BG15.1. Inverted eternal Ashwsthha tree

 

Bhagavad Gita

 — Chapter 15, Verse 1 (15.1)

Sanskrit (15.1):

ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् ।

छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ॥

Simple English Translation:

The Lord said:

There is an eternal Ashvattha (sacred fig) tree with its roots upward and branches downward. The Vedic hymns are its leaves. One who understands this tree truly understands the Vedas.

Meaning (Brief Explanation):

• The upward root symbolizes the Supreme Reality (God / Brahman).
• The downward branches represent the material world.
• This verse introduces the metaphor of the world as a cosmic tree.
• It teaches that true spiritual knowledge comes from understanding the divine source behind creation.

If you’d like, I can also explain:

• The full chapter summary
• Word-by-word meaning
• Or the philosophical interpretation (Advaita / Bhakti perspective)