By my grace, a devotee attains the eternal, supreme state. To reach this, one must become free from all hope and possessiveness, seeking refuge in me alone. Even while actively engaged in worldly duties, such a person remains untouched by bondage. Mere bodily action does not lead to that exalted state, but when actions are performed for my sake, by my grace, the chains of worldly existence are broken. When a yogi truly knows me as the Supreme Lord, he attains me. Those who constantly speak of me, keeping me ever in their thoughts and words, come to union with me. I dispel the darkness of ignorance with the radiant lamp of knowledge, and for those who are ever devoted, I personally bear the burden of their welfare and spiritual progress. Whatever result is gained in this world, even when accompanied by the deities, must be understood as having an end. Yet even those who are devoted to me find liberation through that very devotion. Whoever takes refuge in me, the Lord, alone, attains the highest state. One should worship the Supreme Lord in the form of the liṅga, with detachment, until the end of life. To such steadfast devotees, I grant supreme lordship in a single birth. This is the essence of knowledge: all-pervading, established in the hearts of yogis. Wherever the liṅga of the Great Lord is worshipped, in any place, it is auspicious. Conceiving the Lord within a jewel or any other substance, one should worship the liṅga of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, worship the eternal Lord in the liṅga, wherever it may be found. For the ignorant, the liṅga may be made of wood or other materials; for yogis, it is realized within the heart. Engaged in steadfast practice, one should recite the praṇava, the sacred sound which is the very form of Brahman, for as long as life endures. Alone, with mind and self controlled, such a person attains the supreme state. By the Lord’s grace, he too reaches that highest goal. The Lord grants that supreme knowledge which frees one from all bondage. Having attained this knowledge in this very life, one reaches the most auspicious state. All beings cross over worldly existence by the grace of the Lord, O twice-born. Therefore, O twice-born, always adhere to dharma for the sake of liberation. This teaching should be given only to the righteous, to the devoted, and to the celibate. At this point, he spoke to Nārāyaṇa, the flawless One who was seated before him, saying, “This auspicious teaching should be imparted by you to disciples of peaceful mind, for the benefit of all devoted twice-born, O best of the twice-born. All should instruct the devotees according to my word. This supreme teaching is to be given to those who see no distinction within, who are peaceful, abiding as the self of all beings, and are called imperishable. Those who do not truly see me are born again and again. But those who see with unity do not undergo rebirth. See me alone and worship me in the very same way. Those who fail to do so go to terrible hells; I do not abide among them. I may liberate even a dog-eater, but not one who reviles Nārāyaṇa. He is to be worshipped and saluted, for such reverence brings about my pleasure.” Having spoken thus, he became invisible to them, even as all of them were watching.