Hearing Arjuna’s yearning for guidance, the Blessed Lord Krishna spoke with compassion and clarity. “If even those of humble birth, those who seek refuge in me, attain the highest path, then how much more surely do the holy Brahmins and the devoted royal sages! In this world, which is impermanent and full of sorrow, dedicate yourself to me, Arjuna. Let your mind be fixed upon me, your devotion unwavering. Worship me, bow down to me, and, dedicating your very self to me, you will surely come to me.” Then, Krishna continued, his voice gentle yet profound, “Once again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen as I declare my supreme word to you, who are so dear to me. I speak for your highest welfare. Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know my true origin, for I am the very source of the gods and the sages in every way. Whoever knows me as unborn, without beginning, and as the great Lord of the worlds—such a person among mortals is undeluded and freed from all sins. “Know that intellect, knowledge, freedom from delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-control, tranquility, pleasure and pain, existence and non-existence, fear and fearlessness—all these arise from me alone. Likewise, nonviolence, evenness of mind, contentment, austerity, charity, fame and infamy—these states of being, too, are born of me. The seven great sages of old and the four Manus, who are my mind-born forms, are the ancestors from whom all creatures in this world have descended. “Whoever truly knows my divine manifestations and the power of my yoga, is united with unwavering devotion—there is no doubt about this. I am the source of all; from me everything proceeds. The wise, understanding this truth, worship me with deep devotion. Their minds are absorbed in me, their lives are dedicated to me, and they enlighten one another, always speaking of me with joy and delight. “To those who are ever steadfast, worshipping me with love, I grant the yoga of wisdom by which they come to me. And out of compassion for them, I dwell within their hearts and dispel the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge.” At this, Arjuna, filled with reverence, spoke: “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 to be so—Narada, Asita, Devala, Vyasa—and now you yourself confirm it to me. O Keshava, I accept as true all that you have said. Neither the gods nor the demons, O Lord, know the fullness of your manifestations. You alone know yourself, O Supreme Person, Creator and Lord of all beings, God of gods, Lord of the universe. “Tell me fully of your divine manifestations, by which you pervade all these worlds. How shall I, always meditating on you, know you, O Yogi? In what aspects should I contemplate you? Speak to me again in detail of your yoga and your manifestations, O Janardana, for I am never satiated by hearing the nectar of your words.” The Blessed Lord smiled and replied, “Very well, Arjuna, I shall declare to you my foremost divine manifestations, for there is truly no end to my expanse. I am the Self, O Gudakesha, abiding in the hearts of all beings. I am the beginning, the middle, and also the end of all beings. “Among the Adityas, I am Vishnu; among lights, I am the radiant sun. Among the Maruts, I am Marichi; among the stars, I am the moon. Of the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda; among the gods, I am Indra. Among the senses, I am the mind; among beings, I am consciousness itself. “Among the Rudras, I am Shankara; among Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am the Lord of wealth. Among the Vasus, I am Agni; among mountains with peaks, I am Meru. Among priests, O Partha, know me as the chief, Brihaspati; among commanders, I am Skanda; among bodies of water, I am the ocean. “Among the great seers, I am Bhrigu; among words, I am the single syllable Om. Among sacrifices, I am the silent recitation; among immovable things, I am the Himalaya. Among all trees, I am the Ashvattha. Among divine sages, I am Narada; among the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha; among the perfected beings, I am the sage Kapila. “Among horses, know me as Ucchaisravas, born of the nectar; among lordly elephants, I am Airavata; among men, I am the king. Among weapons, I am the thunderbolt; among cows, I am Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow. Among causes of generation, I am Kandarpa, the god of love; among serpents, I am Vasuki. “Among the Nagas, I am Ananta; among aquatic beings, I am Varuna. Among ancestors, I am Aryaman; among controllers, I am Yama. Among the Daityas, I am Prahlada; among those who measure time, I am Time itself. Among animals, I am the lion; among birds, I am Garuda, the son of Vinata. “Among purifiers, I am the wind; among warriors bearing weapons, I am Rama. Among fishes, I am the makara; among rivers, I am the Ganges. Of creations, I am the beginning, the end, and the middle, O Arjuna. Among sciences, I am the science of the Self; among those who debate, I am reasoning. “Among letters, I am the letter A; among compound words, I am the dual. I am inexhaustible Time, the all-faced creator. I am death, the destroyer of all; and the origin of things yet to be. Among women, I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and forgiveness. “Among hymns of the Sama Veda, I am the Brihat-Saman; among meters, I am the Gayatri; among months, I am Margashirsha; among seasons, I am the season of flowers. Among those who deceive, I am gambling; among the radiant, I am splendor. I am victory, I am resolve, and I am the virtue of the virtuous. “Among the Vrishnis, I am Vasudeva; among the Pandavas, I am Dhananjaya; among sages, I am Vyasa; among poets, I am Ushanas the seer. Among those who discipline, I am punishment; among those who seek victory, I am policy. Among secrets, I am silence; among the wise, I am knowledge itself.” Thus, Krishna revealed to Arjuna the boundless glory of his divine manifestations, inviting him to recognize the Supreme in all things, and to seek him with unwavering devotion.