Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 15 · Purushottama Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 15.2 अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा
श्लोक 15.2
अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा
गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः ।
अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि
कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ॥
adhaścordhvaṃ prasṛtāstasya śākhā
guṇapravṛddhā viṣayapravālāḥ |
adhaśca mūlānyanusantatāni
karmānubandhīni manuṣyaloke ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
उसकी शाखाएँ नीचे और ऊपर फैली हैं, जो गुणों से पोषित हैं और जिनकी कोंपलें इंद्रियों के विषय हैं। नीचे मनुष्य लोक में उसकी जड़ें फैली हुई हैं, जो मनुष्य को कर्मों से बाँधती हैं।
Meaning in English
Its branches spread downward and upward, nourished by the gunas, with sense objects as their buds. Below, in the human world, its roots stretch out, binding people to action.
Bhagavad Gita 15.2 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधः च ऊर्ध्वम् | adhaḥ ca ūrdhvam | below and above |
| प्रसृताः | prasṛtāḥ | spread out |
| तस्य शाखाः | tasya śākhāḥ | its branches |
| गुण-प्रवृद्धाः | guṇa-pravṛddhāḥ | nourished by the gunas |
| विषय-प्रवालाः | viṣaya-pravālāḥ | sense objects as its shoots |
| अधः च | adhaḥ ca | and downward |
| मूलानि | mūlāni | roots |
| अनुसन्ततानि | anusantatāni | extend |
| कर्म-अनुबन्धीनि | karma-anubandhīni | binding through action |
| मनुष्य-लोके | manuṣya-loke | in the world of humans |
Explanation
Its branches spread below and above, nourished by the gunas, with the objects of the senses as their shoots; and downward, in the world of humans, its roots stretch out, binding through action.
The image of the cosmic ashvattha tree continues. The tree of worldly life grows on the three gunas; sense objects are its tender shoots that tempt us; and its secondary roots, our desires and actions, keep binding us to it.
भावार्थ
उस वृक्ष की शाखाएँ नीचे और ऊपर फैली हैं, जो गुणों से बढ़ी हुई हैं और विषय जिनकी कोंपलें हैं; और मनुष्यलोक में कर्मों से बाँधने वाली उसकी जड़ें नीचे भी फैली हुई हैं।
Living it today
Notice which "shoots" — screens, cravings, habits — keep feeding the tree in your own life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 15.2?
Its branches spread below and above, nourished by the gunas, with the objects of the senses as their shoots; and downward, in the world of humans, its roots stretch out, binding through action.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 15.2?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 15 (Purushottama Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 15.2 in daily life?
Notice which "shoots" — screens, cravings, habits — keep feeding the tree in your own life.
Reflected on verse 15.2?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.