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Chapter 15 • Verse 4
The Yoga of the Supreme Person
MEANING & CONTEXT
After cutting the tree, Krishna reveals what you find: 'Tataḥ padaṁ tat parimārgitavyam'—thereafter, you must seek that abode. 'Yasmin gatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ'—from which, having gone, one never returns. This is the Supreme abode—not a temporary destination, but permanent refuge. Once you reach it, you don't come back to material existence. The cycle ends. 'Tam eva cādyaṁ puruṣaṁ prapadye'—I take refuge in that original Person. Not just a place, but a Person—the Supreme Person (Purushottama). 'Yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī'—from whom the ancient stream of activity has spread forth. This Person is the source of everything—all activity, all existence flows from Him. He's the original, the beginning, the source. When you cut the tree, you don't find emptiness—you find the Supreme Person. You take refuge in Him. This is the goal: not just cutting entanglement, but finding the Source. The tree came from Him, and when you cut it, you return to Him.
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How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
After cutting the tree, you must seek the abode—the Supreme refuge. Not just freedom from entanglement, but freedom in the Source. The abode is permanent—once reached, you never return to material existence. The Supreme Person is the original source from whom all activity flows. When you cut trees, you're not finding emptiness—you're making space to find the Source. Detachment is the weapon, but refuge is the goal. Take refuge in the original Person, and you break the cycle permanently.
Personal Reflection
After cutting trees, what are you seeking? Are you finding emptiness or taking refuge? Do you understand the Source from whom all activity flows? What would permanent refuge look like? What would breaking the cycle mean?
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