B.G 15.01

श्रीभगवानुवाच

The auspicious Lord said:

ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखं अश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्। छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् ॥१॥

They speak of the imperishable peepul tree having its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedas, i.e. knowledge; he who knows it is the knower of the Vedas.

Gīta Bhāshya 15.01

This chapter presents an understanding of the characteristics of the universal-society, and the means of transcending it. 'ūrdhva' - Lord Viṣṇu, is superior everywhere. Inferior branches are beings. The Vedas, i.e. knowledge, like leaves, are the cause of fruits.

संसारस्वरूपतदत्ययोपायविज्ञानानि अस्मिन्नध्याये दर्शयति-

This chapter presents an understanding of the characteristics of the universal-society, and the means to transcend it.

ऊर्ध्वो विष्णुः।

The word 'ūrdhva' in the context is Lord Viṣṇu.

"ऊर्ध्वपवित्रो वाजिनीवस्वमृतमस्मि। द्रविणं सवर्चसम्॥"

"I am 'ūrdhva', i.e. elevated, purity, swift like a horse, immortal, possessing wealth and full of radiance."

इति हि श्रुतिः।

- thus indeed is the Vedic testimonial.

ऊर्ध्वः उत्तमः सर्वतः। अधः निकृष्टम्। शाखा भूतानि। श्वोऽपि एकप्रकारेण न तिष्ठतीति अश्वत्थः। तथापि न प्रवाहव्ययः। पूर्वब्रह्मकाले यथा स्थितिः तथा सर्वत्रापि इति अव्ययता। फलकारणत्वात् - च्छन्दसां पर्णत्वम्। न हि कदाचिदपि अजाते पर्णे फलोत्पत्तिः ॥१॥

The 'ūrdhva', i.e. elevated, is superior everywhere. 'adhaḥ', i.e. below, is inferior. Branches are beings. Tomorrow does not remain the same as today, hence the comparison to the peepul tree. At the same time it does not lose its essence. In the age of Brahma, as it was, so it remains everywhere, signifying immutability. The Vedas, i.e. knowledge, like leaves, are the cause of fruits. Indeed, there is no fruit production if there are no leaves.