Verse 15.3 : Purusottama Yoga "The Supreme Person"
Verse 3 of 20
“
The Translation
“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...”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna explains that while caught inside material life, we cannot see the true structure of Samsara. He instructs Arjuna to cut down this deep-rooted banyan tree using the weapon of detachment.
Practical Application
1
Step back from a stressful workplace or family drama today: observe it neutrally as if you are outside the system, protecting your peace.
Reflections & Notes
Saved to browser
Self-Reflection Prompts
- Why is detachment (Asanga) described as a 'weapon'? What makes it difficult to swing this weapon against things we love?
- What does it mean that the tree has no perceivable beginning or end?
Have you finished this lesson?
Mark this verse as studied to track your progress and see your learning journey on the dashboard.
15.3
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते
नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा
Shankara comments that because the tree is illusory (like a dream or mirage), it has no ultimate reality, and hence no stable beginning or end. The only way to destroy an illusion is through the knowledge of the Truth, which is accompanied by complete detachment from sensory pleasures.