|| Description of universe - 2 || Fed by the three Gunas and having sense-objects for their tender leaves , the branches of the aforesaid tree { in the shape of the different orders of creation } extend both downwards and upwards ; and its roots , which bind the soul according to its actions in the human body , are spread in all regions , higher as well as lower { 15 / 2 } . This world-tree is rooted in ignorance and from it has originated the eightfold Prakriti , consisting of Mahat etc. producing thick woods of Vedic knowledge . Then four shoots come out from the bottom of the tree , consisting of the four orders of living beings , born from sweat {Svedaja } , from womb { Jarayuja } , from the soil { udbhija } and from eggs { Andaja } .From each of these branches , spring eighty-four lakhs of species , each giving rise to an unlimited number of twigs in the form of beings . Those straight branches , which give rise to zigzag twigs , represent the different sub-species of beings . These beings are then distinguished as male , female and neuter and they come across one another , under the pressure of their changeable natures . Just as clouds crowd in the sky in the rainy season , so beings belonging to many species , come to birth due to ignorance . Then the branches , bent down by the weight of their overgrowth , get entangled into one another and the winds in the form of the excitement of the qualities { Gunas } begin to blow violently . Thus when the strong wind of Rajas quality begins to blow , the branch in the form of the human order , begins to grow fast , and so the human world becomes properly established . When the stormy wind in the form of the Tamas begins to blow , then the foliage of wicked desires issues forth , from the branches in the form of the human order , giving rise to twigs of evil actions . Then rough branches in the form of immoral ways begin to grow , producing twigs and leaves in the form of heedlessness . As the roots of the evil actions get strengthened , then the branches in the form of rebirths multiply fast . Then many oblique branches issue forth , in the form of animals such as beasts , birds , pigs , tigers , scorpions and serpents . Thus fresh branches are produced , O Pandav , from every part of this world-tree and they bear fruits of hellish sufferings . The sensual pleasures also involve violence and they bear a branch in the form of evil actions . On its top grow similar sprouts , which give rise to branches such as trees , grass , iron , earth and stones and these branches too bear similar fruits . O Arjuna , bear in mind , that all branches from human beings to inanimate things have only a downward growth . Therefore , the branch of human order is the origin of all these branches spreading downwards and from it grows this tree of mundane existence .As long as actions are performed , the human body lasts , and as long as the body is there , there is no end to actions . So the human body is the fruit of the branches in the form of actions and there is no pause in this , so said the Lord of the world . On the top of these branches other sprouts spring , in the form of the world of god Brahma and Kailash the world of Lord Shiva . There is no scope of further growth of beings , beyond regions of god Brahma and Lord Shiva and there is only Brahm { Supreme Spirit } , beyond these heights . The nature of this tree of creation does not on mature thought turn out what it is represented to be ; for it has neither beginning nor end , nor even stability . Therefore , cutting down this Pipal tree , which is most firmly rooted , with the formidable axes of dispassion { 15 / 3 } . O Partha , you will have no trouble in cutting down this tree . Does it become necessary to pull down the forts formed by the clouds or break the horn of a hare or pluck the flower of the sky ? In the same way , O Arjuna , this world tree is unreal , so why does one need boldness to eradicate it ? The description of the roots and branches of this tree , is like saying that a barren woman has given birth to many children . Could a talk in dream be of any use in the waking state ? The story of this tree is as superfluous as such a dream-talk . The world tree as described by me , is all an illusion like the Ghee { clarified butter } prepared from the tortoise’s { non-existent } milk . O dear friend , lakes of mirage water are fit to be seen only from a distance ; can anyone grow rice or bananas on that water ? Where the ignorance itself is unreal , how could its effect be real ? Truly speaking , this world-tree is a mere illusion . Could there be a dawn , until the night is over . In the same way , O Partha , so long as knowledge does not dawn upon one , there could be no end to this world-tree . The waves on the sea do not cease , so long as the wind does not stop blowing . The mirage disappears , only after the sun sets or the light vanishes when the lamp is extinguished . In the same way , this world-tree , which is rooted in ignorance , does not vanish until the dawn of knowledge . Who could be the mother of an unborn child ? In the same way , the world-tree is said to be beginning-less , as it has no existence . How could there be a horoscope of a child of a barren woman ? So how could the world-tree have a beginning , when it does not exist ? The earthen pitcher has no existence before it is made , so is this entire world -tree , without beginning . Although unreal , it seems real . Like a multicolored rainbow , this world-tree appears charming , to an ignorant person . The world-tree , by its illusory appearance , deludes the vision of an ignorant person , like a skilful actor by assuming different roles . Though it appears as real , one cannot grasp it , just as a monkey , which sees its reflection in the water , cannot catch hold of it . Did not this tree become strong , because of mans ignorance of his true Self ? One should therefore , fell it by means of Self-knowledge . If you make use of remedies other than this knowledge , you will become more and more entangled in this tree . So cut down the branches and cut down its root , which is ignorance , by true knowledge of the Self . O winner of wealth , just as the waking state is the only way to get rid of a wound caused in a dream , so one needs the sword of knowledge to cut the root of world-tree , which is ignorance . The sword of the Self-knowledge , by means of its splendor of non-dualism , not allow the world-tree to exist anywhere . Just as the rising sun destroys all darkness , so the sword of knowledge , does its work . Then as the mirage disappears in the moon-light , the upper and lower roots of the world-tree and the expansion of its branches cease to exist . || OM TAT SAT ||
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:07:25 +0000