15-1

The Supreme Lord said: There is an eternal banyan tree whose roots reach upward and whose branches extend downward, and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree knows the Vedas.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna begins an explanation of the structure of the spiritual and material worlds, using the image of an eternal banyan tree. This tree, whose roots reach upwards (in the spiritual world) and branches downwards (in the material world), symbolizes the unity of all that exists and its connection to the Divine. The Vedic hymns, which are like the leaves of the tree, are a source of knowledge that helps to understand this image and the true essence of everything. One who understands the symbolism of this tree truly understands the Vedas and spiritual knowledge.

15-2

The branches of this tree, nourished by the three modes of material nature, extend upward and downward. The sprouts of the branches are the objects of the senses. The tree also has roots that reach downward and are associated with the fruitive actions of human society.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna continues the explanation of the image of the banyan tree. The branches of the tree, which extend upwards and downwards and are nourished by the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance), symbolize the different levels and experiences of material existence. The sprouts of the branches are the objects of the senses, which entice the soul and bind it to the material world. The tree also has roots that extend downward and symbolize human actions and their consequences (karma), which bind the soul to the material world.

15-3

The true form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation lies. But this strongly rooted tree can be cut down with the weapon of detachment.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that the true nature of the material world, symbolized by the banyan tree, cannot be fully grasped by limited human perception. Its beginning, end, and foundation remain hidden. However, this strongly rooted attachment to the material world can be severed with the weapon of detachment, i.e., by renouncing material desires and attachments.

15-4

Thereafter, one must seek that place from which no one ever returns, and there surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whom everything has originated and spread since time immemorial.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna points to the path of spiritual liberation. After being freed from attachment to the material world, one must seek that spiritual reality from which no one ever returns to the cycle of material birth and death. In this spiritual reality, one must surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whom everything has originated and spread since time immemorial.

15-5

Those who are free from pride, delusion, and false association, who understand the eternal, who are liberated from material lust, who are free from the duality of happiness and distress, and who know how to surrender with a clear mind to the Supreme Person, attain this eternal abode.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the qualities that characterize a person who is ready to attain the eternal spiritual abode. Such a person is free from pride, delusion, and the influence of false association, understands the eternal nature of the soul, is liberated from material lust, and is able to maintain peace in moments of both happiness and distress. He knows how to surrender with a clear mind to the Supreme Person – God.

15-6

That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun, nor by the moon, nor by fire, nor by electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes His supreme abode – the spiritual world, which differs from the material world. It does not depend on material sources of light, such as the sun, moon, fire, or electricity. It is self-sufficient and filled with spiritual light. Those who reach this abode never return to the limited and suffering-filled material world.

15-7

The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals that all living entities are His eternal fragmental parts, which means they possess a divine spark. However, being in the conditioned material world, they are forced to struggle hard with the six senses (the five senses and the mind), which constantly subject them to desires and suffering.

15-8

The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another, just as the air carries aromas. Thus, he takes one kind of body and then quits it to take another.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna compares the soul's transmigration from one body to another to air carrying different aromas. The living entity, depending on its consciousness and desires, passes from one body to another, carrying with it the impressions and experiences accumulated in previous lives.

15-9

The living entity, thus obtaining another gross body, develops a particular type of ears, eyes, tongue, nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. In this way, he enjoys a particular set of sense objects.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that upon entering a new body, the living entity acquires a specific type of sensory organs – ears, eyes, tongue, nose, and sense of touch, which are grouped around the mind. With these senses, the soul enjoys a particular set of sense objects that correspond to its new body and life circumstances.

15-10

The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna points out the difference between an enlightened person and an unenlightened person. The foolish, who lack spiritual knowledge, cannot understand the process of the soul's transmigration – how a living entity leaves one body and enters another, nor how it enjoys different bodies under the influence of the modes of nature. On the other hand, one whose eyes are trained in spiritual knowledge can clearly see and understand all this.

15-11

Self-realized practitioners of spiritual discipline who are endeavoring can see all this clearly. But those whose minds are not developed and who have not attained self-realization cannot see what is happening, however much they try.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna emphasizes that self-realized practitioners of spiritual discipline who are determined and make efforts on the spiritual path can clearly see the nature of the soul and its interaction with the body. On the other hand, those whose minds are not spiritually developed and who have not attained self-realization cannot see these truths, no matter how hard they try. This points to the need for inner purification and spiritual practice to gain true understanding.

15-12

The brilliance of the sun, which dispels the darkness of the whole world, comes from Me. The brilliance of the moon and the brilliance of fire also come from Me.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals that He is the source of all light and energy that exists. The brilliance of the sun, which dispels darkness throughout the world, the brilliance of the moon, which reflects at night, and the brilliance of fire, which gives warmth and light – all this comes from Krishna. This verse symbolically indicates the presence of Divine power in all natural phenomena.

15-13

I enter into each planet, and by My energy they stay in orbit. I become the moon and thereby supply the juice of life to all vegetables.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna continues to explain His all-pervading influence on the Universe. He enters into each planetary system and by His power keeps them in their specific orbits, ensuring stability and order in the cosmos. Likewise, He becomes the moon, which provides the juice of life to the plants on Earth, promoting their growth and development.

15-14

I am the fire of digestion in the bodies of all living entities, and I join with the air of outgoing and incoming breath to digest the four kinds of foodstuff.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals His presence in the bodies of all living beings as the digestive fire that helps to process various types of food. He joins with the air of outgoing and incoming breath, i.e., with the life force, to ensure the digestive process and sustain life.

15-15

I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known; indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that He resides in the hearts of all beings and is the source of memory, knowledge, and forgetfulness. He is the one to be known through all the Vedas – the sacred scriptures. He is the compiler of Vedanta, the essence of the Vedas, and the true knower of the Vedas, as He is the spiritual origin and destination of all that exists.

15-16

There are two classes of beings, the fallible and the infallible. In the material world every living entity is fallible, and in the spiritual world every living entity is called infallible.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains the difference between two types of beings: the fallible and the infallible. In the material world, all living beings are subject to birth, death, and destruction, i.e., they are fallible. In the spiritual world, on the other hand, all living beings are eternal and infallible, as they are free from the limitations of matter.

15-17

Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Lord Himself, who has entered into these three worlds and is maintaining them as the imperishable Lord.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals that there is an even higher reality – the Lord Himself, who is the greatest of all living beings. He has entered into all three worlds (material, subtle, and spiritual) and is maintaining them as the eternal Lord, who is above both fallible and infallible beings.

15-18

Because I am transcendental, beyond both the fallible and the infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as that Supreme Person.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna affirms His transcendental nature, which is superior to both the fallible material beings and the infallible spiritual beings. He is the greatest, therefore He is celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person, the beginning and end of all things.

15-19

Whoever knows Me without doubt as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the knower of everything. Therefore, O descendant of Bharata, he is engaged in full devotional service of Me.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna emphasizes that whoever recognizes Him without doubt as the Supreme Personality of Godhead gains complete knowledge of everything. Such recognition leads to genuine devotional service that comes from the whole heart and is dedicated solely to God.

15-20

This is the most confidential part of the Vedic scriptures, O sinless one, and it is disclosed by Me. Whoever understands this will become wise, and his endeavors will know perfection.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna concludes the fifteenth chapter, indicating that the teaching He has given is the most confidential part of the Vedic scriptures, revealing the deepest truth about God, the soul, and their relationship. Whoever truly understands this teaching becomes wise, and his endeavors on the spiritual path culminate in perfection – liberation and unity with the Divine.