Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 15.1

“They speak of an imperishable Ashvattha tree with roots above and branches below; its leaves are the Vedas; he who knows it knows the Vedas.”
Key Teaching: The cosmic tree symbolizes samsara, rooted in the divine.
Theme: Guidance, Jnana Yoga, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga.
Description:
Krishna introduces the Ashvattha tree, an imperishable symbol of samsara with roots above (in the divine) and branches below, its leaves being the Vedas; one who understands it knows the Vedas. This verse opens Chapter 15, addressing Arjuna’s quest for liberation (2.9, 13.1). The themes of guidance, as Krishna describes samsara, Jnana Yoga, as he emphasizes wisdom, and Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as he points to liberation, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s confusion about duty (1.28–46) contrasts with this cosmic metaphor, which clarifies worldly entanglement. The teaching aligns with Jnana Yoga (13.1–2), emphasizing understanding the universe’s structure, and builds on earlier descriptions of creation (7.4–6). The tree’s inverted nature reflects the divine origin of material existence, with roots in Brahman and branches in worldly attachments.

Philosophically, the verse introduces samsara as a cycle to transcend, a theme Krishna refines in later shlokas (15.3–4). Knowing the tree equates to Vedic wisdom, guiding Arjuna to detach from worldly ties. The metaphor underscores the need for discernment to achieve moksha, aligning with Jnana Yoga’s focus on knowledge (4.34).

Sanjaya’s narration (18.74–78) frames this teaching objectively, ensuring its cosmic clarity. The verse serves as a metaphor for life’s entanglements, urging readers to seek the divine root. Krishna’s teaching prepares Arjuna to cut through illusion, aligning with liberation through wisdom.