Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled “Purushottama Yoga” or “The Yoga of the Supreme Divine Personality,” delves into the metaphor of the eternal Ashvattha tree, which symbolizes the material world and the cycle of birth and death. Through this metaphor, Lord Krishna imparts profound spiritual wisdom to Arjuna, unraveling the nature of the self, the universe, and the Supreme Being. In the opening verse, Krishna describes the Ashvattha tree as eternal, with its roots above and branches below, representing the material manifestation of the universe. The leaves of this tree symbolize the Vedic hymns, and one who understands this tree is considered the knower of the Vedas. Krishna explains that the material world is sustained by the three gunas or qualities – sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). These qualities nourish the branches of the tree, which represent the various species of life in the material realm. The buds on these branches are the sense objects, and the roots, extending into the world of humans, symbolize actions that bind beings to the cycle of birth and death. However, Krishna reveals that the true form of this tree is imperceptible in the material world. Its beginning, end, and continued existence remain elusive. To attain liberation from this cycle, one must sever the roots of the Ashvattha tree with the sharp axe of detachment. Those who overcome ego, attachment, and desires, and remain steadfast on the spiritual path, attain the imperishable state and reach the eternal abode, beyond the material world. This supreme abode, Krishna declares, is His divine abode, from where souls do not return to the material realm. Krishna further elucidates that all living beings are eternal fragments of Himself, struggling with the senses and the mind in the material realm. Just as the wind carries fragrances, the soul carries its mind and senses from one body to another upon death. The senses, along with the mind, enable the embodied soul to engage with the world and experience sensory objects. However, only those endowed with wisdom can perceive the soul within themselves and witness its manifestations. Krishna reveals Himself as the radiant energy in the sun, the essence of life in the moon, and the universal fire residing within all beings. He sustains life on earth and is present in the hearts of all beings, governing memory, knowledge, and forgetfulness. The Supreme Soul, distinct from individual souls, sustains and permeates all realms of existence. Krishna transcends both the perishable and imperishable and is celebrated as the Supreme Person in the material world and the Vedas. Those who understand Krishna’s supreme nature and worship Him with unwavering devotion attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This profound knowledge, Krishna declares, leads to wisdom and fulfillment of all duties. In summary, Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita expounds on the metaphor of the Ashvattha tree to elucidate the nature of the material world, the self, and the Supreme Being. Through profound spiritual teachings, Krishna guides Arjuna on the path to liberation and self-realization, emphasizing the importance of devotion, knowledge, and detachment.