Shrimad Bhagavad Gita · 20 verses
Chapter 15: The Supreme Person
The world is described as an upside-down peepal tree, and Krishna reveals himself as Purushottama, the Supreme Person.
All verses, with meaning
15.1The world as a treeKrishna says: The world is like an eternal peepal (ashvattha) tree with its roots above an…15.2Branches and rootsIts branches spread below and above, fed by the gunas, with sense objects as their buds. I…15.3The axe of detachmentIts true form cannot be seen here — not its end, its beginning or its base. This deep-root…15.4Refuge in the First PersonThen one should seek that state from which no one returns, thinking: 'I take refuge in tha…15.5Who reaches the eternalFree from pride and delusion, having conquered attachment, always devoted to the Self, wit…15.6God's supreme abodeNeither the sun, nor the moon, nor fire lights up that place. Those who reach it do not re…15.7The soul, a part of GodEvery living soul in this world is an eternal part of Me. It draws to itself the mind and …15.8Like wind carrying scentJust as the wind carries fragrance away from flowers, the soul, the master of the body, ca…15.9Experience through sensesUsing the ears, eyes, skin, tongue, nose and mind, the soul experiences the objects of the…15.10The eye of wisdomWhether the soul is leaving the body, staying in it, or enjoying through the gunas, the de…15.11A pure heart seesYogis who strive see this Self within themselves. But those whose hearts are not purified …15.12All light is God'sThe light in the sun that brightens the whole world, and the light in the moon and in fire…15.13God sustains earth and plantsEntering the earth, I hold up all beings with My energy; and becoming the moon full of nec…15.14The fire of digestionBecoming the digestive fire (Vaishvanara) in the bodies of living beings, and joined with …15.15God in every heartI dwell in the hearts of all. From Me come memory, knowledge and their loss. I am the One …15.16Perishable and imperishableThere are two kinds of beings in this world — the perishable and the imperishable. All cre…15.17The Supreme SelfBut the highest Person is different from both; He is called the Supreme Self. That imperis…15.18PurushottamaBecause I am beyond the perishable and higher even than the imperishable, I am celebrated …15.19Worship with whole heartOne who, free from delusion, knows Me as the Supreme Person knows everything, and worships…15.20The most secret teachingO sinless Arjuna, I have told you this most secret teaching. Understanding it, a person be…