Kapila, the lord of all beings, addressed his mother Devahuti with gentle assurance: “Mother, I shall impart to you the spiritual wisdom that brings peace to all actions. By this knowledge, you will overcome all fear.” Having received these words from her divine son, Devahuti, filled with joy and reverence, respectfully circled Kapila and then departed for the forest. There, she took a vow of silence, relying solely on her inner Self. She wandered the earth, unattached, without the need for ritual fires or a fixed dwelling. Her mind became absorbed in Brahman—the reality beyond both the manifest and unmanifest, appearing through the qualities of nature yet itself untouched by them. With unwavering devotion, she realized this supreme truth. Free from ego and possessiveness, beyond all dualities, she saw with equal vision, her own Self in all. Inwardly tranquil and steady, her mind was like a calm, wave-less ocean. Through supreme devotion to Vāsudeva, the all-knowing Lord and inner Self, she realized her true nature and became liberated from all bondage. She saw the Lord present within all beings as her very Self, and all beings existing within the Lord inside herself. Freed from desire and aversion, her mind even toward all, and endowed with devotion, she attained the blessed state of a true devotee of the Lord. In her vision, the Lord appeared before her—radiant, crowned, adorned with bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and a golden girdle. He bore the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, garlanded and shining with the finest jewels, resplendent in supreme glory. The Kaustubha gem gleamed on his auspicious neck; his shoulders were broad as a lion’s, his form shining with flawless brilliance, like a perfect jewel. His abdomen bore three lines, moving gently with his breath, as if the very universe was being drawn in and released by the whirl of his navel. He wore a brilliant yellow garment, fastened by a golden belt over his dark hips. His thighs, knees, and shins were perfectly formed and beautiful. His feet shone like autumn lotuses, their nails radiating light that dispelled all inner darkness. “O Teacher,” she prayed, “reveal your feet, the path for those who seek to cross the darkness of ignorance.” This divine form, she realized, is to be meditated upon by all who seek purification. Devotion to it grants fearlessness to those who perform their duties. Though difficult for embodied beings to attain, the Lord is accessible to the devoted; even the sovereignty of the Self is less than the ultimate state achieved through exclusive devotion to Him. Having worshipped the Lord—so hard to approach even for the virtuous—who would desire anything other than His feet? Death, the ender of life, does not approach those indifferent to it, even as he destroys the universe with his power and the fierce arching of his brows. Not even heaven or liberation can compare to even half a moment spent in the company of the Lord’s devotees; what need to speak of lesser blessings? “Therefore, O sinless one,” she prayed, “may we have the association of those whose character is pure and compassionate to all, whose sins are washed away by bathing in the sacredness of Your fame—this alone is Your grace to us.” He whose mind is not distracted by external objects, nor lost in the cave of ignorance, whose mind is purified by devotion and yoga—such a sage surely perceives the Lord’s path. That in which the universe appears, and by which it is illumined, is the supreme Brahman, vast as space, the highest light. By His own power of illusion, the Lord creates the world of many forms, sustains it, and dissolves it, yet remains unchanged. The perception of difference is only due to the instability of the mind. “O Lord, we recognize You as self-dependent,” she acknowledged. With faith, yogis worship Him alone through various rituals to attain perfection. The Lord is perceived in all beings, senses, and the mind—thus, those skilled in the Veda and Tantra know Him. He alone is the primeval Person, whose dormant power differentiates the modes of passion, goodness, and darkness; from Him arise the great ego, space, air, fire, water, earth, the gods, sages, and all beings. Having entered creation by His own power, the Lord dwells within the fourfold body as a portion of the Self; the wise know Him as the enjoyer of the senses, tasting their essence like honey. As the swift chariot of time, He drags all worlds with irresistible force; the elements, though vast, are like clouds, and He is like the wind—unbearable. While people, distracted by action and greed for sense objects, long for fleeting pleasures, the ever-alert Lord seizes them suddenly, as a snake catches a mouse. What wise person would abandon His lotus feet, the abode of honor and humility? Even the fourteen Manus, revered teachers, worship Him out of fear of falling from their position. Therefore, O Brahman, Supreme Self, You are the refuge of the wise; when the universe is shaken by the fear of Rudra, You alone are the shelter free from all fear. “Recite this, O noble sons of kings,” the teaching continued, “remaining pure, performing your duties, and offering your intentions to the Lord—may all be well for you. Worship that very Self who abides within all, 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 knowledge to us, wishing to bring forth the sons of Bhṛgu and others, and to those desiring to create. We, the lords of progeny, were not prompted in the creation of beings; but through this knowledge, with darkness dispelled, we were able to create various creatures. Now, whoever is always engaged, reciting this with attention, 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. From this, a person obtains whatever they desire, swiftly, for this song is dear to the highest welfare. Whoever, rising early, with joined palms and faith, hears or recites this is freed from the bonds of karma. “O sons of men-gods, this song—this praise of the Supreme Person, the Paramātmā—has been sung by me. Recite it with focused mind as a great austerity, practice it, and in the end, you will attain your desired goal.