What is the inner meaning of the mysterious inverted aśhvattha (Fig) tree mentioned in Bhagavad Gita 15.1?

 

 

It is a spiritual concept originally mentioned in Rig Veda, followed by Katha Upanishad and finally in Bhagavad Gita. As the same concept was mentioned differently, let us consider the concept mentioned in 3 texts in reverse order,ie., Bhagavad Gita first, followed by Katha Upanishad and finally in Rig Veda.

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Those who read Bhagavad Gita might have come across the mysterious inverted aśhvattha (Fig) tree, with its roots lying on the top and its branches lying on the lower side, mentioned.

Bhagavad Gita 15.1

ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्। छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्।।

(The scriptures) speak of a non-perishing aśhvattha (Fig) tree, which has root that is high (or above) and branches that are low (or below) and of which the [Vedic] hymns are leaves. He who knows this (Tree) is the knower of the Vedas;

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Bhagavad Gita 15.2 to 15.4

It is mentioned in the subsequent shlokas (15.2 to 15.4) that this aśhvattha (Fig) tree have sense objects as sprouts and should be cut with help of axe called non-attachment, so that one will not return the material world.

अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः।
अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके।।15.2 ।।

Of which (Tree) the branches, spreading downward and upward, well developed with Strands, have sense objects as sprouts; also below in the human world are Its roots, stretching successively, having actions for their sub-knots.

न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च संप्रतिष्ठा।
अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूल मसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा।।15.3।।

The real form of this tree is not perceived in this world, neither its beginning nor end, nor its continued existence. But this deep-rooted aśhvatth tree must be cut down with a strong axe of detachment.

ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यम् यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः।
तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी।।15.4।।

Then one must search out the base of the tree, which is the Prime power, from whom streamed forth the activity of the universe a long time ago. Upon taking refuge in it, one will not return to this world again.

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Hence, the fruits of inverted aśhvatth tree are mentioned in Bhagavad Gita, as the root cause of human’s suffering and advised each individual to cut of that aśhvatth tree with a strong axe of detachment, to get SELF-REALISATION.

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Katha Upanishad, which was composed earlier to Bhagavad Gita, contains a mention about aśhvatth tree as inverted, and its source being BRAHMAN, which is PURE.

Here, nothing was mentioned about cutting of the aśhvatth tree.

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Katha Upanishad 2.3.1

ऊर्ध्वमूलोऽवाक्शाख एषोऽश्वत्थः सनातनः । तदेव शुक्रं तद्ब्रह्म तदेवामृतमुच्यते ।

तस्मिंल्लोकाः श्रिताः सर्वे तदु नात्येति कश्चन । एतद्वैतत् ॥ १ ॥

ūrdhvamūlo'vākśākha eṣo'śvatthaḥ sanātanaḥ | tadeva śukraṃ tadbrahma tadevāmṛtamucyate | tasmiṃllokāḥ śritāḥ sarve tadu nātyeti kaścana | etadvaitat || 1 ||

Root up and branches down is this ancient aśvattha tree, that (its source) is pure. That is Brahman and that alone is called immortal. On that, do all worlds depend and none passes beyond that. This verily is that.

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The following Rik in Rig Veda (composed by rishi śunaśepa ājīgarti) contains mention about an inverted tree (not aśhvattha), being held by Varuna, in esoteric sense.

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Rig Veda 1.24.7

अबुध्ने राजा वरुणो वनस्योर्ध्वं स्तूपं ददते पूतदक्षः । नीचीनाः स्थुरुपरि बुध्न एषामस्मे अन्तर्निहिताः केतवः स्युः ॥

abudhne rājā varuṇo vanasyordhvaṃ stūpaṃ dadate pūtadakṣaḥ | nīcīnāḥ sthur upari budhna eṣām asme antar nihitāḥ ketavaḥ syuḥ ||

In without a base, King Varuṇa of purified skill firmly holds the crest of the tree on high. They [=its trunks] reach downward, their base above. They should be set down as beacons within us.

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The rishis of Rig Veda composed the Riks in an esoteric manner. Thus, they should be understood in esoteric sense only, but should not be drawn a literary meaning.

vanasya stūpam - वनस्य स्तूपं - it may not indicate the trunk of a tree.

Tree indicates ILLUMINATION/light in esoteric sense. Thus, vanasya stūpam may indicate column of illumination/light.

Hence, King Varuna, ie., BRAHMAN and spread through the entire ENDLESS universe, will provide Illumination to the everyone, who makes use of (makes spiritual practices) of the spark of light lying within oneself.