Krishna lists the virtues that constitute true knowledge: humility, unpretentiousness, non-violence, patience, uprightness, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, and self-control. Shankara presents these as the preparatory disciplines (sadhana-chatushtaya) that purify the mind for Self-knowledge. Ramanuja sees them as the devotional qualities that make the soul receptive to God's grace. The Bhakti tradition celebrates these as the marks of a true devotee who naturally embodies them. Madhva defines each virtue as a genuine positive quality reflecting the soul's natural goodness when purified, bringing it closer to God's grace. Abhinavagupta interprets these as natural expressions of expanded consciousness — humility arises when the ego recognizes its infinite source, and non-violence flows from seeing all beings as forms of one's own awareness. Vallabha teaches they develop naturally through pushti marga — when God's grace descends, the devotee becomes humble and pure through the transforming power of divine love. Tilak sees this list as the ethical foundation for effective action — humility, sincerity, and steadfastness make the karma yogi trustworthy. Vivekananda reads these as the marks of character-building universally needed, whether in an ashram or a modern workplace.