Now I shall impart to you this most secret wisdom, along with the knowledge of its realization, after knowing which you will be released from all misfortunes.

This is the king of knowledge, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.

O scorcher of foes, those who lack faith in this dharma, return to the cycle of birth and death without attaining Me, O oppressor of enemies, traversing the mortal path of the world.

By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them.

But, know for certain that My Cosmic Form is not situated in these visible beings. Behold My divine Yoga, supporting all living entities, but not dwelling in them.

As the mighty wind, moving everywhere, rests always in the sky, similarly, understand that all beings rest in Me.

"All beings, O son of Kunti, enter into My nature at the end of a cycle; I create them again at the beginning of a cycle."

Taking control of my own nature, I create again and again this entire multitude of beings, which are subject to my control, due to the influence of Prakriti.

O Dhananjaya, actions do not bind Me, because I am indifferent to them and unattached.

Under My supervision, nature gives birth to both moving and non-moving beings. This is the reason why the universe revolves.

Fools disregard Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all beings.

People who lack clear goals, waste their efforts, and have wrong ideas are confused. They are like demons, having confused thoughts and actions. They are trapped in a web of delusion.

O Partha, the great souls, who have taken shelter in My divine nature, worship Me with unwavering devotion, knowing Me to be the imperishable source of beings.

Those who constantly praise Me, striving with firm resolve, bowing down to Me, and ever devoted, worship Me with love.

Others worship Me with the sacrifice of knowledge, while still others worship Me through various forms of devotion, seeing Me as one and diverse, as the universal form.

I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to ancestors, I am the healing herb, I am the mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the oblation.

"I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support, and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier, the syllable Om, and also the Rig, the Sama, and the Yajur Vedas."

He is the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge, and the most dear friend. He is the source, the dissolution, and the ground wherein everything rests. He is the seed, imperishable.

"I generate heat, I send forth as well as withhold the rain, I am immortality as well as death, and I am also both being and non-being, O Arjuna."

Those who are well-versed in the threefold knowledge, who are purified of sins, and who worship Me with sacrifices, seeking heaven, attain the celestial abodes of the gods, and enjoy divine pleasures there.

Having enjoyed the vast realm of heaven, gained by virtue, they enter the mortal world when their merit is exhausted. Thus, those who seek desires, adhering to the threefold dharma, come and go in the cycle of birth and death.

But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.

Even those who worship other deities with faith, they too, O Kaunteya, worship me alone, but with improper understanding.

"I am indeed the enjoyer and the Lord of all sacrifices, but those who do not recognize My true transcendental nature fall down."

Those who worship the gods will go to the gods; those who worship the ancestors will join them; those who worship ghosts and spirits will be with them; and those who worship Me will live with Me.

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.

Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, whatever charity you give, whatever austerities you perform—do all that as an offering unto Me.

By performing your duties, whether good or bad, in this manner, you will be freed from the bondage of karma. With a mind balanced by the discipline of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me.

I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone; I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to them.

Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if they are devoted to Me without deviation, they are to be considered saintly because of their determination in following the path.

Quickly he becomes righteous and attains lasting peace, O son of Kunti; affirm that My devotee never perishes. (9.31)

O Arjun, even those who may be born of sinful wombs—women, vaishyas, and also shudras—attain the supreme destination by taking refuge in Me.

What then, righteous Brahmins, pious devotees, and also royal sages? Having attained this impermanent joyless world, worship Me.

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.