuni — a dog;
cha — and;
eva — certainly;
śhva-pāke — a dog-eater;
cha — and;
paṇḍitāḥ — the learned;
sama-darśhinaḥ — see with equal vision
This verse talks about how a wise person, someone who understands the deeper truths of life, doesn't see people or animals as just their outer appearance or social status. Let's break it down more clearly.
When we look at others, we often have judgments based on things like their job, caste, or even their species, like seeing a cow differently from a dog or an elephant. For many people, these differences are huge. A brahmana, which is a learned and respected person in society, is often seen as very different from someone called a shva-paka, who is viewed as an outcast. But the wise person sees beyond these labels.
They understand that all living beings – whether it is a learned person, a cow, an elephant, a dog, or someone from a lower social status – share something very important: they all have a spirit or soul inside them. The wise know that this soul has a connection to the Supreme Being, often referred to as Krishna or the Supersoul.
Now, what does this connection mean? It means that, at a fundamental level, every living being is valuable and part of a greater whole. Just like a spark is part of a fire, every single soul is a part of the Supreme. When we know this, we realize that all these different forms – whether they are high or low in social standing – are just temporary and don’t really define a person's value.
A humble, knowledgeable person sees everyone equally and treats them with respect and kindness, regardless of how society views them. They recognize that beneath our different skins, titles, or roles, we are all part of the same universe and connected by this spiritual essence. This understanding leads them to be kind, loving, and non-judgmental towards everyone around them.
Additionally, while we all have souls, there’s a distinction between the soul (like you or I specifically), and the Supersoul (which is the divine presence that exists in all beings). The individual soul is limited to one body, experiencing life through that body. In contrast, the Supersoul exists in every single person and animal, knowing everything that happens. The wise person understands this, so they remain calm and unaffected by the surface-level differences.
In summary, the verse encourages us to rise above superficial judgments and recognize the shared essence within every living being. A true sage, or knowledgeable person, sees everyone with equal vision. They act with love and kindness, realizing that we are all fundamentally connected.