Om̐ (Om̐), salutation (namas) to the Fortunate (bhagavate) Vāsudeva (vāsudevāya). Let us always think (sadā... dhīmahi) of the Highest (param) Truth (satyam), which is devoid (nirasta) of deception --i.e. Māyā or illusion-- (kuhakam), (as staying) in His own (svena) Abode (dhāmnā). (The Highest Truth is) the Self-ruler (svarāṭ) that knows (abhijñaḥ) the things (artheṣu) by means of association or connection (anvayāt) and also (ca) in the opposite way (itaratas), (and) by whom (yatas) the creation (janma), etc. (ādi) of this (universe) (asya) (is carried out. It was Him) who (yaḥ) spoke (tene) the Vedic knowledge (brahma) to the primordial (ādi) sage (kavaye) --i.e. to Brahmā--2 by His Heart (hṛdā). The learned and wise men (sūrayaḥ) (who are conversant with) that (Vedic knowledge) (yad) become bewildered (muhyanti) just as the water (may be erroneously seen) (vāri) in the fire (tejas), (or) the earth (mṛdām) in the water (vāri). (He is) certainly (amṛṣā) (the One) in whom (yatra) the creations of the three Guṇa-s or qualities of Prakṛti (tri-sargaḥ)3 (interact) reciprocally (vinimayaḥ)||1||