[For attaining the level of the highest yogis (06.47), is there an alternative, easier way?] Hear, Arjuna, the knowledge that will free you from doubt and inspire you to take shelter of me by practicing yoga – and thus make your mind attached to me (1).

[What is the nature of the knowledge being imparted?] It is comprehensive – I shall give you both knowledge and realization; indeed, after knowing this, there’s nothing more to be known in this world (2).

[Is this knowledge widely known?] It is rare – among thousands of humans, only a few endeavor for perfection; even among the endeavoring and the perfected, only a few know me in truth (3).   

[What is the content of this knowledge?] It begins by perceiving that all of material existence – made of the eight basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and ego – is actually my separated nature (4).

[What else is there in existence?] Apart from material nature, which is my inferior nature, is my superior nature: it is made of the sum total of all living beings and it is by them that the universe is sustained (5).

[Why is this nature considered superior?] This superior nature of mine is the womb of all living beings – understand this! Indeed, for the entire universe, I am the origin and the dissolution (6).

[How deeply are you related with existence?] Nothing higher than me exists, O Arjuna. All of existence is strung on me just as pearls are strung on a thread (7)

[How is everything sustained by you?] I am the taste of water; I am the radiance of the moon and the sun, the sacred syllable [Om] in all the Vedas, the sound in air, and ability in people (8). I am the pure fragrance of the earth; I am the brilliance of all brilliant objects such as the sun; I am the life in all living beings and the austerity in the ascetics (9). Know me, Arjuna, to be the primeval seed from which all creatures emerged; I am the intelligence of the intelligent; and I am the splendor of the splendid (10). I am the might of the mighty, freed from selfish desire and attachment; and I am ambition that is not contrary to ethics [dharma] (11).

[Is there anything that is not sustained by you?] know that all states of being – be they in the mode of goodness (sattva), passion (rajas) or ignorance (tamas) – proceed from Me. Yet I am not in them; they are in me (12).