Prompted by Vāsudeva, the cowherd folk, together with Krishna, performed all the prescribed rites for the mountain, for the cows, for the brahmins, and for the sacred sacrifice. Their duties fulfilled, they returned to their beloved Vraja, hearts content. Here ends the twenty-fourth chapter of the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the revered scripture cherished by the paramahaṃsas. Afterwards, the Lord spoke: “By perceiving Me—the Self, the self-luminous One who dwells in the hearts of all beings—within yourself by your own self, you shall attain freedom from sorrow and fear. Mother, I will impart to you spiritual knowledge, which brings peace to all actions. Through this wisdom, you will cross over the ocean of fear.” Maitreya continued: Thus addressed by Kapila, the lord of creatures, she was filled with joy. She circumambulated him, keeping him to her right, and then departed for the forest. There, she undertook a vow of silence, relying solely on the Self, wandering the earth unattached, without fire, without a fixed dwelling. Her mind absorbed in Brahman, which transcends both the manifest and the unmanifest, appearing as the qualities but itself without qualities, she realized this truth through single-minded devotion. Free from ego and possessiveness, beyond all dualities, she saw equally, perceiving her own Self everywhere. Inwardly peaceful and steady in mind, she was like a calm ocean without waves. Through supreme devotion to Vāsudeva, the all-knowing Lord and inner Self, she realized her own true nature and became free from bondage. She beheld the Lord present in all beings as her very Self, and saw all beings abiding in the Lord within herself. Freed from desire and aversion, with an even mind toward all, and endowed with devotion, she attained the state of a true devotee. She beheld the Lord’s radiant form: adorned with a shining crown, bracelets, necklace, anklets, and girdle; bearing the conch, discus, mace, lotus, a garland, and the finest jewels, his splendor supreme. Upon his auspicious neck gleamed the Kaustubha gem. His shoulders were broad as a lion’s, his form shining with unfailing glory, illuminated like a flawless touchstone. His abdomen bore three graceful lines, moving with the rhythm of his breath, as though the universe itself were being drawn in and released by the deep whirl of his navel. He wore a brilliant yellow garment, fastened with a golden belt over his dark hips. His thighs, knees, and shins were perfectly formed, beautiful to behold. His feet shone like autumn lotuses, their nails radiating light that dispelled all inner darkness. O Teacher, reveal your own feet, the path for those who seek to cross the darkness of ignorance! This divine form is to be meditated upon by those who seek purification of the self; devotion to it grants fearlessness to those who perform their own duty. You are attainable by the devoted, though difficult to reach for all embodied beings; even sovereignty of the self is considered inferior to the ultimate state of self-realization gained through exclusive devotion. Having worshipped Him, who is hard to approach even for the virtuous and difficult to attain, through exclusive devotion—who would desire anything outside His feet? Where death, the ender of life, does not approach those who are indifferent to it, even as he destroys the universe with his might and the fierce arching of his brows. Not even heaven or liberation can be compared to even half a moment of association with the Lord’s devotees—what then of lesser blessings? Therefore, O sinless one, may we have the association of those whose character is pure and compassionate toward all beings, whose sins are washed away by bathing within and without in the sacredness of Your fame—this alone is Your grace to us. He whose mind is not distracted by external objects, nor enters the dark cave of ignorance, whose mind is purified by the favor of devotion and yoga—such a sage surely perceives Your path. That in which this universe appears, and by which the universe is illumined—that reality, the supreme Brahman, the highest light, is vast like space. He who, by his own power of illusion, created this world of many forms, sustains it, and again dissolves it, remaining unchanged; the perception of difference is due to the instability of the mind—O Lord, we recognize You as self-dependent. With faith, yogis worship You alone through various rituals for the attainment of perfection; You are perceived in all beings, senses, and the mind—thus, those skilled in the Veda and Tantra know You. You alone are the primeval Person, whose power lies dormant; by that power, the modes of passion, goodness, and darkness are differentiated; from You arise the great ego, space, air, fire, water, earth, the gods, sages, and all beings. Having entered this creation by Your own power, You dwell within the fourfold body as a portion of the self; thus, the wise know that Person who, abiding within, enjoys the essence of the senses like honey. You, who are the swift chariot of time, drag all worlds with irresistible force; the elements, whose nature is inferred, are like masses of clouds, and You are like the wind—unbearable. While people, intoxicated and distracted by thoughts of action, greedily long for sense objects, You, ever alert, suddenly seize them like a snake licking up a mouse, O Death. What wise person would abandon Your lotus feet, which are the abode of honor and humility? Out of fear, even the fourteen Manus, our revered teachers, worshipped You, lest they fall from their position. Therefore, O Brahman, Supreme Self, You are the refuge of the wise; when the universe is struck by the fear of Rudra, You are the shelter free from all fear. Recite this, O noble sons of kings, remaining pure, performing your own duties, and offering your intentions to the Lord—may all be well for you. Worship that very Self, who abides within the self and is present in all beings, praising and meditating constantly on Hari. Having received the instruction in yoga, maintaining the vows of sages, and with concentrated minds, may you all practice this with reverence. Long ago, the Lord, master of creation, spoke this to us, desiring to produce the sons of Bhṛgu and others, and to those wishing to create. We, all the lords of progeny, were not prompted in the creation of beings; but by this, with darkness dispelled, we wish to create various creatures. One who is always engaged, reciting this attentively, soon attains the highest good, being devoted to Vāsudeva. Here, the supreme knowledge is the highest welfare for all; with the boat of knowledge, one easily crosses the difficult ocean of misfortune. Whoever, with faith, recites this praise of the Lord sung by me, worships Hari, who is otherwise hard to worship.