In Bhagavad Gita 15.2, Krishna says the tree’s branches spread below and above, nourished by the gunas, with sense objects as buds; its roots below bind people to action in the human world.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा
गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः
अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि
कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ॥ १५-२ ॥
adhaścordhvaṃ prasṛtāstasya śākhā
guṇapravṛddhā viṣayapravālāḥ
adhaśca mūlānyanusantatāni
karmānubandhīni manuṣyaloke
English transliteration adhashchordhvam prasritaastasya shaakhaa
gunapravriddhaa vishayapravaalaah
adhashcha moolaanyanusantataani
karmaanubandheeni manushyaloke ॥ 15.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Its branches spread below and above, nourished by the gunas, with sense objects as their shoots. And below, its roots extend, binding to action in the world of men.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अधः adhaḥ | below |
| च ca | and |
| ऊर्ध्वम् ūrdhvam | above |
| प्रसृताः prasṛtāḥ | spread |
| तस्य tasya | its |
| शाखाः śākhāḥ | branches |
| गुणप्रवृद्धाः guṇapravṛddhāḥ | nourished by the guṇas guṇa (guṇas) + pravṛddhāḥ (nourished) |
| विषयप्रवालाः viṣayapravālāḥ | with sense objects as shoots viṣaya (sense objects) + pravālāḥ (shoots) |
| अधः adhaḥ | below |
| च ca | and |
| मूलानि mūlāni | roots |
| अनुसन्ततानि anusantatāni | extend |
| कर्मानुबन्धीनि karmānubandhīni | binding to action karma (action) + anubandhīni (binding) |
| मनुष्यलोके manuṣyaloke | in the world of men manuṣya (men) + loke (world) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–dhaś–cor–dhvaṃ pra–sṛ–tās–tas–ya śā–khā 11 syllables a-dhash-chor-dhvam pra-sri-taas-tas-ya shaa-khaa
- gu–ṇap–ra–vṛd–dhā vi–ṣa–yap–ra–vā–lāḥ | 11 syllables gu-nap-ra-vrid-dhaa vi-sha-yap-ra-vaa-laah
- a–dhaś–ca mū–lān–ya–nu–san–ta–tā–ni 11 syllables a-dhash-cha moo-laan-ya-nu-san-ta-taa-ni
- kar–mā–nu–ban–dhī–ni ma–nuṣ–ya–lo–ke || 15-2 11 syllables kar-maa-nu-ban-dhee-ni ma-nush-ya-lo-ke
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 15 Verse 2
Context
Krishna continues describing the tree (15.1–15.4).
Meaning
The branches reach into lower and higher realms of existence and are fed by the three guṇas. The tender shoots are the viṣayas, sense objects, which tempt and draw beings on. Secondary roots, karma-anubandhin, grow down into the human world, binding people through desire and action.
Like a banyan tree that drops new roots from its branches, our desires and actions keep putting down roots that hold us in the cycle.
In Practice
Notice one desire that keeps “putting down roots” in your life, and decide not to feed it today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (The Supreme Person). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.