Gita 15.2
Purushottama Yoga
अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः | अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके ||२||
adhaś cordhvaṁ prasṛtās tasya śākhā guṇa-pravṛddhā viṣaya-pravālāḥ | adhaś ca mūlāny anusantatāni karmānubandhīni manuṣya-loke ||2||
In essence: The three gunas nourish this cosmic tree whose branches extend in all directions, with sense objects as sprouts, while secondary roots of karma-bondage spread especially in the human realm.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "So the gunas nourish this tree of existence, and my sense desires are like new buds that keep it growing. How do I stop this growth?"
Guru: "First, see clearly what is happening. You are not battling external enemies but watching a natural process. The gunas operate; desires sprout; karma roots develop. The seeing itself begins to create distance. You cannot stop being a guna-configuration, but you can witness it without identification."
Sadhak: "But it says roots bind especially in the human world. Does this mean being human is a disadvantage?"
Guru: "Quite the opposite! It means being human is the crucial juncture. Only here do you generate binding karma—but only here can you also generate liberating understanding. The same agency that creates bondage can choose freedom. Higher beings exhaust merit; lower beings lack choice; humans are the pivot point of the entire cosmic tree."
Sadhak: "The sense objects as sprouts—they seem so innocent, just natural desires..."
Guru: "Exactly the danger! A sprout appears tender, fresh, life-affirming. But each one extends the tree further. Watch your own mind: a small attraction, pursued, becomes a branch of involvement, which puts out more sprouts of desire. The tree colonizes consciousness through these innocent-looking beginnings. Wisdom sees the sprout for what it is—not evil, but extending."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Before the day's desires fully awaken, observe them arising like sprouts. Notice: 'Here comes the desire for coffee, recognition, success...' Without condemning, simply witness the sprouting. This early-morning witnessing creates space between you and the automatic guna-movement.
When engaged in action, periodically ask: 'Is this action creating a new binding root or is it performed with non-attachment?' Notice the difference in feel between action that grips and action that releases. You cannot avoid action, but you can transform its quality from binding to liberating.
Review the day's sense engagements. Which sprouts did you pursue? Which new karma-roots might have formed? This is not guilt but gardening awareness—understanding how the tree extends through your participation. Resolve to bring more witnessing presence tomorrow, not to suppress desire but to illuminate its mechanics.