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Chapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person · 20 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Nature & guṇasChapter 15 · The Yoga of the Supreme Person

15.1 15.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 15.2

The inverted banyan tree of material existence

Prakṛti · Material nature

अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा

गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवाला: ।

अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि

कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ॥ २ ॥

adhaś cordhvaṁ prasṛtās tasya śākhā

guṇa-pravṛddhā viṣaya-pravālāḥ

adhaś ca mūlāny anusantatāni

karmānubandhīni manuṣya-loke

Translation

The branches of this tree extend downward and upward, nourished by the three modes of material nature. The twigs are the objects of the senses. This tree also has roots going down, and these are bound to the fruitive actions of human society.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

The Tree of Material Life

1
The tree’s branches grow upward and downward, fed by the three modes of material nature. Its twigs are sense objects, and its roots bind people to actions done for rewards.
2
Prabhupāda explains that different forms of life appear according to the modes of nature. The secondary roots are attachments and dislikes.
3
Notice how sense enjoyment and suffering give rise to attachments and dislikes.

Key points from the purport

Material world is a tree nourished by three modes and fruitive acts

Different species manifest according to the proportions of modes (purport)

When less water – tract is barren

When more water – tract is green

PLEASE NOTE — The Remaining points of the purport are covered after Text 15.4 as a part of the Summarized Themes 15A & 15B