Page 2 - October 2025

are below (aväk-çäkhä). Isn’t that strange? Generally, the roots of
a tree are in the soil on the ground, and it grows upward. But
this tree is the exact opposite! Since when does it exist? It is
sanätana – it has (always) been there. It is beginningless, timeless.

The idea behind this symbolism is explained in the bhäñya
by Bhagavan Sankaracharya. He says: tülävadhäraëenaiva
mülävadhäraëaà våkñasya kriyate – in this world, by seeing the effects,
we ascertain the cause; by seeing the tree, we get to know about
the roots. We see the whole world made up of five elements.
Within it, there are also many worlds – the solar system consisting
of the Sun, Moon, stars, planets, etc., the mountains and forests.
This is at one level. Then there is another private world which
every individual has efficiently created. It is saàsära – the world
of sorrows, the feeling that the body is me, the sense of differences
like ‘you’ and ‘yours’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’. Man wants to do everything
to enjoy its results, but more often ends up suffering. What we
perceive outside with the senses is the created world of the five
elements. But individually, we have created a peculiar world of
our own. Each one knows their own world, and firmly believes
that the others will not understand it. All the same, they wish to
tell others about it! This is called the tree of saàsära. This saàsära
is sanätana because it has always been there. There is the world
outside and the jévas exist in it, dropping one body and taking
up another. The cycle goes on.

In the mantra, saàsära is called a tree and likened to the
açvattha tree. The etymological meaning of våkña is ‘that which
can be cut down’ – våçcanät våkñaù. Another reason for calling it
açvattha is revealed in its very formation: a-çva-tha – that which

Whatever the child is to be later
on – a political leader, an economist,
In loving memory of a philosopher, a scientist, or a
RUKMINI VENKATRAMAN glorious artist – his contributions
Besant Nagar, Chennai to society will directly depend on
his character and personality.
Swami Chinmayananda

Tapovan Prasad 22 October 2025