Word meanings
- na
- not
- rūpam
- form
- asya
- of this
- iha
- in this world
- tathā
- as such
- upalabhyate
- is perceived
- na
- neither
- antaḥ
- end
- na
- nor
- ca
- also
- ādiḥ
- beginning
- na
- never
- ca
- also
- sampratiṣṭhā
- the basis
- aśvattham
- sacred fig tree
- enam
- this
- su-virūḍha-mūlam
- deep-rooted
- asaṅga-śastreṇa
- by the axe of detachment
- dṛḍhena
- strong
- chittvā
- having cut down
Translations
Its form is not perceived here as such, nor its end, origin, foundation, or resting place; having cut asunder this firmly rooted peepul tree with the strong axe of non-attachment.
In this world, its true form is not known, neither its origin nor its end, and its strength is not understood—until the tree, with its roots striking deep into the earth, is hewn down by the sharp axe of non-attachment.
Its form is not perceived here in that way; nor its end, nor beginning, nor its continuance. After felling this Peepul tree whose roots are well developed, with the strong sword of detachment.
इस संसारवृक्षका जैसा रूप देखनेमें आता है, वैसा यहाँ (विचार करनेपर) मिलता नहीं; क्योंकि इसका न तो आदि है, न अन्त है और न स्थिति ही है। इसलिये इस दृढ़ मूलोंवाले संसाररूप अश्वत्थवृक्षको दृढ़ असङ्गतारूप शस्त्रके द्वारा काटकर --Commentary
The idea is continued in the next verse. So long as one is under the sway of ignorance, he cannot understand the form of this tree, its end, origin and foundation (middle). O Arjuna Thou mayest perhaps consider that such a huge tree cannot be uprooted by any means whatever. It is not so. However firmly rooted it may be, it can be cut by the powerful axe of nnattachment or dispassion within the twinkling of an eye. After cutting this tree you will have to look within, meditate on the Self and behold the Supreme.
Tatha As such As described above. Is it necessary to pull down castles in the air or to break the horns of a hare or to pluck a flower growing in the sky or to get butter from the milk of a tortoise or oil from stone Similarly? O Arjuna, there is no reality in this tree. Therefore why should you entertain any fear as to whether it may be uprooted or not Its form as such is not perceived by anybody here it is like a dream or a mirage or an imaginary city in the sky formed by the clouds or caused by a juggler.
It appears and disappears. This tree has Drishta-Nashta-Svarupa like the mirage. That object which is destroyed when one beholds it is Drishta-Nashta. Nobody has perceived the end, the origin or the foundation of this illusory tree. No one can say that it has arisen from such and such a place or point. Samsara or the peepul tree is inveterately deeprooted. You will have to struggle hard to uproot it with its seed or the selfreproducing deep root. Asanga Dispassion, freedom from attachment to children, wealth and the world.
Dridhena Strong. You will have to cut the tree with a strong axe which is sharpened again and again on the whetstone of the practice of discrimination. Further your mind should be turned towards the Supreme Being with the strong determination that you can attain eternal bliss only in Him and that He is the ony Reality. The desire for sensual pleasure is Sanga. Its opposite (dispassion) is Asanga. Renunciation of the three kinds of Eshanas (desires), viz., children, wealth and the world (Putra-Vitta-Lokeshana) is Asanga.
Just as the axe cuts the tree, so also dispassion cuts this tree of Samsara. Hence dispassion is termed an axe. Cutting the tree of Samsara is annihilation of egoism, ignorance, latent tendencies, and renunciation of the fruits of all actions, through the practice of dispassion, control of the mind and the senses, etc. (Cf.VII.14)