Even if one’s prescribed work seems imperfect, O son of Kunti, it should not be abandoned, for every undertaking carries some flaw—just as fire is always veiled by smoke. But the one whose understanding is unattached everywhere, who has mastered himself and become free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of actionlessness through renunciation. Now, O son of Kunti, hear from me briefly how one who has reached such perfection attains Brahman, the highest knowledge. Endowed with a purified intellect, steady in self-control, having abandoned the objects of the senses such as sound, and relinquished attachment and aversion, such a person dwells in solitude, eats lightly, restrains speech, body, and mind, is ever devoted to meditation, and embraces detachment. Having given up ego, strength, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessiveness, free from the notion of ‘mine’ and at peace, one becomes fit for union with Brahman. Thus established in Brahman, with a cheerful heart, one neither grieves nor desires and regards all beings equally. Such a one attains supreme devotion to me. By devotion, one truly knows who I am and what I am. Having thus truly known me, one enters into me at once. Even while performing all actions, if one takes refuge in me, by my grace one reaches the eternal, imperishable state. Surrender your mind to me, make me your highest goal, rely on the yoga of your intellect, dedicate all your actions to me, and be ever absorbed in me. With your mind thus fixed on me, you will, by my grace, overcome all obstacles. But if, out of ego, you refuse to listen, you will be lost. If, relying on your own ego, you think, “I will not fight,” your resolve is vain; your own nature will compel you. Bound by your own action, born of your nature, O son of Kunti, even against your will, you will do what you do not wish to do, out of delusion. The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causing them to move as if mounted on a machine, by his divine power of illusion. Take refuge in him alone, with all your heart, O Bharata. By his grace, you shall attain supreme peace and the eternal abode. Thus have I revealed to you the knowledge most secret of all secrets. Reflect deeply on this, and then act as you see fit. Yet again, hear my supreme word, the most confidential of all, for you are most dear to me. I will tell you what is truly for your benefit. Fix your mind on me, become my devotee, worship me, bow down to me. You will surely come to me—this I promise, for you are dear to me. Abandon all duties and take refuge in me alone. I will free you from all sins; do not grieve. But this teaching should never be imparted to one who lacks austerity, who is without devotion, who does not listen, or who mocks me. Whoever teaches this supreme secret among my devotees, with supreme devotion to me, will surely come to me. Among men, there is none dearer to me than such a one, nor will there ever be another dearer on earth. And whoever studies this sacred dialogue between us, I consider him to be worshipping me through the sacrifice of knowledge. Even one who listens to this with faith and without malice will be freed and attain the blessed worlds of the virtuous. O Partha, have you listened with a focused mind? Has your ignorance and confusion now been dispelled, O Dhananjaya? Arjuna replied: My delusion is gone, and by your grace, O Achyuta, my memory is restored. I am firm, free from doubt; I will act according to your word. Sanjaya then spoke: Thus have I heard this wondrous and thrilling dialogue between Vasudeva and the high-souled Partha. By the grace of Vyasa, I have heard this supreme secret, the yoga spoken directly by Krishna, Lord of Yoga. O King, as I recall again and again this sacred and marvelous conversation between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again. And remembering, again and again, the most wondrous form of Hari, I am filled with awe and joy. Wherever Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, is, and wherever Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, is, there will surely be fortune, victory, prosperity, and steadfast righteousness. This is my firm conviction.