The Royal Science — Raja Vidya Guhya Yoga

Krishna. Now I will open unto thee — whose heart Rejects not — Loss and Gain, the Royal Lore, The Kingly Mystery, the cleansing of all sin! This is the sovereign science, sovereign secret, The holiest of holies! Comprehended Directly by the soul, righteous and sweet, Imperishable, easy to be practised.

They that receive not this, failing in faith To grasp the utter truth, Parantapa! Come not to Me, Destroyer of thy foes! But are returned upon the lower road Of mortal birth and death. By Me — unmanifest In form — this whole vast world is spread abroad; All things in Nature dwell in Me, but I Do not in them; and yet they are in Me — Behold My sovereign yoga! My Self sustains All creatures, yet not dwelling in those forms.

As the vast air, moving everywhere, Dwells always in the ether, so all forms Dwell in Me — know this! — but at the end Of one kalpa, O Kunti's Son! all things Return to Me, and at the next kalpa's dawn I send them forth again. I, using Mine Own nature, bring them forth — this mighty host Of beings — helpless all, for Maya makes them so.

Yet these great doings touch Me not, O Prince! Sitting apart from them, as one who sits Indifferent, unattached to those his deeds. By reason of Me, Nature brings forth all that Is moving and unmoving in the world. Because of this, the round of things goes on. The foolish disregard Me, seeing Me clad In human form; knowing not My nature, which Is Lord of all that lives.

Vain hopes pursuing, vain deeds doing; fed On vainest knowledge, senselessly they seek The fiendish nature, the deceiving. But The Mahatmas — the great souls — who tread the path Of Gods, O Pritha's Son! those worship Me With hearts which do not wander, knowing Me The Eternal Source of Life. Unalterably They praise Me, celebrate Me, bow before Me, And, ever faithful, strive for Me always.

Others with worship of wisdom worship Me, As One and yet as manifold — diverse, All-facing, Universal! I am the rite; I am the offering; I am the fuel; I am the prayer, the ghee, the flame that burns. I am the father of this world, the mother, The sustainer, and the grandsire; I am He To be known, the sacred syllable, the Rik, The Saman, and the Yajur; I the Goal, The Comforter, the Lord, the Witness, the Abode, The Shelter, and the Friend.

The Way, the Birth, The Stay, the Treasure-house, the Seed which grows To immortality! I am the Heat Of sun, I hold back rain and send it forth; Death am I, and Immortal Life I am, Arjuna! Sat and Asat, Visible Life, And Life Invisible!

Doers of good that keep the holy law, Who drink the soma, being purged of sin — Praying for passage to the heavenly realms — Ascend to Indra's paradise, and taste In those ethereal heights celestial joys. Yet, when their merit is exhausted, lo! They sink again to mortal birth; and thus, Following the doctrine of the Triad, given To worldly lusts, they find but passing bliss.

But they who worship Me, thinking on none Beside — to them, ever faithful, I provide What they have not, and make safe what they have. Nay, and of those who serve the lesser gods, With love and faith, in them also 'tis I Who am the sacrifice accepted! I The Lord of all. But they know not My nature Truly; hence they fall.

Who worship gods, Go to their gods; who worship Pitris go To Pitris; who adore the Bhutas, those Become of Bhutas; but My worshippers Come unto Me. A leaf, a flower, a fruit, Or water, offered Me in loving faith — That offering I accept, lovingly made With pious will. Whate'er thou doest, Prince! Eating or sacrificing, giving gifts, Praying or fasting, do it unto Me!

So thou shalt free thyself from KarmaKnots — The ties of action — good or ill; thy heart Made free by renunciation and by Yoga, Thy soul shall come to Me. I am alike For all! I know not hate, I know not favour! What is offered Me in love, I love to take. But whoso, loving Me, turneth to Me — Even the vilest sinner, the most vile — Must be accounted righteous, for he hath The root of wisdom firmly grasped.

Swiftly he becometh righteous, and obtains Eternal peace. O Kunti's Son! be sure None who is true to Me is ever lost! For, taking refuge in Me, even those born Of sin — women, Vaishyas, Shudras — tread The way to highest bliss. How much the more Shall Brahmans and the holy Kshatriyas Attain! So, in this sad and fleeting world, Fix thou thy heart upon Me; worship Me; Serve Me; and, bowing down in faith to Me, Make Me thy supreme goal! Thus shalt thou come To Me, thy Self set steadfast upon Me!