Thus, freeing oneself from the false ego, one should learn to see one's own being as one sees the sun in the sky.
The liberated soul realizes the Absolute Supreme Lord, who transcends everything and who manifests Himself even within the false ego, in reflected form. He represents the support of the material cause and penetrates into all things. It is absolute, unique, and constitutes the eyes of illusory energy.
The presence of the Supreme Lord can be perceived just as the sun is perceived, first through its image on water, then through its reflection on the wall of a room, the sun itself never leaving the firmament.
The realized soul is thus reflected in the three forms of the false ego, then in the body, the senses and the mind.
Although the devotee may seem totally merged in the five material elements, the objects of enjoyment, the material senses, the mind and intelligence, he must be considered awakened and free from the false ego.
The living entity can clearly perceive that he exists as a real observer, but because of the disappearance of the ego in the state of deep sleep, he thinks himself lost, just as a man in despair at having lost his fortune considers himself annihilated.
When, through mature understanding of things, one comes to realize his own identity, the situation to which he has submitted under the influence of the false ego becomes manifest to his eyes.
Liberation can be attained by earnestly performing devotional service and thus listening for a long time to the utterances concerning Me or emanating from Me. One who thus discharges his prescribed duties will not suffer any repercussions for any of his actions, and will find himself liberated from material defilement.
This devotional service should be vigorously performed in perfect knowledge and with spiritual vision. One should be firmly renounced and practice austerity and yoga so as to establish oneself steadily in inner absorption.
The influence of material nature has covered the distinct being, thus plunging him as into a perpetual blazing fire. But by the earnest practice of devotional service, this influence can be dispelled, just as the pieces of wood used to light a fire are themselves consumed by it.
Abandoning his desire to dominate material nature by realizing the wrong nature of this desire, the living being becomes independent and stands in his own glory.
He who is dreaming and whose consciousness is almost entirely veiled, may see many dire signs, but in the waking state, in full consciousness, these same phenomena cannot disturb him.