Kṛṣṇa continues to map His presence in nature. He is the ‘puṇyo gandhaḥ’, the original and pure fragrance of the earth—the scent of fresh rain on dry soil. He is the heat and radiance in the fire that provides warmth and cooks our food. He is the very principle of ‘life’ in everything that lives. He also identifies Himself as the ‘tapaḥ’, the determination and endurance of the ascetics who practice severe penance. Kṛṣṇa is the strength behind every act of self-discipline. He is the vitality that keeps a cell dividing and the willpower that keeps a seeker on the path. He is the active force in both biology and spirituality. This verse teaches us to respect the purity of nature. The ‘original’ state of things is divine. It encourages us to see the world not as a collection of dead resources to be exploited, but as a living manifestation of God’s heat, scent, and life-force. Every breath we take is supported by the energy Kṛṣṇa is describing here.