This chapter is of special significance as Lord Krishna explains to
Arjuna without his asking a question! The few slokas of this chapter are
of very highly suggestive nature. The Chapter has key letters of
invocation otherwise called " Beejaksharas" in Sanskrit!! Poetic fervour
is visible in the slokas and philosophy and poetry go hand in hand.
This chapter can be considered greater than the other chapters of the
Gita! Lord Krishna has simplified things to Arjuna as well as for the
readers of the Gita!
The Lord compares worldly and material existence or Samsara to a tree! Says the Lord, " the world is like a tree. It is a matter of great wonder that its roots are pointing to heaven! The branches are below going downward." Normally the tree has its roots in the soil and branches above the soil spreading in different directions. This bestows happiness to every one. The tree upside down is an impediment for all. Similarly the tree of Samsara or worldly life is an obstacle for reaching the goal of life, namely God! The word " ASWATTHA" means that which is ephemeral.like the world. The body,wife,and children and relations are of transitory nature. According to another commentator, it is permanent like the river with running water. Men may come and disappear but the world continues to stay. One should not forget that God is the real entity and the world is unreal. A few branches pointing upwards are like the heavenly regions that do not offer everlasting happiness. Hence you have to worship the Paramatman to get rid of the cycle of birth and death. The tree is watered by the three gunas, satwa, rejas and thamas. Its tender shoots are the Jnanendriyas----sabda, sparsa, rupa, rasa and gandha! Earth or soil is the root. Paramatma is intracosmic as well as extracosmic! We should never imagine that He is some where beyond the clouds!
As we realize that all the world is a stage and we are all actors discharging our duties with a sense of detachment, the fetters of samsara do not bind us. The Jiva has taken the body because of his karma in the previous birth! Time has no beginning! Things that have no beginning are six in number. They are 1 The Vedas 2 Karma 3 Paramatma 4 Jivatma 5 Maya or Illusion and 6 Time. There is no point in arguing which is the origin- the tree or the seed. Even the immortals are enjoying or suffering the results of their Karma !In fact they aspire for human birth.Sri Ramakrishna says that God is playing kites with his creation overwhelming them with the thread of Maya! Though Maya is part and parcel of God it does not affect Him The Vasanas or tendencies linger long enough and are too thick for us to come out of them!
Moksha or emancipation cannot be achieved from outside.It has to be manifested from within.Illumination of Jnana is essential for achieving it! Lord Krishna says that people do not realize the benefits of worshipping God. He elaborates on the benefits that he bestows on all his creatures. He is the primum mobile, the motivator, and propeller of all Jivas. The impressions of our Karma affect the subtle body or suksma sareera. The Jiva carries the impressions of his previous birth while he takes another body! Moksha is nothing but the annihilation of the subtle body and the Jiva! Jiva is the king and manas is the minister.The Jiva enjoys and suffers through the body. Mind has to be kept under control for attaining " atma Jnana." After all JIva is the chip of the same block. namely Paramatma who is the fountainhead of all light and effulgence The Sun, Moon and all other objects radiate the light of the Paramatma! They have no light of their own. They are all His office bearers executing their duties in strict obedience to the dictates of Paramatma!
The Lord compares worldly and material existence or Samsara to a tree! Says the Lord, " the world is like a tree. It is a matter of great wonder that its roots are pointing to heaven! The branches are below going downward." Normally the tree has its roots in the soil and branches above the soil spreading in different directions. This bestows happiness to every one. The tree upside down is an impediment for all. Similarly the tree of Samsara or worldly life is an obstacle for reaching the goal of life, namely God! The word " ASWATTHA" means that which is ephemeral.like the world. The body,wife,and children and relations are of transitory nature. According to another commentator, it is permanent like the river with running water. Men may come and disappear but the world continues to stay. One should not forget that God is the real entity and the world is unreal. A few branches pointing upwards are like the heavenly regions that do not offer everlasting happiness. Hence you have to worship the Paramatman to get rid of the cycle of birth and death. The tree is watered by the three gunas, satwa, rejas and thamas. Its tender shoots are the Jnanendriyas----sabda, sparsa, rupa, rasa and gandha! Earth or soil is the root. Paramatma is intracosmic as well as extracosmic! We should never imagine that He is some where beyond the clouds!
As we realize that all the world is a stage and we are all actors discharging our duties with a sense of detachment, the fetters of samsara do not bind us. The Jiva has taken the body because of his karma in the previous birth! Time has no beginning! Things that have no beginning are six in number. They are 1 The Vedas 2 Karma 3 Paramatma 4 Jivatma 5 Maya or Illusion and 6 Time. There is no point in arguing which is the origin- the tree or the seed. Even the immortals are enjoying or suffering the results of their Karma !In fact they aspire for human birth.Sri Ramakrishna says that God is playing kites with his creation overwhelming them with the thread of Maya! Though Maya is part and parcel of God it does not affect Him The Vasanas or tendencies linger long enough and are too thick for us to come out of them!
Moksha or emancipation cannot be achieved from outside.It has to be manifested from within.Illumination of Jnana is essential for achieving it! Lord Krishna says that people do not realize the benefits of worshipping God. He elaborates on the benefits that he bestows on all his creatures. He is the primum mobile, the motivator, and propeller of all Jivas. The impressions of our Karma affect the subtle body or suksma sareera. The Jiva carries the impressions of his previous birth while he takes another body! Moksha is nothing but the annihilation of the subtle body and the Jiva! Jiva is the king and manas is the minister.The Jiva enjoys and suffers through the body. Mind has to be kept under control for attaining " atma Jnana." After all JIva is the chip of the same block. namely Paramatma who is the fountainhead of all light and effulgence The Sun, Moon and all other objects radiate the light of the Paramatma! They have no light of their own. They are all His office bearers executing their duties in strict obedience to the dictates of Paramatma!
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