B.G 15.01

śrībhagavānuvāca

The auspicious Lord said:

ūrdhvamūlamadhaḥśākhaṃ aśvatthaṃ prāhuravyayam। chandāṃsi yasya parṇāni yastaṃ veda sa vedavit ॥1॥

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.

saṁsārasvarūpatadatyayopāyavijñānāni asminnadhyāye darśayati-

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

ūrdhvo viṣṇuḥ।

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

"ūrdhvapavitro vājīnīvasvamṛtamasmi। draviṇaṃ savarcasam॥"

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

iti hi śrutiḥ।

- thus indeed is the Vedic testimonial.

ūrdhvaḥ uttamaḥ sarvataḥ। adhaḥ nikṛṣṭam। śākhā bhūtāni। śvo'pi ekaprakāreṇa na tiṣṭhatīti aśvatthaḥ। tathāpi na pravāhavyayaḥ। pūrvabrahmakāle yathā sthitiḥ tathā sarvatrāpi iti avyayatā। phalakāraṇatvāt - cchandasāṃ parṇatvam। na hi kadācidapi ajāte parṇe phalotpattiḥ ॥1॥

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.