Upanishads

Samsara is like a fig tree but with its roots above in the heavens.

The continuous and practically endless chain of birth, craving (kama) for sensual pleasures in this world and in the other worlds, activities (karma) to achieve these pleasures and objects of pleasure, the merit (punya) and the demerits (papa) resulting from such activities and rebirth is due to avidya or ignorance and is referred to as the fig tree of samsara. Because all life emanates from the all pervading Brahman, this huge tree has its roots above in the heavens. Just as the fig tree grows from a small seed, the tree of samsara grows from a craving for outside objects of pleasure however small and this bondage of samsara can be rooted out by knowledge or vidya just as the huge fig tree can be cut and destroyed.

Upanishads, Chapter 2
quoted from: A synopsis of Upanishads
English transalation of a Sanskrit book Advaiata
Vedantha Sara by P.S. Narasimhan (Late) of Geneva).
Publisher: Mr. V.M. Lakshminarayanan,
36/2 (New No. 91), Promenade Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore 560 005, India.