Click the 'Play' button to read out loud this webpage content
Till now, Krishna has revealed that Bhakti is the ultimate yet easiest path to attain the Supreme. So in this chapter, Shri Krishna reveals the ultimate truth listening to which one knows the Supreme and gets liberated from this world.
Krishna explains that there is only one God, the Supreme energy. He is the creator of all, and everything gets absorbed into him. He is the true supporter and final goal of all living beings. The soul who engages in utmost devotion toward him attain his abode and stay there forever. Those who worship celestial Gods also depart to their abodes; however, when their merits get over, they return to Earth again.
Krishna says that he sees every soul equally without any difference; for him, every creature is equal. Even if the biggest sinners come to his shelter, he purifies them and leads them toward the path of devotion. Krishna says that he always stays with His devotees and doesn’t let their decease. He takes care of their needs and provides them what they lack. Hence our main goal should be to worship the Supreme, says Shri Krishna.
The Supreme Lord said: O Arjun because you are not envious of Me, I shall now convey the ultimate knowledge to you that is the Supreme wisdom and is kept extremely confidential. This is the knowledge that no living being knows unless they are my staunch devotees. Knowing this knowledge liberates a soul from the materialistic world.
The knowledge purifies the one who hears it. It is easily attainable, and its effects are everlasting.
A person has to believe in Dharma to attain me. Those who do not come to this world again and again.
I manifest this entire cosmic; every living being dwells in me, and I dwell in no one.
Although I am the creator of people and material energy, I am not influenced by them in any way. All living beings rest in me just like the air rests in the sky.
When the Universe ends, all these beings get absorbed in me. Then, when the new beginning happens, I recreate all the living beings with my material energy, and the cycle goes on.
I am the doer of all the actions; however, none of the actions bind me. I am detached from everything, yet everything is connected to me.
O son of Kunti, the world would not recognize me if I come in my form. This is because all living beings are deluded, and they are unaware of my divine personality.
Such people keep juggling with the material energy; they have demoniac and atheistic views. As a result, these people are deluded, their fruitive actions are wasted, and their knowledge is puzzled.
The souls who take shelter in me and surrender themselves to me get my divine energy and the ultimate knowledge. Their minds engage in my devotion, and they walk the path toward me.
Such devotees always worship me lovingly; they sing my glorious songs and bow down before me.
Many souls worship me in many forms, some see me as different from them, and some see me as in-different from them.
It is me who is everything, I am the sacrifice and the offering you give to your ancestors. I am the Vedic mantra and the medicinal herb. I am the fire and the offering. I am the mother, father, sustainer. I am the sound of Om, I am all the Vedas, and only I am the ultimate goal.
I am the Supreme, I am the abode, shelter, friend. Everything remains in me, and everything ends in me; I am the eternal seed.
I am the heat of the Sun, and only I am its illumination. I send the rain and make everything happen. Only I am the death, and I am life as well. I am all around you, and I am in everything.
Those who seek the fruit of their activities worship me through various rituals and make sacrifices. These souls get purified from their sins and drink the Soma juice, which is the leftover of Yajna. Such souls go to the heavenly abode of Indra and enjoy the pleasure like the celestial Gods.
However, when they have enjoyed all the pleasures, and their merits get over, they are again sent to Earth to take birth and die again and again.
O son of Kunti, even those who worship other Gods also worship me in a way, but they do it wrongly. I am the only Lord, and all sacrifices come to me. However, those who don’t understand my divine nature must be reborn.
Those who worship the celestial Gods take birth among them. Those who worship ancestors go to their ancestors. Those who worship ghosts achieve the same; similarly, those who worship me come to Me.
If one offers me even a drop of water with complete devotion, I cherish it with my whole heart and bless my devotee to purify their consciousness.
Whatever you do, eat, sacrifice in the sacred fire, and perform the austerities, you offer everything to Me.
When you dedicate all your works to Me, you get free from the bondage, your mind gets attached to me, and you become liberated to reach my heavenly abode.
I am equal to everyone and not partial to any living being; however, those who worship me with love reside in Me, and I reside in them.
Even if the biggest sinner surrenders to me, he gets his sins washed immediately. Gradually he becomes virtuous and attains peace; no devotee of mine once comes to me is eve lost.
All those surrender themselves to me and take shelter in me regardless of their caste, gender, race, or birth; they all reach the Supreme.
Always think of Me, worship Me, be devoted to Me, do all your duties thinking me, and you will certainly come to Me.