Just as gold, when smelted in fire, gives up its impurities and attains its pure state, similarly the ātmā becomes purified of all contamination caused by impressions of karma by bhakti-yoga and then serves me directly. By bhakti the ātmā is purified. No other process does this. An example is given. Just as gold heated by fire gives up its impurities, whereas washing it does not purify it, and it then partakes of its true form, so the jīva, purified of the contamination of impressions of karma (karma anuśayam), directly serves me in my planet.