Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 469

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-15 Puruṣottama Yogaḥ

na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādir naca saṃpratiṣṭhā | aśvattham enaṃ suvirūḍha-mūlam asaṅga śastreṇa dṛḍheṇa chitvā || 3 || 3. Its form as such, is not perceived here, nor its end, nor its origin, nor its support. Having cut down this firmly rooted Aśvattha Tree with the strong axe of non-attachment, Commentary Humankind is at the pinnacle, our actions form the branches extending above and below as also its secondary roots — this form of the tree is not understood by those immersed in Samsāra. Similarly, it is not understood that the end [of Samsāra] can be brought about by non-attachment to pleasures which are founded upon the Gunas. It is also not perceived that attachment to the Gunas alone is the foundation of this tree. Nor is it realised that this tree is nourished by ignorance (ajñanam) which is the misconception that the body is the Self. Ignorance alone is the basis of this tree, since in it alone the tree is established. This Aśvattha Tree is firmly-rooted — its roots are firm and manifold, and it is to be cut down with the strong axe of non-attachment, — namely the axe, forged by right knowledge of non-attachment to the enjoyable sense objects composed of the three Gunas.