Bhagavad Gita · Verse 15.2
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः । अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ॥२॥
adhaścordhvaṃ prasṛtāstasya śākhā guṇapravṛddhā viṣayapravālāḥ | adhaśca mūlānyanusantatāni karmānubandhīni manuṣyaloke ||2||
Complete Shloka Translation
Its branches extend below and above, nourished by the gunas, with sense objects as their tender shoots. Its roots spread downward in the human world, binding beings through action.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गुण | guṇa | mode of nature |
| विषय | viṣaya | sense object |
| अधश्चोर्ध्वं | adhaścordhvaṃ | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| प्रसृतास्तस्य | prasṛtāstasya | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| शाखा | śākhā | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| गुणप्रवृद्धा | guṇapravṛddhā | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| विषयप्रवालाः | viṣayapravālāḥ | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| अधश्च | adhaśca | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि | mūlānyanusantatāni | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| कर्मानुबन्धीनि | karmānubandhīni | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
| मनुष्यलोके | manuṣyaloke | [term] in context of Its branches extend below and ... |
mode of nature
sense object
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
[term] in context of Its branches extend below and ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The tree grows through sattva, rajas and tamas, while sensory attractions invite further involvement. The downward roots emphasize karma in human life: choices and their consequences reinforce the structure of worldly attachment.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Notice how repeated desires and actions deepen attachment."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which repeated choices deepen your attachments?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.