Continuing on the Aswatta tree....
Trunk
Leaves and
flowers of the tree
Chandāṁsi
yasya parṇāni: All the values of life, including the Vedas
and all knowledge, are hanging, as it were, like the leaves and the flowers of
this tree. The Veda is considered to be the highest knowledge, and it is given
a place among the leaves—not the trunk or the root.
Twigs of
the tree
The twigs of the tree are considered to be the
sense objects. By development of trees of the different modes of nature, we
develop different senses, and, by the senses we enjoy
different varieties of sense objects. The source of the senses—the ears, the
nose, eyes etc.—is considered to be the upper twigs, tuned to the
enjoyment of different sense objects. The leaves are sound, form, touch—the
sense objects.
The roots, which are subsidiary, are the
by-products of different varieties of suffering and sense enjoyment. Thus we
develop attachment and aversion. The tendencies toward piety and impiety are
considered to be the secondary roots spreading in all directions.
Cutting
down the tree
The peepul tree is so huge that it cannot be
just pulled down, its growth cannot be curbed easily.
This signifies that the living entities are
enjoying the twigs of sense enjoyment and depending on the branch they are,
they have a different body and different senses. The tree is so huge that, it
is impossible to get away from it.
One must cut down the tree with an Axe of
detachment and renunciation. The sharpening of the Axe needs to be done by
knowledge and discrimination.
If this tree is not cut totally, i.e., if the
ignorance of one’s real nature as unmanifest is not totally removed, then a
human being is bound to keep adding Karma due to all actions born out
of desires which arise due to the ignorance of his divine nature.
This tree can be cut down with the strong weapon
of detachment, consequent upon the realization of the identity of the self with
Brahman, through hearing the Vedanta texts, contemplating upon their meaning,
and profound meditation thereon.
Author
glanced through some important lessons from this verse written by someone and
from that, 2 points are given below.
Vedas and knowing their
purpose:
The Banyan tree leaves are compared to Vedic hymns. The living entity is
hopping from branch to branch, trying to taste the fruits called Dharma, Artha, Kama etc.
One should not become bewildered by the leaves
and fruits of enjoyment. One needs to understand the purpose of Vedas, as
explained by the Lord himself that the purpose of vedas is to know him and he
is the compiler of the Vedanta.
Surrender to the Lord to
return to the Spiritual World: Lord Krishna explains that the spiritual
world is a blissful place, without any miseries and is self-illuminating, does
not need any electricity, Sun or Moon.
One who comes there will never think of
returning to this miserable material world, unless ordered by the Lord Himself.
Love.
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