Chapter 15पुरुषोत्तमयोगःPurushottama Yoga

The inverted ashvattha (15.1–15.2). Roots above, branches below — the tree of worldly existence; the Vedas are its leaves; whoever knows it is a knower of the Veda (15.1); its branches nourished by the gunas, the sense-objects its shoots, and below, in the world of humans, the roots of karma (15.2).

Cutting and seeking (15.3–15.6). Its form, beginning, end and foundation are not seen here; cut it with the strong axe of non-attachment (15.3); then seek that state from which there is no return — "taking refuge in that very Primal Person" (15.4); free of pride and delusion, ever devoted to the Self, freed from the pairs of opposites, they reach it (15.5); that which the sun, moon and fire do not illumine — that is my supreme abode (15.6).

The jiva — a part of the Lord (15.7–15.11). My own eternal part becomes the jiva and draws to itself the senses along with the mind (15.7); it carries them along as the wind carries fragrance (15.8); through the senses and mind it enjoys sense-objects (15.9); the deluded do not see it, those with the eye of knowledge see (15.10); striving yogis see it; those whose inner being is unprepared do not, even with effort (15.11).

Divine glories in brief (15.12–15.15). The radiance of the sun, moon and fire is mine (15.12); entering the earth I sustain all beings, and becoming soma I nourish the plants (15.13); becoming Vaishvanara I digest food (15.14); I am in the hearts of all; memory, knowledge and their loss (apohana) come from me; I am what is to be known through the Vedas, the author of Vedanta, the knower of the Veda (15.15).

The three Purushas (15.16–15.20). The perishable and the imperishable (15.16); the supreme Person is other — the Paramatma, who sustains the three worlds (15.17); hence Purushottama (15.18); whoever knows him thus is all-knowing and worships with his whole being (15.19); "the most secret teaching" — knowing it, one becomes wise and fulfilled (15.20).