Maitreya spoke: When Kapila, the divine sage, had finished imparting his wisdom, the lord of creatures—his heart filled with satisfaction—honored Kapila by walking around him with reverence, keeping him to his right. Thereafter, he departed for the forest. In the solitude of the forest, he embraced a vow of silence, relying solely upon the Self. He wandered the earth, unattached, with no fire to maintain and no fixed dwelling to call his own. His mind was absorbed in Brahman, the Supreme Reality that transcends both the manifest and the unmanifest, that appears as the qualities yet remains itself without qualities, realized only through unwavering devotion. Freed from ego and possessiveness, beyond all dualities, he saw all beings with equal vision, perceiving his own Self everywhere. Inwardly peaceful and steady in mind, he was like a calm ocean undisturbed by waves. Through supreme devotion to Vāsudeva—the all-knowing Lord, the inner Self—he realized his own true nature and was released from all bondage. He beheld the Lord present in all beings as his very own Self, and saw all beings abiding within the Lord, within himself. Free from desire and aversion, his mind even toward all, he was filled with devotion to the Lord and attained the exalted state of a devotee. In his vision, the Lord appeared resplendent, adorned with a shining crown, bracelets, necklace, anklets, and girdle; bearing the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, garlanded and decked with the most exquisite jewels, radiating supreme splendor. The Kaustubha gem gleamed on his auspicious neck, his shoulders broad and powerful like a lion’s, his form shining with unfading glory, luminous like a flawless touchstone. His abdomen was marked by three lines, moving gently with his breath, as if the very universe 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 and beautiful to behold. His feet shone like autumn lotuses, their nails radiating light that dispelled all inner darkness. O Teacher, reveal to us those feet—the path for seekers who wish to cross the darkness of ignorance. This divine form is to be meditated upon by those seeking purification of the self; devotion to it grants fearlessness to those who perform their duty. You are attainable only by the devoted, difficult to reach for all embodied beings; even the sovereignty of self-mastery is inferior to the ultimate state of self-realization gained through exclusive devotion. Who, having worshipped Him—who is hard to approach even for the virtuous and difficult to attain through exclusive devotion—would desire anything other than His feet? 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 compare to even half a moment of association with the Lord’s devotees for mortals—what then of lesser blessings? Therefore, O sinless one, may we have the company 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 lost in the darkness 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 it is illumined—that supreme Brahman, the highest light, is vast like space. By His own power of illusion, He 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 attaining perfection; You are perceived in all beings, senses, and the mind—thus, those skilled in 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, subtle and inferred, are like 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, worship 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 teaching, with darkness dispelled, we became eager 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 he desires, swiftly, from the song sung by me, which is dear to the highest welfare. Whoever, rising early, with joined palms and filled with 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 great austerity, practice it, and in the end you will attain your desired goal.