अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः । गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः ॥
aśvatthaḥ sarvavṛkṣāṇāṃ devarṣīṇāṃ ca nāradaḥ | gandharvāṇāṃ citrathaḥ siddhānāṃ kapilo muniḥ ||
Translation
Among all trees, I am the Ashvattha (sacred fig). Among the divine seers, I am Narada. Among the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha. Among the Siddhas, I am Kapila Muni.
Interpretation
Among all trees, the Divine is the Ashvattha (the peepal/Bodhi tree — under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, considered the most sacred tree in India). Among the divine seers (devarshis), the Divine is Narada — the foremost devotee, the one who sings of the Divine everywhere he goes. Among the Gandharvas (celestial musicians), the Divine is Chitraratha — the most musically accomplished. Among the Siddhas (spiritually perfected beings), the Divine is Kapila Muni — the founder of Sankhya philosophy.