Kathopanishad: Conversation between Lord Yama and Nachiketa
This is the ancient Asvattha tree whose roots are above and branches below. That is verily the Pure, that is Brahman, and that is also called immortal. In that rest all the worlds, and none can transcend It. Verily, this is That.
In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter. 15 – Vrs. 1, 2, 3, Lord Krishna too talks of the analogy of the ancient Asvattha tree or peepal tree. The analogy is that world has emerged from Brahman, and the peepal tree is compared to a samsara.
- Samsara is chosen to be a tree because a tree can be felled to symbolise this samsara, which is terrestrial entanglement, can be ended anytime.
- The peepal tree is chosen because it has extensive growth, a sturdy build, and a very long life. Longevity of life, sturdiness of tree and extensive growth of the tree is represented by samsara, which is relatively a long life and imperishable. It is also called immortal refers to Brahman at the absolute level and samsara at the relative level.
- The very word Asvattha means that which will not be tomorrow. The world is nothing but finite, perishable, something which goes through death and birth. Constantly changing. Nothing is permanent.
Even though Asvattha means perishable, relatively, it is imperishable because the world does not end so soon.
- The root above symbolises Brahman is being given the highest status, and the branches below refer to the manifold activities that are spread below.
Eg: In a family tree, the great-grandfather is at the top, then his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Brahman, placed at the top, refers to the great grandsire on top; further down, the manifold creations spread downwards. It is also same in an organisation. The head of the organisation is on the top and from there his subordinates spread downwards.
- How to fell or get rid of the entanglement of the samsara will be in the next Satsang.
Samsara is compared to a tree because a tree can be felled, and one can get rid of the entanglement of samsara by living a life of detachment. You should conduct in a manner where you are not attached to any aspect, objects or beings of the world.
Bhagavad Gita Chp. 15 – Vs.3 clearly spells out how you should deal with the Asvattha tree which is the world:
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा।
अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥ 3 ॥
na rūpamasyēha tathōpalabhyatē nāntō na chādirna cha sampratiṣṭhā।
aśvatthamēnaṃ suvirūḍhamūlamasaṅgaśastrēṇa dṛḍhēna Chittvā ॥ 3 ॥
Its form is not perceived here as such, neither its end nor clear foundation, having cut this firmly-rooted Asvattha giant fig tree asunder with the strong axe of non-attachment
Firmly rooted refers to the strong attachments and bondages one has in this world. You have to deal with them with utter detachment. Attachment is a mental quality/preoccupation. When the mind is attached, you are totally occupied with that thought. You need a sharp axe to fell a tree. So too you have to use the axe of detachment, and it is a bitter pill to cultivate. That which is beneficial to you will have a bitter beginning. Detachment is a state of mental independency and attachment is being a slave to objects and beings.
Law of attachment is ‘As you think so you become.’ You are helplessly bound and attached to whatever you are thinking.
Q: What kind of thoughts develop attachment and detachment?
A: An irrational, illogical, uncontrolled thought flow develops attachment. Mind by itself entertains thoughts without any reason. When you allow the thoughts to be ungoverned, without any license by the intellect, you develop attachment. On the contrary when you operate on intellect your thoughts are rational, logical, controlled and you develop detachment. It is all in the pattern of thoughts.
Bhaja Govindam gives the path to evolution.
LADDER OF RISE
सत्सङ्गत्वे निस्सङ्गत्वं निस्सङ्गत्वे निर्मोहत्वम् ।
निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥ ९॥
Through the company of the good arises non-attachment, from non-attachment arises freedom from delusion, from non-delusion arises absolute steadfastness, and from absolute steadfastness arises liberation in life.
The first step of evolution is satsang, good company. Satsang brings about detachment. It is choosing the right over the wrong, higher over the lower non-essentials. With wisdom, you choose the right company, higher values, and the lower automatically drops off.
The ability to use your intellect determines the satsang you associate. Once you operate on intellect, the ladder of rise sets into motion. You will then be free from delusion. When you get carried away by your emotional entanglement, it causes delusion. If we can relate to an object with detachment, there is no more delusion or confusion. You are liberated from emotional turmoil. Instantly, your action becomes steadfast, an attribute of the intellect. The moment you become steadfast you will be on your way to attain the highest goal, Liberation.
