वेदाभ्यासस्तपो ज्ञानमिन्द्रियाणां च संयमः । अहिंसा गुरुसेवा च निःश्रेयसकरं परम् ॥ ८३ ॥
Studying the Veda, (practising) austerities, (the acquisition of true) knowledge, the subjugation of the organs, abstention from doing injury, and serving the Guru are the best means for attaining supreme bliss.
(If you ask) whether among all these virtuous actions, (performed) here below, (there be) one which has been declared more efficacious (than the rest) for securing supreme happiness to man,
(The answer is that) the knowledge of the Soul is stated to be the most excellent among all of them; for that is the first of all sciences, because immortality is gained through that.