As above so below: Sahaj Marg meaning by Chariji Maharaj

"In the tradition of India, there is a famous statement, which makes its earliest appearance in the Rig Veda. It later reappears in the Katha Upanishad. It says that the immortal fig tree, representing Brahman, has its roots above and its leaves and branches below.

My Master very kindly explained to me that this imagery of the fig tree, inverted in shape, really shows that all life below should draw their sustenance directly from above. If they do so, then they acquire the possibility of becoming like that which is above the Ultimate Self!"

- Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari

Also, in the first and second verses of Bhagavad Gita Ch. XV, the example of Aswattha tree having its root upwards and the branches facing downwards is given as analogy. Rev. Chariji Maharaj often used to quote this verse.

When Chariji Maharaj asked Rev. Babuji Maharaj about this symbolism, Babuji told that it says that the Source is above and everything is derived from the Source. This represents the famous Invertendo principle that is present in many of the Sahaj Marg literature.  

In a similar context, Rev. Chariji Maharaj also quotes the passage "All this and Heaven too" and said, it should be "Heaven and all this too". The significance of this statement becomes clear when we look at it from the context of the inverted fig tree example.

Coming back to the inverted fig tree, it means that the Source is the root, which is above and the branches and leaves, which are spread below are the Vedas that is knowledge.

So, more than the various branches of knowledge, it is the source that is most important and everything is directly derived from the Source. One who realizes this Truth would attain Immortality.

This is the wisdom of the Masters of Sahaj Marg who say that we should seek only the Highest, the Source from which everything comes, including knowledge etc. and not seek what gives us worldly things.