Mahabharata Udyoga Parva – ऊर्ध्वमूलम अधःशाखम अश्वत्थं पराहुर अव्ययम

Shloka (श्लोक)

शरीभगवान उवाच
ऊर्ध्वमूलम अधःशाखम अश्वत्थं पराहुर अव्ययम
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस तं वेद स वेदवित

⚡ Quick Meaning

The Supreme Lord said: The eternal banyan tree has its roots above and branches below; its leaves are the Vedic hymns, and the one who knows this is the knower of the Vedas.

Translations

English Translation

This shloka describes the metaphorical banyan tree representing the material world, with its roots symbolizing the spiritual realm above. The Vedic hymns are likened to the leaves, suggesting that true knowledge is through understanding this connection and its transcendental nature.

हिंदी अनुवाद

यह श्लोक भौतिक संसार का प्रतीकात्मक पीपल के पेड़ का वर्णन करता है, जिसकी जड़ें आध्यात्मिक क्षेत्र को दर्शाती हैं। वैदिक स्तोत्रों को पत्तियों के समान कहा गया है, यह सुझाव देते हुए कि सच्चा ज्ञान इस संबंध और उसके पारलौकिक स्वभाव को समझने में है।

Commentary

Context

This verse is an explication of spiritual concepts found within the Mahabharata, symbolizing the distinction between the physical and the spiritual universe.

Meaning

The shloka emphasizes the interconnectedness of the material and spiritual spheres, hinting at the transcendent nature of knowledge.

Application

By recognizing this interplay, one can align their life towards attaining spiritual wisdom and may achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death.