Arjuna listened intently as Krishna continued to reveal profound truths. Krishna spoke of the unmanifest, the imperishable reality that is called the supreme goal. “When one attains this,” he said, “there is no return; it is my highest abode.” He explained that this supreme person can be reached through exclusive devotion, for all beings dwell within him, and he pervades everything. “Now, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas,” Krishna said, “I will tell you about the times when yogis depart from this world and whether they return or not.” He described the bright path: fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight, and the six months when the sun moves north. Those who depart during these times, knowing Brahman, attain Brahman and do not return. Conversely, those who leave during smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the southern course reach lunar light and return again. “These two paths—the bright and the dark—are eternal for the world,” Krishna continued. “By one, souls go and do not return; by the other, they return. Knowing this, no yogi is ever deluded. Therefore, Arjuna, always remain united with yoga.” He assured Arjuna that the yogi who understands these truths surpasses all the rewards of Vedic rituals, sacrifices, austerities, and charity, and attains the supreme, primordial abode. Then Krishna declared, “Arjuna, you are free from envy, so I will now impart to you the most secret knowledge, together with its realization. Knowing this, you will be freed from all evil.” He described this knowledge as royal, the greatest secret, supremely pure, the highest. It is directly experienced, righteous, easy to practice, and imperishable. He cautioned that those without faith in this dharma, failing to reach him, must return along the path of death and rebirth. “By me, this entire world is pervaded in my unmanifest form. All beings are in me, but I am not established in them. And yet, beings do not abide in me—behold my divine mystery! Though I uphold all beings and am their source, my self does not dwell in them.” Krishna used the example of the wind that moves everywhere but rests in space, saying, “So too, all beings rest in me.” He explained that at the end of each age, all beings merge into his nature, and at the beginning of the next cycle, he sends them forth again. Holding his own nature, Krishna sends forth all beings, powerless under the sway of nature. Yet these actions do not bind him; he remains indifferent and unattached. “Under my supervision,” Krishna said, “nature gives birth to all things, moving and unmoving. Because of this, the world revolves.” He lamented that fools disregard him when he takes on a human form, not knowing his higher nature as the great Lord of all beings. Their hopes, actions, and knowledge are vain, and they take refuge in demonic and deluding natures. “But the great-souled ones,” Krishna said, “take refuge in the divine nature. With undistracted minds, they worship me, knowing me as the imperishable origin of all beings. Always glorifying me, striving with firm resolve, bowing in devotion, they remain steadfast and worship me. Others, performing the sacrifice of knowledge, worship me in many ways—as one, as distinct, and in various forms, facing everywhere.” Krishna revealed, “I am the ritual, the sacrifice, the offering to ancestors, the healing herb, the mantra, the clarified butter, the fire, and the act of offering. I am the father, mother, supporter, and grandsire of this world. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the syllable Om, and the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas. I am the goal, the sustainer, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the friend. I am the origin, dissolution, foundation, treasure, and imperishable seed. I give heat, withhold and send forth rain. I am immortality and death, both being and non-being.” He spoke of those who know the three Vedas, purified by drinking soma and worshipping him with sacrifices, seeking heaven. They attain the world of Indra and enjoy divine pleasures, but when their merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world. Thus, those who follow the path of the three Vedas, desiring desires, come and go. “But those who meditate on me alone, worshipping with undivided devotion, I bring them what they lack and preserve what they have,” Krishna said. Even those who worship other deities with faith are, in truth, worshipping Krishna, though not in the proper way. “For I alone am the enjoyer and Lord of all sacrifices. But they do not truly know me, and therefore they fall. Those devoted to gods go to the gods; those devoted to ancestors go to ancestors; those who worship spirits go to spirits; but those who worship me come to me.” Krishna promised, “Whoever offers me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that offering from the pure-hearted. Whatever you do, eat, offer, give, or whatever austerity you perform, do that as an offering to me. Thus you will be freed from the bonds of actions, with their good and evil results. Your mind joined to the yoga of renunciation, liberated, you will come to me.” He emphasized his impartiality: “I am the same toward all beings; there is no one hateful or dear to me. But those who worship me with devotion are in me, and I am in them. Even if a person of very evil conduct worships me with undivided devotion, he must be regarded as righteous, for he is rightly resolved. Quickly he becomes virtuous and attains lasting peace. Declare it boldly, Arjuna: my devotee never perishes.” Finally, Krishna reassured Arjuna, “Those who take refuge in me, even if they are born from sinful wombs—women, merchants, and servants—they too attain the supreme goal.” Thus, Krishna revealed the path of devotion, the nature of his supreme being, and the promise of liberation to all who surrender to him.