Bhagavad Gita

Men call the Aswattha,--the Banyan-tree,--
Which hath its boughs beneath, its roots above,--
The ever-holy tree. Yea! for its leaves
Are green and waving hymns which whisper Truth!
Who knows the Aswattha, knows Veds, and all.

Its branches shoot to heaven and sink to earth,
Even as the deeds of men, which take their birth
From qualities: its silver sprays and blooms,
And all the eager verdure of its girth,
Leap to quick life at kiss of sun and air,
As men's lives quicken to the temptings fair
Of wooing sense: its hanging rootlets seek
The soil beneath, helping to hold it there,
As actions wrought amid this world of men
Bind them by ever-tightening bonds again.

If ye knew well the teaching of the Tree,
What its shape saith; and whence it springs; and, then

How it must end, and all the ills of it,
The axe of sharp Detachment ye would whet . . .

[Chapter 15 - Sir Edward Arnold Translation]

Today is our day off, but Geeta gave her once monthly talk on the Bhagavad Gita. (She talked about chapter 14, though.) It was touching when she said, "Some of you won't be here next month, so . . ." and then explained a little of what we'd miss. 

Last night I experienced my first bit of stomach (and other) upset, but it seems to have passed through already. Another reason to appreciate having the day off to read and rest.