Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15
Author Kedi Ganapati
Shloka 15:1
ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् ।
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ॥ १५:१ ॥
urdhva-mulam adhah-shakham ashvattham prahur avyayam
chandamsi yasya parnani yas tam veda sa veda-vit
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: They speak of an eternal Ashvattha (banyan) tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who truly understands this tree is the knower of the Vedas.
Conversation
Shloka 15:2
अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ॥ १५:२ ॥
guna-pravriddha vishaya-pravalah
adhash ca mulany anusantatani
karmanubandhini manushya-loke
Translation
Its branches extend both upward and downward, nourished by the three modes of material nature, with the objects of the senses as their tender shoots. Its roots also extend downward into the human world, binding the soul through the reactions of karma.
Conversation
Shloka 15:3
अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥ १५:३ ॥
nanto na cadir na ca sampratishtha
ashvattham enam su-virudha-mulam
asangga-shastrena dridhena chittva
Translation
The true form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world, nor can its beginning, end, or foundation be understood. Having cut down this deeply rooted Ashvattha tree with the strong weapon of detachment, one should proceed further.
Conversation
Shloka 15:4
तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी ॥ १५:४ ॥
yasmin gata na nivartanti bhuyah
tam eva cadyam purusham prapadye
yatah pravrittih prasrita purani
Translation
Thereafter, one should seek that supreme abode from which, once attained, there is no return. I surrender unto that original Supreme Person from whom this ancient creation has expanded.
Conversation
Shloka 15:5
द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुःखसंज्ञैर्गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत् ॥ १५:५ ॥
adhyatma-nitya vinivritta-kamah
dvandvair vimuktah sukha-duhkha-samjnaih
gacchanty amudhah padam avyayam tat
Translation
Those who are free from pride and delusion, who have conquered attachment, who remain established in spiritual knowledge, who are free from material desires, and who have transcended the dualities of happiness and distress attain that eternal supreme abode.
Conversation
Shloka 15:6
यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ॥ १५:६ ॥
na shashanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
Translation
Neither the sun, nor the moon, nor fire illumines My supreme abode. Having reached it, one never returns. That is My supreme eternal dwelling.
Conversation
Shloka 15:7
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति ॥ १५:७ ॥
jiva-bhutah sanatanah
manah-shashthanindriyani
prakriti-sthani karshati
Translation
The eternal living beings in this world are indeed My own fragmental parts. Bound by material nature, they struggle with the six senses, including the mind.
Conversation
Shloka 15:8
गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति वायुर्गन्धानिवाशयात् ॥ १५:८ ॥
yac capy utkramatishvarah
grihitvaitani samyati
vayur gandhan ivashayat
Translation
When the embodied soul accepts a new body or leaves the old one, it carries the mind and senses along, just as the wind carries fragrances from their source.
Conversation
Shloka 15:9
अधिष्ठाय मनश्चायं विषयानुपसेवते ॥ १५:९ ॥
rasanam ghranam eva ca
adhishthaya manash cayam
vishayan upasevate
Translation
Residing in the ears, eyes, skin, tongue, nose, and mind, the embodied soul experiences and enjoys the objects of the senses.
Conversation
Shloka 15:10
विमूढा नानुपश्यन्ति पश्यन्ति ज्ञानचक्षुषः ॥ १५:१० ॥
bhunjanam va gunanvitam
vimudha nanupashyanti
pashyanti jnana-cakshushah
Translation
The ignorant cannot perceive the soul as it departs the body, resides within it, or experiences the objects of the senses under the influence of the material modes. But those who possess the eyes of wisdom can clearly perceive it.
Conversation
Shloka 15:11
यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतसः ॥ १५:११ ॥
pashyanty atmany avasthitam
yatanto 'py akritatmano
nainam pashyanty acetasah
Translation
The striving yogis perceive the soul established within themselves. But those whose minds are impure and undisciplined, though they strive, cannot perceive it because they lack true understanding.
Conversation
Shloka 15:12
यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम् ॥ १५:१२ ॥
jagad bhasayate 'khilam
yac candramasi yac cagnau
tat tejo viddhi mamakam
Translation
The brilliance that resides in the sun and illuminates the entire world, the radiance of the moon, and the fire—all these should be understood as manifestations of My divine splendor.
Conversation
Shloka 15:13
पुष्णामि चौषधीः सर्वाः सोमो भूत्वा रसात्मकः ॥ १५:१३ ॥
dharayamy aham ojasā
pushnami caushadhih sarvah
somo bhutva rasatmakah
Translation
Entering the earth, I sustain all living beings through My energy. Becoming the nourishing moon, I provide the vital essence by which all plants grow.
Conversation
Shloka 15:14
प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम् ॥ १५:१४ ॥
praninam deham ashritah
pranapana-samayuktah
pacamy annam catur-vidham
Translation
Becoming the digestive fire within the bodies of all living beings and united with the incoming and outgoing breaths, I digest the four kinds of food.
Conversation
Shloka 15:15
वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो वेदान्तकृद्वेदविदेव चाहम् ॥ १५:१५ ॥
mattah smritir jnanam apohanam ca
vedaish ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedanta-krid veda-vid eva caham
Translation
I dwell in the hearts of all beings. From Me arise memory, knowledge, and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I alone am to be known. Indeed, I am the author of Vedanta and the knower of the Vedas.
Conversation
Shloka 15:16
क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते ॥ १५:१६ ॥
ksharash cakshara eva ca
ksharah sarvani bhutani
kutastho 'kshara ucyate
Translation
There are two kinds of beings in this world: the perishable and the imperishable. All embodied beings are perishable, while the unchanging spiritual self is called imperishable.
Conversation
Shloka 15:17
यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ॥ १५:१७ ॥
paramatmety udahritah
yo loka-trayam avishya
bibharty avyaya ishvarah
Translation
But beyond both is the Supreme Person, known as the Paramatma, the eternal Lord who enters the three worlds and sustains them all.
Conversation
Shloka 15:18
अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १५:१८ ॥
aksharad api cottamah
ato 'smi loke vede ca
prathitah purushottamah
Translation
Because I transcend both the perishable and the imperishable, I am celebrated in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person (Purushottama).
Conversation
Shloka 15:19
स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत ॥ १५:१९ ॥
janati purushottamam
sa sarva-vid bhajati mam
sarva-bhavena bharata
Translation
Whoever knows Me as the Supreme Person without delusion is the knower of all wisdom. Such a person worships Me with complete devotion and with all his heart, O Bharata.
Conversation
Shloka 15:20
एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत ॥ १५:२० ॥
idam uktam mayanagha
etad buddhva buddhiman syat
krita-krityash ca bharata
Translation
Thus, O sinless Bharata, I have revealed this most confidential teaching. By understanding it, a person becomes truly wise and fulfills the highest purpose of life.
Conversation
Note: Every interpretation published here is the original work of Kedi Ganapati alone. No other author, commentator, or interpreter has contributed to these explanations. These interpretations are based on Kedi Ganapati's own understanding of the Bhagavad Gita's verses through personal study, research, wisdom, and experience.
