Commentary 15.01

The purport of the statement that the tree of this mundane world has its roots facing upwards, is that the root cause of the creation is to be found in the supreme, uppermost holy abode. Thus, it emanates from and subsequently away from the Supreme Lord. The statement that its branches face downwards indicates that due to the reactions of exploitative actions, progressively lower and lower births from the animals down to the most degraded species branch out from this tree. Therefore, the Banyan tree of this temporal world is known as 'Asvattha', which means 'ephemeral', or 'that which does not remain until tomorrow'. However, it is eternal in the sense that it constantly appears by virtue of the flow of causal and effectual current. That the leaves of the tree represent the world-sustaining section of the Vedas known as karma-kanda, means that inasmuch as the leaves of a tree nourish and beautify it, this section of the Vedas similarly nourishes the world, causing it to expand and flourish. In conclusion, although this mundane world evolves from the eternal deluding potency of the Lord (maya), it is perishable; and although it is nourished by the fruitive section of the Vedas (karma-kanda), it is enlightened by means of the indirect, veiled statements (paroksa-vada) of the Vedas. One who knows the purport of the Vedas in this way is a genuine knower of their essence.

It is stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.3.43-46)

karmakarma vikarmeti, veda-vado na laukikah
vedasya cesvaratmatvat, tatra muhyanti surayah

parosa-vado vedo 'yam, balanam anusasanam
karma-moksay karmani, vidhatte hy agadam yatha

nacared yas tu vedokta�, svayam ajno 'jitendriyah
vikarmana hy adharmena, mrtyor mrtyum upaiti sah

vedoktam eva kurvano, nihsango 'rpitam isvare
naiskarmam labhate siddhim, rocanartha phala srutih

"The conceptions of action, inaction, and prohibited action are delineated in the Vedas. Because the Vedas are the embodiment of the Supreme Lord, even great scholars are bewildered in determining their purport. The Vedic purport is presented in an indirect, veiled manner, in order to instruct undisciplined, childishly foolish persons. As a father entices a sick child to take medicine by displaying sweetmeats, the scriptures similarly display the heavenly fruits of pious action, with the underlying purpose of effecting cessation of mundane action."

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