Chapter 15
Krishna. Men call the Aswattha,--the Banyan-tree,-- Which hath its boughs beneath, its roots above,-- The ever-holy tree. Yea! for its leaves Are green and waving hymns which whisper Truth! Who knows the Aswattha, knows Veds, and all.
Krishna. People call the Aswattha, the Banyan-tree, with its branches below and its roots above, the eternally holy tree. Yes, for its leaves are green, waving hymns that whisper Truth! Whoever knows the Aswattha knows the Veds, and all.
Its branches shoot to heaven and sink to earth, Even as the deeds of men, which take their birth From qualities: its silver sprays and blooms, And all the eager verdure of its girth, Leap to quick life at kiss of sun and air, As men's lives quicken to the temptings fair Of wooing sense: its hanging rootlets seek The soil beneath, helping to hold it there,
Its branches reach up to heaven and down to earth, Like human deeds, which arise From qualities. Its silver shoots and blossoms, And all the lush greenery around its trunk, Spring to life at the touch of sun and air, Just as human lives awaken to the sweet temptations Of the senses. Its hanging roots seek The soil below, helping to anchor the tree there.
The Sanskrit verses here are translated somewhat freely. Unlike Mr Davies, I do not consider these verses "an attack on the authority of the Vedas". Instead, I see a beautiful lyrical episode, a new "Parable of the fig-tree."
As actions wrought amid this world of men Bind them by ever-tightening bonds again. If ye knew well the teaching of the Tree, What its shape saith; and whence it springs; and, then
As actions done in this human world Bind people again with ever-tightening bonds. If you truly understood the teaching of the Tree, What its shape means, and where it comes from, and then
How it must end, and all the ills of it, The axe of sharp Detachment ye would whet, And cleave the clinging snaky roots, and lay This Aswattha of sense-life low,--to set
How it must end, and all the suffering it brings, You would sharpen the axe of Detachment, Cut through the clinging, snakelike roots, and bring This Aswattha of life in the senses down, to set
New growths upspringing to that happier sky,-- Which they who reach shall have no day to die, Nor fade away, nor fall--to Him, I mean, FATHER and FIRST, Who made the mystery
New growth rises toward that happier sky. Those who reach it will never die, Or fade away, or fall. I mean him, FATHER and FIRST, who created the mystery
Of old Creation; for to Him come they From passion and from dreams who break away; Who part the bonds constraining them to flesh, And,--Him, the Highest, worshipping alway--
Of ancient Creation. For those who come to him break free from passion and dreams. They break the bonds that tie them to the body, and always worship him, the Highest,
No longer grow at mercy of what breeze Of summer pleasure stirs the sleeping trees, What blast of tempest tears them, bough and stem To the eternal world pass such as these!
They no longer live at the mercy of the breeze Of summer pleasure that stirs the sleeping trees, Or the storm that tears those trees, branch and trunk. People like these pass into the eternal world!
Another Sun gleams there! another Moon! Another Light,--not Dusk, nor Dawn, nor Noon-- Which they who once behold return no more; They have attained My rest, life's Utmost boon!
Another sun shines there! Another moon! Another light, not dusk, dawn, or noon. Those who see that light even once never return. They have reached my peace, life's greatest gift!
When, in this world of manifested life, The undying Spirit, setting forth from Me, Taketh on form, it draweth to itself From Being's storehouse,--which containeth all,-- Senses and intellect. The Sovereign Soul Thus entering the flesh, or quitting it, Gathers these up, as the wind gathers scents, Blowing above the flower-beds. Ear and Eye, And Touch and Taste, and Smelling, these it takes,-- Yea, and a sentient mind;--linking itself To sense-things so.
When, in this world of visible life, The undying Spirit comes from me And takes on a form, the Spirit draws From Being's storehouse, which contains all things, The senses and intellect. The Sovereign Soul, When entering or leaving the body, Gathers these together, as the wind gathers scents While blowing over flower beds. The Soul takes hearing, sight, Touch, taste, and smell, And a mind that perceives. Through these, the Soul connects With the things the senses perceive.
The unenlightened ones Mark not that Spirit when he goes or comes, Nor when he takes his pleasure in the form, Conjoined with qualities; but those see plain Who have the eyes to see. Holy souls see Which strive thereto. Enlightened, they perceive That Spirit in themselves; but foolish ones, Even though they strive, discern not, having hearts Unkindled, ill-informed!
Those without enlightenment Do not see the Spirit when he leaves or comes, Or when he enjoys life in bodily form, Joined with its qualities. But those see clearly Who have the eyes to see. Holy souls see him When they strive to do so. With understanding, they recognize The Spirit within themselves. But foolish people, Even when they strive, cannot see him. Their hearts Are not awakened, and they lack understanding!
Know, too, from Me Shineth the gathered glory of the suns Which lighten all the world: from Me the moons Draw silvery beams, and fire fierce loveliness. I penetrate the clay, and lend all shapes Their living force; I glide into the plant-- Root, leaf, and bloom--to make the woodlands green With springing sap. Becoming vital warmth, I glow in glad, respiring frames, and pass, With outward and with inward breath, to feed The body by all meats.
Know, too, that from me comes The combined glory of the suns That light all the world. From me the moons Draw their silver light, and fire its fierce beauty. I enter the earth and give all forms Their living strength. I flow into each plant, Its roots, leaves, and flowers, to make the woodlands green With rising sap. Becoming life's warmth, I glow in joyful, breathing bodies. I work With each outward and inward breath to nourish The body with all foods.
I leave out a verse here that was evidently added later.
For in this world Being is twofold: the Divided, one; The Undivided, one. All things that live Are "the Divided." That which sits apart, "The Undivided."
For in this world, being takes two forms: the Divided and the Undivided. All living things are "the Divided." What remains apart is "The Undivided."
Higher still is He, The Highest, holding all, whose Name is LORD, The Eternal, Sovereign, First! Who fills all worlds, Sustaining them. And--dwelling thus beyond Divided Being and Undivided--I Am called of men and Vedas, Life Supreme, The PURUSHOTTAMA.
Higher still is he, The Highest, who holds all and is called LORD. He is eternal, sovereign, and first. He fills all worlds, Sustaining them. And since I exist beyond Divided Being and Undivided Being, People and the Vedas call me Life Supreme, The PURUSHOTTAMA.
Who knows Me thus, With mind unclouded, knoweth all, dear Prince! And with his whole soul ever worshippeth Me.
Whoever knows me in this way, with a clear mind, knows all, dear Prince! And he always worships me with his whole soul.
Now is the sacred, secret Mystery Declared to thee! Who comprehendeth this Hath wisdom! He is quit of works in bliss!
Now the sacred, secret mystery Has been revealed to you! Whoever understands this mystery Is wise! He is free from action and rests in bliss!
HERE ENDS CHAPTER XV. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA Entitled "Purushottamapraptiyog," Or "The Book of Religion by attaining the Supreme."
Here ends Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad-Gita, titled "Purushottamapraptiyog," or "The Book of Religion Through Attaining the Supreme."