Purusottama Yoga

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: They speak of an eternal Ashvattha tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is a knower of the Vedas.

अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा

Its branches extend downward and upward, nourished by the modes (Gunas), with sense objects as its shoots. Downward, its roots also stretch, binding human beings to action in the world.

न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते

Its real form is not perceived here, neither its end, nor its beginning, nor its foundation. Having cut down this firm-rooted Ashvattha tree with the strong weapon of detachment...

ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं

Then, one should seek that goal, having reached which they never return again, and surrender to that Primeval Purusha from whom streamed forth this ancient creation.

निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा

Free from pride and delusion, victorious over the evil of attachment, dwelling constantly in the Self, with desires turned away, liberated from the dualities of pleasure and pain, the undeluded reach that eternal state.

न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशाङ्को न पावकः |

Neither the sun illumines it, nor the moon, nor fire. That is My supreme abode, having reached which they do not return.

ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः |

An eternal fragment of My own Self becomes the individual soul in the world of life. It attracts the five senses and the mind, which reside in material nature.

शरीरं यदवाप्नोति यच्चाप्युत्क्रामतीश्वरः |

When the Lord acquires a body, and when He departs from it, He takes these senses and mind and goes, just as the wind carries scents from their sources.

श्रोत्रं चक्षुः स्पर्शनं च रसनं घ्राणमेव च |

Presiding over the ear, the eye, the sense of touch, taste, and smell, as well as the mind, he experiences the objects of the senses.

उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम् |

The deluded do not perceive Him when departing, staying, or experiencing, associated with the modes; but those who possess the eye of wisdom behold Him.

यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् |

Striving yogis perceive Him established within the Self. But the undisciplined, whose minds are unpurified, do not see Him even though they strive.

यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम् |

The light residing in the sun which illumines the entire world, and that which is in the moon and in fire—know that splendor to be Mine.

गामाविश्य च भूतानि धारयाम्यहमोजसा |

Entering the earth, I support all living beings by My vital energy; and becoming the watery moon, I nourish all herbs and plants.

अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः |

Becoming the fire of digestion in the bodies of living beings, and united with the incoming and outgoing breaths, I digest the four kinds of food.

सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो

I am seated in the hearts of all. From Me come memory, knowledge, and their loss. I alone am to be known by all the Vedas; I am the author of the Vedanta and the knower of the Vedas.

द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च |

There are two kinds of beings in this world: the perishable (Kshara) and the imperishable (Akshara). All living beings are the perishable, and the changeless soul is called the imperishable.

उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युधाहृतः |

But there is another, the Supreme Person, designated as the Supreme Self (Paramatma), who, entering the three worlds, supports them as the immutable Lord.

यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः |

Because I transcend the perishable, and am superior even to the imperishable, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person (Purushottama).

यो मामेवमसम्मूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम् |

He who, free from delusion, thus knows Me as the Supreme Person, is the knower of all. He worships Me with his whole heart, O Bharata.

इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ |

Thus, this most confidential scripture has been revealed by Me, O sinless one. By understanding this, a person becomes wise and completes all duties, O Bharata.