Consider, for a moment, the act of eating at the royal palace or partaking in other such grand experiences. Outwardly, these things may seem fulfilling, but in truth, neither do they bring true satisfaction to the king, nor do they truly appease the hunger of those who partake. Thus, those who seek liberation must be discerning, accepting only that which truly nourishes the soul. The wise teachers have sung of the path and its means. They declare that the way is through renunciation—giving up not only sense objects but also the attachments that bind one’s heart. The journey continues through uninterrupted devotion, a single-pointed love that does not waver. Even in this world, simply hearing and singing of the Lord’s divine qualities becomes a means of drawing near to Him. Yet, above all, this supreme attainment comes primarily through the great mercy of the exalted ones, or even by a mere fragment of the Lord’s own grace. To be in the company of such exalted souls is rare, difficult to obtain, and unfailing in its effect. And even that holy association is granted only by their compassion. Within such great souls there is no division; their hearts are whole and undivided. Therefore, let that alone be pursued, let that alone be pursued! At all costs, association with the unworthy must be abandoned, for it breeds desire, anger, delusion, forgetfulness, the destruction of intellect, and ultimately, the ruin of everything. Even if these faults appear at first as mere ripples, through bad company they grow vast as the ocean. Who, then, crosses the ocean of illusion? It is the one who abandons unworthy association, who serves the great souls, and who becomes free from possessiveness. It is the one who seeks solitude, who uproots worldly bondage, who transcends the three qualities of nature, and who gives up all concern for gain and preservation. It is the one who renounces the fruits of action, relinquishes action itself, and thus becomes free from duality. Even the Vedas, the scriptures themselves, are let go, and in their place arises an uninterrupted, pure love alone. Such a one crosses the ocean of illusion—and leads others across as well. This love is of a nature that cannot be described in words. It is like the taste known only to the mute—intensely real, yet impossible to express. It reveals itself somewhere, to a heart made worthy. This love is beyond all qualities, free from desire, ever-increasing at every moment, uninterrupted, subtler than the subtlest, and is itself the very nature of experience. Having attained this love, one sees only that, hears only that, speaks only that, and thinks only that. There is a secondary form of devotion, which is threefold, arising from distinctions of qualities or from conditions such as affliction. Each subsequent form is superior to the previous, but compared to all other paths, devotion is most easily attained. For it depends on nothing else for knowledge; it is itself the means of knowing. It is peace itself and the highest bliss. When loss or misfortune occurs in the world, the devotee does not grieve, for all—the self, the world, even the scriptures—have been offered to God. Even after attaining this devotion, one does not abandon worldly dealings; rather, one gives up attachment to their fruits, and continues to practice those means that lead to devotion. One should not listen to discussions of women, wealth, atheists, or enemies, for such talk distracts the heart. Pride, hypocrisy, and similar faults are to be abandoned. All actions should be dedicated to Him, and even desires, anger, and pride should be directed only towards Him. Love is to be practiced as constant service and worship, as one would serve a beloved, after dissolving all other forms. Only love should be practiced. The foremost devotees are those who are single-minded. When they speak with one another, their voices are choked with emotion, their bodies shiver with joy, and tears flow from their eyes. Such devotees purify their families and the earth itself. They make holy places truly holy, actions virtuous, and scriptures come alive with truth. The ancestors rejoice, the gods themselves dance, and this earth becomes protected and blessed.