[Advaita-l] 'Inverted Tree' example in अरुण प्रश्नः (११.१४)

[Venkata sriram P]

नमस्ते,

ऊर्ध्वमूलमवाक्छाखम वृक्षं यो वेद संप्रति ।
न स जातु जनः श्रद्दध्यात मृत्युर्मा मारयादितिः ॥ ११.१४

This is from the अरुण प्रश्नः (Aruna Prashna) (vide 14th mantra of 11th anuvAka).

The familiar example of “inverted tree” is to be found here that has been compared with samsAra vrikSa (संसार वृक्षः).  Unlike ordinary tree, that has the roots at the bottom down and branches upwards, this typical संसार वृक्षः whose roots are up above ऊर्ध्व मूलं and the branches hang downwards. 

ऊर्ध्वं - सर्वोत्कृष्टं ब्रह्म मूलं - says Sayanacharya ie., the most highest of all is up above which is 'brahman'. 

अवाञ्च - अधमा ब्रह्मादिस्तंबान्ता देहाः ; शाखाः - अयं च संसारो व्रश्चनयोग्यत्वात वृक्षः । तत्त्वज्ञानेन हि सोऽयमज्ञानजन्यो वृक्षश्छिद्यते ।

This samsAra vrikSa that hangs down can only be severed with self-knowledge.  One who knows this, to them, the Death dare not touch (मृत्युः मा आरयात्).

Regards,
Sriram