Arjuna listened intently as the Blessed Lord spoke, his voice both gentle and profound. “Arjuna,” Krishna began, “those who lack faith in this sacred dharma, despite all their efforts, do not reach Me. Instead, they return again and again to the cycle of birth and death. “Know that, though unseen, My essence pervades the entire universe. All beings exist within Me, yet I am not confined within them. This is My divine mystery: though I uphold all creation and am their very source, My true Self does not dwell in them. “Consider the wind, mighty and ever-moving, which rests in the vastness of space. In the same way, all beings rest in Me. At the end of each cosmic age, O son of Kunti, all beings merge back into My own nature. When a new cycle dawns, I send them forth once more. Again and again, holding My own nature, I release this multitude of beings, powerless under the sway of Prakriti, nature. “Yet, O Dhananjaya, these actions do not bind Me. I remain ever unattached, indifferent to their unfolding. Under My guidance, nature gives birth to all that moves and does not move. By this, the world continues its eternal dance. “Fools, not knowing My higher reality, disregard Me when I appear in human form. They do not recognize Me as the great Lord of all beings. Their hopes, actions, and knowledge are in vain; bewildered, they take refuge in demonic and deluding natures. “But the great-souled ones, O Partha, recognizing My divine nature, worship Me with unwavering minds. They know Me as the imperishable origin of all beings. Always glorifying Me, striving with firm resolve, bowing to Me in devotion, they remain steadfast, worshiping Me. “Others, too, worship Me through the sacrifice of knowledge, seeing Me as one, as many, and in various forms, facing everywhere. I am the ritual, the sacrifice, the offering to ancestors, the healing herb, the sacred mantra, the clarified butter, the fire, and the act of offering itself. “I am the father of this world, the mother, the sustainer, the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the sacred syllable Om, and the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas. I am the goal, the sustainer, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, and the friend. I am the origin and dissolution, the foundation, the treasure, and the imperishable seed. “I give heat, I withhold and send forth the rain; I am immortality and also death, being and non-being alike, O Arjuna. Those who know the three Vedas, purified by drinking soma, worship Me with sacrifices, seeking the heavenly path. They reach the world of Indra and enjoy the pleasures of the gods. But when their merit is spent, they return to the mortal world. Thus, following the path of the Vedas, desiring desires, they come and go. “But those who worship Me alone, meditating with undivided devotion, I personally attend to their needs, preserving what they have and providing what they lack. Even those who, with faith, worship other deities, O son of Kunti, are in truth worshiping Me, though not in the proper way. For I alone am the enjoyer and Lord of all sacrifices, but because they do not recognize Me, they fall back into the cycle. “Those devoted to the gods go to the gods, those devoted to ancestors go to the ancestors, those who worship spirits go to spirits, but My devotees come to Me. Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that loving offering from a pure heart. “Whatever you do, eat, offer, give, or practice as austerity, O son of Kunti, do it as an offering to Me. In this way, you will be freed from the bonds of your actions and their results, good and evil. With your mind united to Me in renunciation, you will come to Me, liberated. “I am equal toward all beings; there is no one hateful or dear to Me. Yet those who worship Me with devotion, they abide in Me, and I in them. Even if a person of very evil conduct worships Me with undivided devotion, he should be regarded as righteous, for he is rightly resolved. Quickly he becomes virtuous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly: My devotee never perishes. “Those who take refuge in Me—even if they are born from less fortunate circumstances, such as women, merchants, or servants—they too attain the supreme goal. How much more, then, the holy Brahmins and devoted royal sages! Having come to this transient and sorrowful world, devote yourself to Me. “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, bow to Me. When you dedicate yourself to Me in this way, you will surely come to Me.” Then Krishna, the Blessed Lord, continued, “Once again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen to My supreme word, which I speak for your benefit, for you are dear to Me. “Neither the gods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am the source of the gods and sages in every way. Whoever knows Me as unborn, without beginning, the great Lord of all worlds, is undeluded and freed from all sins. “Intellect, knowledge, freedom from delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-control, tranquility, pleasure and pain, existence and non-existence, fear and fearlessness—all arise from Me. Nonviolence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame and infamy—these states of beings come from Me alone. “The seven great sages of old, and the four Manus, are My mind-born forms, from whom all creatures in this world descend. Whoever truly knows My divine manifestations and yoga is united with unwavering yoga; of this there is no doubt. “I am the source of all; from Me everything proceeds. The wise, understanding this, worship Me with deep devotion.