Arjuna listened as Lord Krishna, radiant with divine wisdom, spoke these profound truths. “O Partha,” Krishna said, “there are those great-souled ones who, taking refuge in the divine nature, worship Me with single-pointed minds. They know Me as the imperishable source of all beings and, with unwavering focus, they honor Me. Always glorifying My name, striving with firm resolve, and bowing in deep devotion, such devotees remain steadfast and worship Me continuously. Others, too, engage in the sacrifice of knowledge, worshipping Me in many ways: as the One, as the distinct, and in various forms, seeing Me everywhere. Know that I am the ritual, the sacrifice, the offering to the 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, and 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, the dissolution, the foundation, the treasure, and the imperishable seed. I give warmth, 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 from sin by drinking soma, worship Me with sacrifices and seek the path to heaven. Attaining the world of Indra, they enjoy the divine pleasures of the gods. But when their merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world; thus, following the path of the three Vedas, seeking desires, they come and go. Yet, those who meditate on Me alone and worship Me with undivided devotion, I provide for them and protect what they have. Even those who, filled with faith, worship other deities, O son of Kunti, are in truth worshipping Me alone, though not in the proper way. For I am the sole enjoyer and Lord of all sacrifices, but because they do not truly know Me, they fall. Those devoted to the gods go to the gods; those devoted to the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship spirits go to spirits; but those who worship Me come to Me alone. Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I joyfully accept that offering from a pure heart. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give, whatever austerity you perform, O son of Kunti, do it as an offering to Me. Thus, you will be freed from the bonds of action and its good and evil results; your mind united with renunciation, liberated, you will come to Me. I am the same toward all beings; none are hateful or dear to Me. But those who worship Me with devotion dwell in Me, and I 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. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly: My devotee never perishes. For all who take refuge in Me—even if they are born from sinful wombs, including women, merchants, and servants—they too attain the supreme goal. How much more, then, those holy Brahmins and devoted royal sages! Having come to this impermanent and sorrowful world, devote yourself to Me. Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, bow to Me; thus, dedicating yourself to Me, you will surely come to Me.” Then Krishna continued, “Once again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, hear My supreme word, which I speak for your welfare, for you are dear to Me. Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am the source of the gods and the sages in every way. Whoever knows Me as unborn, without beginning, and the great Lord of the worlds, that person among mortals 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, nonviolence, evenness of mind, contentment, austerity, charity, fame and infamy—these various states of beings arise from Me alone. The seven great sages of old and the four Manus, My mind-born forms, are the ancestors of all creatures in the world. 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. With minds absorbed in Me, with lives devoted to Me, enlightening one another and always speaking of Me, they rejoice and delight together. To those who are ever steadfast, worshipping Me with love, I grant the yoga of wisdom by which they come to Me. Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling within their hearts, dispel the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge.” Hearing this, Arjuna’s heart overflowed with reverence. He spoke with folded hands, “You are the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purity; the eternal Divine Person, the original God, unborn and all-pervading. All the sages declare You so, as do Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa; and now You Yourself have spoken this to me. O Keshava, I accept as true all that You say; neither the gods nor the demons, O Lord, know Your manifestation. You alone know Yourself, O Supreme Person, Creator of beings, Lord of all, God of gods, Lord of the universe. Please tell me fully of Your divine manifestations, by which You pervade all these worlds. How shall I, always meditating on You, truly know You, O Yogi? In which aspects should I contemplate You? Please, O Janardana, tell me again in detail of Your yoga and divine manifestations, for I am not satiated by hearing this nectar of Your words.” Thus, in this sacred dialogue, the heart of devotion, the nature of the Divine, and the path to liberation shone forth in all their glory.