# Trees > [!summary] > *Trees with their roots, trunks, branches, leaves, and fruits provide rich imagery for understanding material existence, devotional service, and spiritual truths.* ## Banyan Tree Inverted ### Material World Reflected The material world is compared to an inverted banyan tree with roots upward (in the spiritual world) and branches downward—a reflection of the real tree. ![[bg/15/1|banyan]] —Bg. [[bg/15/1|15.1]] See also: [[bg/15/2-3|Bg. 15.2-3]] ## Two Birds in Tree ### Soul and Supersoul Two friendly birds sit on the same tree—one (the soul) eats the fruits, the other (the Supersoul) watches. The eating bird suffers and enjoys; the witnessing bird is detached. ![[sb/11/11/6|two birds]] —SB [[sb/11/11/6|11.11.6]] See also: [[sb/4/28/63|SB 4.28.63]] ## Seed to Tree ### Devotion Growing The seed of devotional service, when properly planted in the heart and watered by hearing and chanting, grows into a great tree of love of God. ![[cc/madhya/19/152|seed]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/19/152|Madhya 19.152]] ## Tree with Deep Roots ### Firm in Knowledge A tree with deep roots cannot be uprooted by wind. Similarly, one firmly rooted in transcendental knowledge cannot be shaken by material disturbances. ![[bg/2/14#purport|roots]] —Bg. [[bg/2/14|2.14]] Purport ## Tree Giving Shelter ### Saintly Person's Mercy A tree gives shelter to all who come under it—rich or poor, human or animal. Similarly, a saintly person gives shelter to all without discrimination. ![[sb/4/22/10#purport|shelter]] —SB [[sb/4/22/10|4.22.10]] Purport ## Dead Tree ### Useless Life A tree without fruits or leaves is dead and useless. Human life without devotional service is similarly fruitless and wasted. ![[sb/2/3/17#purport|dead tree]] —SB [[sb/2/3/17|2.3.17]] Purport ## Tree of Desires ### Wish-Fulfilling The Lord is compared to a wish-fulfilling tree (*kalpa-vṛkṣa*)—He can fulfill all desires, but the wise ask only for devotional service. ![[cc/adi/1/9|kalpa]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/1/9|Ādi 1.9]] ## Cutting the Tree ### Detachment from Material Existence The inverted banyan tree of material existence must be cut down with the weapon of detachment to escape its entanglement. ![[bg/15/3-4|cutting]] —Bg. [[bg/15/3-4|15.3-4]] *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/soul-supersoul|Soul & Supersoul]], [[wiki/analogies/devotional-service|Devotional Service]], [[wiki/analogies/flowers|Flowers]]*