Zend Avesta Part 01

SR No.: 007671
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Darmesteter
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1895
Total Pages: 2695
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 1966

CHAPTER XV, 5.
III
CHAPTER XV.
The Deity said: They say the inexhaustible Asvattha' has (its) roots above, (its) branches below; the Khandas are its leaves. He who knows it knows the Vedas. Upwards and downwards extend its branches, which are enlarged by the qualities, and the sprouts of which are sensuous objects. And downwards to this human world are continued its roots which lead on to action. Its form is not thus known here, nor (its) end, nor beginning, nor support. But having with the firm weapon of unconcern, cut this Asvattha, whose roots are firmly fixed, then should one seek for that seat from which those that go there never return, (thinking) that one rests on that same primal being from whom the ancient course (of worldly life) emanated. Those who are free from pride and delusion, who have overcome the evils of attachment, who are constant in (contemplating) the relation of the supreme and individual self, from whom desire has departed, who are free from the pairs (of opposites) called pleasure and pain, go undeluded to that imperishable seat. The sun
• Cr. Kastopanishad, p. 70, and Sutla Nipåta, p. 76.
'Arnauha stands here for the course of worldly life. Its roots are above, viz. the supreme being; its boughs are Hiranyagarbha and others of the higher beings. The Vedas are its leaves, pre. serving it as leaves preserve trees (another interpretation is that they are the causes of the fruit which the tree bears, i.e. salvation, &c.) Upwards and downwards, from the highest to the lowest of created things. Enlarged=the qualities manifesting themselves, as body, senses, &c.; objects of sense are sprouls as they are atuched to the senses, which are the tips of the branches above stated. The roots which extend downwards are the desires for various
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