Shri Shuka said: O King, in the illusion of the self, there is no connection of meaning for the seer, just like in a dream.

It appears as if it has many forms due to the illusion of diversity. Delighting in its qualities, one thinks, 'I am this.'

When one delights in the glory of the Supreme, transcending the illusion of time, he becomes free from both.

For the sake of pure self-realization, the Lord speaks of the truth, revealing the form of Brahman, steadfast in the vow of non-deception.

That primordial deity, the supreme teacher of the worlds, having assumed his own abode, looked to create the universe.

Contemplating the two-syllable mantra, the omnipresent one listened to the words spoken twice. Among the touchables, what the kings know as the sixteenth and the twenty-first is the wealth of the unattached.

Hearing that, desiring to see the speaker, he looked in all directions but did not see anything else. Assuming his own abode, he contemplated and focused his mind on the austerity prescribed for him.

The divine one, with a thousand ages and an unerring vision, having conquered the mind and senses, was engaged in the austerity that alleviates the suffering of all worlds.

To him, the Lord, who is honored in his own abode, revealed the supreme, which is beyond the material existence. He is praised by those who are free from the entanglements of material illusion.

Where the mixture of goodness, passion, and ignorance prevails, and where time does not exert its influence; where illusion does not exist, and where both gods and demons worship the Lord.

With dark complexions and pure eyes, wearing yellow garments, they are well-formed and beautiful. All have four arms, adorned with jeweled ornaments, and radiate brilliance like the precious stones of coral and sapphire, with shining earrings and crowns.

He who shines brightly, surrounded by radiant celestial vehicles, is revered by great souls. He is illuminated by the brilliance of the best of the joyful, like the sky illuminated by flashes of lightning.

Where the goddess of fortune, who is beautiful, grants respect to the feet of the Lord, and where she sings sweetly, accompanied by flowers, glorifying the beloved deeds of the Lord.

He saw there the Lord of all the Satvatas, the Lord of prosperity, the Lord of sacrifices, the Lord of the universe, served by His chief attendants, Sunanda and others, who are worthy of worship.

Facing the grace of His servants, with a joyful smile and eyes like red lotuses, adorned with a crown and earrings, and dressed in yellow garments, He is seen on the chest of the Lord.

Seated on a seat worthy of worship, surrounded by sixteen powers, He is the supreme abode, enjoying Himself with the divine beings, and is not dependent on others.

Overwhelmed with joy from seeing Him, His body trembled, and filled with love, tears flowed from His eyes. He bowed down to the lotus feet of the creator of the universe, which are attained by the supreme swan.

At that time, He, being pleased and present, spoke with a slight smile, as if to console the distressed, with a voice that was dear and affectionate, while touching the beloved with His hand.

The Supreme Lord said: I am fully satisfied with you, desiring to know the essence of the Vedas. For a long time, the ascetics who are difficult to please have been engaged in austerities.

Choose a boon, may it be auspicious for you, O Lord of boons, that which you do not desire. The effort of the Brahman is the ultimate goal for a man until he sees me.

This experience of contemplation is my observation of the worlds. By listening to the Yadu, he performed the supreme austerity in secret.

I have instructed you there, being bewildered by your actions. My austerity is directly the heart, I am indeed the purity of austerity.

I create this universe through austerity, I consume it again through austerity. I sustain the universe through my powerful austerity.

Brahma said: O Lord, who is the overseer of all beings, residing in the cave (of the heart). The Vedas, indeed, are not opposed to the knowledge that is desired.

Yet, O Lord, the one who is the Lord of all, I wish to know your true form as you are in the higher and lower realms.

Just as by the power of the self, various energies are manifested, withdrawing, releasing, and holding the self with the self.

As the play of the mighty resolve manifests, just as the web of a spider, so let my thoughts dwell on that subject, O Madhava.

O Lord, I shall act as you have taught me, without distraction. I shall not harm the creation of beings, as per your grace.

As long as friends are like you, I shall divide the creation of beings. Being steadfast in your actions, may I not be intoxicated by pride.

The Supreme Lord said: The knowledge that is the highest secret, which is endowed with wisdom, is that which I have spoken to you, accept it as a mystery.

As I am, with my qualities and actions, so may the knowledge of the truth be bestowed upon you by my grace.

I alone was the only one in the beginning; there was nothing else, whether real or unreal. Later, whatever exists, that I am.

Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I.

O Brahma, whatever appears to be of value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness.

O Brahma, please know that the universal elements enter into the cosmos and at the same time do not enter into the cosmos. Similarly, I Myself also exist within everything created, and at the same time I am outside of everything.

A person who is searching for the ultimate truth must inquire into the nature of the Absolute Truth by both direct and indirect approaches. The Absolute Truth is that which persists in all circumstances, in all times and in all places.

Shukadeva said: Thus instructing, the Supreme Lord, the highest being, revealed his form to the people.

For the purpose of the senses, the offering is made to Hari; may the universe, which is full of all beings, be created as before.

Once, the lord of creatures, the lord of righteousness, desiring the welfare of the beings, remained steadfast in his own interests.

Nārada, the beloved of the Lord, who is devoted to the giving of wealth, served him with character, humility, and self-control.

The great sage, desiring the illusion of Vishnu, pleased his father, the great devotee.

Seeing his father satisfied, the sage of the gods asked, 'O Lord, what do you desire to know?'

Therefore, this Bhagavata Purana, with its ten characteristics, is proclaimed by the Lord, pleased with His son, the creator of all beings.

Narada spoke to the sage on the banks of the Sarasvati, 'I meditate on the Supreme Brahman, Vyasa, of immense brilliance.'

When I was asked by you, O great sage, about this matter, it was as it is; thus, I shall explain it fully without any other questions.