Now hear, 'O Partha [Arjuna], how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.
I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge both phenomenal and marginal by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known.
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.
Earth, water, fire, air ether, mind, intelligence and false ego-all together these eight comprise my separated material energies.
Besides this inferior nature O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine, which are all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe.
Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both its origin and dissolution.
O conqueror of wealth [Arjuna], there is no Truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon me, as pearls are strung on a thread.
O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic Mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.
I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire. I am the life of all that lives, and I am the penance of all ascestics.
O Partha, you know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the prowess of all powerful men.
I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am conjugal bliss which is not contrary to religious principles, O Lord of the Bharatas [Arjuna]. | |