The perfection of spiritual knowledge.

The Supreme Lord describes what spiritual perfection is, which one can know even in the material universe.

Krishna, God, the Supreme Person says:

The devotee, envious of nothing, who behaves with all as a benevolent friend, who from nothing believes himself the possessor, who is freed from the false ego [of the domination of matter, and identification with the body] and remains the same in joy as in sorrow, who forgives, who always knows contentment and engages with determination in devotional service, and whose mind and body are abandoned to the Supreme Lord, this one is very dear to Me.

The devotee who never causes agitation for others and whom joys and sorrows do not affect, who in no way depends on the modes of material action, the pure being, expert in everything, free from all anxiety, freed from suffering, and who does not seek the fruit of his acts, This one is very dear to Me.

He who seizes neither joy nor sorrow, who neither grieves nor covets, who renounces the favorable as well as the unfavorable, this one, My devotee, is very dear to Me.

He who shows himself equal to the friend or the enemy, who remains the same in glory or reproach, heat or cold, praise or blame, forever pure of all defilement, always silent, satisfied with everything, carefree of lodging, and who, established in knowledge serves Me with love and devotion, this one is very dear to Me.

He who, full of faith in this imperishable path of devotional service, commits himself entirely, making Me the supreme goal, this one is infinitely dear to Me.

For learned and self-realized philosophers, I am the only object of worship, the desired purpose of life, the means to achieve that purpose, and the definitive conclusion of all knowledge. Indeed, because I am the cause of their happiness and unhappiness, such learned souls have no other purpose or dear object in life than Me. Those who have attained complete perfection through realized philosophical knowledge, recognize My lotus-like feet as the supreme transcendental object. Thus the transcendental scholar is dearest to Me, and by his perfect knowledge he maintains himself in happiness.

This perfection which is produced by a small fraction of spiritual knowledge cannot be reproduced by performing austerities, visiting holy places, singing silent prayers, giving charity or engaging in other pious activities. Therefore, through knowledge you must know your real self. Then, as you progress through the clear realization of Vedic knowledge, you should worship ME in an atmosphere of love and devotion.

Formerly, the great sages, through the sacrifice of Vedic knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, worshipped Me in themselves, knowing Me to be the Supreme Lord of all sacrifice and the Supreme Soul located in the heart of each. Thus coming to Me, these sages have attained supreme perfection.