Material world is an upside down banyan tree
One who knows this tree is a true knower of the Vedas – This is explained in the purport as follows:
After discussing Bhakti-yoga one may question: “What about the Vedas?”
Chapter 15 describes the purpose of Vedic study is to understand Krishna
Therefore one who is in Krishna consciousness engaged in devotional service, already knows the Vedas
aEntire material world is compared to a banyan tree — Because:
For one engaged in fruitive acts, there is no end to this banyan tree which is very very deep rooted
One wanders from branch to branch with no end
bPurpose of Vedic Hymns — To elevate oneself gradually
cWhy understand this tree of illusion
One who understands this indestructible tree of illusion, can get out of it by the sword of detachment
dProcess of extrication from material world
Devotional service is the best way as explained by all the chapters
Basic principle of devotional service
Detachment from material activities – This process is explained at the beginning of
Process of attachment by transcendental service
eChapter 15 refutes impersonalism which says that ‘spiritual world consists of undifferentiated Brahman only’
Upside down tree indicates that it is a reflection on the bank of a river
This indicates the presence of a real tree which is the spiritual world
Reflection is a replica of original, which implies material world is a replica of the spiritual world
This shows that the spiritual world is full of variety and not just undifferentiated Brahman Brahman is the centre of all manifestations, this material world is a manifestation of the centre by 180 degrees and the other 180 degrees constitute the spiritual world
fWhat it means “to know the Vedas”
It means that one knows how to cut off the attachment to this material world
One who is attracted by ritualistic Vedic formulas, is just attracted by the beautiful green leaves of the banyan tree and does not know the purpose of Vedas