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Bhagavad Gita 5.18
The traditional text
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥
Roman reading aid
vidyā-vinaya-saṃpanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini |
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ ||
Meaning in everyday language
The wise see with equal vision a Brahmana rich in learning and humility, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a person called a shvapaka—literally a dog-cooker, a historically excluded social category.
Understand the teaching
The striking list crosses distinctions of social standing and species. Samadarshana concerns the wise person’s perception of the same spiritual reality amid these differences. The historical word shvapaka is retained and explained so that a difficult feature of the original is visible. It describes the hierarchy the verse crosses; it is not a respectful label to apply to people today.
Equal regard can change an everyday encounter: a cleaner, visitor and teacher all deserve a courteous hearing. Their roles and needs remain different, so thoughtful action may differ too. This application follows the verse’s challenge to status-based judgement. The following verse, 5.19, further connects evenness with Brahman, keeping the spiritual basis in view.
Words and phrases
- विद्याविनयसंपन्ने (vidyā-vinaya-saṃpanne)
- endowed with learning and humility
- गवि हस्तिनि (gavi hastini)
- in a cow and an elephant
- शुनि (śuni)
- in a dog
- श्वपाके (śva-pāke)
- in a historically excluded person, literally dog-cooker
- समदर्शिनः (sama-darśinaḥ)
- those who see equally
Pause and think
Does equal regard require giving everyone exactly the same assistance?
See an explained answer
People share a claim to dignity while having different needs. I can listen with equal respect and offer suitable help rather than judging a person’s worth by status.