Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 15 · Purushottama Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 15.1 ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्
श्लोक 15.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् ।
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca |
ūrdhvamūlamadhaḥśākhamaśvatthaṃ prāhuravyayam |
chandāṃsi yasya parṇāni yastaṃ veda sa vedavit ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा: एक अविनाशी अश्वत्थ (पीपल) वृक्ष बताया गया है जिसकी जड़ें ऊपर और शाखाएँ नीचे हैं। वेद के छंद उसके पत्ते हैं। जो इस वृक्ष को जानता है, वही वेदों का ज्ञाता है।
Meaning in English
The Blessed Lord said: They speak of an imperishable ashvattha (sacred fig) tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree knows the Vedas.
Bhagavad Gita 15.1 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ऊर्ध्वमूलम् | ūrdhva-mūlam | with roots above |
| अधःशाखम् | adhaḥ-śākham | with branches below |
| अश्वत्थम् | aśvattham | the ashvattha (peepal) tree |
| प्राहुः | prāhuḥ | they speak of |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable |
| छन्दांसि | chandāṃsi | the Vedic hymns |
| यस्य पर्णानि | yasya parṇāni | whose leaves |
| यः तम् वेद | yaḥ tam veda | whoever knows it |
| सः वेदवित् | saḥ vedavit | is the knower of the Vedas |
Explanation
They speak of an imperishable ashvattha tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. Whoever knows this tree knows the Vedas.
The upside-down tree is the world: its root is the Divine above, its branches spread down into countless forms of life, and its leaves are the hymns that nourish it. The image comes from the Katha Upanishad (6.1). Chapter 15 is recited before meals in many homes and ashrams.
भावार्थ
श्री भगवान ने कहा — जिसकी जड़ ऊपर और शाखाएँ नीचे हैं, ऐसे अविनाशी अश्वत्थ वृक्ष का वर्णन किया जाता है; वेद जिसके पत्ते हैं, जो उसे जानता है वह वेदों को जानता है।
Living it today
Remember that your life, like a branch, draws from a root above — stay connected to it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 15.1?
They speak of an imperishable ashvattha tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. Whoever knows this tree knows the Vedas.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 15.1?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 15 (Purushottama Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 15.1 in daily life?
Remember that your life, like a branch, draws from a root above — stay connected to it.
Reflected on verse 15.1?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.