Supreme Person - 15 - 03

The Shloka

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न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते

नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा ।

अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलं

असङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥

———

na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādir na ca sampratiṣṭhā

aśvattham enaṁ suvirūḍhamūlam asaṅgaśastreṇa dṛḍhena chittvā

———

Meaning / Summary

This shloka emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving the true nature of the material world (samsara) and highlights the importance of detachment as a means to transcend it. It suggests that the cycle of birth and death is perpetuated by our attachment to worldly things and that liberation can be achieved by severing these attachments with the ‘axe of detachment’.

Its true form is not perceived in this world, neither its end, nor its beginning, nor its foundation. Having cut asunder this firmly rooted peepal tree with the strong axe of detachment,

The real form of this tree cannot be understood in this world, nor its beginning, end, or foundation. This deep-rooted peepal tree should be cut with the strong weapon of detachment.

The actual स्वरूप (svarupa) or true form of this tree of संसार (samsara) is not perceived here in this world. People are caught up in the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by desires and attachments, and thus fail to see the true nature of reality. The beginning of this tree is also not known to anybody. As this tree is अनादि (anadi) or without beginning, nobody knows when it originated. Similarly, nobody knows the end of this tree. Nor is its foundation apparent. Because its roots grow upwards, its foundation is also not apparent to people. Therefore, this deep-rooted Ashvattha tree of संसार (samsara) should be cut with the mighty axe of detachment.

Sentence - 1

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न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते

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Meaning

Its form is not perceived in this world as such.

Meaning of Words

न	na	Not
रूपम्	rūpam
Form, true nature Refers to the true nature, essence, or inherent characteristic of something. In this context, it refers to the real form of the samsara tree, which is not readily apparent to those caught in the cycle of birth and death.
अस्य	asya	Of it, its
इह	iha
Here, in this world Indicates the material world or the realm of experience we are currently in. It emphasizes that within this world, the true nature of the samsara tree is not easily discernible.
तथा	tathā	In that way, so, thus
उपलभ्यते	upalabhyate
Is perceived, is understood Means ‘is perceived,’ ‘is realized,’ or ‘is understood’. It suggests that the true form is not directly accessible to ordinary perception or understanding. It implies a deeper knowledge or insight is required to grasp the true nature of the samsara tree.

Sentence - 2

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नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा ।

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Meaning

Neither its end, nor its beginning, nor its foundation.

Meaning of Words

अन्तो	antaḥ	End
च	ca	And
आदिः	ādiḥ
Beginning Refers to the origin or commencement of something. In this context, it suggests that the beginning of the samsara tree is not known or perceivable.
सम्प्रतिष्ठा	sampratiṣṭhā
Foundation, basis, firm standing Refers to the basis, ground, or stable condition upon which something is established. In this context, it implies that the foundation or support of the samsara tree is not readily apparent or easily understood.

Sentence - 3

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अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलं

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Meaning

This peepal tree, with deep-rooted roots,

Meaning of Words

अश्वत्थम्	aśvattham
Peepal tree Refers to the Ashvattha tree, which is used as a metaphor for the samsara, or the cycle of birth and death. The Ashvattha tree is characterized by its roots growing upwards and branches downwards.
एनं	enaṁ	This
सुविरूढमूलं	suvirūḍhamūlam
Well-rooted, firmly rooted Indicates that the tree’s roots are deeply embedded and firmly established. This highlights the difficulty in uprooting or overcoming the samsara tree due to its deeply ingrained nature.

Sentence - 4

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असङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥

———

Meaning

Having cut with the strong axe of detachment.

Meaning of Words

असङ्गशस्त्रेण	asaṅgaśastreṇa
With the weapon of detachment Detachment (asaṅga) means freedom from attachment or clinging to worldly things. The ‘weapon of detachment’ is the means by which one can sever the ties that bind us to the cycle of birth and death. In the context of spirituality, detachment (vairagya) is considered a crucial virtue for attaining liberation.
दृढेन	dṛḍhena	Strong, firm
छित्त्वा	chittvā	Having cut

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