Verse 8.288.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.88.98.108.118.128.138.148.158.168.178.188.198.208.218.228.238.248.258.268.278.28

Whatever fruit of merit is declared (in the scriptures) to accrue from (the study of) the Vedas, (the performance of) sacrifices, (the practice of) austerities, and gifts beyond all this goes the Yogi, having known this; and he attains to the Supreme Primeval (first or ancient) Abode.

Whatever fruit of merit is declared for the Vedas, for sacrifices, for austerities and for gifts, the yogi who knows this goes beyond it all and reaches the supreme, primal abode.

The chapter closes in the longer metre. Whatever merit is promised for study of the Vedas, for sacrifices (yajña), for austerities and for gifts, the yogi who understands this teaching goes beyond it all and reaches the supreme, primal abode. The verse does not reject these practices, but it ranks them below the knowledge just given. Their rewards are limited, while the yogi's goal is beyond return. The chapter thus ends by placing devotion and knowledge above even the most respected religious works.