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TEXT 2 adhas cordhvam prasrtas tasya sakha
SYNONYMS  adhah--downward;
ca--and; urdhvam--upward; prasrtah--extended; tasya--its;
sakhah--branches; guna--modes of material nature; pravrddhah--developed;
visaya--sense objects; pravalah--twigs; adhah--downward;
ca--and; mulani--roots; anusantatani--extended; karma--according
to work; anubandhini--bound; manusya-loke--in the world of
human society.
TRANSLATION The branches
of this tree extend downward and upward, nourished by the three modes of
material nature. The twigs are the objects of the senses. This tree also
has roots going down, and these are bound to the fruitive actions of human
society.
PURPORT The description
of the banyan tree is further explained here. Its branches are spread in
all directions. In the lower parts, there are variegated manifestations
of living entities, such as human beings, animals, horses, cows, dogs,
cats, etc. These are situated on the lower parts of the branches, whereas
on the upper parts are higher forms of living entities: the demigods, Gandharvas
and many other higher species of life. As a tree is nourished by water,
so this tree is nourished by the three modes of material nature. Sometimes
we find that a tract of land is barren for want of sufficient water, and
sometimes a tract is very green; similarly, where the modes of material
nature are proportionately greater in quantity, the different species of
life are manifested in that proportion.
The twigs
of the tree are considered to be the sense objects. By development of the
different modes of nature, we develop different senses, and, by the senses,
we enjoy different varieties of sense objects. The source of the senses--the
ears, the nose, eyes, etc.--is considered to be the upper twigs, tuned
to the enjoyment of different sense objects. The leaves are sound, form,
touch--the sense objects. The roots, which are subsidiary, are the by-products
of different varieties of suffering and sense enjoyment. Thus we develop
attachment and aversion. The tendencies toward piety and impiety are considered
to be the secondary roots, spreading in all directions. The real root is
from Brahmaloka, and the other roots are in the human planetary systems.
After one enjoys the results of virtuous activities in the upper planetary
systems, he comes down to this earth and renews his karma, or fruitive
activities for promotion. This planet of human beings is considered the
field of activities.
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