Reflection by Bhaktimarga Swami

5446465087?profile=RESIZE_400xThe first verse of the 15th chapter from the Bhagavad-Gita reads like this: “Bhagavan spoke, it is said that there is and imperishable banyan tree that has its roots upward and its branches down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.”
 
I was always intrigued with this verse and am often in my walks reminded of this tree of knowledge by reflections seen as an ordinary tree by a pond of water or an image of a double-up upright and upside-down position. While on Jarvis St. I came upon this impressive Victorian-style home with sculptures all around, one of which is somewhat reminiscent of this concept. A topsy-turvy world we live in for sure.
 
Very captivating is the inverted image of a wolf sculpture-piece which causes some of us passersby to stop and actually reflect a bit. Seeing this piece brought to mind something our guru, Prabhupada, used to say about this world of physicality and an anti-material world. One is a reflection of the other. In fact the material existence that we currently find ourselves in is referred to as a “perverted reflection” of the real world.
 
In reading the Vedic literatures we are led to believe in a permanent, settled world—not wavering, not changing but a very grounded existence—while being very subtle and full of joy.
 
My destination on today’s walk at the corner of Sherborn and Wellesley allowed me to observe some nice people while others, shall I say, appeared more perversely reflected.  Sorry to be somewhat judgemental.
 
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