O king, the sacrificial acts performed through the sacred Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāman Vedas are well known and esteemed by you. Yet, consider those rituals accomplished with clay as their material basis, and likewise those involving perishable substances such as fuel, ghee, kuśa grass, and similar offerings. Despite all these, the wise recognize that the imperishable alone is the highest purpose, transcending the fleeting nature of material acts. Indeed, only such action—one that yields no worldly fruit—is regarded as the supreme aim. I hold this as the highest purpose: meditation upon the self. The union of the highest reality and the individual self is celebrated as the loftiest goal. Thus, O king, these pursuits are the best of all, without exception or doubt. He who is sought is one—omnipresent, equal in all, pure, beyond qualities, and untouched by nature. The virtuous know him through true knowledge, beyond name, class, and all such distinctions. Though he dwells in every body, both one’s own and others’, his essence remains singular and undivided. Differences arise only from external distinctions—like the names flute and foot, which merely reflect outward forms. Oneness and difference are but effects of outward actions. Now, O king, listen to the ancient wisdom sung by the sage Ṛbhu. Ṛbhu was a son of Brahmā, the supreme creator. Long ago, Nidāgha, son of Pulastya, became his disciple. Having attained knowledge of truth, Nidāgha had no inclination toward non-duality. On the banks of the sacred Devikā river stood a city called Nāgara, surrounded by beautiful gardens. After a thousand divine years had passed, Nidāgha’s city flourished. One day, at the city gate, Nidāgha saw a figure—Vaiśvadeva—standing before him. Vaiśvadeva, having washed his hands and feet and taken his seat, spoke: "O best of Brāhmaṇas, what food is available in your house?" Nidāgha replied, "In my house are saktu, yāvaka, rice, and cakes." Vaiśvadeva requested, "Give me, O twice-born, cooked food, whether simple or delicious." Nidāgha responded, "Whatever good food there is in my house, with rice or barley, I offer to you." Thus addressed, Nidāgha’s wife brought forth delicious food for the Brāhmaṇa. Yet, the great sage, though offered such food, did not wish to eat. Nidāgha then asked, "Has supreme satisfaction or nourishment arisen for you? Where do you dwell, O Brāhmaṇa, and where are you intending to go?" Vaiśvadeva replied, "When a hungry man eats food, satisfaction arises. When the sacrificial blade is burned by fire or earth at first, it is consumed. Hunger and thirst, known as conditions of the body, do not belong to me, O twice-born. Mental well-being and contentment—these are qualities of the mind, O twice-born. When you asked, 'Where is your dwelling?' and 'Where will you go?' know that the person is all-pervading by nature, like space itself. I am the one who goes, yet not one who comes; I have no fixed abode in any single place. This tongue of mine, which says 'this is tasty,' was made by you. Whatever is considered tasty, when it becomes distasteful, that alone is the cause of distress. At the beginning, middle, and end, what food is truly the cause of pleasure?" Thus, through this encounter and dialogue, the nature of the self and the highest purpose is revealed, pointing beyond material acts and fleeting pleasures to the imperishable, all-pervading essence within.