Chapter 15 · 20 verses
The world is pictured as an inverted aśvattha tree whose roots are above and branches below, symbolising the complexity of conditioned existence. Krishna explains how attachment sustains this tree, how it is cut through non-attachment, and distinguishes the perishable, imperishable, and Supreme Person.
Central focus
The tree of worldly existence, non-attachment, the individual self, and the Supreme Person.
Chapter outline
- The image of the imperishable aśvattha tree
- The branches and roots of conditioned existence
- The means of cutting through attachment
- The journey of the embodied self
- The perishable, the imperishable, and Puruṣottama
Reading the chapter
Read this chapter in the context of the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. Notice who is speaking, what question is being answered, and how each teaching develops from the preceding discussion. The chapter’s Sanskrit title is commonly rendered as Purushottama Yoga; English titles vary across editions.
Verse study pathway
This chapter page introduces the chapter’s structure and key ideas. A complete verse-by-verse edition should present each verse with a verified Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration, a clearly credited translation, grammatical and lexical notes, and commentary that distinguishes the wording of the verse from later interpretation. Verse-level entries will be added in sequence after text and translation verification.
Questions for reflection
- What does the tree image reveal about the roots of ordinary experience?
- How is non-attachment different from rejecting the world?
- What distinctions does the chapter make among the perishable, imperishable, and Supreme Person?
Study note
This is an introductory guide, not a claim that all philosophical schools interpret every passage in the same way. Sanskrit terms are retained where an English equivalent would flatten their range of meaning. Comparative interpretations should be attributed to the specific commentators and editions consulted.