Bhagavad Gita · Verse 15.3
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा । अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥३॥
na rūpamasyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādirna ca sampratiṣṭhā | aśvatthamenaṃ suvirūḍhamūlamasaṅgaśastreṇa dṛḍhena chittvā ||3||
Complete Shloka Translation
Its form is not perceived here as it truly is, nor its end, beginning or foundation. Having cut down this deeply rooted ashvattha tree with the firm weapon of nonattachment—
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| असङ्ग | asaṅga | nonattachment |
| शस्त्र | śastra | weapon |
| रूपमस्येह | na | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| तथोपलभ्यते | rūpamasyeha | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| नान्तो | tathopalabhyate | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| चादिर्न | nānto | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| सम्प्रतिष्ठा | na | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| अश्वत्थमेनं | cādirna | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण | ca | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| दृढेन | sampratiṣṭhā | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
| छित्त्वा | aśvatthamenaṃ | [term] in context of Its form is not perceived here... |
nonattachment
weapon
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
[term] in context of Its form is not perceived here...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This sentence continues into 15.4. Asanga is freedom from clinging, presented as the means of cutting samsara's binding roots; the image calls for inner release rather than destruction of nature or withdrawal from ethical duties.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Practice nonattachment without abandoning care or responsibility."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where can you act responsibly without clinging?
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.