ng, as Pradhana
(or Prakriti). He is Swabhaba (the basis on which all things rest). He is
the doer or agent, and is the cause of that variety that is witnessed in
the universe. He is the diverse kinds of energy that act in the universe.
In these five ways he is that all-controlling invisible influence of
which people speak. Those employed in investigating the several topics of
enquiry with the aid of such reasons as are of wide application, regard
Hari to be identical with the five reasons adverted to above and as the
final refuge of all things. Indeed, the puissant Narayana, endued with
the highest Yoga puissance, is the one topic (of enquiry). The thoughts
of the denizen of all the worlds including Brahma and the high-souled
Rishis, of those that are Sankhyas and Yogins, of those that are Yatis,
and of those, generally, that are conversant with the Soul are fully
known to Kesava, but none of these can know what his thoughts are.
Whatever acts are performed in honour of the gods or the Pitris, whatever
gifts are made, whatever penances are performed, have Vishnu for their
refuge,--who is established upon his own supreme ordinances. He is named
Vasudeva because of his being the abode of all creatures. He is
immutable. He is Supreme. He is the foremost of Rishis. He is endued
with the highest puissance. He is said to transcend the three attributes.
As Time (which runs smoothly without any sign) assumes indications when
it manifests itself in the form of successive seasons, even so He, though
really divested of attributes (for manifesting Himself). Even they that
are high-souled do not succeed in understanding his motions. Only those
foremost of Rishis that have knowledge of their Souls, succeed in
beholding in their hearts that Purusha who transcends all attributes.'"

SECTION CCCXLIX

"Janamejaya said, 'The illustrious Hari becomes gracious unto them that
are devoted to him with their whole souls. He accepts also all worship
that is offered to Him agreeably to the ordinance. Of those persons that
have burnt off their fuel,[1898] and that are divested of both merit and
demerit, that have attained the Knowledge as handed down from preceptor
to preceptor--such persons always attain to that end which is called the
fourth, viz., the essence of the Purushottama or Vasudeva,[1899]--through
the three others. Those persons, however, that are devoted to Narayana
with their whole souls at once attain to the highest end[1900] W