monika sogam

The chapter begins with a powerful metaphor. Lord Krishna compares this material world (samsara) to an upside-down Ashvattha (peepal) tree, with its roots upward and branches down. The roots represent the eternal spiritual reality (Brahman), while the branches, nourished by the three modes of material nature (sattva, rajas, tamas), spread down into the world of forms and desires. The leaves of this tree are compared to the Vedic hymns, suggesting that the scriptures sustain the system.