Puruṣottama Yoga · Verse 3
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च सम्प्रतिष्ठा | अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूलमसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्वा
na rūpam asya iha tathopalabhyate nānto na cādir na ca sampratiṣṭhā | aśvattham enaṃ suvirūḍha-mūlam asaṅga-śastreṇa dṛḍhena chittvā
Its true form is not perceived here as such, nor its end nor its beginning nor its foundation. Cutting with the firm weapon of non-attachment this aśvattha of deeply established roots…
The illusory nature of the cosmic tree: we cannot perceive its rūpa (form) completely, nor its anta (end), nor its ādi (beginning), nor its sampratiṣṭhā (sustained foundation). It is anādi — without beginning, endless.
The solution: asāṅga-śastra — the weapon (śastra) of non-attachment (asāṅga). Not a physical weapon but the discrimination (viveka) that cuts identification. The tree is suvirūḍha-mūla — of deeply established roots, firmly anchored. It requires a dṛḍha (firm, solid) weapon, not a weak effort. Non-attachment is the only effective tool against saṃsāra.