In those who are truly devoted, there is no division; their hearts and minds are unified in purpose and love. Such singleness of heart is to be sought above all else—let nothing distract from this pursuit, let nothing else be the goal. To safeguard this unity, one must carefully avoid the company of the unworthy in every possible way, for such association gives rise to desire, anger, delusion, loss of memory, the destruction of intellect, and ultimately the ruin of everything wholesome. Even the smallest faults, like ripples on water, can swell into overwhelming waves when fostered by harmful company. Who, then, is able to cross the vast ocean of illusion? It is the one who leaves behind unhelpful associations, who seeks the company of the great and wise, who lets go of possessiveness. This seeker prefers solitude, works to uproot worldly attachments, rises above the sway of the three qualities of nature, and abandons all concern for gain and preservation. By relinquishing the fruits of action and ultimately letting go of action itself, such a person becomes free from the bonds of duality. Even the sacred scriptures themselves, revered as the Vedas, are finally set aside, and what remains is pure, uninterrupted love alone. Such a person truly crosses the ocean of illusion—and, in doing so, leads others across as well. The very nature of this love is beyond description; it is like a taste known only to the one who experiences it, as if a mute person were to savor something sweet but could not express it. This love reveals itself only to a worthy vessel, emerging quietly and unmistakably. It is without qualities or desires, ever-increasing from moment to moment, uninterrupted, subtler than the subtlest, and is experienced directly, not through words or concepts. Once attained, it fills all of one’s perception: one sees only this, hears only this, speaks only of this, thinks only of this love. There is also a secondary form of devotion, which is threefold, distinguished by qualities or by states such as affliction. Yet, each subsequent form is superior to the last, and above all, devotion itself is the most easily attained. This is because devotion does not rely on any other means of knowledge; it is itself a means to true understanding. Its nature is peace and supreme bliss. When worldly losses occur, there is no room for sorrow, for the self, the world, and even scripture have all been surrendered to the Divine. Even after attaining devotion, one need not abandon worldly responsibilities; rather, one should let go of attachment to the results, continuing to perform actions that lead to devotion. One should also be careful not to dwell on the conduct of women, wealth, atheists, or enemies, for such distractions can disturb the mind. Pride, hypocrisy, and similar faults must be abandoned. All actions should be dedicated to the Lord, and even emotions like desire, anger, and pride should be directed only towards Him. Love is to be practiced as constant service and constant worship of the beloved Lord, following the dissolution of the threefold distinctions; only this love should be cultivated. The foremost devotees are those whose minds are wholly fixed on the Divine. When they come together, their voices tremble with emotion, their hair stands on end, and tears flow freely; through their devotion, they purify not only their own families but the very earth itself. Their presence sanctifies holy places, makes actions virtuous, and proves the truth of the scriptures. The ancestors rejoice, the gods dance in delight, and the earth is protected. Among such devotees, there is no distinction of caste, learning, appearance, family, wealth, or actions, for they all belong to Him alone. Debate and argument are not to be relied upon, for they are endless, open-ended, and lack fixed rules. Instead, one should reflect upon the scriptures of devotion and perform those actions that reveal their true meaning. Even in times of waiting—when pleasure, pain, desire, and gain have all been renounced—not even half a moment should be wasted. Virtues such as nonviolence, truthfulness, purity, compassion, and faith must be upheld at all times. With one’s whole being, free from anxiety, the Lord alone should be worshipped always. When He is praised with true devotion, He quickly appears and grants His devotees the experience of His presence. Of the threefold truths, devotion stands supreme—devotion alone is supreme.