Bhagavad Gita 15.1
Krishna describes the world as an upside-down ashvattha tree whose leaves are the Vedic hymns.
ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्।
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्॥
ūrdhvamūlamadhaḥśākhamaśvatthaṃ prāhuravyayam
chandāṃsi yasya parṇāni yastaṃ veda sa vedavit
Translation
The Lord said, "They speak of an imperishable ashvattha tree with its roots above and its branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is a knower of the Veda."
Hindi
भगवान ने कहा, "कहते हैं कि एक अविनाशी पीपल का वृक्ष है जिसकी जड़ें ऊपर और शाखाएँ नीचे हैं, और वेदों के छंद जिसके पत्ते हैं। जो इस वृक्ष को जानता है, वही वेद को जानने वाला है।"
Commentary
Krishna opens the chapter with a picture. The world of rebirth is drawn as a peepal tree turned upside down, rooted in the Supreme above and spreading below. The Vedic hymns are its leaves, because ritual keeps the tree green. The picture grows in 15.2, and it describes samsara as a living thing that can also be cut.
