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Omrat
Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 15 verse 3
Chapter 15 · Purushottama Yoga

Deep-Rooted Patterns · The Tool That Can Cut Through

ॐ

न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा । अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा ॥

na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādir na ca sampratiṣṭhā aśvattham enaṁ suvirūḍha-mūlam asaṅga-śastreṇa dṛḍhena chittvā

Meaning

"Its true form is not perceived here, nor its end, beginning, or foundation. This deep-rooted fig tree should be cut down with the strong axe of detachment."

Explanation

Some patterns and attachments have roots so deep we can barely see where they begin, but that doesn't mean they can't be worked with. Detachment, practiced steadily, is described here as a strong enough tool to cut through even deeply tangled habits.

Today's Life Lesson

If an old habit feels too deeply rooted to change today, remember that steady detachment is a strong enough tool to cut through it.

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