SUPREME SPIRIT

[gokulkr]

SUPREME SPIRIT

 

 

The Supreme Lord said: They (or the wise) speak of the eternal

Ashvattha tree having its origin above (in unmanifest Brahman) and

its branches below (in the cosmos) whose leaves are the (Vedic)

hymns. One who understands this is a knower of the Vedas. (15.01)

 

The branches (of this world tree of Maya) spread below and above

(or all over the cosmos). The tree is nourished by the Gunas; sense

pleasures are its sprouts; and its roots (of ego and desires)

stretch below in the human world causing Karmic bondage. (15.02)

 

Neither its (real) form nor its beginning, neither its end nor its

existence is perceptible here on the earth. Having cut these firm

roots of the Ashvattha tree by the mighty ax of (Jnana and)

Vairaagya or detachment; (15.03)

 

The goal (of nirvana) should be sought reaching which one does not

come back; thus thinking: In that very primal spirit I take refuge

from which this primal manifestation comes forth. (15.04)

 

Those who are free from pride and delusion, who have conquered the

evil of attachment, who are constantly dwelling in the Supreme Self

with all Kaama completely stilled, who are free from the dualities

known as pleasure and pain; such undeluded persons reach the

eternal goal. (15.05)

 

The sun does not illumine there, nor the moon, nor the fire. That

is My supreme abode. Having reached there they do not come back.

(15.06)

 

Atma in the body is My eternal indivisible fragment indeed. Atma

gets bound (or attached, and is called Jeevaatma) due to

superimposition or association with the six sensory faculties,

including the mind, of perception. (15.07)

 

As the air takes away the aroma from the source (or flower),

similarly Atma takes the six sensory faculties from the physical

body it casts off (during death) to the (new physical) body it

acquires (in reincarnation by the power of Karma). (See also 2.13)

(15.08)

 

The Jeevaatma enjoys sense pleasures with the help of six sensory

faculties: hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell, and mind. (15.09)

 

The ignorant do not perceive Jeeva departing from the body, or

remaining in the body and enjoying sense pleasures by associating

with the Gunas. Those with the eye of knowledge can see. (15.10)

 

The yogis striving (for perfection) behold Atma abiding in their

heart; but the ignorant, whose intellect is not pure, do not

perceive Him even though striving. (15.11)

 

The light that coming from the sun illumines the whole world; and

which is in the moon, and in the fire; know that light to be Mine.

(See also 13.17 and 15.06) (15.12)

 

Entering the earth I support all beings with My energy; becoming

the sap-giving moon I nourish all the plants. (15.13)

 

Becoming the digestive fire, I remain in the body of all living

beings; uniting with vital breaths, the Prana and Apana, I digest

all four varieties of food; and (15.14)

 

I am seated in the hearts of all beings. The memory, knowledge, and

the removal of doubts and wrong notions (about the Self) by

reasoningor in Samadhicome from Me. I am verily that which is to be

known by (the study of) all the Vedas. I am, indeed, the author of

the Vedanta and the knower of the Vedas. (See also 6.39) (15.15)

 

There are two entities in this world: the perishable and the

imperishable. (The bodies of) all beings are perishable, and the

Atma is imperishable. (15.16)

 

There is another supreme spirit called Ishvara or Paramaatma, the

indestructible Lord who pervades the three worlds and sustains

them. (15.17)

 

I am beyond the perishable body, and higher than the imperishable

Atma; therefore, I am known in this world and in the Vedas as

Purushottama, or the Supreme Spirit. (15.18)

 

The wise one, who truly knows Me as the Purushottama, knows

everything and worships (or surrenders unto) Me wholeheartedly, O

Arjuna. (See also 7.14, 14.26, and 18.66) (15.19)

 

Thus this most secret science has been explained by Me, O sinless

Arjuna. Having understood this, one becomes enlightened and one's

all duties are accomplished. (15.20)