Chapter 15, verse 1
श्री भगवानुवाचऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्।छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्।।15.1।।
śrī bhagavānuvācaūrdhvamūlamadhaḥśākhamaśvatthaṃ prāhuravyayamchandāṃsi yasya parṇāni yastaṃ veda sa vedavit15.1
Word meanings
- ऊर्ध्वमूलम् — rooted above
- अधःशाखम् — branches below
- अश्वत्थम् — the Asvattha
- प्राहुः — they speak of
- अव्ययम् — indestructible
- छन्दांसि — metres or hymns
- यस्य — of which
- पर्णानि — leaves
- यः — who
- तम् — that
- वेद — knows
- सः — he
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: They (the wise) speak of the indestructible peepul tree, with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the meters or hymns; he who knows it is a knower of the Vedas.
Translation Context: "The Blessed Lord said: They (the wise) speak of the indestructible peepul tree, with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the meters or hymns; he who knows it is a knower of the Vedas."
Commentary & Insight: In this verse of Chapter 15, Sri Krishna counsels Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra. The teaching illuminates the eternal nature of the soul, the sacred call of duty (Dharma), and the path of unattached action (Nishkama Karma). Reflecting upon this verse brings mental peace, spiritual strength, and wisdom in daily life.