Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa is continuing the teaching of the previous verse. These devotees are practicing Viśvarūpa upāsanā. They dedicate all actions to Bhagavān, keep Bhagavān as the primary goal, meditate upon Him with undivided attention, and keep their minds set on Him.

Such devotees do not look upon Bhagavān merely as a means for material ends. In ordinary sakāma bhakti, Bhagavān may be treated as a means to obtain wealth, health, success, protection, or comfort. But here, Bhagavān is not merely the means; Bhagavān is the end. This is niṣkāma bhakti, the devotion of one who wants Bhagavān Himself.

For such devotees, Bhagavān says, ahaṁ samuddhartā bhavāmi — I become the rescuer. The rescue is from mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgara, the ocean of saṁsāra, which is filled with the problem of mortality. Death is the central fear because whatever is near and dear has to be left behind.

Bhagavān also says na cirāt — before long. This does not mean that mokṣa is given immediately from the fourth rung itself. Mokṣa requires jñānam, and jñānam requires jñāna-yogyatā. Therefore, Bhagavān rescues by making the devotee fit for the next step. He provides the necessary conditions, qualifications, guidance, and guru. If needed, Bhagavān Himself becomes the guru, just as He becomes the guru for Arjuna.